I have some swamp land you could use the bridge on!
Why would a plastic engine cost that much and why has MTH not sued them yet?
I hate Rust
My LHS ordered several of these locos but were very disappointed in them when they arrived. I did not see them, but the owner reported very poor assembly, with parts loose or crooked, or missing entirely. On some details, the glue holding them in place was visible. On top of all that, the mechanism is reportedly from Bachmann. They returned the entire order, as they felt them to be un-saleable. His margin was supposedly very narrow, as he felt the original MSRP to be too high, making it unlikely that anyone would buy them at the suggested price, and they had been brought in mainly as a courtesy to their large customer base, many of whom were interested.
A good friend has one of these locos pre-ordered, due, I think, at the end of this month. I'll judge then for myself as to the quality - there is very little that cannot be repaired, although at the $899.00 price, it shouldn't be required.
If you want this particular locomotive and have the money to afford it, the "value" comes into play only if the product is below the standards promised. In the example cited, this was the case. For my friend, if his is as nice as originally promised, he'll be happy. If it's less than promised, but I can bring it up to his expectations, he'll still be happy, although perhaps not so eager next time.
I expected some teething problems with this loco (it was a grand undertaking for their first effort), but I hope that they can make it right, as the promise of future offerings of "locomotives unlikely to be otherwise offered by anybody" hinges on the success of this one. It will be unfortunate if TLT loses their shirts on this.
Wayne
Howard Zane I believe that anything of truly good quality will hold value. This model is magnificent in appearance. I have had both Toby and Samhongsa brass U2gs. and in all fairness if it is detail that is important, this model reigns superior. Runability....OK, but in the same class as a Rivarossi model. Smoke units can not be discussed in the same sentence with MTH. I plan on keeping it and with the help of Jan Willard*, easily bring it up to great performing standards. As far as True Line Trains, like any other model railroad manufacturer, I take off my hat and simply say...Thanks!
I believe that anything of truly good quality will hold value. This model is magnificent in appearance. I have had both Toby and Samhongsa brass U2gs. and in all fairness if it is detail that is important, this model reigns superior. Runability....OK, but in the same class as a Rivarossi model. Smoke units can not be discussed in the same sentence with MTH. I plan on keeping it and with the help of Jan Willard*, easily bring it up to great performing standards.
As far as True Line Trains, like any other model railroad manufacturer, I take off my hat and simply say...Thanks!
Howard
Interesting that it does have such good detail and holds it own to the older brass. The pictures that I have seen do show good detail and I am happy to know that some are being discounted big time. The running qualities do not seem so great, but they are probably using an unknown builder in China.
Show us some pictures of the U2g model if you have time.
Thanks
CZ
Folks,
I started this thread because I had acquired one these U2g's on eBay for about 1/2 price. Knowing the MSRP, I assumed that it was at least die cast or similar to the BLI CN Hudson which was mostly brass and with DCC electronics. Immediately upon opening the beautiful presentation box and saw #31 of 1000, I knew that if this model was plastic and indeed it certainly looked plastic...there was a serious mistake with the importer/producer's thinking. Brass models are hand formed and can be produced in small runs. A plastic model of this magnitude requires production molds and tooling which can cost upwards of $75,000 to $100,000.
A run of 1000 can no way be profitable as it would have to be retailed in the above $1000 category just to break even. Very few are willing to shell out that much for a plastic model when firms like BLI, Life Like, Bachmann and others are doing similar work for one quarter of the price....but in much larger runs! Value?? I believe that anything of truly good quality will hold value. This model is magnificent in appearance. I have had both Toby and Samhongsa brass U2gs. and in all fairness if it is detail that is important, this model reigns superior. Runability....OK, but in the same class as a Rivarossi model. Smoke units can not be discussed in the same sentence with MTH. I plan on keeping it and with the help of Jan Willard*, easily bring it up to great performing standards.
*Jan Willard lives in Mt Airy, MD and is in my opinion the best all around model railroad repair person I have met in my 6 decades of playing with trains. I'm lucky to be only 30 miles from Willard.
HZ
Howard Zane Anyone have any comments or experience with the well advertised CN U2g 4-8-4 by True Line Trains with a suggested retail price of $1199? HZ
Anyone have any comments or experience with the well advertised CN U2g 4-8-4 by True Line Trains with a suggested retail price of $1199?
I have a comment about the model but will not be getting it. If it had been in the $600 range, I would be interested in it. Compare it in price to the recent release of the Sunset Z6, which I did purchase, and the True Line CN model is just overpriced. I realize the Z6 is a much bigger model and is brass, but it has value compared to the general brass market. When you compare the U2g, it is double to triple the price of any plastic 4-8-4 available that I know of. There might be exceptions, but the bottom line is why would I spend to much for this model that is also available in used brass.
After the initial batch of the loco was released, there were a lot of gripes on the Canmodeltrains Yahoo Groupe. One of the firm's owners replied to some of their gripes, which to many did seem to be minor. But if you're paying over $1K for a model it should be right, as many expressed. The firm even went over the remaining models on hand and did some adjustments before releasing them. The owner also said he was heading off to their factory in China to personally see that the remaining models are tested and made right before shipping any more.
This was Trueline Trains first steam engine, and it may have been a bit too much to assume they would get everything perfect the first time. They offered to replace the tenders to buyers for some minor problem. Some buyers were supportive, but the owner reported some messages he received were downright hostile. And this is supposed to be a hobby!
I imagine things will sort themselves out eventually. Whether the problems and gripes with this loco will prevent them from offering more in the future is anyone's guess. Doesn't mean anythng to me, as I have no interest nor would I spend that kind of money on a model.
Bob Boudreau
CANADA
Visit my model railroad photography website: http://sites.google.com/site/railphotog/
Berk-fan284 Hello David B, Yes I know it's plastic and I wonder if it will keep it's value as well as brass plus what kind of luck are you going to have getting parts for it if you actually run it. I decided to wait and see if I come across a brass locomotive with a slightly more reasonable price (reasonable being a relative term when discussing brass). Andrew
Hello David B,
Yes I know it's plastic and I wonder if it will keep it's value as well as brass plus what kind of luck are you going to have getting parts for it if you actually run it. I decided to wait and see if I come across a brass locomotive with a slightly more reasonable price (reasonable being a relative term when discussing brass).
Andrew
Keep its value like brass? What value? While brass may not devaluate as fast as "plastic" and "other" types of model trains, I see no sign the brass even keeps up with inflation over the long term.
Model trains are like used cars, once its off the lot, its value is gone. I would strongly caution anyone not to think their model train "collection" is an investment.
As for the piece in question, even if I modeled that railroad, it is way past my cost/need/want ratio to ever show up on my layout, but than again so is most brass.
When I get done modifying and painting them for my railroad, adding some light weathering, running them, brass or not, I doubt too many people would want them - that's OK, their not an investment, they are MY toys.
Sheldon
davidmbedard Guys...these locos are plastic. Would you spend 1200 bucks for plastic? Personally, I would expect brass for that price. David B
Guys...these locos are plastic. Would you spend 1200 bucks for plastic? Personally, I would expect brass for that price.
David B
For that price I'd also expect a band to go along with the brass.
If you actually do buy this engine, let me know...I'll sell you a bridge to go with it.
Dave
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ_ALEdDUB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqFS1GZL4s
http://s73.photobucket.com/user/steemtrayn/media/MovingcoalontheDCM.mp4.html?sort=3&o=27
I had a look at one at the LHS for $1040 CDN I was considering one via Ebay but decided I didn't want play/pay at that level. Very nice detail,can't say anything about the running quality or sound as the shop was reluctant to unpack one for a test run. They apparently sold one on the first day they put 3 of them in the display case.
Best regards
Howard ZaneAnyone have any comments or experience with the well advertised CN U2g 4-8-4 by True Line Trains with a suggested retail price of $1199? HZ
Nope! You could buy my entire roster and all of my rolling stock for about 1/2 that much!
-George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."