@jhz563 posted:Lack of conventional control is mildly annoying, but it wouldn't stop me from purchasing one. The diesel engine sounds mean nothing to me, but the horn and bell could be better based on the videos shown. The looks however are awesome in my opinion. I would like to see white leds for the number boards and perhaps something to spread out the number board illumination.
I intend to pick one up when possible, assuming they stay under $200, preferably under $180. I don't have any western road locomotives, but the Santa Fe warbonnet is so iconic as a toy train I would buy this. In fact I tried for both beta offerings but was too late. The only other roadname I would be interested in is Reading, possibly Reading and Northern.
Keep it up Menard's!!
These are all valid points, but therein lies the rub:
We like the overall "vibe", yet still can point to issues that we might see: (better horn and bell, LEDs, road names). These are points that we "modelers" notice, yet as has been mentioned numerous times, these are "entry level" models, perhaps aimed for our kids and grandkids... with a corresponding price point. Would the kids we purchased these for even notice the bell, horn, LEDs or roadname?
I guess my point is this: our discussing this offering in these terms would be like a similar model in HO scale (say, a cheaper, train set loco like low end Life Like or Bachmann) being reviewed by more "serious", experienced modelers. It's really apples and oranges, kinda.
Will be interesting to see how many phases this model goes through: who knows what a "10.0/ Zulu" will be like...or cost? 😁
Mark in Oregon 🎄
