The complete listing of Chinese prototype models is below. For model reviews, please scroll below the table or click here
The complete listing of Chinese prototype models is below. For model reviews, please scroll below the table or click here
The complete listing of Chinese prototype models is below. For model reviews, please scroll below the table or click here
The complete listing of Chinese prototype models is below. For model reviews, please scroll below the table or click here
CMR Line
SYZ25B
1:87 Scale
Rating
7/10
SYZ 25B Class Hard Seat Car
Prototype Information
The SYZ 25B cars date back to 1992, SYZ short for Shuang Ying Zuo (Double Hard Seat). They were designed to carry between 182 and 176 seated passengers (depending on variant) for short/medium distance trains. They have a 2+2 seating arrangement on the ends with a 2+3 in the upper and lower center portions of the car. Unlike most of the single deck 25B series cars, these were fitted with air conditioning which typically required the use of a generator car. There were a multitude of color schemes applied, often based on region however in the late 2010's most were gradually repainted into dark green and gold along with just about every other passenger car type. Sadly many of these cars have now been retired.
General Information
CMR Line have a handful of passenger car types under their belt, even more when including the ones produced for company Train Garden. Most of these were made from second hand tooling from Bachmann China, however these new 25B double deckers are brand new tooling. They are long models at 303mm's (excluding couplers). Six road numbers with the same dark green and yellow livery (a first for HO scale double deck cars) were the first to be released with a further four road numbers and a huge range of road numbers two months later.
Packaging
These passenger cars come in a foldable plastic clam shell which slides inside a thin maroon/beige cardboard box with display window. The green cars also have a gold label denoting "606kpa Model Club", presumably a group that has commissioned or invested in the production of this run.
Details
General proportions are very good on these cars. They have sharp details and clean mold lines. The windows recess perfectly into the body sides and have chrome surrounds. The bathroom windows are also frosted which is a nice touch. The air conditioner units are a simple single piece plastic mold with mostly painted on features, however the roof vents are etched metal and give them a much more realistic impression. The bogie detail is quite good, not as detailed as some manufacturers such as N27 or Kukepig, however at this price point they are more than acceptable. Separately applied details include metal handrails, painted metal grab irons, mu plug handles, brake rigging and roof walkways next to the air conditioner units. The end of car detail is nice showing the spilt end car doors and piping from the air conditioner units. The corridor is a black one piece type and lacks floor detail, however this shouldn't upset too many people as most cars will be coupled up to others anyway. Included in the box are waste water pipes to be fitted by the user.
The cars have full interiors with blue seats and white tables. Access to the interior to add details and/or passengers (not included) is very tricky, but not impossible. The main car body is held to the floor via a series of stubborn clips. I removed the bogies for easier access then gently spread the body from the floor from the car ends adding toothpicks to keep them apart and worked along until it popped off.
The paint work is very nice with very sharp lines. Unfortunately one of my samples has a glue stain from the factory which has damaged the upper yellow line. Lettering is very nicely applied (better than my photos show). Body vents are painted white and are nicely done, with minute overspray on some of the edges. The air conditioner units have Hagenuk manufacturer decals applied. Adhesive backed destination boards are supplied in the box for user to apply, although no car number cards for above the doors.
Performance
These cars have chemically darkened metal wheels. All of my examples roll very well. They weigh 220 grams each.
Lighting
The SYZ25B's are fitted with interior lighting. Electrical pickup is from all wheels to copper plates on the inner sides of the bogie frames then wires to the circuit boards. The color is a rather pleasing warm white color. The lights are quite bright, perhaps a little too bright if looking at them at eye level. Unfortunately one of my samples is shorting out on one of the wheels which will require a little bit of work to rectify.
Couplers
The couplers are the biggest disappointment on these cars. They are a generic metal knuckle type. As they don't have the typical dynamic drawbars that nearly every Chinese model car to date seems to be fitted with, these have simple draft coupler boxes, like those we would see on freight cars. They come fitted with a long shank type which leaves a rather unsightly large gap between cars, and while they come with a replacement set of short shank couplers, owners will need to evaluate whether aesthetics or functionality is more important. I've noticed many of my cars have differing coupler heights as well which will probably require some attention to prevent separations. Swapping out the couplers themselves is an easy process with a single screw. They could be replaced with most types of Kadee couplers. Anyone who owns these will have to do some trial and error to determine which shank length suits their needs best.
