Superb review Alan, what a beast this loco is. Though in the distance in your large Garden it is almost like a Black Rungen 0-8-0. The diffrence become apparent as it comes closer into shot. How lovely to have such a long run. Can you watch the train from your comfy seat sipping a beer all the way round now that you have done the agent X job to your Garden?It is certainly not a cheap loco and the 'toys' become a significant part of the price. It needs DCC to appreciate all those toys so a battery conversion would definitely reduce its appeal. Having said that, having seen the original thing, it certainly 'does it' for me - that's why I wanted one. Worth it - oh yus.
Nearly forgot, the individually switchable interior cab light, and the switchable firebox glow and the switchable work lights below the running board. Also - pulls like a - train.
I agree completely with your review. My VIK is by far the most expensive but most favourite loco in my fleet. As you say the sound and smoke synchronization is excellent, and although it does grind a bit going around R1 curves it doesn't look too bad thanks to the articulated chassis. As you say a good advert for DCC, and I very much like the Maerklin/Trix motor and sound decoder, lots of options for mixing and combining lights and sound. The only thing missing is automatic uncouplers. One day I will steel myself and open this beast up to see if I can retrofit one, but I'm guessing it's crammed full of electronics, wires and the pulsed smoke generator so I have this vision that I will never be able to get it back together again! (Has anyone tried this yet?) I can't wait for the VIIK to come out. Surely they must now they have a 10-wheel motor block.