Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
Discussing the quality of a product usually is a border line issue, but let´s give it a try. I agree with the OP, that the quality of locos seems to have been better in the good old days. I have an old Marklin DB class E94 electric, which has been resting in its box for over 20 years. Just a few days I took it out of the box, set it on a length of track and it just ran beautifully - just like a Swiss watch. It´s a rugged design, has a metal body which seems to be indestructible and a paint job that will outlast me. The loco was introduced into the market in the early 1960´s has has been produced  unchanged for about 30 years. Aside from the window glazing and the wiring, there is no plastic part in it, which could be subject to degrading. Would you agree that this is quality? I think it is. Looking at the detail on the loco, it may be a different story. Recent (plastic) models of this prototype offer a lot more detail, but are a lot more fragile. I doubt that any of the recent model will stand up as my old Marklin loco does. But I also doubt that you´d be able to market a loco with a level of detail my old Marklin beast today at the same cost in terms of working hours as you could then. Modern production technologies and materials allow for much better products than 30  to 40 years ago, but there is a price tag to it. Locos have to be designed to cost to meet the market´s idea on pricing. We have to accept the fact, that there is a trade off between quality and price. Better quality - yes, but are we prepared to pay for it?
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community