I just wanted to stick up for Sunset a bit. I have a UP 4-6-0 from Sunset that is the best running steamer I have right from the box. And its an older run, probably 25 yrs ago. No issues re tracking or pickups and it looks real nice, even in my yellow/green/black private road name logging colours
The Selkirk would be nice as its really an iconic Canadian locomotive but as David noted, they are a dime a dozen from past runs. And its out of my era so my N2 will suffice, in BC Provincial Museum paint when it gets done.
grizlump9 ...when i last saw him he was dealing blackjack at a local casino.
A fitting end for someone who gambled with his customers' satisfaction and his own integrity.
no doubt the models you mentioned are all later production that the ones i had problems with. even so, once i got burned i was through with them for good. these represented a small percentage of the brass i have aquired over the years and were the worst of the lot. as for the lhs owner, the irs padlocked his shop, he filed chapter something or other and when i last saw him he was dealing blackjack at a local casino.
grizlump
grizlump9 maybe they are doing you a favor. compared to other brass steam locomotives i have the sunset models are junk. i was dumb enough to purchase three different ones, all from local hobby shops and they all turned out to be big disappointments. on two of them, the pilots touch the rail and hold the wheels up above the railhead and one of them only moved about 3 feet before unloading the side rods and valve gear. when i mentioned it to the shop owner who sold it to me he said, "well, what did you expect? it was a sunset." he kept my money, though. perhaps they have gotten better over the years. they could not have gotten much worse. grizlump
maybe they are doing you a favor. compared to other brass steam locomotives i have the sunset models are junk. i was dumb enough to purchase three different ones, all from local hobby shops and they all turned out to be big disappointments. on two of them, the pilots touch the rail and hold the wheels up above the railhead and one of them only moved about 3 feet before unloading the side rods and valve gear. when i mentioned it to the shop owner who sold it to me he said, "well, what did you expect? it was a sunset." he kept my money, though. perhaps they have gotten better over the years. they could not have gotten much worse.
Sorry about your problems with Sunset. All of my major steam is brass, and I've got several Sunset models (an SP AC-6 Cab Forward, an SP 2-8-0, an ATSF 2-8-0) and I couldn't be happier with them. They all run like Swiss Watches, quiet and smooth and with a little 'working over' (as I work over ALL my brass, no matter what the mfgr), are rather powerful haulers.
"What did you expect, it's a Sunset." Hm. Does your dealer say that about used PFM, Akane, Key, Balboa or Westside? Or perhaps he's the kind of guy that just wants you to empty your wallet for brand-spanking new Division Point or PSC, which are excellent models, but as another poster says: "Sticker Shock?"
And yes, I'm awaiting my GN Z-6 4-6-6-4 from Sunset, and yes, I'm patiently awaiting it, because I KNOW that this is not going to be the BIG SELLER that another version of a UP Challenger is going to be, and if it happens, then I'm a happy camper. If it doesn't happen--oh well. I've got $300 down at my dealer as a deposit, and if Sunset doesn't come through, then guess what--I'll use the $300 and make a raid on the rest of the shop.
I'd LIKE to have the Z-6, but if it ain't in the cards, it ain't in the cards. I've got plenty of articulateds, thank you, I've just always thought that the Z-6 was a particularly handsome looking 4-6-6-4. Nowhere near as gorgeous as the Rio Grande Baldwin-built L-105's, understand, that is my all-time favorite 'Challenger', but as far as looks go, the Z-6 as an Alco loco wins hands down against those naked looking UP locos. And as far as sheer TE goes, makes the UP's look like little boys trying out their daddy's pants, LOL!
So, I get the Z-6 or I don't. Depends on Sunset. And like I said, I've never had any trouble with Sunset's, they're pretty darned good brass lokies, IMO.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
markpierceCAZEPHYR Interesting to know that they are still waiting for reservations. I was under the impression they were in the scheduled bin or whatever they call it and we would see them later this year. I would venture a guess the Z6 NP from Sunset is waiting on reservations also. Don't tell Tom White that. I believe he has reserved a model of that NP locomotive from Sunset. It could ruin his day/month. Mark
CAZEPHYR Interesting to know that they are still waiting for reservations. I was under the impression they were in the scheduled bin or whatever they call it and we would see them later this year. I would venture a guess the Z6 NP from Sunset is waiting on reservations also.
Interesting to know that they are still waiting for reservations. I was under the impression they were in the scheduled bin or whatever they call it and we would see them later this year.
I would venture a guess the Z6 NP from Sunset is waiting on reservations also.
Don't tell Tom White that. I believe he has reserved a model of that NP locomotive from Sunset. It could ruin his day/month.
Mark
I know Tom is waiting for the Z6 and my dealer has told me he cannot find out any good schedule for the Sunset Z6 as recently as last week. I am waiting for one also but it might be some time in the future. The picture they show in the Sunset ad is their nice looking O scale model. If you look at the picture, you can see the large flanges on the wheels for the third rail model.
CZ
markpierceFrom first-hand experience I know that Division Point doesn't notify dealers when it has cancelled planned models. As a result, the dealers keep listing the models as "in the future" and will take additional reservations, all for naught. I wonder if other importers do this. Mark
From first-hand experience I know that Division Point doesn't notify dealers when it has cancelled planned models. As a result, the dealers keep listing the models as "in the future" and will take additional reservations, all for naught. I wonder if other importers do this.
I know of two that seem to follow this practice in the Vancouver area and not just for DP. I don't see why they do this as they would not get a cent from me before delivery.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
markpierceBATMAN I also heard Division Point is coming out with a Selkirk. Sunset better hurry up or there will be a lot of people walking over to DP's and Sunset may miss the boat. But will they recover from "sticker shock." Mark
BATMAN I also heard Division Point is coming out with a Selkirk. Sunset better hurry up or there will be a lot of people walking over to DP's and Sunset may miss the boat.
But will they recover from "sticker shock."
markpierceBut will they recover from "sticker shock."
...and no QSI decoder, either. You'd think Sunset would have a booming business with their prices including a QSI.
-Crandell
Good point David. I would be muscling my way to the front of the line for that one (or two) I also heard Division Point is coming out with a Selkirk. Sunset better hurry up or there will be a lot of people walking over to DP's and Sunset may miss the boat.
BATMAN I just phoned Sunset Models and talked to Scott. I ask when my Selkirk was going to be made as I have now had my order in for 14 months. He said they need orders for fifty more before they will be produced. So if everyone on the forum at this time would just order two each I might get to run one on my new layout before I am pushing up Daisies. Thanks for all your help and I know you guys will come through for me. Brent
I just phoned Sunset Models and talked to Scott. I ask when my Selkirk was going to be made as I have now had my order in for 14 months. He said they need orders for fifty more before they will be produced. So if everyone on the forum at this time would just order two each I might get to run one on my new layout before I am pushing up Daisies. Thanks for all your help and I know you guys will come through for me.
selector Anyway, I ordered one when they were first announced, but there's no way I'll order two.
Anyway, I ordered one when they were first announced, but there's no way I'll order two.
Similarly, I've placed an order for only one Glacier Park Models Southern Pacific Mountain locomotive.
tatans ...is that because Canadians can't afford them and Americans don't want them? mysteries eh !
...or they don't want the Sunset version. Who knows. Canadian semi and full streamlining is closer to the British look than the American look, so I would guess there would be lukewarm interest from our friends south of the 49th...I could be wrong.
tatans $800.00 u.s. that's $4,100.00 cdn. My whole layout didn't cost $800, wait,
$800.00 u.s. that's $4,100.00 cdn. My whole layout didn't cost $800, wait,
What currency are you speaking of? While $800 U.S. may be worth something like 41,000 Philllipine pesos, it is only about $904 Canadian.
$800.00 u.s. that's $4,100.00 cdn. My whole layout didn't cost $800, wait, I think I just won the lotto, now I can afford one. The strange thing is that there aren't enough customers to warrant construction, is that because Canadians can't afford them and Americans don't want them? mysteries eh !
Their prices are half or more less expensive than other importers. Other importers deal with production runs of 100 units or less, so I suppose Sunset needs a larger production run to reduce per-unit costs. That doesn't mean that the other importers don't drop planned models: more than once were plans cancelled on items I've reserved.
I know how you feel, Brent. I waited nearly 28 months for my BLI NYC L-4a Mohawk.
Now, if you'll just put in an order for one of their NYC 20th Century "Dreyfus" Hudsons, I'll be assured of running one by Christmas time this year.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.