This is a fascinating discussion for me since I'm planning on buying one at the 2008 NNGC this next week. (there are no hobby shops within 3.5 hours of my home). I've often harassed Bachmann for their choice of prototype (and occasional quality issues), but I think the K-27 is a benchmark in 1:20.3, especially considering it's excellent price and prototype-specific detail.
Having said that, and recognizing that we large-scale modellers are a diverse group, I do find it hard to imagine that anyone would want to the the K-27 at twice the prototypes maximum speed (that's 43 real feet in 10 seconds - 5280 feet/minute divided by the scale of 20.3 scale/the divided by 6 to convert from minute to 10 seconds). I would *much* rather have good control and range at slower speeds then run a loco 2 times what the prototype ran at. And I suspect that I'm not alone in this belief. Stan Ames said it's hard to guess what max speeds the modelling public wants (again remembering how diverse we are). But I think the prototype itself offers some basis to make that decision - a 1:32 F or E unit should be able to operate at some decent scale speeds. Not so much for a 1:20.3 NG steam locomotive.
BTW - I'm not arguing with Stan Ames in any way - he's not the guy who made the decision. Just giving my 2 cents, if it's worth even that....
Greg Coit
Arcata, CA
Having said that, and recognizing that we large-scale modellers are a diverse group, I do find it hard to imagine that anyone would want to the the K-27 at twice the prototypes maximum speed (that's 43 real feet in 10 seconds - 5280 feet/minute divided by the scale of 20.3 scale/the divided by 6 to convert from minute to 10 seconds). I would *much* rather have good control and range at slower speeds then run a loco 2 times what the prototype ran at. And I suspect that I'm not alone in this belief. Stan Ames said it's hard to guess what max speeds the modelling public wants (again remembering how diverse we are). But I think the prototype itself offers some basis to make that decision - a 1:32 F or E unit should be able to operate at some decent scale speeds. Not so much for a 1:20.3 NG steam locomotive.
BTW - I'm not arguing with Stan Ames in any way - he's not the guy who made the decision. Just giving my 2 cents, if it's worth even that....
Greg Coit
Arcata, CA
