How often can "a poor runner or doesn't run well/I don't know whats wrong with the loco" be put down to lack of maintenance on the part of the owner?

[Michael Hodgson]

7 hours ago, The Johnster said:

When we are prepared to pay £200 for a basic DC 0-6-0 like our European friends do, perhaps our RTR manufacturers will improve things a bit, but it will take a long time to shift our long-standing traditions and prejudices.

Current economic conditions are far from favourable for this to happen as it probably also needs an increase in the average modeller's disposable income. 

[ianathompson]

10 hours ago, The Johnster said:

Not a recent trend, either.  Back in the 60s and 70s there was a move among British RTR modellers to European layouts exactly because our home grown stuff was so poor;

 

This was one reason that I bought second hand continental mechanisms as an impoverished student, back in the day.

The bodies were going to be binned anyway, given my interests.

I would sooner have one sweet running reliable mechanism than three poor ones.

 

A quick straw poll of the loco fleet (available here if anyone really is so interested) reveals no Bristish mechanims to the best of my recollection.

Having said that there were/are some right dogs from certain continental manufacturers.

 

Ian T

[Clive martin]

I dont want to start a debate about how much we pay for our british outline models compared with european HO ,but the price of a Bachmann class 47 is now over the 200 pound mark,i dont think these sort of prices are cheap,so i dont think it is much to ask for a little bit of thought about simple tasks like oiling to be thought about in the design stage of these models ,despite this i am very happy with the way most of my british out line models perform with very little maintenance ,the roco v90 model i spoke about that is very well designed, is not an expensive model ,it is a roco start model that i payed about 50 pound brand new!