Thanks to Stefan for posting the photo, and once again, thanks to Mr. Roder at Bahnorama for posting the detailed photo(s) on his website. The Restaurant coach, on it's own, does not look too bad. The problem does, however, become much more noticeable when the Restaurant coach is next to other coaches which have a better rendition of the window heights.
My intent has never been to find something wrong with every model. This thread was to inform members that the item had been released. At the same time, I made a basic observation based on the first photos of the actual production model (as shown on eBay and Swiss dealer Suter-Meggen).
The complete 26557 Set (Photo taken from Bahnorama.ch):
Original SBB WRm coach:
This thread did not go the way that many of these threads have been going until one member decided to throw a wrench into the gears (originally said "monkey into a wrench" (a poor pun)) and attack "rivet counters".
I stand by the original post and my initial assessment of the model. The final production model of the WRm is not as well rendered as was the "Handmuster". That is the basis for my disappointment with this item.
I am, however, looking forward to the Set because the Lok looks very nice. As far as I know, this is the first model to accurately represent the Lok with one SBB and one DB pantograph. Neither the Hag, Metropolitan, nor Lima models have had this detail in production. I might have preferred to have a model with the same motorization as the 39421, but will wait to see how the new model performs in person.
I cannot ask Maerklin to change the appearance of the WRm model, as the Set has already been delivered. I will likely contact them and ask them to correct the model mould so that it is correct if they ever do release it in either it's original red or more recent Eurofima (C1) livery. Whether my emails are sent to a special "trash" folder or not, what I do is for the benefit of all modellers and not just for myself, and it surprises me how frequently I am attacked for trying to make the effort.
I look forward to a few nice Swiss models every year (if that). I would hope that the companies would make the effort to make those models as prototypically as possible, accepting the need for the occasional compromise. A detail like the appearance of the windows of a coach, the paint on a lok, the handrails on another lok are minor and could have been avoided with a few minutes more attention to detail. I guess my main criticism is with the lack of proper continuity and follow through in the development and production of models that I hold close to my heart.
Yes, model railroading is fun. I enjoy looking at my models. I love running them from time to time, especially when I set up a multi room "teppichbahn" and can enjoy watching long trains run all over the basement. Each year, I anticipate the release (and reception) of these new additions to my collection. Not all have faults or if they do, most are still completely acceptable. Unfortunately, many of them do have shortcomings and I should be able to discuss those details in a forum where I am one of a number of equal members. The main difference is that I am attacked for making a statement, something that does not happen when other members post topics. That is what makes these topics tiresome, and it is my opinion that this is started by certain individuals who wish to distract the general membership from any critical discussion of Maerklin products. I note that in similar threads in other forums, the models have been criticized for motorization (SDS vs Buehler), for digital (ESU vs other/Maerklin) and those criticisms have not been attacked in the same way that my comments about the external visual appearance have been.
As far as this topic, I think that I have said all that needs to be said. The only thing that I could possibly add would be photos of the actual model once I have received it as well as photos of the Maerklin Lok with corresponding 1:87 coaches from other companies.
Regards
Mike C
