Does anyone on the list own an Aspen Model engine? They make a very beautiful 4-6-0 Old Time steamer. I assume it is built on an existing Marklin chassis. How is the quality of the brass shell and paint job on the Ready to Run models? Is there any modifications to the Marklin chassis? Just curious if anyone has one or has seen one. In photos they look beautiful. But they are quite pricey.
The kit The kit's not too bad if you already have the Marklin engine to build it on: http://www.aspenmodel.com/us/content/details.php?art_id=1053 I don't think that you have to modify the chassis.
The Ready to Run I was lucky enough to buy one of these several years ago from an auction. It is one of the best locos I own. It is the green form, and runs like a dream. The manufacturer is Westmodel and they used a 5-pole motor marklin chassis. The tender is also beautiful. The loco, being brass is heavy enough to have good traction and it sails through marklin turnouts, including curved ones without any hesitation whatsoever even at realistic slow speeds. I recently ran it on Rokuhan track where it also performed flawlessly. No, I have no connection with Aspen or Westmodel, just a satisfied owner. It is a bit pricey, but if your construction skills are good, you can save quite a bit. If you like older steam, this is a must!
Thanks for the opinions. Is the headlight working on the Old Time engine? And is the shell easy to remove for oiling and cleaning?
The headlight does not work...unless you do some drilling and install either a micro LED or fiber optics. The shell comes off the same way the original shell comes off with one screw. The kit I built also runs beautifully.
how would you rate the difficulty level for a modeler that is good with plastic kits but never did brass?
It's not much different. It's been years since I built mine but, if I remember correctly, it requires test fitting and a little filing or sanding to get things to fit really well and you need to think a little ahead as far as painting goes. My kit is all CA glued together. I don't remember many differences and I've built plastic models for as long as I could get to the hobby shop...about 50 years, from WW1 biplanes to sci-fi models and everything in between.
Thanks for the useful information and guidance. Did you paint yours the black color or did you go with the green? I appreciate all of the comments on this. Thanks to all for taking the time.
I'm the North American dealer for Aspenmodel and I have both the kit and the RTR engines in stock. http://www.rslaserkits.com/Z-RollingStock.html Right now I have them at 10% off as long as the Euro does not got to high. I have not built one but they look easy to build and you can use CA if you like. The kits are not on my web site right now but there is a PDf you can download which has the pricing and what I have in stock. rich www.rslaserkits.com
I built one long ago. It was fun but a challenge, especially the handrails on the boiler! I gave it to Jim O'Connell for his CCRR. It's a great loco well worth price and effort if that is what you need for your era. John
Rich- I have about 1% of the budget for my very own Aspen Nn3 K-28 saved up! One of these days (years) I'll send you my order.. I guarantee it!
Mark Know the feeling, in same boat here. But at least I get to look at them and test run on my 12 inch test track before I ship. Ran a green old timer today to make sure it ran before I boxed it up and sent out. Sure ran nice and slow. Wish I could afford one myself maybe some day. rich www.rslaserkits.com
