...ok, ok, I know my handle is Espeenut, but I also have a few other favorite roads, and the SP&S is one of them. I just placed my order for an upcoming release from Sunset Limited, the Northern Pacific class A-3, a 4-8-4 in SP&S markings numbered and painted as #700, which still operates and is the stable mate of the SP 4449 in the roundhouse at Portland's old SP yard. This will be my first brass locomotive, I do have some MOW equipment that is brass. I've always balked and shied away at the price asked for a lot of brass but the price on this model is less than that being asked for some of the premium plastic steamers on the market right now, its going for $550 bucks which I think is a bargain. This price was offered only at the show to SP&S freaks as far as I know, as the normal asking price is $599.95. It will come sound equipped and ready to receive a DCC decoder.
...so this brings me to a question for those of you experienced in the world of brass, what is this thing going to be like in terms of operational ability? I run my locomotives, they do not reside in un-opened boxes as I'm not into 'collecting' brass. I want it because of it's historical significance, the NP Northerns were the loco's that gave 4-8-4's their monicker of "a Northern type", so it will have to earn its living hauling freight on our club layout from time to time, and I want to know if it will be up to the task. Anybody out there want to give me an idea of how it might perform?
Thanks guys,
Lorne Miller
...so this brings me to a question for those of you experienced in the world of brass, what is this thing going to be like in terms of operational ability? I run my locomotives, they do not reside in un-opened boxes as I'm not into 'collecting' brass. I want it because of it's historical significance, the NP Northerns were the loco's that gave 4-8-4's their monicker of "a Northern type", so it will have to earn its living hauling freight on our club layout from time to time, and I want to know if it will be up to the task. Anybody out there want to give me an idea of how it might perform?
Thanks guys,
Lorne Miller