Alright…so here goes.
I’m Robbie, I’m 18, a D&RGW fanatic, rivet counter since age three (Mommy, real trains don’t have faces!), and I have experience with most of the large scale manufacturers. I’m unbiased; as long as a locomotive runs well and doesn’t blow up repeatedly, I’ll buy it if it fits my scale/era(D&RGW NG, 1930s-1960s, 1:20.3). However, I still have some older 1:22.5 equipment and my brother just bought an MTH Big Boy. So there you go; read into this “review” what you like based upon my experience.
I bought a first run K-27, 453 with doghouse, at my local train store about three weeks ago. It was on sale, and since the proprieter had the counterweights on hand, I was willing to plunk down my $650 on it.
First, I’ll comment on the size of the engine; it’s enormous compared to everything I’ve ever had. It’s about a foot longer than an LGB Mogul, 6 inches wider than a Bachmann Connie, and a foot and a half shorter than the Big Boy. However, it’s seriously wide. It attains approximately the same swingout on an LGB R3 curve as the Big Boy; amazing to me since it is much shorter. However, it is so wide at the cylinders that it would not fit through my LGB 4-foot girder bridge! Oops. Good thing my layout’s on a tabletop and I can rearrange when necessary. The engine is tall, but if an AMS/Accucraft caboose will fit under something, the K-27 will clear. And while I’m talking about size, I should probably mention the box; it’s approximately 3.5 by 2 feet and a foot thick; double the size of the MTH Big Boy box and the Connie box. Strangely, though, it doesn’t (relatively) weigh anything.
Next, I’ll mention a few thoughts on the detailing. I can’t see anything on the real thing that the Bachmann does not have(from memory–I still have to examine it next to real photos). The rear truck is clever, as it retains the original’s side to side motion while running reliably on R3, and makes the loco look much more realistic. The cab doors do open, though one of mine binds slightly. The reversing gear is a nice feature, and feels durable enough to withstand some use(though it is seriously awkward to pull on the reversing lever). The doghouse door opens, the firebox doors open(though feel flimsy), and the water hatch on the tender opens, revealing a nice hole to mount an on/off switch for a sound system(or a battery recharge plug). The journal box doors on the tender trucks open(sometimes while running–I may glue them closed if they persist). The cab roof hatch opens, with a notched prop rod–nice touch!–and doesn’t feel nearly as flimsy as my Connie’s did. The firebox glow, utilizing multiple LEDs, is excellent. Detailing is easily the best I’ve had on any of my large scale engines thus far. There’s a lot, and it doesn’t feel flimsy to me. There are integrated Kadee 830 mounts on the engine and tender–fantastic! However, the front coupler pin needs to be either pushed upwards(what I did) or sawed off, as it does not fit through the pilot.
Running characteristics are excellent so far. It’s smooth, quiet, and a strong puller. It was somewhat binding up at first, though after five or six hours of running it smoothed out a bit and at about ten, it improved dramatically. It does exhibit the predicted issues on grades; it slows down quite a bit. However, the only grade I have is on my driveway layout and it’s at least a 6-10%; the Connie and Moguls slow down some, but not as much as the K-27, but the K still doesn’t slow down as much as I expected while pulling 5 AMS cars and a brass Accucraft caboose. The gearing appears to have been inspired by the Connie–it is almost EXACTLY the same speed at the same voltage, which makes for easy doubleheading. The K-27 tracks well on R3, though R3 turnouts/switches give it some trouble(pilot truck may derail on a trailing point, while on a facing point the entire engine may derail if on a curve). Tracking is excellent(unknown, however, whether this is due to the sideways-sprung axles or the weight). Electrical pickup is phenomenal; Traction is unbelievable–no slippage on anything. I’ve loaded 60 assorted cars behind it(everything I have) and it won’t even slip on the 8% or whatever grade. Brilliant due to the suspension; I should probably move on to that now along with the rest of the mechanical aspects.
The axles are equalized–so(according to my understanding) they have equal weight on each. The trailing truck appears to have something to do with this, though since it is not directly attached, it does not appear to function in the three-point suspension. The gearbox is extremely wide(double the width of the Connie gearbox), and this does dull that axle’s suspension movement a bit. The front axle tracks fine, though it does have a tendency to derail when on the curved route of a trailing-facing LGB R3 switch. Oiling the engine requires a lot of time; beware! It is MUCH easier to oil it when it is upside down; most of the bearings in the frame are hidden when it is upright. I did have to replace my counterweights, and despite a few miscues(putting the counterweights back on the engine before attaching the screw covers), I was able to do it in well under an hour. It shouldn’t be a big deal even if you have no experience working on locomotives. There are a LOT of wires traveling between the engine and tender which make it a pain to remove from the track–make sure it’s on the right track before you plop it down.
Pros:
Size
Running characteristics
Price(hey, an Accucraft, if you could get one, would be $2000 more)
Durability(it feels seriously tough–LGB tough)
Kadee coupler mounts onboard
Cons:
Size
Detailing may prove flimsy
LOTS of wires between the engine and tender, and some funky plugs on them
Slows on grades
Dislikes LGB R3 switches
My thought:
It’s large, and though it has some drawbacks, I’m willing to see how it does. So far I’m impressed with it next to an LGB Mogul and the Bachmann Connie. Time will tell…
Anything more you want a comment on, let me know–I’m ready and willing to discuss this engine.
