Ratings and Reviews

3.0

1 product rating

Durable

Would recommend

Entertaining

by 4521ronald
May 21, 2017
MTH Altoona Brewery w/ Smoke: Cute But Poorly Mfrd.
I waited a long time to find this product. I wanted the Reading Brewery version which was the same color plastic with different signs. I decided I could make my own signs...and did. Before I installed the brewery on my layout I tested it and found not less than 3 mfg. problems which I had to decide if it was worth returning the item (long wait, or possibly just not having it if the seller couldn't fix or replace). So, as I often do being a retired Electronics Engineer/Technician, I fixed it myself. Now I know it will stay fixed--at least until the parts just wear out. Three issues: 1) the smoke generator assembly was installed backwards (per MTH's own included user guide pics showing how to remove it--this caused me to have to remove the roof to access the screws which were supposed to be accessible from the bottom); 2) the motor wouldn't turn the fan because the fan blades rubbed against the smoke unit chamber; and 3) one wire attached to the smoke unit PCB had either a cold solder joint or wasn't attached at all (it was loose in the PCB hole). Not good. Yet another check mark against US-designed, but Chinese built products with poor quality control. I have fixed a lot of it including some very expensive O-gauge locomotives.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: New

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