I can see both sides here. I tend to be a "newbie" at fixing stuff ...so while I am ready and willing to enter the learning curve, I am a little hesitant to start tinkering with something that cost me $450. I think thats part of the hesitation with me. Perhaps thats the problem with buying such an expensive loco -- the fear you are going to make the problem worse.
But, a simple fix like throwing lead weights on the pilot (which, btw, I intend to try!) is an easily implementable fix which is passed on from expeirenced modelers to novices like me. And, thats part of the hobby in my opinion.
I wonder, did the Pennsy send their brand new locos back to the loco shop if they had minor issues out of the gate? I would think they would have fixed it themselves. But, if the thing plumb wont run, then def it was sent back. I guess its a matter of degrees.
I think Im going to buy a couple of Bachmanns 2-8-0s to "practice" on and run that MTH Mikado when I get my sea legs.
As someone fairly new to the hobby, I agree spot on with a lot of what you said. Frankly, I this particular thread highlights some of the best and worst aspects of model railroading.
On the one hand, the little tips that experienced modelers pass along are simply invaluable. And most of the time, they solve the problems that come up.
On the other hand, as an industry, there needs to be far better quality control. I can think of few other hobbies where there's so much deviation in quality, especially at such high price points. I've had to learn very quickly how to "tweak" trains and rolling stock. Simply put, that is unacceptable for a hobby that needs to rely on generating some fresh blood to stay alive. Right, wrong or otherwise, today's generation needs to be hooked quickly on a hobby or else they move onto something else. Say what you will about impatience, it is what it is. We're just not a particularly "handy" generation.
Having said that, model railroading is not a hobby for someone who wants to be "done." I've learned that you're never done. You're always maintaining, fixing or improving something. Obviously, you shouldn't be spending more time fixing things than using them, but these kind of issues are acceptable from time to time.
I can really see both sides of the issues here. Admitedly, there are times I wonder why I didn't pick a cheaper and easier hobby, but I still come back to it. My wife and I have had our share of lessons, some of them hard and not inexpensive, but we love model railroading together. I could probably write a book on what not to do when building a railroad. As I've learned what I'm doing I've put in wrong turnouts, torn up track, bought the wrong track code and generally spent more money than I need to. I've gotten so frustrated that I've wanted to give the whole thing up, only to find solutions to the problems I've encountered. And I don't disagree with people who are fed up. You're right, it's VERY frustrating at times. But message boards, conventions and people in your city with more experience are a wealth of good information. As a newbie, and by far the youngest person in my train groups, i've learned to just listen to anything and everything I can.