MIJ CON-COR 4-8-4 S2 Northern

[mbruffey]

I picked up a Made in Japan Con-Cor set at an estate sale today, thinking I would use it as a gift for someone. It has the CON-COR 4-8-4 S2 Northern engine and four Southern(?) passenger cars. It appears that the engine might be worth more than the $40 I paid for the set, which seems to be in good condition (passenger cars are in their original boxes and the engine is in a nice padded carrying case). Just looking for a couple of opinions from those who might know. I don't know when the engine was last run. Has 19" radius brass USA Atlas track (simple circle) and a Techxxx controller--all very clean. Any comments/suggestions before I set this up and test it out appreciated. Thanks, Mark

[UP2CSX]

If it says Made in Japan, it's actually manufactured by Kato under the Con-Cor name, made sometime in the mid to late-80's. They were great running engines and you've picked up a real bargain. The new Con-Cor S2's have better detail than the Kato version but they don't run anywhere near as well. They run well over $100 on e-bay so everything else is gravy if the engine runs well.

[mbruffey]

Yes, it does say Made in Japan on the bottom of the engine. I looked before I bought it, since I figured most stuff is made in China these days and might not be so hot . . . . Although my boy's HO stuff by Mantua is pretty good. Thanks, Mark