New 3 unit turbine from Overland

[Anonymous]

I just purchased the new 3 unit UP turbine from Overland. The detail on it is super but I don't know what they were thinking from an operation stand point. The model has a short drawbar between the A&B unit that limits the radius to about 30" which is absurd if you intend to run it on a home layout once in a while. That goes for the tender also which has the same problem. The new model has the A&B unit semi permanently connected so you have to be very careful when handling it. Some genius also decided to have rubber hoses attached between the A&B unit for scale purposes which make the units so delicate that one mistake and you pull the hoses apart. The A unit is the only one thats powered (dual motors)and its lighter than the B unit so there is a traction issue. I was so happy when I received it and super disappointed when I went to run it. I didn't pay almost 2 grand to put this model in a display case and let it collect dust for years. By the way this model comes with no paperwork or instructions. All that came with it was a little piece of paper saying to add weight to the A unit for better traction. I have a 2003 version of this model and it is slightly less detailed but right out of the box it pulled 30 cars with out a problem. Both units are powered and it negotiates a 22" radius without any problems. I managed to solve part of the problem by machining a new longer drawbar and adding 8 ounces to the A unit. Something I should not have to do on such an expensive model. I sent Overland an email but have yet to hear from them. I guess they got their money so I'm History. This is the last purchase they will see from me. They must think that no one wants to see these models run once they dump all that cash on buying them. The workmanship on these is super non the less and Ajin who makes these models has outstanding craftsman assembling these units. Too bad they don't run as good as they look.

[:(!]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by RudyG

I just purchased the new 3 unit UP turbine from Overland. The detail on it is super but I don't know what they were thinking from an operation stand point. The model has a short drawbar between the A&B unit that limits the radius to about 30" which is absurd if you intend to run it on a home layout once in a while. That goes for the tender also which has the same problem. The new model has the A&B unit semi permanently connected so you have to be very careful when handling it. Some genius also decided to have rubber hoses attached between the A&B unit for scale purposes which make the units so delicate that one mistake and you pull the hoses apart. The A unit is the only one thats powered (dual motors)and its lighter than the B unit so there is a traction issue. I was so happy when I received it and super disappointed when I went to run it. I didn't pay almost 2 grand to put this model in a display case and let it collect dust for years. By the way this model comes with no paperwork or instructions. All that came with it was a little piece of paper saying to add weight to the A unit for better traction. I have a 2003 version of this model and it is slightly less detailed but right out of the box it pulled 30 cars with out a problem. Both units are powered and it negotiates a 22" radius without any problems. I managed to solve part of the problem by machining a new longer drawbar and adding 8 ounces to the A unit. Something I should not have to do on such an expensive model. I sent Overland an email but have yet to hear from them. I guess they got their money so I'm History. This is the last purchase they will see from me. They must think that no one wants to see these models run once they dump all that cash on buying them. The workmanship on these is super non the less and Ajin who makes these models has outstanding craftsman assembling these units. Too bad they don't run as good as they look.

[:(!]

I was getting one too, but some dealers have them for 1650 or so. Jim at Tracks and Prints is one of the best prices around.

I am sorry to hear only the lead unit is powered, as I did expect both units to be on line, but remember, the previous model did have both powered and cost more.

Good luck in pulling anything with it. I know where some of the older models are.

[TrainFreak409]

That is a real shame. Number one, from Overland, I would have expected better, and number two, a model of a turbine should be FLAWLESS. And I am sure MANY of you would agree.[:p]

~[8]~ TrainFreak409 ~[8]~

[Anonymous]

That's why I don't waste my money on brass!
For what it costs, it should run perfect.
But something that big is NOT going to run very good, or even look good on small radius curves!
Just an expensive boat anchor!

[tatans]

How can the A unit with 2 motors weigh less than the B unit, whats in it for weight, uranium? did you say you already have a model of this? why buy another one.------ I'd sure be on the phone to Overland.

[jwr_1986]

I got a kick out of overlands booth at the springfield show. I asked one of the guys about thier new decoder equiped stuff and thier claims that the decoder is customed disigned with certain features. After listening to his speal the only custom part of the decoder may be a custom fit for their models. All the other features are standard on any DH163 series decoder. All in all I liked some of their products but their people didn't impress me that much. They had two turbine models toward the back and they were beautiful. I've noticed though that they never have one running where the highend plastic booths had a loop of track so you could see what you were getting in to.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tatans

How can the A unit with 2 motors weigh less than the B unit, whats in it for weight, uranium? did you say you already have a model of this? why buy another one.------ I'd sure be on the phone to Overland.

The B unit weighs more because on the inside of it they replicated the turbine guts of the real one. The B unit has several sliding doors on it so you can actually see the massive turbine mounted inside. I managed to get a last years model at a big discount and was so impressed with it (Both units powered, and almost identical and runs super right out of the box) that I wanted another Road #. I'm a big UP fan and love these
big turbines. I just wish Proto 2000 or Broadway ltd would offer one in ABS for about 1/3 of the price.

[:)]

[Anonymous]

RudyG,
I'm really sorry to hear about your experience but grateful you posted it. I had been half seriously thinking about one of these turbines after I saw some of the discounted prices but I'm glad that I didn't jump into it. The lack of knowing what you are getting in advance is, to me, the major shortcoming with brass models. Obviously, as shown your experience, you can't assume that you will get a detailed, well designed, properly operating model. Maybe they need to add a disclaimer similar to stock funds, "prior performance may not be indicative of future models".
Charles

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by RudyG



The B unit weighs more because on the inside of it they replicated the turbine guts of the real one. The B unit has several sliding doors on it so you can actually see the massive turbine mounted inside. ...

[:0] The half of me that likes detailed models is saying "WOW, that's awesome! I'd love to own one!" but the half that likes nice running locos is saying "whose dumb idea was that?! Who's gonna open the hatches of a loco while it runs on the layout?"

[;)]

[tatans]

If my memory serves me right, back in the 60's I remember locos running with all their doors open down in the Snake River tracks near Lewiston Idaho, and I'm sure the temp. was about 114 Was this the S.P. ???