By coincidence this subject was raised at Warley MRC on Tuesday!
Peco promised a state of the art model that would compare very well with the best of continental N gauge and if they have suceeded then the price will definitely not be an issue. This promise does appear to be the case!
This is what Peco have to
say:-
QUOTE *** PECO Collett locomotives now arriving at your local model shop, RRP £140.00 ***
PECO DCC-equipped Ready-To-Run N-Gauge locomotive:
G.W.R. Collett 2251 Class 0-6-0 tender locomotive
PECO are pleased and proud to announce our first all-new N-Gauge locomotive for over 30 years. However, unlike our fondly-remembered Jubilee locomotive, this model will be manufactured and assembled at our factory in Beer, Devon, UK.
The 2251 Class locomotive was introduced by the G.W.R. in 1930, and construction of the 120 class members continued in batches until the 1940s. they were a versatile locomotive, equally at home on short pick-up goods on secondary routes and branch lines, or as assisting locomotives on summer Saturday expresses over the Cambrian routes. their universal use throughout the former G.W.R. system means that the model will be at home on all layouts of the G.W.R. and B.R. Western Region period.
Our model is also a first for the U.K. - fully DCC ready, equipped with a Lenz DCC decoder. the technology allows the model to operate equally well on DCC layouts, and by conventional analogue 12v DC layouts. There is no requirement to isolate or remove the decoder (chip).
three liveries are initially planned:
NL-24 G.W.R. Green,
with later G.W.R. lettering and crest
NL-25 G.W.R. Green,
with Shirt Button emblem
NL-27 B.R. (W) Black
with later B.R. crest
NL-26 has been reserved for another livery variation, but the decision to produce this has not yet been made. The running numbers of all variants are to be confirmed later.
The locomotive is finely detailed with precision plastic mouldings. the model carries fine cab and boiler handrails. The wheel profiles are also to a fine standard, and are fully spoked (see-through). To drive the model, it is fitted with a smooth and quiet running Japanese Mashima motor. this is fitted in the tender, which in turn means that there is daylight beneath the boiler, a very pleasing aspect of the model!
Some detail parts are to be supplied separately for installation by the modeller (push-fit, no glue required):
Rear tender handrails
Brake handle
Water gauge
As supplied, the locomotive will negotiate a 9" radius curve. A separate, alternative draw bar will allow closer (and thus more prototypical) mounting of the tender to the locomotive. With this, the model will negotiate a minimum radius of 12.
The model is not fitted with a coupling hook at the front, but one is supplied as an additional accessory if required.
The model comes DCC equiped with a Lenz decoder!
Happy modelling
Gary