Blackstone Models have just started shipping their HOn3 K-27.
Before I review the model, here's a quick update on what this is
- Blackstone Models is a subsidiary of Soundtraxx, who are the leading vendor of DCC sound systems. Their Tsunami decoder (fitted to the K-27) is regarded as the state of the DCC steam sound art.
- HOn3 is the use of HO scale (3.5mm to the foot) to represent 3 foot gauge models on 10.5 mm gauge track
- The D&RGW K-27 is a Baldwin 2-8-2: see Otto Perrys's photo of 464 from the Denver Public Library collection. There were 15 K-27s, 450 to 464. Blackstone have done all the "modern" piston valve versions, except #452.
So what's the model like?: Well, there is some innovative design. It has a split-frame mechanism around the outside frames, with current pickup on all drivers, and one tender truck on each rail. The thing comes with a diagram of how the assembly is made, with part numbers of each piece, that shows what the options are and how it all goes together. And it looks good as soon as you get it out of the box.
What's noticeable very quickly, once on DCC-powered rails, is the perfect chuff sync. There is what looks from the doco (I've not taken mine apart yet) to be an optical sync from a sensor wheel on the motor shaft; however it is done, it is spot on. Like all Tsunamis, there is a deal of programming to do to get the best; I've not squirted my favourite Tsunami settings into it yet, to get the best throttle-led exhaust tones, but I'm looking forward to having a go. I have tried playing with CVs 3 and 4, and the brake on 61, and that has already made quite a bit of a difference.
As a model, it's good accuracy-wise, comparing to Brewster's plans from those MR issues so long ago. Also putting it next to a PSC model from 1992 (good), and old Westside models (not so good) with their over-wide tenders shows it in a very favourable light. I do like the tender trucks; neat plastic moldings with decent wheels and axle-scraping pickups. The pony truck wheels with thin tyres also look good. As do the LED lights.
The loco drawbar has had some attention on the HOn3 Yahoo list. It carries 8 wires between loco and tender, is strong, unobtrusive, and available separately. I've ordered some to fit to some brass locos to avoid a forest of wires between loco and tender. I like the thing, and feel that the small amount of hassle that will be involved in fitting brass locos with it will be worth it. It certainly works here.
There's a few bits that are less than perfect:
- some of the plastic detail parts have objectionable parting lines - like the injector lines
- and most of the added plastic detail isn't painted - while the die-cast carcass is, and nicely done, too
- the rear truck area is a bit filled-in for my taste
- the bell and whistle don't have cords
- and the turbogenerator just doesn't do it for me - it's the only detail part that really is substandard
- the coupling rods are stamped; cast one would have been nice - they are jointed, which is good, but cast ones half-jointed at the crankpins might have been better. I'd have liked better (smaller) coupling rod bolts, too; those hex-heads are well oversized.
- hit F8, if you can cope without the magic Tsunami sound, and the thing is a bit mechanically noisy - but you can only hear it over the sound at high speed, and we don't really go there. I'm sure it will quieten down with time.
- and my #463 has a minor bind problem on the rear axle which makes it clunk, only noticeable when going forward and under load.
But this is a mass-produced model (if 3000 units is mass production), and while for the price we can have some expectations, we need to realize that it is a $300 small-run unit. It's generally accurate, and there are multiple versions for multiple prototypes, and by and large the different versions are well captured. I've not seen any #455 ATW versions yet, but I've seen Blackstone's photos. Generally it runs well, it has the best sound there is on the market, and it has proper chuff sync. The bulk of the detail issues can't be seen from normal layout distances, and what matters there is general appearance, sound, and smooth running which mostly it has. It's an excellent first attempt from Blackstone, and I wish them well.
This is an 8.5 out of 10 model. As a first attempt that's an excellent start for Blackstone and their manufacturing partner, rumoured to be Kader, Bachmann's parent company. Now I'm certainly looking forward to their next releases, rolling stock and hopefully more locos, and I'm certainly curious as to whether MMI can beat them with their upcoming K-27. Good days for HOn3. Comments (2)
Mick Moignard April 30th, 2007 03:26:38 PM
So almost three years on and are you still happy with the blackstone k-27? The reason I ask is that my first one arrived yesterday and I'm quite happy with it so far.
On balance, yes, I'm happy with the Blackstone. Decent, solid model with a modicum of individuality (thet don't do all the things that separate the diffeent prototypes, such as the different arrangements of colling coils, or the clack valves on 462 and on eother being in a different place, or all the tender right side piping variations, including the rarely done RGS 461 pipe up the right side that ended iin an angle cock. But if yoyu are a detail nut, these are all easy to add. My 456 even has the rear driver sanders that MMI do, but Blackstone don't.
Biggest issue is the noisy running. Of my 4 Blackstones, only one runs as quietly and as smoothly as brass, or MMI K-27s. Of the other three, all have mechanical gearbox noise and one also has a small bind in it. Compare to my two MMis and one PSC brass one (1992 MSM run), the MMIs and the brass loco are far better mechanically, better detailed (tho I've spent time on the MMis just as I have on the BS), and they pull a little more. But the BS locos are RTR out of the box, two thirds the MMI price for more bang (sound, RTR, etc) and way lessthan half what I paid for the brass one. Pay yer money and take yer chance.
Mick