Proto2000 Berkshire is here

The Berkshires are here, too. Overall, I'd give it a B+. The good: it certainly looks like a Berhsire as to shape and "sit:. The detailing is separately applied, as are all pipes. Cap aprom and cab-to-tender distance all good, as is tender.

The not-so-bad: Engines 717 and 738 are the first NKP run. They are dated in their detailing to late 1940s i.e the models have the high number boards but no Mars light and no supplemental turbogenerators to power the Mars light. Also, the locos are solid black, not a drop of graphite on the smokebox or firebox (this is odd). Finally, the running gear is, well, different. The counterwieghts on the drivers are case so as to extend fomr diver center whete they not-quite overlap the wheeledge. Their outer edge should stop at the inner edge of the tire. The finish on the drivers is ashiny dark chrome--takes some getting used to....

But my overall impression is that these are good models which should get better as future runs appear.

To kill that finish and give the drivers a good lubrication all at the same time, I recommend NeoLube by PBL.

I agree. Comparing to my 0-8-0, it is like they forgot to apply the flat black paint to the driver centers. Another poster commented on the main driver counter weights. I put my P2K berk next to my old Rivarossi, and it almost looks like Life-Like copied the Rivarossi drivers, which have the same too large counterweights, apparently as a consequence of their thin metal tires on plastic driver centers. GQ

Well, I haven't received mine yet. I'll put it up against my PFM and see which looks better. When it gets here. Gene ABV61-1043.001.HCB

There is a pretty good amateur review at:

Steve Newcastle Oz

So where is mine? I think I need to get on the phone. Gene ABV61-1043.001.HCB