Ethical Model Trains

[teedoubleudee]

.................... But I will be 6 feet under by then .

Be sure they install a 7 foot aerial then John

[GeoffAlan2]

The Polish made Fiats were made by Sherpa if I recall and they are much better quality then Italian made Fiats. The production went back to Italy with the newer Fiat (The Panda) because the Italian people wanted to have them made in Italy, so their government made a grant available as an incentive to do so as far as I recall.

Not my experience I'm afraid. The Polish built one had loose bolts on the drive shaft, a fact I found out when I found one on the drive! there were only 2 left in, both slack on one side and three on the other side with one so far out that I took it out with my fingers in under a turn. It also came with a badly mounted throttle cable which stuck full down the first time I pushed it down that far after running in!

[footplate1947]

.................... But I will be 6 feet under by then .

Be sure they install a 7 foot aerial then John

Make little note in my will Terry.

[footplate1947]

The Polish made Fiats were made by Sherpa if I recall and they are much better quality then Italian made Fiats. The production went back to Italy with the newer Fiat (The Panda) because the Italian people wanted to have them made in Italy, so their government made a grant available as an incentive to do so as far as I recall.

Not my experience I'm afraid. The Polish built one had loose bolts on the drive shaft, a fact I found out when I found one on the drive! there were only 2 left in, both slack on one side and three on the other side with one so far out that I took it out with my fingers in under a turn. It also came with a badly mounted throttle cable which stuck full down the first time I pushed it down that far after running in!

Years ago I used to work with friend of mine we used to buy and sell cars. He bought them and I got them ready for sale and one day we had to take in part exchange a Polski Fiat and I have never driven such a heap in my life. It was only 3 years old and we sold it for £5. sorry but that was our experience I'm afraid. We even parked it around the back of the workshop instead of the front. We sold it to a bloke who had a hard up story just to tide him over a difficult time............ A Divorce. She got the house and he got the bills. ................... John

[Skarloey]

Gosh fancy admitting to owning Dewalt. That’s how I started. Still have 2 14.4. Rechargeable saws, but can’t afford new batteries. Most of my stuff now is AEG. No idea where it’s made, but batteries go on for ever. Ethics are commendable, subject to your budget. MTH, Fleischmann, Trix, Rocco, Dapol, would all probably be acceptable, if you want to avoid China.

Thanks Yelrow, for the helpful suggestions.

[Malcolm 0-6-0]

Generally speaking I've found that Chinese products match what you would expect for the price. But there are exceptions. About ten years ago I had need to replace my electric kettle so as I didn't feel like trawling around appliance shops I bought a cheap (about $20) one at the local supermarket (still cheap as in Australia we have little inflation). The other day it finally gave up the ghost but it wasn't the electrics it was the plastic - over time the plastic had become brittle and was degrading so I had to replace it. I then bought a $12 one so if I get the same usage out of it then that'll be a cost of about $1.20 a year all up.

As for electric trains I think the problem of fragility is more to do with complexity than poor manufacture. Last year I bought a Beattie Well Tank which was BNIB however the lubricant had dried - I damaged some minor parts attempting to access the inside to apply some lubricant. Fortunately I was able to repair the damage. However with some I have found that it can be a battle getting them out of their packaging unscathed.

[footplate1947]

You Made me think Malcolm.......Saying about electric kettle plastic degrading. Hearing lots of stories about how plastic degrades into small particles it makes me wonder if a thing like a kettle should ever be made in plastic. After all you drink form it and does that mean you are drinking plastic particles from the moulding as it gets older. My next kettle is going to be metal after reading this. ................John

[Steve M]

You Made me think Malcolm.......Saying about electric kettle plastic degrading. Hearing lots of stories about how plastic degrades into small particles it makes me wonder if a thing like a kettle should ever be made in plastic. After all you drink form it and does that mean you are drinking plastic particles from the moulding as it gets older. My next kettle is going to be metal after reading this. ................John

I think at our age any damage has already been done!

But here’s a thought......had you noticed that bottled water has a sell by date? Water doesn’t go off in a sealed container but the plastic in the bottle does and leaches into the contents.
Really doesn’t bother me though.

[footplate1947]

I have always drank water from the tap. Only bottle I drink from normally has Rum or Whiskey in it. That is only on rare occasions these days though. John

[Malcolm 0-6-0]

You Made me think Malcolm.......Saying about electric kettle plastic degrading. Hearing lots of stories about how plastic degrades into small particles it makes me wonder if a thing like a kettle should ever be made in plastic. After all you drink form it and does that mean you are drinking plastic particles from the moulding as it gets older. My next kettle is going to be metal after reading this. ................John

Ironically the one that one replaced was an expensive metal one which lasted half the time.