Preproduction Prototype Photos Posted!

[Anonymous]

Check out the new photos of our preproduction prototype.

The model will be ready to ship before summer!

Preorder pricing ends next month, act now and save $250!

www.smrtrains.com

[spankybird]

Outstanding detail [:D] [tup]

[underworld]

Great model! Good to see it's based on the original.

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

Awesome!!

[Anonymous]

High class, high dollar

Too rich for me

[macdannyk1]

Not my cup of tea, but very nice all the same.

[Anonymous]

A beautiful model! Wish I could afford one.

[Anonymous]

The cost of producing a small quantity of hand-made models is by its very nature higher than mass-producing something in plastic. However, if you buy current die-cast locos, our General costs not much more than two "inexpensive" engines.

I note that there have been many rave reviews and much excitement about MTH's diecast H3. The MSRP of that model is only $200 less than our preorder price.

[Anonymous]

Well, first I want to thank you for stimulating my intellectual curiosity. I read a response by Kyle Wyatt, curator of history for the Nevada State Railroad Museum, on Russia Iron. According to Mr. Wyatt, Russia Iron was very expensive, and it was the rise of appropriate paint that reduced the market for it. I found Wyatt's remarks reproduced on Brian Carter's web pages:

http://www.narrowgauge.iform.com.au/russian-iron.html

Apparently, it was a very high quality iron produced in Russia that was used for the outer cladding on stoves and locomotives in the early 19th century and possibly before. Obviously, it was less susceptible to corrosion than regular iron plate, although nowhere did I find that stated, otherwise, why use it?

On the matter of price, my local hobby store has a Lionel "Pickering Lumber Co." Heisler at an offered price higher than your post introduction price. Frankly, I am a lot more apt to buy "The General" than something from a lumber company in California. Of course, my roots are in the confederacy, I might feel differently if they were in California.