Class 37 Wars!

6947 Views 22 Replies 14 Participants Last post by alibuchan, May 27, 2007

Gary

Discussion Starter · May 21, 2007 (Edited by Moderator)

Model Rail magazine have signalled that they will no longer be tolerant towards new models which they consider do not come up to scratch.

In a comparison between the Bachmann and ViTrains Class 37's the ViTrains scores a lowly 5/10 for value for money and body shape with Bachmann scoring 9/10 on both counts.

On build quality ViTrains scores 6/10 and Bachmann 9/10.

The only area where the ViTrains model comes close is on Decoration where it scores 7/10 to Bachmann's 8/10.

Overall Bachmann gets 52/60 and ViTrains 36/60.

In the Model Rail news section ViTrains have stated that their next models will feature several improvements to fit and finish in response to customer requests.

With the Bachmann example being just an extra £5 and with a detailed fan assembly and opening doors and a body shape that meets with the approval of hardened Class 37 fanatics it does seem that ViTrains may have to do more than minor improvements to fit and finish to catch up with Bachmann. ViTrains do have a European production facility and whilst this may be a factor in the decision making process for a lot of people it stands for nothing with the folk at Model Rail magazine who simply look at models and make comparisons on their technical merits.

If future models from any company do not come up to scratch then submit them for a Model Rail review at your peril!

Happy modelling
Gary

PS The Class 37 has been a significant model for Hornby over the last 40-45 years in the way that the Class 08 has been. It would not surprise me at all if Hornby entered the Class 37 wars with a brand new super detailed model in 2008/09.

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alastairq

· #9 · May 22, 2007

I have read the comparison report on the#37's.....am I being a tad unfair in observing that the price difference is really a good deal greater than that quoted?

Currently I think the Bachman offering locally may be around the £70 mark (I haven't ACTUALLY enquired in case I'm tempted...but I did get an example 'quote' when I last bought stuff)...whereas, I paid a straight £50 for my Vitrains example..( Regional decor by choice, with option of railbloo rejected)....so I expect to find a price difference of more like £20, than the £5 quoted.....which to me is vast.....and well worth overlooking [and modifying] the odd discrepancies.

Or am I a less demanding customer in this day and age?

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alastairq

· #16 · May 25, 2007

all reminds me of the hoo haaa on the US scene years ago......actually, nobody seemed to mind for years that Athearn's Jeeps had a carbody which was too wide.....they apparently did the job, hit the button, so sold like hot cakes.....

recent comment in Model Railway Express re competition says it all.........well done ViTrains.....your presence has certainly gee'd up the likes of Bachmann.....and yes, the very fact we have a NEW manufacturer on the scene (even if their products are comparable with 10 year old models...I'd have said '5 years old'.....) that in itself represents progress.

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