there ARE other products in the Aster range.
for example, a very good GWR 0-6-0 pannier tank.....for a lot less.
the Evening Star IS a lot of loco for the money.....so in my eyes represents 'good value'', even if I would not dream of buying one.
to me, there are two issues in your question.
One....is there a likeing for the gauge and SCALE of the models?
Two.....Is the real issue centred on 'live steam' operation?
for the first, Gauge one, though 'expensive' [it's relative, of course]...can be had a lot cheaper, if you stick with electric operation...see GRS?
plus Aristocraft offer many relatively cheap, good quality electric locos,though mostly of USA prototypes.
for the second, why gauge one? Why not consider one of the narrow gauge scales....for example , 16mm scale, using O gauge track [for 2 foot gauge prototypes]...or 45mm gauge track....[same gauge /scale as the famous LGB products}
For these narrow gauge prototypes, there are quite a few manufacturers of live steam locos, with prices starting around the £500 mark, and rising.
These are quality products, easy to operate, etc......and equally bulky, if not more so, than gauge one [using standard gauge prototypes].....fit well with ready-made stock from the likes of LGB, Bachmann, etc.....and track may well prove cheaper to buy/lay?
for example, a very good GWR 0-6-0 pannier tank.....for a lot less.
the Evening Star IS a lot of loco for the money.....so in my eyes represents 'good value'', even if I would not dream of buying one.
to me, there are two issues in your question.
One....is there a likeing for the gauge and SCALE of the models?
Two.....Is the real issue centred on 'live steam' operation?
for the first, Gauge one, though 'expensive' [it's relative, of course]...can be had a lot cheaper, if you stick with electric operation...see GRS?
plus Aristocraft offer many relatively cheap, good quality electric locos,though mostly of USA prototypes.
for the second, why gauge one? Why not consider one of the narrow gauge scales....for example , 16mm scale, using O gauge track [for 2 foot gauge prototypes]...or 45mm gauge track....[same gauge /scale as the famous LGB products}
For these narrow gauge prototypes, there are quite a few manufacturers of live steam locos, with prices starting around the £500 mark, and rising.
These are quality products, easy to operate, etc......and equally bulky, if not more so, than gauge one [using standard gauge prototypes].....fit well with ready-made stock from the likes of LGB, Bachmann, etc.....and track may well prove cheaper to buy/lay?