Michael, on this we will have to disagree. First of all, I wish y'all would stop using announcements by Company X to decry the lack of Y models, fault them for choosing an item you aren't personally interested in, or otherwise hijack these threads. If you want to post something, bully. But Thunder Models is doing many of us train guys a solid by releasing high-quality trains. After all, I have tried to build the Trumpeter locos, and they are not worth the effort in my opinion: too many inaccuracies, and the AM PE needed to fix them from LZ Models was more than my weary mind and eyes could finish. I have one sitting in my stash gradually falling apart because the PE doesn't fit very easily, the directions from the LZ resin and PE add-ons require a PhD in research material, and the plastic sand pipes from Trumpeter that are front & center on the outside of the boiler won't adhere properly to the body. I would rejoice with a Thunder try at one of the large locos, German or Allied, but the developmental costs for models are high, and I'm happy simply to have one that could be hooked up to a heavy flat car with a tank on it for a cool dio.

In Europe everybody that grew up with Märklin smiles, seeing their first train they played with as a youngster. Only 39 were build in 1/1 scale, but the cute 3 axle loco is more than welcome for me in 1/35 scale. I actually was directed into the Fleischmann zone of 1/87 model trains experience for youngsters and their Dads, thanks Dad! Kind regards, Robert Jan

I acknowledge there will be opposing opinions to my comments. I also admit these are are just one man's opinions.

I know, and have to admit that your pet issues are widely ignored, which gives a very monotone landscape of 'new' models nowadays. Kind regards, Robert Jan

I wonder if anyone here realizes that we have the Baureihe 52, Baureihe 86 and WRC 360 locomotives only becaus CMK build the "masters" for the Trumpeter kits? I build my BR 52 straight OOTB despite visiting the Deutsches Dampflokmuseum at Neuenmarkt-Wirsberg and taking a comprehensive walkaround on the engine. I think the only reason because where kitted s the fact that they are "Kriegslokomotiven" (war engines). So if anyone has a need for further steam engines, contact Trumpeter and offer them the references. I think a set of factory plans and ca. 1000 pics will be enough.

Hi Hans, I cannot agree with you. The only true Kriegslokomotive from the trio is BR 52. Considering the kit has many postwar features this is also questionable. The production of the BR 86 (in which the Chinese also managed to incorporate postwar details) was started in 1928 and was terminated in 1943. Indeed, the last of them were "ÜK" but they are different externally than what's modelled by Trumpeter (and Hobby Boss in 1/72), so I cannot consider them "war locomotives". "Einheits-" yes, but not "Kriegs-". The shunter WR 360 C12 was produced by request of the Wehrmacht indeed but was never considered Kriegslokomotive, not to speak about the strange choice of exactly this modification which was produced in quantity of 10 (say: ten) and has never seen active war service, except shunting in home ammo depots, as you can see here: LINK This kit isn't without errors too, for me this is everything but surprising. On the other hand, I agree BR 80 isn't the best choice of the subject for any typical "war scale". They were few and were rare sight. Their only achievement is that from 39 total production 38 managed to survive the war. No doubt in general it is interesting engine and the type is well covered in all traditional railroad scales. So wrong choice or wrong scale would be better?

I want to say that I value your opinions, my friend, and our disagreement isn't fatal.

And here's naive little ol' me thinking that here -finally- is a viable dio addition that won't require a six foot piece of track and scenery! Even a yard switcher is useful, if only in the yard shuttling tank-laden rail cars around.

Hello. Does anyone know what happens to the locomotive BR80 and more generally to the Thunder Models, because I do not see any movement for new models.