REA Diesel Locomotives

[ondrek]

Are these any good?

I am thinking of getting one for my son's 5th birthday present.
I kinda need to know soon, as the one i am looking at might be bought in oh, a half hour.

I know, not much time to help me, but please try


Kevin

[ondrek]

Aw man, come on, no one has anything to say about these?

I dont have much time left

Kevin

[Curmudgeon]

They run okay.
They are the fore-runners of Aristo.
Made in Korea, I think.
Wheels tend to crud up badly, need to be cleaned regularly.
If it has sound, you will end up removing it.
It's BAD.

They work great with on-board battery r/c, as the wheels make no difference then.

TOC

[ondrek]

Well, I guess i am glad i didnt get it.

I dont need another headache

KEvin

[Tom The Brat]

Na... Go for something like a Heartland Mack Switcher or Aristo Critter.

[Marty Cozad]

" dont need another headache"
Thats just part of the hobby. there is many headaches. I've had REA or older Aristo and had no problems.
Starting a kid out with something that won't brake the first time he drops it is what is needed.
Some of the locos today I won't even let some adults touch them.
If it was an REA FA unit and a good price then you can't loose.
I've sold used locos and cars just to help folks get started so they don't spend so much money untill they know they will stay in it.

[ondrek]

my son already has a bachmann big hauler, he does very well with it. has never dropped it.
I thought of getting this one cuz it was relativly cheap.
I will keep him on the bachmanns for a little while longer.

Kevin

[Tom The Brat]

If he handles the big hauler and can get the wheels on the track, he'll have no trouble with about anything. Some kids....

The MAC switcher runs very nicely, is very sturdy and you can sometimes find them for less than 40 bucks.

[tangerine-jack]

Thanks for that blip of info, Torby! I just ordered a Heaartland Mack switcher from Wholesale trains for $36.00 along with half a dozen of the 2 axle tank car kits (I figure for $8.00 each even if they're dogs I can find a use for them somewhere). I was wondering about the quality, but at that price even if it didn't run for [censored] it would still look great on the shelf.



[oX)]

[ondrek]

Never was a big fan of the Hartland Mac
just looks way to odd to me

Well see, the Hartland short cars are a great deal though, thanks for finiding that link

Kevin

[ondrek]

Funny thing about those Hartland flat cars, they are the cars that were featured in the current GR mag. and how to make them look better. sweet deal!

Kevin

[tangerine-jack]

I really didn't need the Mack switcher, but I got the purple one as I figured I could let my girls play with it (ages 6-12) and leave my more expensive stuff alone. I kinda like the odd equipment myself, I'm eying the railbus, but I've spent more than my allowance already.[#oops]





[oX)]

[Tom The Brat]

The motor block in that Mac just won't quit.