N&W heavyweight passenger cars

[dale8chevyss]

Hi there-

I am new to this website and forum; however, I have used message boards in the past and have been "modeling" for the past few years.  I don't model any particular place, however, I do include a train that I have seen when I was younger.

The purpose of this post is that I am looking for Spectrum heavyweight passenger cars in HO scale Norfolk and Western.  I understand that I can purchase them direct (the 4 car set) but it is rather expensive.   I have tried ebay to no avail- I was wondering if anyone had any information or could help out.

Thanks!

[Philcal]

Dale, not attempting for one moment to be a "wiseguy", but sometimes you have to purchase those cars one or two at a time. Normally, I'm a pretty big fan of Bachman Spectrum products, but I've found that their heavyweight cars aren't the best performers out there. Walthers offers a pretty extensive line of heavyweight cars, coaches, sleepers diners, etc. Again, they're somewhat pricey. They are very good looking, and quite accurate, and if I'm not mistaken, they offer these decorated for Norfolk&Western. The Walthers cars will require fairly wide radius curves, so be certain to check your curves with regard to their requirements. I believe Athearn still offers a pretty extensive line of heavyweight cars. These scale out to about 70 feet, but will handle 18 radius curves. Branchline offers some really great looking heavyweight kits, but again, watch your minimum radius with these cars. Hope this helps you some.

[dale8chevyss]

Yes this does help, I'll look into it.  I realize that I haven't replied to this for about a year; I work on my trains off and on and it was difficult as a college student and now that I'm graduated and looking for employment I'm sure it'll be equally difficult.  My minium radius is 18" but I do have some that is larger than that (I can't recall if the next size up is 20 or what have you).  I do have one N&W Passenger car that is not a heavyweight and that manages the larger radius alright, and I know it does not take the 18 well. 

[arkansasrailfan]

considerably, I perfer quality over money. my two cents

[dale8chevyss]

I can't seem to find the cars by Walthers (the specific red N&W cars); I do agree they do have some very nice products, some of the best I have ever seen in the industry.  Unless I am looking in the wrong place (I have googled them, etc) and can't seem to find those specific cars.  Looking at the pictures of the Spectrum cars is what sparked my interest.  I continue to see cars with horn hook couplers; I don't understand why Kadee/Knuckle couplers are not the standard on all cars, especially on passenger cars that are so much $$$. 

 

Pros and cons of the Spectrum cars?  I only ask because I don't see any other option available for me.  

 

Daniel 

[dale8chevyss]

Do you know what the miniumum radius is for the Spectrum cars?

 

 

Daniel