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QUOTE Lads,
Why would you want a 23 class 2-6-2 or even a 39 class Because neither of 'those' products arrive in a white box with Maerklin on the side. I doubt if the new versions will be any better than the outstanding Roco and Fleischmann products shown by 6991.

QUOTE The Fleischmann class 39 while nice isn't something I have actively gone after and it is now a few years old Despite its age of more than a 'few' years the Fleischmann BR38.10 still manages to eclipse the MaTrix version which arrived twenty years later.

If Maerklin really wanted to pull itself out the mire, a decent version of DB's rebuilt BR03.10 might have been a better choice as no one has produced it (apart from M&F) or maybe a BR56.2-8, another ignored model.

Both have been at the top of the want-lists of steam locos for many years and are likely to remain there whilst the manufacturers concentrate of one-off's and other such oddities.

 

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QUOTE Well Brawa bought out a class 56.8 a couple of years ago.

This is not the same as the BR56.2-8 which is a rebuild of the eponymous Prussian G 81 from 1934-42

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_DRG_l...der_Locomotives

 

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QUOTE So its actualy the Class 56.20-29, built from 1919.

No it* is the BR56.2-8 which is a rebuild of the eponymous Prussian G 81 from 1934-42, as clearly stated in the previous post.

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*the locomotive to which I refer.

 

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BTW

This is a BR56.2-8

and this is the BR56.20-29

Finally,

The BR56.8

Crystal clear or still confused? Three distinctly different locos.

 

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QUOTE That Brawa 56.8 is simply stunning. Here's a gratuitous shot so that I can look at it every time I visit this thread.

Unfortunately the reality of owning and running the BR56.8 is not as good as Brawa's photo would suggest, the valve gear already shows signs of wear and I am looking at a replacement. I wonder if my 10 year old Bachmann N will deteriorate as rapidly?

I sometimes envy those Maerklinists whose valve gear has lasted a moon landing and six changes of prime minister

 

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QUOTE Has your 56 had that much use ? No more than any of the other locos on my layout.

In comparison with a Roco BR58, that was acquired at the same time, the BR56.8 has performed rather poorly whilst the Roco BR58 has just become quieter and smoother (not bad for a 30year old design)

At the last show, the Brawa loco had to replaced with a Fleischmann BR56.20-29 when the BR56.8 showed signs of the valve gear binding.

No doubt there will be those who will claim that their locos have never failed but when exhibiting the big layout, the locos tend to run further during a two-day expo than most models manage in a year of home use.

By contrast, my poor old Fleischmann BR38.10 is still working on the layout and in 20 years has only needed a change of motor brushes brought about by over oiling.

 

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Richard is correct in his analysis of the problem- poor design and poor choice of materials. The Brawa crosshead is particularly susceptible to failure as the metal rivet tends to 'tear' through the plastic.

Conversely a Gutzold purchased before the Brawa BR56.8 has shown no signs of wear or failure and yet its valve gear is plastic with a metal core.

The fact that my locos run for long periods merely provides a heads-up on early failures for other modellers, think of it as rigorous test facility, it certainly sorts the wheat from the chaff.

 

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QUOTE you would think that these locos would last a little longer,

Brian, it is my experience that cost is no indicator of quality, merely cost.

My oldest loco that still earns its living is the aforementioned Fleischmann BR38.10, it must have outlasted quite a few 'premium' productions from Roco and Brawa.

Conversly some of the smoothest runners are a Rivarossi BR77 and BR89 which remain solid performers after 20 years despite my expectations of an early death.

Lower cost offerings from Brawa are simply superb (except their V100) especially their DR V15 which I cannot fault.

Anyway, should we carry on this conversation elswhere as we seem to have monopolised the OP's intention to discuss the latest offering from Matrix?