With all the talk of a new model that doesn't exist, I thought I might say something about a new model that does...
Last Saturday night we had the opportunity to run the RRM USRA 0-6-0 sample model on the Des Plaines Valley layout. The models will be built by Boo-Rim and as such there is a high expectation of quiet, smooth operation. With its Maxon motor, the 0-6-0 did not disappoint. We ran it on DC, no decoder, and it could be throttled to basically tie by tie by tie speed, even pulling cars. The model negotiated all turnouts and curves with ease. I believe the smallest turnout on the DPV layout is a White Oak #4. We eventually tied 28 cars to its drawbar (including six brass freight cars), that seemed to be about the limit with the train stretched around multiple curves - pulling, pushing and backing. The layout is relatively flat, maybe a 1% rise from one end to the other. OTOH, I would not expect folks to be using an 0-6-0 to pull long trains on mountain grades! BTW, the drawbar returns to the snap/spring design of the Berkshire, much more user friendly! We also ran the hirail version a bit on some SHS track - the operation was equally good. The hirail version won't operate reliably on code 100 track, but then again, it should not be expected to. The biggest challenge was mounting the couplers on the pilot beam. I have since found out that Kadee 802 couplers will be mounted on the models in Korea prior to delivery so Dan at RRM anticipated that issue and has already taken care of us! Chuck West took some photos and I'll try and get a few posted. My personal opinion is the 0-6-0's are another home run from Boo-Rim and with all the different versions and high level of detail are a great value and gift at the price. Check with Dan or on the RRM web site for information and a list of versions: (and Dan has assured me the B&O version will come with the correct color lettering!) http://www.riverraisinmodels.com/ Disclaimer - Dan Navarre and I formed River Raisin Models in 1986. I was a full partner in the company until the end of 2006. I no longer have any financial interest in RRM, but Dan Navarre is one of my best friends - in or out of this hobby. Additionally, I am intrigued by the amount of space in this forum given to promoting new and (sometimes) unproven manufacturers seemingly at the expense of the folks who have stood with S scale for years (decades!) and spent thousands of their own dollars on catalogues, newsletters, web sites, convention attendance and advertising in S magazines... To quote the Broadway play, "tiz a puzzlement..." Jim Kindraka Plymouth, WI [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
