Integrity of Model Railroader Product Reviews

[davekelly]

I do remember that when MRR reviewed some Walthers passenger car they really were critical about the shape of the roof.

[davekelly]

If MRR had to buy many of the items from a LHS the review would come out after the entire run was sold out.

[ndbprr]

No it isn't you. I go back to an era when they purchased the items they reviewed at hobby shops so they knew what the conumer was getting. Now the ethics have changed and they need to scoop the other magazine and placate their advertisers. Why I have no idea since they reach such a large audience and where else would they advertise? It is among many distrubing trends at Kalmbach IMHO.

[simon1966]

I seem to remember reading that they get far more sent to them for review than they can possibly include. They probably avoid reviewing anything that is obviously bad and focus on more exciting well executed models. Certainly I have read reviews that made crticisim of paint quality and detail errors, but never a total trashing of a product.

[Adelie]

I was chuckling a little when I read MR's review of the N-Scale Life Like 2-8-4 in the last issue. I don't really care either way, since it would not fit into the scheme my empire. I have a few Life Like diesels that run fine (the FA2/FB2s would pull a refrigerator), so I am in no way biased against them. But, to sum up the article:

It sure looks good and runs great except for the fact that it will only pull about 12 cars. Put it at the head of a small train.

If we were talking about a 0-4-0T, okay. A 600 or 1,000hp diesel, okay. Somehow, having to double head 2-8-4s to pull 20 cars, except maybe up a serious grade, seems to warrant a little more concern in the review. Maybe it's just me.

[rockythegoat]

Interesting topic over on the Atlas forum.

http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17314