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Boy, I bet this one will stir up some comments. I have to say up front that I am one of those guys who drills and installs grab irons on freight cars, I have scratch built cars and I have put together lots of stuff that is wire, wood and metal castings because I like the realism of the finished product. I like highly detailed stuff and am willing to pay (up to a point). When it comes to the perception of an item as expensive, I think that you run into problems because not everyone judges things in the same way. We all have a different idea of what expensive is. To some, $300.00 for a loco is outrageous, to others it is a good deal. While terry makes a good arguement, I can't agree with the premise of his editorial on several counts:. For one, I don't see a lot of the stuff being that much more expensive that non-detailed stuff that was available a few years ago when you adjust for inflation. When I see blue boxes going for the same price as discounted P2K kits, I'm not sure I see the arguement that superdetailing is making stuff expensive. In the area of locos, BLI is often pointed out as driving the price up by offering stuff we may not want (DCC and sound). I personally think these locos are a great deal considering what you get. Try buying an Athearn Mikado and adding sound and DCC and see what it runs. Another example: I paid $300.00 for my P2K 2-8-8-2 when they first came out, The sound, DCC equipped one is on sale at around $320.00 !!!! Which is the better deal?? Now I know there are those who will say that ten years ago they were buying steam locos for $50.00. But what were they getting for the $50.00??? I doubt anyone wants to go back to those days. I think the market that most benefits by this is the market of modelers who ar looking to RUN trains (not collect), who were forced to buy brass because they wanted higher detail. While the new plastic is still not as detailed as brass, I'm sure that many of these modelers are very happy with the newer, better detailed plastic that is still far cheaper than brass. I know I am. I think that having lots of high quality goods is a good thing for the hobby and that we shouldn't go back. I'm sure that as things get too expensive, the market will correct itself (people will buy less) and many manufacturers offer less detailed cheaper lines already. I think everyone benefits from having protoypically accurate stuff around and I suspect that even the cheaper stuff that comes out in the future will look and run better because of all the attention to detail, quality and accuracy in the current offerings. I will continue to buy the newer high detailed items as I need and can afford them. Ducking for cover,
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