Having never owned their products, I am curious as to how reliable and how accurate in details they are, any issues when operating on DCC? I'm planning a modest HO branch line layout where the SP used these as the primary power. Appreciate any insight that may be provided.
Dave
Bowser is American made. It is of excellent build quality and weight. The mechanisms and motors are very high quality and smooth running.
However Bowsers often lack the detail of say a Walthers P2K engine, Atlas Silver/Gold, or BLI Paragon engine
Parts are commonly available. Depending on which you buy, some assembly might be required. Executive line comes pre assembled.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
The 'details lacking' really only applies to their F units, which unless they are the Executive Line need some dressing up in the form of handrails and grabs and so forth.
I have F's, AS-16's, and various Baldwin switchers from Bowser/Stewart, every one is a top notch runner. My only complaint is their use of yellow LEDs for headlights, but it's not too hard to swap them out. In the switchers there's no soldering onvolved, even. For my AS-16 I unsodlered the stock LED and put a new one on the circuit board.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I have two AS-616s and an AS-16, both are top notch runners in DCC. Now that a couple of companies have Baldwin sound decoders they'll probably be upgraded in the near future to sound engines.
I hate to bring this back up, but I'm Googled out. For those of you that have this locomotive does it have see through screening or painted plastic screen relief. I am excited about the T&NO version and the Tsunami sound but i don't live close enough to any shop that has one and I can't seem to find this info anywhere.
I had some Hallmark brass last run AS16's and they looked a lot better than my old Stewart AS16. Has Bowser improved the body any?
Thanks,
SB
They've upgraded some details, but I don;t think they have etched metal grills or anything. They have lift rings, MU hoses, a more detailed fuel tank with site glass and filler, and metal grabs.
I have to laugh at the Hallmark comparison, but only because when I hear Hallmark mentioned I can't help but think of their horrible Geeps of the early 70's, the ones with the really ugly trucks that look nothign like a Blomberg. Athearn had better detail, even then. I'm sure more recent runs of their locos had a bit more attention paid to the detail than those.
Thanks for the reply. Mrs Halls last models were made by Samhongsa in the mid eigthies and they were very nice much like the last models imported by Oriental. The AS16 and AS616;s in this last run had can motors, sprung trucksand very nice body detail. She also brought in her nicest run of RDC's at this time.
Most of this run was sold in boxes labeled for a West Coast hobby shop that I cannot recall the name now.
I second RRinkers comments. I have the AS16 Executive line Baldwin Road Switchers with sound decoders. These are excellent runners and the detail on the new stuff is excellent. The Baldwin switchers have excellent detail and now are available sound equipped. I have put sound decoders in the earlier Baldwin switchers but I would reccomend buying them with sound decoders if you havn't gotten any yet.
Chris
I have an AS-616 and a DRS4-4-1000. Both units have the same drive and run really well. The only thing I don't like about them is that the contour of the cab roof is wrong.
Thanks for all the answers guy's.
Does anyone with a sound version know if the Tsunami decoder that is in these have all the same features that an aftermarket tsunami does. I have read two different things.
Thanks
It's a full Tsunami, not a cut down one like some others are using. I have one of the FT sound chassis with a Tsunami, it has all the features. It was a good deal so I bought it, but honestly I am not so in love with Tsunamis as everyone seems to be.
Thanks Randy. I know what you mean about Tsunamis, awesome sound but everything else seems a little different from QSI and all the rest. I always have to have their manual right by my side.