I'm not a fan of the Atlas HH660's hand rails (and other Atlas locos)...
They're ABS plastic, I think, but they're SO flexy and bendy that they're very easy to break at their bases even if you're generally careful. Wire would be much better. I've seen this particular complaint online, before.
You can be as careful as you want to be with details, but the lst (or 2nd) time you have to fish something stalled, derailed, whatever from hidden trackage you're going to lose something sometimes.
Jim
Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.
This topic comes up on here from time to time, and it is a bit of a delicate situation - figuratively and literally.
Obviously no one wants to say anything rude about someone they don't even know, so as politely as possible, some speak up about details being fragile, and such.
The simple truth is this, for whatever reasons, some people have trouble handling complex fragile models, especially in scales like HO, where the models are big enough to have some weight, but can be detailed enough to be very fragile.
Without meaning any disrepect to anyone, the simple truth is some models are made more like rugged toys, and others more like fine museum pieces.
It is my view that those models made more like fine museum pieces are simply not intended for lots of "handling", by anyone - put them on the layout and leave them there - that is why they have wheels and motor, to move around under their own power.
Obviously they have to be handled some, but less is better.
If you want or need more "rugged" models, they are out there. One poster mentioned MTH, and it is generally true. They have heavy, strong die cast boilers with much of the detail cast in place and much of it somewhat oversized for strength - like overly thick running boards.
On the other hand, the Spectrum 2-6-6-2 mentioned in another post has very fine details, and can be hard to handle - but its "scale" appearance is very good.
I have four of those Spectrum 2-6-6-2's - never lost a part yet - what am I doing differently?
I would say buy whatever brands/models you have the best luck with, but understand - the more detail, and the more true to scale that detail is, the more fragile it will be.
That is not a function of models being "cheaply made" - it is a function of making parts at least close to their proper scale size and thickness.
Sheldon
I tend to agree (sort of) with the OP. Since returning to the hobby actively 4 years ago and building a sizable layout, I began to look into locomotives and rolling stock to add to my collection of several decades. At that point I was like a kid in the candy shop, everything looked grand, but then the reality set in when I bought an Athearn SD60. Right out of the package the railings on one side fell off and the other broke on the end with minor handling. I then bought another one about 2 months later giving the benefit of the doubt by writing off the faults of the first one as a defective locomotive. Similar problems. I then went and got a Bachmann 2-6-6-2. Absolutely beautifully detailed engine...not a bad runner. I've resigned it's life to sitting on a shelf as everytime I pick it up, something else falls off...like my two SD60's. I bought a pair Bowser Alco C630's a little over a year ago and they have been on the layout since, after I realized their fragility. I no longer buy new. To complete my Reading fleet, I've been getting BB and older Atlas off of Ebay. Also to get a few very specific steam locomotives which are made commercially I've opted to kitbash several old Mantuas.
One other issue...I don't like to buy in supporting the economy of another country.
My apologies if it appears that I took over this thread...was/is not my intent.
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
You sound like you should be shopping at MTH. I don't normally refer people there, but if you want gnarly big, beefy handrails, there you go.
For models with protoypically fine details, you do have to learn to handle them carefully -- they usually aren't grab and go. Which is not to say that some of the issues you identified could not be defects, but due care has to be taken.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
They're not cheaply thin. They're more expensively thin.
I'm completely serious. Finer work is more expensive, but also more delicate. Not sure why this didn't seem obvious to you.
Hey guys. I guess this is going to be more of a rant but I believe I might have a good point. Today's model deisel locomotives with DCC and sound cost close to three hundred dollars minus any deals a dealer might give. While these engines have great sound and excellent detail they also have some cheap details which I do not think are worth the three hundred dollars we have to fork over for them.
My case is my Athearn Genesis SD70ACe. It has excellent detail and the sound is awesome. The trouble is the handrails are so flimsy and so are other parts such as the drawbar cut lever. I received my first ACe with a bent front handrail. My current one came to me with a rear drawbar cut lever practically hanging. I used some glue to try strengthening it. It lasted for a few months but tonight after handling the engine I noticed it broke all the way off much to my anguish. I cannot glue it back on and while I tried doing that, one of the grill screens on the back of the model popped off making things even worse. I'm tired of spending so much money on these flawed models.
Some modelers have complained in the past about handrails and other details being too thick when compared to the prototype. I feel like this has lead to the manufacturers making everything so cheaply thin that it breaks easily. I would be more than willing to spend more money on something which won't break so easily let alone have flaws in the paint as well.
I'm sure this has been brought up before somewhere in this forum and I'm just adding negative vibes. All I am is a fellow model railroader who wishes the hobby would bring me joy and not anguish. I'm just so disappointed that this has happened to my favorite locomotive.