Model reviews

[NW Modeling List]

Frank,

Personally I would like to see some type of review inside the N&WHS. Many of us don't live near a hobby shop and many of us are out of N&W territory so a local shop probably wouldn't purchase anything N&W/VGN we would be wanting. The review could either save us from purchasing something not really worth having or prompt us to get moving and make that purchase before it's gone. Everyone has different ideas on what qualifies as "acceptable' so this would be a great way to get ideas and facts flowing about an item. 

I would like to volunteer to do reviews for the Society if the items could be presented to me. Like I said I'm pretty far from N&W Territory and about 75 miles from a sub-standard hobby shop that only "speaks" UP and BNSF.

I would caution members from accepting any MR reviews as accurate. In the past couple years I have seen glaring errors in their reviews. The one that comes right to the forefront of memory is their Blackstone HOn3 D&RGW C-19 2-8-0. It's a very accurate and lovely model. The reviewer stated FACTS about it being a great model of RGS #20. What? RGS #20 is a 4-6-0 and other than gauge is nothing like the C-19. Several other "accuracy checks" the reviewer made were so far off base he may as well compare it to THE J. Unfortunately, like many things in MR, they write enough to fill out pages and columns to make a pretty magazine and promote their advertisers. 

I think having "our folks" (N&WHS members) review would give us a better review and be more help to us all.

My 2¢,
Roger Huber
Deer Creek Locomotive Works
Huntsville, AR



--------------------------------------------
On Thu, 1/29/15, NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> wrote:

 Subject: Model reviews
 To: "NW Modeling List" <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
 Date: Thursday, January 29, 2015, 4:19 PM
 
 As we've
 stated recently, we are planning on putting some model
 reviews in either the eTaf, or this list, or in the Arrow. 
 We plan to review either models we have purchased for
 ourselves, or, subject to the requirement of undergoing an
 objective review, any N&W or VGN model provided to us by
 manufacturers or importers.  The details are still being
 worked out.  Some of you expressed an interest in this, and
 some of us would like to do it in our "spare"
 time.
 Meanwhile, the Model Railroader that arrived
 today has a fairly comprehensive review of the Rivarossi VGN
 AG 2-6-6-6, the model that triggered this discussion a few
 months ago.  I strongly recommend this review as it points
 out the model's good points and its flaws.  The
 reviewer spelled out the things that bother me: the domes
 and the rear engine swiveling, and the traction tires (the
 review did not say if there are optional drivers without
 traction tires--which some of the manufacturers and
 importers have provided).  The running characteristics are
 noted as quite good, and they measure the pulling ability. 
 Each of us potential purchasers has to balance the
 price/good stuff/bad stuff for him/her self.  
 In any event, it's out there. 
 Enjoy.
 Frank Bongiovanni
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