Hey hope you guys are doing well. I was wondering how accurate the West side model Gs4 is to the prototype (in service not 4449). Seems like the prices have really come down on them and I was wondering if they are a good deal.
Well, it doesn't really burn oil to produce steam to turn the drivers...However, the impression I have of Westside products is that they are competitive in terms of detail. I am sure some Espee fanatic can nitpick, but the truth with any model of anything is that some compromises have to be made (A truly accurate GS-4 model, for example, would never make it through our model turnouts and curves)
True I was just wondering how it stood against modern renditions in plastic and die cast and against other imports. To me it seems spot on and probably much more proportianate to the real thing than say a bachmann, mth, or bli.
BradenD True I was just wondering how it stood against modern renditions in plastic and die cast and against other imports. To me it seems spot on and probably much more proportianate to the real thing than say a bachmann, mth, or bli.
I have not done any research into your question, and don't own any of the models in question. But you might be surprised at the overall accuracy of a recent Bachmann or BLI GS4.
Bachmann retooled their GS 4 about a decade or so ago, the one I saw looks pretty well detailed as streamlined steam goes.
Old brass on the other hand can be hit or miss on accuracy and details.
The assumption that all brass is better than all mass produced plastic/diecast models would definately be false.
MTH was/is hit or miss with detail. They tended to make some models with oversized clunky cast on details - like shrunk down LIONEL.
I've been at this a long time and know a lot (not everything) about trains, but my therapist said counting rivets was bad for my mental health......
Sheldon
I'm not an SP fan and my only experience with Westside brass is their PRR K5s. While the general dimensions and overall 10 foot look is alright. The small details were horrible. The claw foot marker lights were just posts with a ball on top. The headlight was nothing near PRR, the grabs were not very good or plentiful enough. At least they got the tender fill hatch right and the coal bunker size is right. The rivet detail is very well done. But what can you expect for $75.
Maybe their other projects were better.
Pete.