I saw them in the hobby shop when they first came out. I would have expected a bit more detail on them for the price, especially given Aster's reputation for detail. Side-by-side with the Bachmann Shay, it really looked a bit unpolished. Seemed to run well enough (which certainly couldn't be said of the first B'mann units.) If you're after a brass Shay, I'd opt for the Accucraft one. It's highly detailed, super smooth in operation, and will pull stumps out of your yard. It is, however, 1:20.3, and the LGB version 1:22.5, so if you've got lots of LGB and other 1:22/1:24 equipment, the smaller loco may be a better fit.
Later,
K