[72C]

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.

 

[neil_s_wood]

QUOTE 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

I suppose that is the down side of finer parts. They wear out more quickly. As you say, the more solid valve gear will last far longer. I suppose this is something you have to think about before buying. Couldn't they make the valve gear from titanium or something which is less likely to wear out?

 

[Richard Johnson]

QUOTE (neil_s_wood @ 19 Nov 2008, 04:37) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I suppose that is the down side of finer parts. They wear out more quickly. As you say, the more solid valve gear will last far longer. I suppose this is something you have to think about before buying. Couldn't they make the valve gear from titanium or something which is less likely to wear out?

*** I do love the refined look of the Brawa but 72C has a very good point - Finer parts are not necessarily as durable... and past a certain point, they are just not designed to pound around the track for hours on end.

Neil, in most cases, just making all in metal / a better nickel silver grade would be enough - I've recently had the less than desirable job of scratchbuilding two brass cranks with square mounting pins to replace the worn out plastic cranks on an almost new Roco locomotive (they had failed at the link to the rod where they were very very fine).... and while doing it noted that most linkages were very much metal rods to plastic links.

Because the rods are almost always etched, unless they are religiously smoothed around the holes where the pins go, they will quickly wear or cut through the plastic over time!

This superfine + metal + plastic approach makes careless handling dangerous too - They need gentle handling.... I've had to repair a couple where careless hands have grabbed a Brawa loco by the valve gear to lift it.

When things go close to scale sizes then materials become critical, so I hope some of the finer looking loco's have spares available a long time into the future! Perhaps Weinart have a guaranteed growing business for new all metal valve gear replacements.

Richard

 

[neil_s_wood]

I guess I had better take that onboard then and just run locos like these sparingly. I hope Brawa parts are readily available although I suspect Tim's 56.8 has had a fair bit of use if it has been on his exhibition layout.

It's hard to believe they use plastic parts in places like that.

 

[72C]

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.

 

[Brian Considine]

Interesting about your 56 Tim - even though, you would think that these locos would last a little longer, even with bursts of exhibition running.

Probably not ideal to run locomotives of this type on SL (not that there are any suitable models yet), still, at least it should be lighter on the wallet.

 

[72C]

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?

 

[Brian Considine]

QUOTE (72C @ 19 Nov 2008, 13:01) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>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?

Good idea Tim - I've started a new thread ;

http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index...?showtopic=6806

 

[gehaimbach]

Marklin 3005 class 23 was the first loco I bought as a 14-year old boy (I passed up the 01). I still love it. I also have the Fleischmann tender-driven class 39, but I look forward to the Marklin version with 8 powered drivers. Next a cab-forward DRG class 05,perhaps?