[72C]

Elsewhere I mentioned the fact that Roco's début steam model, the BR58 raised the bar for every manufacturer when it was introduced. To this day, no other model has had such a profound impact upon the market and although eclipsed by better and more expensive models, Roco's BR58 still remains a perfectly good model but it was its impact upon the market that made it special.

I challenge others to name (or shame) by nominating another model that has had such a profound effect, please may I suggest this is not just a 'list of favourites', some justification is needed behind the choice.

Over to you.

 

[72C]

QUOTE (goedel @ 29 Dec 2007, 00:32) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Oh, I forgot to ask you 72C, what is the motive behind your challenge, why ask the forum, surely you should decide for yourself?

Obviously asking questions is a problem for you.

 

[72C]

As the OP for this thoughtful discussion, my intention was to coax members of the forum to reveal what was their personal benchmarks. As some modellers have been involved with modelling continental railways for over 45 years, it was inevitable that some models, though innovative at the time, cannot stand withstand scrutiny against today's models.

It is praiseworthy that most (but not all) of the responses have attempted to qualify the reasons for their choice.

One last comment From Richard Johnson's post, only Hornby moved to China, Bachmann's production was always in China. It is unwise to suggest that Brawa has done anything particularly new or innovative, their modern production history is relatively short compared with established manufacturers and comparing their efforts with earlier Fleischmann is akin to comparing apples with oranges, albeit both are fruit.

Brawa's current production range might please those with shorter memories but they are merely good models with more detail (at an appropriately higher price). For those who remember Brawa before they moved Eastwards, their products were distinctly crude.

 

[72C]

QUOTE Importantly to me, Brawa is at least now consistent with their product release quality level... It still appears to me most EU brands just dabble with excellence whilst maintaing a mass of "average to good" offerings.

If your range is less than ten years old, there is no ability to release new clothes on old bodies, unfortunately the older manufacturers cannot afford to replace all the older products.