robert. wrote:Seller probably got a full refund from the post office. I’d like to see how you repair it.
Actually, he offered a full refund and I keep the model, as he felt really bad about his packing, but I refused, as didn't think that was fair, so I offered the 50% discount. I think I can fix it, so I'm a happy camper. It was a good buy to start with and he just didn't know any better on shipping. It was packed okay (tissue paper, soft foam, hard foam) for a smaller model, but something as large and heavy as this model required being cocooned in bubble wrap and suspended in peanuts or crumpled moving paper. The model just kept slamming back and forth in the long box, as UPS tossed it around and the outer box looked great.
I never owned one of these back in the day, as they cost $1500-2000 and I couldn't justify the cost with all the beautiful OMI UP models available during that era. Then OMI came out with their outstanding DD-40 model in the late 90's (never owned one) and the price of the KTM model tumbled, but a good, clean KTM DD-40 still brings $750-1000, so when it was offered to me for $500 I said yes. I have $250 in it now and its worth it to me, to own a PSC "Crown" DD40, which along with the PSC "Crown" DD35 A&B's and SD-9's are the last (and only to my knowledge) of the KTM built O scale diesels.
In fact KTM went to direct marketing "KTM USA" just after this model was imported and was completely out of the model building business within a few years, as this direct marketing venture didn't pan out. But, they did import their fabulous FEF-3 before throwing in the towel, this was also the period when Sofue (KTM's top builder) became more prolific with his own models.
Sorry for the ramble, but I like brass history as much or more than the models. The older I get, the more I appreciate O scale history in general.