Bill Cross reviews MiniArt''s long awaited European tram.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

An excellent Review Bill!

The only issue, and i've expressed this before, is that IMO, the model could be accused of being a little over-engineered. Let me explain this. There will be those who build it in all its pristine glory and i've no doubt that it will, be a spectacular model in this respect. Others though, within a Dio, will be knocking it about, so around 600 parts, for what is essentially a Dio accesory, seems a little over the top.

Kudos, once again, to MiniArt for NOT following the well-trodden paths of releases and genuiely ding something original and financially accesible to mny more modelers....

Thank you, Jim. You make a very good point, and are correct that for some modelers, it's a lot of spares for a burned-out hulk.

My only point to that would be, having worked on a double build of two of them (one pristine, one wrecked), having the parts allows modelers the luxury of fashioning the RIGHT tram for their build.

And the model geek in me would argue that you want the best, most-detailed kit you can get, since the offerings in AM for this thing will likely be little or nil. Better IMO to have the parts and not use them than the other way 'round.

And thanks to Todd Michalak for saving my bacon on the photos for this review.

Ironically if you go to the Miniart website you will see this marked "Discontinued". So guys... better snap these up now or forever hold your peace. They have a new Tram coming out (different from this one) also.

Didn't you hear, Jim? Putin has nationalized all the trams, they're headed for LHSs in Moscow.

In all seriousness, MA has discontinued one of their Valentine kits, along with at least one GAZ truck, so yeah, don't assume these kits will be around forever.



Do you mean this one?

It's the same tram with some added advertising placards.

Great review Bill! I am looking forward to diggin onto mine soon! Pristine or wrecked, I have no idea yet but looks to be interesting no matter how you look at it...600+ part count should humble me a bit. Should be FUN! ...and you are welcome! Good thing I was still oogling oover the parts!!

Thanks, Todd.

I am nearing the finish line with the double build, and I must say that the fiddly parts have taken a few years off my life span. The plastic is VERY brittle and the result is that 50% of the grab handles and 90% of the very tiny wires or rods have broken. Some can be repaired, but it has been a challenge.

My suggestion would be to think about going to brass grab handles. I have replaced about 50% of the ones in the kit with brass. It requires a little more work, but is not objectionable, as I have learned to make them pretty quickly, and there are any number of wire bending tools in the hobby.

Thanks for the heads up Bill! I will definitely consider the brass rod for sure. I am cracking the box right now! LOL...the trucks on this thing are riddled with parts! Looks like I will be hitting the under carriage first!! I will see what I can get started and start up a thread. This may be a long-term build for sure...at least until I finish a couple other items underway!! Tempted to go knocked out on this one...a nice little dio might look good! I'll have to see after chewing up some parts!!

Here's a dio possibility:

That is awesome Jim! Of course that would ivolve building a Sherman (which I have not in forever and a day!!) and a whole lotta figs

Another.... Bit easier to build perhaps?

LOL...much easier! Just the frame? Just cut the part count in half!!