I am trying to find more info about how to determine when certain packaging was used. I will use that info to determine the model quality versus prices of an sellers. This happens to be my favoritelocomotive type, only because they look sweet! I want specifically the non streamlined version, but the info on any of them will help to. Thanks all!
The oldest ones (made by Kato) would be in a red and white box with a clear lid. EG - More recent Kato-made models would be in a blue and red box like this one - Some of the "fancy" Kato-made versions came in big red boxes (or at least this one did) - The most recent Chinese-made versions come in big grey/striped Rail Baron boxes. -Mark
So if I understand your site correctly. The first version is sketchy on pickup. The second and third were quite good for the era of production. And the rail baron was good, but not as good. The only challenge is installing dcc. Would that be correct? And upon visual inspections online or at swap meets, is there a way to determine if it is a runner
From the information I gathered at Mark's (Spookshow) website, it would be prudent to avoid any J3A Hudson model with metal running gear and no wires between the locomotive and tender. All of the other technical details among the later variants are hidden under the body shells. As a rule of thumb, then - if it has plastic running gear and wires between the tender and locomotive, chances are you have a decent running model.
