We should remember that in terms of affordable products, modern cast metal models are not the sole product of Maerklin, the finest cast metal locomotive in recent years is made by Bachmann-the BR62.

I have recently bought a Bemo HOe Sachsen Meyer which is a very nice model and runs well, but at the price I am disappointed at the lack of working lights. I also have two of the older Wurttemburg locos; the C1' and the D, bought for the weird motion, and both are a disappointment - the 0-6-2T shed its motion within a couple of circuits of my small test track due, I think, to the cranks being loose on their axle, and the 0-8-0T got damaged in transit. I am also less than happy that the link valve gear is a single rigid stamping. I am working on getting spares for these locos, but I am not hopeful as they have not been produced for a while.

As for Roco, well their fully detailed locomotives, that were on a par with Brawa in terms of detailing and price, were their platinum line and unfortunately they no longer make them. Sorry John, I believe that this comment on availability just isn't true... many of the models previously marketed in the Platin range are still available in the Roco range, such as the 03.10 and others. Also being in the Platin range is NO indication of overall quality, no matter how much Roco at the time wanted you to pay for them - there is no way that the 1983 vintage Vt11.5 even in Danish guise wqs anything like the quality of the 03.10, the 18.201 or the 36. Platin was merely an excuse for Roco to charge premium prices for whatever models they thought they cold get away with repackaging in a fancy (and expensive) box - it has nothing to do with the quality of the model you actually got. There were many models in the classic range (eg the retooled 44 and the ET423 which were in my opinion far superior to some of the Platin range. My view is that Platin is just an unfortunate aberration from Roco's Magdefrau era, and like that character, is best forgotten. As for some of the former Platin models that appear to have disappeared, I have no doubt that they will be reissued over time - many of them, as John stated, represent the best quality Roco models available; as such Roco has the opportunity to charge premium prices no matter what box they come in, so I'm certain they'll be back in one form or another.

Some of the Platin models were very good but there were some which left you wondering what was going on. I got the Prinz Leopolds coach when it was on sale at Modelbahn Kramm for 50 Euros. I'm really glad I didn't pay full price of 119 euros for it. It's not bad but not worth 119 euro, and it's not quite as good as the Brawa coaches. The yellow plastic skylight cheapens it whereas the other Roco Platin K.Bay coaches that came out at the same time were very nice and they were cheaper. I reckon a lot of expense was on the special dressing to make it appear better like the bigger boxes and display rail included.