I liked the review but there are two important questions that for me are still unanswered ...
First of these ... is the valve gear issue noted on the reviewed loco an example of poor assembly (and QC) at B'mann or is it a generalized problem with many or most locos. Sadly, I know that each loco delivered from every supplier needs to be gone over and checked for broken details, loose screws or miswiring. But complex valve gear problems are not fun to resolve
Second ... there was no real commentary on actual operation. Perhaps given the valve gear fix the loco wasnt actually run. But drawbar pull and an informed comment of any likely problem in pulling heavy train on tough grades would be appreciated. For example, the knock on the K-27 now is that the incorrect gear ratio makes pulling a train of prototype length made up of the not too free rolling AMS cars a problem on even the slightest grades.
Regards ... Doug
First of these ... is the valve gear issue noted on the reviewed loco an example of poor assembly (and QC) at B'mann or is it a generalized problem with many or most locos. Sadly, I know that each loco delivered from every supplier needs to be gone over and checked for broken details, loose screws or miswiring. But complex valve gear problems are not fun to resolve
Second ... there was no real commentary on actual operation. Perhaps given the valve gear fix the loco wasnt actually run. But drawbar pull and an informed comment of any likely problem in pulling heavy train on tough grades would be appreciated. For example, the knock on the K-27 now is that the incorrect gear ratio makes pulling a train of prototype length made up of the not too free rolling AMS cars a problem on even the slightest grades.
Regards ... Doug