[JEFF RUNGE]

Brian, If you repaint the stack and it does not match, after you run it a few times you will not see it. The steam oil WILL stain the stack, as can be seen on almost every one that is in regular service. Only the shelf queens stay looking new. And after all the time you put into building this engine I am sure you want to run it! If you go to
Southernsteamtrains.com and look thru the photo gallery you will find lots of mikados.

 

[JEFF RUNGE]

Brian, was the paint that came off on the inside or the outside of the stack?

 

[JEFF RUNGE]

I got an email from Hans, He has a new stack ordered for Brian. Brian has received an email from Hans informing him of this, so he can run his Mikado with the old stack till the new one arrives. He did mention in an earlier post that he still needs to fine tune his timing?
Brian, hope this gets thing "back on track" The Mikado is very good runner, as you will find out.

 

[JEFF RUNGE]

Charles, I have been in contact with Hans via emails today, and as you have pointed out we are only hearing one side of the story. I have heard the other. At this time I will not go into more detail then given in the above post. I cannot see how Brian feels he is owed anything further then the new stack, and certainly not a refund!

 

[JEFF RUNGE]

Ok I don't know if anyone else bothered to read Brians bio, but I did. We have a young grad, high school I guess. who has a job at "Train America Studio" when I googled it I fond this: http://www.tastudios.com Quote from bio "With my Graduation money I (Brian) was able to buy an Accucraft SPC #9 4-4-0 in June, and I just got an Aristocraft PRR Mikado" end quote. As we know from this thread he then also purchased an Aster Mikado kit. He is younger then most of us by a generation. Has a job and may be lucky enough to still live at home (this leaves more disposable income to buy trains). His attitude is typical of many his age, I refer to them as the "ME" generation. He does not have the experience to "think thing thru", I am sure he will feel this is a negative attack, it's not. We are a small hobby and it is better for all if we grow in numbers. I remember when young Ryan B. showed up at PLS....... he has EARNED the respect of others in the hobby over the past years.
To Brian: Dude relax, enjoy the hobby! This is a place where you can make great friends, who are always ready to help. No mater what brand, scale or fuel type you enjoy.