In November 2007 I was diagnosed with four bulging discs in my upper neck. One disk is pressing on a nerve that makes my whole right arm tremble, my hand to swell and have lost feeling in the right hand. Oddly, there is no pain. Needless to say, my modeling was curtailed. While I expected this to be cleared up quickly, its been over 6 months with only partial relief. Surgery is the last choice.
On March 27th 2008, after extensive testing, I was diagnosed as also having Parkinsons Disease. Thus Option #1 & Option #2 were discontinued. Through the miracle of prescription medicine the symtoms have been brought under control if I avoid stress, fatigue and overexertion.
I will reopen Option #1 with a 25% price increase. This is the first increase since 2002. A Waiting List will help reduce the stress of construction and marketing. Option #2, Turnkey Locomotive, will remain closed due to the lack of shells, parts and sky rocketing costs in every area of life. Option #3, my book "Tuning for Beginners" is currently under going a second printing. The increased costs of publishing are reflected by a price increase for the book.
Again, sorry about the raising prices.
I just renewed my website for another year. I am always open to offer advice to those who seek it. Feel free to call if you have any questions.
MAY YOUR BENTS STAY STRAIGHT,
YOUR RAILS POLISHED
AND YOUR TRAINS ALWAYS RUN ON SCHEDULE.
Thanks - Ron
Welcome to the LaFever Climax web-site. The MDC chassis is common to the climax/box-cab diesel/track-cleaning loco, and is available as an exchange item. See Option #1. This is the only exchange option.
Just added in February 2007: Option #4 is Mechanism Factory Parts. Option #3 is my book "Tuning for beginners - building the LaFever Climax".
Option #1 Climax/Box Cab/Track Cleaning Loco Exchange Chassis
Option #2 Turnkey Locomotive - tuned chassis & tuned shell - DISCONTINUED
Option #3 Book "Tuning for Beginners - Building the LaFever Climax."
Option #4 Illustrated Parts Break Down & Factory Parts Available - see list
Option #5 Precision Can Motors
Note: For more Pictures, Features, Product Reviews and Prices on the various options, click on the corresponding button to the left.
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****CUSTOMER COMMENTS****
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"The first engine I got from Ron was his impressive standard climax. After running it I ordered his first lowboy climax and dressed it up. I've taken my little 27" X 42" layout with 10" radius curves to many shows where Ron's lowboy was in operation from morning opening, till show closing, pulling and easily making the 10 inch radius turns on my layout. Any engine that can pull like his and take a 10" radius curve opens up a multitude of possibilities for layout construction in standard HO gauge."
Emmett Brannan Cache Creek Scale Models
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"Ron sent me a sample of his MDC Climax for testing. It is a custom built die cast frame with modified motoring, gearing and body shell THAT WILL EXCEED the performance of almost any other logging locomotive available. Ron's complete Climax weighs almost 2-ounces more than a stock MDC Climax - an almost 25% weight increase, yet with room for a DCC decoder and a sound card.
Fine Brass engines meeting this custom quality exceed $300, which makes Ron's Climax a bargain. It will likely be the best performing locomotive you'll ever own for your logging, maintenance-of-way or old time yard switching. This performance test clearly showed it will out perform the Bachman (3) truck Shay, MDC Climax and shay products and PFM Brass Shays that have ever been previously tested by Austindad's. "
Roger Edison from his Product Review
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"I recently received your Climax. This is an attempt to express to you my appreciation of it and my amazement at your craftsmanship and artistry. I thank you for it. Why do I thank you for something that I bought and paid for? Because it is a giveaway for the price! The quality, the imagination, the attention to detail and the time that you must have put into it truly shows itself to be a labor of love. Infinitely more valuable than the money!"
George Alexander - Retired Presbyterian minister
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