Class 37 Wars!

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.