I have not yet received my 37320, but am basing my initial evaluation on the photos supplied by Alberto (above):
Hag:
+ Great motor and pulling power
+ Metal body
+ Spring loaded buffers
+ Separately applied wipers
+ Best reproduction of the front windows (main)
+ So far only producer with accurate depiction of model with A/C panel
+ Closed snowplough available as accessory
- Swiss Crest is a little oversized
- Light shines through bogie opening
- Body moulding line visible on some models*
Roco:
+ Very detailed plastic body with raised lettering
+ Swiss Crest is correct
+ Separately applied wipers
+ Very accurate Swiss Pantographs
+ Best overall reproduction of the front windows
+ Best reproduction of the hoses/connections on the lok front/Closed plough
+ Very smooth operation
- Light can shine through body shell of red locomotives
- Middle bogie lacks weight and can derail on switches
- End footboards extend too far out on the sides
Maerklin:
+ Metal body
+ First model with bright white LEDs/Cab lighting
+/- Swiss Crest on front is moulded into the lok shell, but the dimensions are correct.
+/- Closed front piece with hoses included but may interfere with the bogies
- City Crest and lok number on side too high
- Roof adjacent to vents looks different than prototype.
Common:
As far as I can tell, none of these model come equipped with true close couplings. All three come with coupler shafts or couplings mounted directly on the bogie.
The Hag Re 6/6 probably looks best when combined with a Hag Re 4/4II/Re 4/4III. The same can respectively be said for the Roco model and likely for the Maerklin model as well.
As far as traction, the model Hag probably has the best motor. Maerklin's traditional motor has proved itself to be reliable and the Roco model is the quietest.
All three models come with 3 white/1 white Swiss lighting. None of the models come with working red lights. Roco has so far had the best imitation of the current rectangular halogen lights.
The Hag and Maerklin models are metal. The Roco model has a metal frame with a plastic body.
All models come with the correct rectangular buffers. Hag's model has spring loaded buffers while the Maerklin and Roco models have fixed plastic buffers.
The main windows look the best on the Hag model. The Roco model has the best overall reproduction of the windows, probably due to the fact that the lok is moulded in plastic. Maerklin still has the brown tinted side windows.
The Roco model has the most accurate pantographs, while the Hag and Maerklin models rely on Sommerfeldt designs that go back to the 1970s. The Sommerfeldt pantos are still way better than the original Maerklin 7219s that came with earlier models with single arm pantos. The Roco pantos cannot be installed on the Hag or Maerklin models without some modifications as the screw mount locations are different.
I guess that in conclusion, the choice of whether you prefer one specific model is up to you. I like certain aspects of each model and because of that, I cannot decide which model I prefer. I do not have any of the red Re 6/6s by Roco due to the glow-through issue and am looking forward to a red model from Maerklin. I have not ordered the 37321 as I already have two Re 620s (Cargo) from Hag. I would hope that Maerklin would go through the Hag catalog or Stefan's website before selecting future coats of arms. There are still some models that have not been made that would probably be big sellers.
As soon as I receive my 37320, I will take some photos of the three models, individually, all together and head to head with each other.
I have not included any of the older Lima models in this comparison, as I do not have any of those models in my collection.
Regards
Mike C
Edited by user 06 March 2010 20:51:55(UTC)
| Reason: Not specified
