Mark Boyce posted:Larry,
The close ups of the Dept 56 look great! Where did they come up with the name Dept 56 anyway?? It always catches my eye, I think because I was born in '56. Anyone who has looked at my profile would see I use 56 in my email address.
Adriatic,
Tell me about Tyco F7s. I bought one in a set back in '68 or '69. I was always cleaning wheels and track.? Besides reading Model Railroader and RMC which favored HO. I didn't have the money for a Lionel.
The only thing worse was Bachman N Scale steam engines in the '80s!! It's a wonder I stayed in the hobby! LOL. I never came around to O Gauge until 2012, though I had some super nice Bachman Spectrum On30 locomotives before that!
I had my share of Bachmann N F7 Alsk. starter "fun" this century. 3 of 4 didn't run for 10hrs. That jewel case was for shipping a dead one....too small; got lost in the shuffle near 10years, lol. Another off scale "like new" shelf queen.
The ho motor might actually be life like...? I dont recall which became the On30 platform engine. This is a spur gear self contained drive, and looks like a snail on a rollerskate 
The track to wheel power is awful. I soldered wire and joiners. It just wont stay in contact. I even tried weights.
On common modern Bachmann black ho roadbed track, they both run much better.
I was really impressed by some modern Athern ho too.
I guess timing is everything.
