PCM Y6b's

[nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org]

To join in the fray:
Picked up my unlettered PCM Y6b Friday. Ran it on the limited stretch of 
track up and running.
On Digitrax, it started moving smoothly on step 1. Unlike some other recent 
plastic/brass-priced steam, it does run smoothly.
Sound is so-so, maybe a notch below. The exhaust is in sync with drivers at 
low speeds, but the thing sounds more like a stuttering sewing machine by 
the time you get to 30 smph or so. LokSound never sounded IMHO as good as 
Soundtraxx, QSI or even the MRC system in some Genesis F3's I have. I've 
heard sound in the LokSound booth at a couple of NMRA conventions and came 
away unimpressed each time.
The whistle is an OK rendition of a hooter, but not nearly as good as the 
QSI hooter on the BLI A.
Dragging out the Y6b drawings in a 1959 copy of RMC, I noted the machine 
seems right on in smokebox and boiler diameter, as well as cab measurement 
(remember the old Rivarossi Y6b with extra 2 feet or so of cab length to 
accommodate the 3-pole motor?). It appears a little narrower in boiler width 
than the Rivarossi, but seems to scale out right.
The die casting means that the rivet detail is way thick on the cab and the 
round riveted plate at the front of the tender.
Yes, the headlight LED is amber, same color as an N&W position-light signal 
indication.
Mine hauled the 18-car plastic test train that was handy without a hitch on 
a level ROW and around a 40-inch radius superelevated curve.
The thing also has a switch for a smoke unit, although I doub't I'll pour 
fluid down the stack to see if it has one installed.
Swiveling both engines, I noted there seems to be enough lateral swing in 
the front engine to perhaps make it worth experimenting to see if the rear 
engine can be permanently fixed in place.
All is all, it ain't worth the near-brass price. I waited almost 20 years 
for the thing, but may not buy any more, at least not sound-equipped ones.
Kitbashing the Powerhouses and P2K's in my basement looks better and better.
Lastly, they did get the drivers about right, they  scale out at about 
56.5", not far from the prototype's 58", and a far cry from the  51" or 
54"-inch drivered Rivarossis.
I'll probably write PCM, although I can't imagine they care too much, long 
as it sells.
My $.02
Andre Jackson and/or Lisa Burrows
Life is short; update your anti-virus software
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
To: "N and W Modeling List" <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
Sent: Friday, May 19, 2006 5:25 PM
Subject: Re: PCM Y6b's



> So I got mine yesterday, and put it on the programming track today.

>

> Comments:  Valve gear is not acceptable.  If Proto can put acceptable 

> valve gear on the Y-3s, why can't these folks put it on the Y-6b?  And 

> Broadway on the N&W A, for that matter?

>                     Sound is barely acceptable; the exhaust sound is 

> confusing to say the least.  Other sounds are OK; a nice touch is the 

> splash of water from the injector overflow after the injector shuts off.

>                     Programming is OK.

>                     Power - not acceptable.  My Broadway 1218 will shove 

> the Y-6b right off the test track without slipping a driver (I haven't 

> tested it against my Y-3s).  The Y-6b will not budge the A if the A is not 

> under power.

>                     Tender is heavy all right, but I guess that's because 

> of the big speaker.

>

> Ed King

>

> ----- Original Message ----- 

> From: <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>

> To: "N and W Modeling List" <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>

> Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2006 9:22 AM

> Subject: Re: PCM Y6b's

>

>

>> There, there, David.  Everything's gonna be OK.  Let not your heart be 

>> troubled . . .

>>

>> EdKing

>> ----- Original Message ----- 

>> From: <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>

>> To: "N and W Modeling List" <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>

>> Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2006 7:41 AM

>> Subject: Re: PCM Y6b's

>>

>>

>>> It's probably my imagination, but....

>>>

>>> Is there something proportionately off about the front

>>> end of PCM's Y6b?  All the individual parts are great,

>>> but the front view on the website doesn't look right.

>>> Is the headlight a bit too high?  The Y6b bracket was

>>> different from the other Y6's and the headlight was

>>> located lower relative to the number plate.  Gave the

>>> Y6b a less squatty appearance from  the front.

>>>

>>> Maybe I'm just having a rivet-counter relapse.  Try to

>>> keep it under control but don't always succeed.

>>>

>>> Dave Stephenson

>>>

>>>

>>>

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