PRODUCT REVIEW: 1:20.3 SCALE BRAKE BEAMS
Manufacturer: Sierra Valley Enterprises, 2755 Saratoga Avenue, Merced, CA 95340. Price: OBW-43 wood and metal outside brake beams $9.95 per set of two postpaid. California residents please add 7.25-percent sales tax.
WHAT IS MISSING from most large scale narrow gauge rolling stock? Outside hung brake beams. Nothing more than that addition to almost any LGB, USA Trains, or Bachmann freight car, along with some additional paint here and there, would provide a crucial and very visible element of realistic detail. Well, engineers, Gary Watkins of Sierra Valley Enterprises has come to your rescue.
Sierra Valley's brake beams consist of a laser cut wood frame (the outside beams themselves are an integral part), white metal brake shoes, and nut-bolt-washer castings. The assembly will drop right onto the bottom of LGB, USA Trains, and Bachmann trucks; just remove the mounting and sideframe screws, drop in the brake beam assembly, and replace the screws. They are 1:20.3 scale but look perfect with all 1:22.5 scale freight equipment using archbar trucks.
Depending on the wheels you use, you may have to install spacer washers on the axles to center the wheels and keep their flanges from rubbing against the brake shoes. In other words, installation takes a maximum of ten minutes per car. Sierra Valley paints the assemblies a neutral medium brown. You may install them as they come or use the existing paint as a primer for a different color.
The quality and appearance of our samples were absolutely topnotch and the difference they made to the appearance of any car was significant. As with everything Sierra Valley Enterprises has produced, we give the brake beams our highest rating and urge you to try a set. You will be very happy.-RR
