while the DETAILS have gotten better, the mechanics have NOT. Just look at the current crop of articulated locos. They ALL are just 3 axle or 4 axle diesel trucks styled to LOOK like steam engine units but NOT correctly articulated. They CLAIM that its done for "Over-hang" concerns which is BS. They just moved the overhang from the front of the engine to the back, so the cab's swing completely away from the tender deck. The Oriental Ltd "Powerhouse series" 2-8-8-2's track just fine around corners as tight as 22". Same for the older Bowser Big-boys and Challengers. At least those models look better going around corners, and were heavy enough to out pull the modern plastic choo-choo's from BLI, MTH etc. I have 7 of the older Powerhouse N&W Y3's which all still run smoothly after 20 years, while the BLI Y6b's and Bachmann J have started to wear out and have developed some slight quartering issues in less than 5 years.