Hi, guys,
I read on another thread that USAT & Aristocraft products come out of the same factory in China. WOW! I didn't know that. I was under the impression that USAT products were of slightly higher quality. I have only had one Aristo steam switcher loco, and my two USAT loco's are higher end pieces, so it may not be a fair comparison.
My outdoor RR has Aristocraft Stainless Steel track, which is well-laid and flat, with Split Jaw clamps and power supply wires at every 15 feet or so. That said, my Aristo switchers seem to run kind of "jerky" in comparison to my USAT GP-38-2 and Alco S-4, not to mention a large roster of LGB stuff (Mikes, F-7's, Moguls, etc.) and a single Bachmann Spectrum American. That performance has kept me from buying other Aristocraft loco's, in favor of the others. I know many dislike the pickup shoes on LGB and USAT pieces, but I can't fault thier results: they run, smoothly!
To be fair, I must acknowledge that my little Aristo switcher has fewer spots to contact the powered track, and that may be the reason for poor performance, while my other pieces have much more contact with the track. Also, I can assume the relative lack of detail on an 0-4-0 Aristo Steam switcher (when compared to a USAT GP) can be explained by the cost difference.
However, the USAT loco's "feel" more substantial than the similar Aristo pieces I've seen. Maybe just my imagination. If they come off the same assembly line, then is there ANY difference between the two brands? Do they use the same componentry? I'll have to be sure to compare them side-by-side with each other at the ECLS show in March.
I'd appreciate hearing from the forum....opinions?
-axdop
I read on another thread that USAT & Aristocraft products come out of the same factory in China. WOW! I didn't know that. I was under the impression that USAT products were of slightly higher quality. I have only had one Aristo steam switcher loco, and my two USAT loco's are higher end pieces, so it may not be a fair comparison.
My outdoor RR has Aristocraft Stainless Steel track, which is well-laid and flat, with Split Jaw clamps and power supply wires at every 15 feet or so. That said, my Aristo switchers seem to run kind of "jerky" in comparison to my USAT GP-38-2 and Alco S-4, not to mention a large roster of LGB stuff (Mikes, F-7's, Moguls, etc.) and a single Bachmann Spectrum American. That performance has kept me from buying other Aristocraft loco's, in favor of the others. I know many dislike the pickup shoes on LGB and USAT pieces, but I can't fault thier results: they run, smoothly!
To be fair, I must acknowledge that my little Aristo switcher has fewer spots to contact the powered track, and that may be the reason for poor performance, while my other pieces have much more contact with the track. Also, I can assume the relative lack of detail on an 0-4-0 Aristo Steam switcher (when compared to a USAT GP) can be explained by the cost difference.
However, the USAT loco's "feel" more substantial than the similar Aristo pieces I've seen. Maybe just my imagination. If they come off the same assembly line, then is there ANY difference between the two brands? Do they use the same componentry? I'll have to be sure to compare them side-by-side with each other at the ECLS show in March.
I'd appreciate hearing from the forum....opinions?
-axdop
