Has anyone had experience with the Key Imports SP 4-8-8-2 Cab Forwards? How do they run? Thank you, Pete
There is [OOPS....WAS] a very nice Key N AC-12 SP 4-8-8-2 Cab Forward on eBay for only $895 (about $300 below MSRP) You can still see it here: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1642296682 ********* eNjoy Don B [ 29 September 2001: Message edited by: dbn160 ]</p>
If you check Mark Peterson's Spookshow N scale loco encyclopedia you will see that he gives it an F for running. You may also see that the one he tested was one I bought and had it shipped through him so that he could test, take photos and place it on the site. When I received the loco (I already had it sold to another person) I was very scared about getting it running for them! As it turned out the problem was the wire that presses against the pin for the tender pickup had been assembled incorrectly, I fixed it and the engine ran fine. Now, with the Kato Mikado/Hudson/Northern being an 9.5-10 on the running scale I would say the Cab Forwards are about a 8-8.5, not perfect but certainly useful on an operating pike. From my experience it is near the top of N scale brass runners with the Pecos River Brass AT&SF 3400 class being one of the few thats better, with the "good ones" sitting at a solid 9. I would not avoid the Cab Forwards if I wanted one but would be hard pressed to buy any brass without a possible return. One other thing to remember is that there are several runs of the CFs and the earlier versions have more detail and purportedly are better runner....now don't ask ME how to ensure an early run as I am not sure of this. Vandy
