Fleischmann v Roco

1829 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by ME 26-06, Sep 18, 2007

Dave R

Discussion Starter · Sep 17, 2007

I have one or two very old Fleischmann and Roco locos and some old rolling stock. I am thinking about purchasing some more mainly for display rather than actual running althought they may be run at occassionly on a club test track.

I would be interested to here members opinions on the quality and detail of these two makes. I will be interested in both steam and diesel locos.

Many thanks

Dave

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ME 26-06

· #2 · Sep 17, 2007

QUOTE (Dave R @ 17 Sep 2007, 19:24) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>...Fleischmann and Roco...I would be interested to here members opinions on the quality and detail of these two makes. I will be interested in both steam and diesel locos...

Both brands have a range that goes from zeroes to heroes. It depends on the specific model you´d want. In addition, don´t dismiss the other continental DC model makers.

What engines exactly would you be interested in?

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Dave R

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 17, 2007

QUOTE (ME 26-06 @ 17 Sep 2007, 19:04) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Both brands have a range that goes from zeroes to heroes. It depends on the specific model you´d want. In addition, don´t dismiss the other continental DC model makers.

What engines exactly would you be interested in?

My initial thought were to purchased a BR64 tank loco which I know both Fleischmann and Roco do, together with some 4-wheel 'thunder box' coaches.

Dave

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ebaykal

· #4 · Sep 17, 2007

Hi Dave,

I own both brands. Both overall ,as ME 26-06 puts it ,has its goods & bads, however just a bit of advice:

Stay clearly away from Fleischmann old loco's, specially steams.

1) They are fitted with the vertical flywheel type old motors which are extremely noisy when running.Believe Br 64 is one of them. Only their recent steam engines are fitted with horizantal silent running motors.

2) If you are planning to upgrade to DCC in the future you might have problems in converting FLM locos unless you are a genius in hardwiring. There is a hectic isolation to be done to between the motor and the chassis of the loco.

3) The new loco's are, as FLM puts it DCC ready. IMHO they are not. They come with a 6 pole ready socket whereas all other brands use 8 pole ready sockets for decoders. 6 poles is for N scale locos with decoder current value of 0,5 max not suitable for HO. Take a look at post on this subject :
http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index...?showtopic=2473

Apart from the above, FLM in general have superb detailing and brilliant running qualitiy.

However, my vote will always go towards ROCO.

Cheers
Baykal

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Brian Considine

· #5 · Sep 17, 2007

I tend to agree with ME 26-06 & ebaykal with the additional comments that the older type FLM motors are only noisy if there is something amiss - they are easy to convert to DCC if you obtain a replacement motor backplate. Must admit though the 6-pin decoder socket is a bit of a pain, but I tend to hardwire decoders in this case.

Don't forget to look at the products of Piko & Gutzold (the present issue ones - not the 1970's Eastern Bloc ones), Trix (again the later stuff) & Brawa. From my own experience I would stay away from the China made Liliput if you want to run it.

Hope this helps.

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neil_s_wood

· #6 · Sep 17, 2007

Unfortunately I have little experience of Fleischmannn however Roco's top end stuff is very good, I would also recommend Trix and Brawa. As with anything try before you buy.

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ebaykal

· #7 · Sep 18, 2007

Hi Brian,

QUOTE (dbclass50 @ 17 Sep 2007, 19:57) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>- they are easy to convert to DCC if you obtain a replacement motor backplate. .

Seems I can't get thru you by PM. I am desperately in need of backplates FLM for BR 55 and lectric 1043.

cheers

Baykal

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ME 26-06

· #8 · Sep 18, 2007

QUOTE (Dave R @ 17 Sep 2007, 20:28) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>My initial thought were to purchased a BR64 tank loco ...

Roco.

Fleischmann´s class 64 is one of their older, crude-looking offerings (which I - personally - wouldn´t touch with a bargepole), whereas Roco´s 64 is a brand new release, true to scale, 8-pole-DCC socket and all.

As for the Donnerbüchsen, imho they all suck*. Some (like myself) say Roco sucks a bit less, but that is a matter of personal choice. Older Fleischmanns feature brass window frames, which look wonky. If you want to buy them on eBay, make sure you get the same colors, as both have been produced in different shades of green. There´s a person named Bernd Schlosser who has made outstanding Cid Donnerbüchsen in TT and HO, etched in brass, easy to assemble because basically, you only have to fold and glue them; no soldering required (those wacky Germans...).

*except for Brawa´s, but they are costly, ad technically speaking, albeit they look the same, they are not Donnerbüchsen.

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