CAPPilot posted:....However when I received them a lot of the wheels from the pilot truck, training truck, and tender were loose in the box. When I tried reinstalling them they were very loose and one truck had a cracked side frame. Both were returned. I think that was an early 3rd Rail engine.
That's a key point with a more delicate engine that gets glossed over. My Allegheny does not ship well. Everytime it gets boxed back up, the tender wheels take a beating. The flimsy sideframes bend and the wheels fall out. Even the engine's trailing wheel set fell out. I think they should reinforce those sideframes better.
My 3rd Rail Niagara is one of my favorite steamers to run. I worked on it extensively, adding sound and smoke. I worked on it to get it to run smoothly. Each time it's apart I fear of breaking something. So you have to treat them delicately. I think that maybe why some buyers keep them on the shelves. The Niagara didn't run good when I got it. Maybe that was just a bad example?
My 3rd Rail Allegheny didn't run well when I got that either now that I think about it. I believe the old TMCC control inside wasn't programmed correctly or just didn't handle the engine well. I put PS2 inside and it ran great after. I have 1 other stock 3rd Rail with sound , a M1 TMCC that runs great. I have a N1 with TMCC and no sound and that runs well also.
I don't have any current 3rd Rail engines. I would warn you to treat the company well. If they make a mistake with your order, don't bash them or complain. They won't deal with you ever again. Rather thin skinned IMO.
