These can be found for about $340 if you look around. I have the first release of the M-10000 and it is very very nice. It is different from the typical set because of the way the cars must share a common truck upon which they articulate. Also, this is pretty much a one of a kind train set. They can't repaint the cars and sell them under a different railroad.
Eric

If I remember right the Bowser Pennsy 2-8-0 is not really accurate for either the Pennsy H6 2-8-0 nor the Pennsy H8/9/10 2-8-0. the good news is that both the Sunset and Gem Pennsy H8/9/10 can be had for a fairly low price in brass terms. As for the I1sa 2-10-0 that pennsy had, the Broadway Limited version is incredible.
Eric

Easy, the shay. Mine is a smooth runner and one of my favorites to run. Plus, a brass version cost about 4x as much.
Eric

I would like to suggest a different pacific to be produced by Bachmann. What is really needed is a smaller pacific that would be a good fit for most layouts. Something smaller than the already produced USRA light pacific. Also, an engine that has not even been made, even in brass. My suggestiong is the Florida East Coast 4-6-2. Here are the reasons why:
1. This is a nice size pacific for layouts. it would look good pulling a 2 to 4 car passenger train.
2. it has never been made, not even in brass. I would venture to guess that most the the major railroads 4-6-2's have been made in brass.
3. It has a generic look to it, so it could fill in for a lot of railroad's pacifics.
4. There are five of them preserved, so measurements and such would not be hard to get.
5. Many of them were sold by the FEC and worked for other railroads.
6. Savannah and Atlanta 750, an ex-FEC 4-6-2, was a key engine in Southern's early steam excursion program. She is now preserved in Duluth, Georgia.
here is a link top a picture:
http://www.srmduluth.org/photos/750.jpg

Thanks,
Eric

An ATSF 2-10-4 would not be bad, as the Pennsylvania Railroad leased a number of these. This of course would be my excuse for buying one and putting on my Pennsy themed layout.
Eric

The ALCO light 4-6-2 used by the FEC would be an excellent choice. It is generic enough to be similar to Pacifics used by many railroads. Also, these have never been produced before, not even in brass. It should be noted that a number of them survive today. Two outside of Miami in their original FEC livery, one in Albany Ga (Georgia Railroad), on in Duluth Ga (Savannah & Atlanta) and on in the Midwest somewhere. A historical note is that the ex-FEC 4-6-2 which became Savannah and Atlanta #750 was a key engine in the early days of Southern RR steam excursion  (1970's and early 1980's)
Eric