QUOTE (simonj @ 14 Oct 2007, 00:21)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Whats wrong with the Fleischmann version of the Re 4/4?
I've been looking into this, and remembered a dicussion about comparing the three makers' models on another website. This appears to be a good summary:
QUOTE (Yahoo Group: Euro-N (topic beginning message 58))When the Fleischmann model was introduced several years ago I asked myself the same question and came up with the following information :-
The Minitrix models are based on either the 1967-68 locos or the 1972-75 Swiss Express locos. According to the drawings in the "SBB Lokomotiven und Triebwagen" both series have bodies of a similar length but with underframes of different lengths. The 1967-68 locos have an underframe length (excluding buffers) of 13600 mm whilst the Swiss Express locos are 14110 mm. This gives the characteristic "overhang" noticeable on Swiss Express locos.
The Fleischmann model is of the 1969-85 series of locos. These have an underframe length of 14110 mm (same as Swiss Express locos). The bodies appear to have started life with the same basic dimensions as the earlier series of locos but the cab fronts have been "stretched " at their bottoms to cover the longer underframes. This results in the less steep appearance mentioned by Markus.
I should point out that as the bogies and bogie centreline measurements are the same for all Re4/4 ll/lll's they do not have an effect on the appearance of the loco.
Taking the Fleischmann/Minitrix comparison beyond just a visual one I also came across an interesting table in which the author also included the Arnold version. He compared and ranked them for the following
attributes:-
Appearance....Running qualities....Scale dimensions....Price.
In order of the above the results
were:-
Arnold....Room for improvement....acceptable....good....good.
Minitrix....good....good....good....good.
Fleischmann....excellent....excellent....good....excellent.
Based on my experiences with these models I tend to agree with this persons findings.
and
QUOTE (Yahoo Group: Euro-N (topic beginning message 58))The Fleischmann Model is to wide! The underlaying mechanic is borrowed
from a german loco.
One point for the arnoldmodell: there are more than 15 modells produced
(like painted as EBT, RM, SOB, MThB, SBB-Red, SBB->TEE, SBB->Bourret,
SBB-Green, SBB-Green with emblem Porrentruy and more....)
No other manufacturer has such a variety of Re 4/4''/Re 4/4''' Variants
produced!
The conclusion is that Fleischmann make the best all round model, but Arnold produce an incredible range of variants!