AristoCraft's Projected 2-8-0 Consolidation

Re:  your announcement.  AristoCraft usually does its models in 1:20.3 scale which commonly is known to garden railroaders as "F Scale".  "G scale" usually refers to 1:22.5 scale which was originated by LGB.  You may recall that an earlier issue of MRRH carried an article about Tom Miller's Fn3, 1:30.3, indoor layout in Oregon.

It's hard to tell from the photo whether this new engine has the following:  my past experience with an AristoCraft Fn3 Consolidation (C&S #60) taught me that the middle two sets of drivers were not only blind (no flanges) but that they also were suspended a fraction of an inch above the rails.  The manufacturer did this so the locos could be used on the sharp curves in many garden railroads without derailing or binding.  I persuaded the then AristoCraft repairman, Cliff, to try to lower these sets of drivers to produce some traction.  He spent 2 or 3 weeks on this but only got them to just touch the rails -- no traction.  In effect, my AristoCraft 2-8-0 is really a 2-4-2 that's going up my 3% grades.  The engine is very heavy, which helps to some degree.

The AristoCraft pre-production in the photo definitely has blind drivers; can't tell if they touch the rails or not.

Question for Richard Bale

First let me say I look forward to your news column as it has helped me in my looking into different larger scales as a second Hobby with F Gauge as well as other considerations. But this month Your news about the Coach Yard and the Heavyweight Southern pacific Daylight 8 car sets in HO Caught my interest. I have always been a big fan of the Daylight and this may finally be the set I'm looking for. My question is: Will these Brass cars be fully detailed with the daylight colors as well at the new Trucks and did they mention any Price for the complete set and by any chance are these the same 8 car sets M.T.H is offering for $499.95? as well as the 2 car sets of Articulated passenger car sets for $135.95.  From what I have read The M.T.H. cars are made of ABS plastic and if The Coach yards are as finely detailed in Brass I may buy theirs instead.

Thanks for your column I will be looking forward to your next.

Dan