Wish someone would make some kits.

[mpzpw3]

I sure wish one of the manufactures would start making rolling stock kits, like the HO people do. I have spent hours building HO scale overton passenger car kits, which was very enjoyable. There is just something fun about buying a box of parts and making a simple model. I like buyinig new O-gauge stuff, but miss the building part of the hobby. Now, it seems, a lot of the buildings in O-scale are pre-built, and you just put them on the layout and wire them up. About 20 years ago, there were a lot of kits you built yourself (I even have a Williams gondola that came in a kit.), now except for e-bay, nobody makes O-scale (or O-gauge) rolling stock kits. It would seem that perhaps I am the only one who still wants to buy a box of parts, and 2 hours later, have a nice piece of rolling stock.

[Big_Boy_4005]

When I saw your question I went to Walthers.com and did a search and found almost nothing in kit form.

There has been a lot of talk over on the MR forum, about how everyone seems to buy ready to run and nobody does car kits anymore. I fessed up and said that in over 30 years in the hobby I had never done any more difficult than an Athearn car.

Gee, I guess that the manufacturers just quit making them since there was no demand. It isn't like there are a lot of people in 2 rail O to help with demand either. Traditional 3 railers didn't used to care about scale looking equipment, at least until recently.

Personally, I'm no help for your problem, because if I'm going to spend time doing train related stuff, it wouldn't be spent on a car kit. I have too many other more interesting things to do in order to get my railroad going.

[Anonymous]

Sosme people do kitbash cars, buildings and related items, but it's the law of supply and demand. Obviously the demand for kits is not worth manufacturers making them in O scale.

[clinchfieldfan]

Inter-mountian made O scale kits for many years. I still see some of their kits in hobby shops. Atlas model RR co. bought them out recently and I expect that the kits will be history. Call around to some of your local hobby shops and see if any of inter-mountian's kits are still available.

[SPFan]

You are not alone in wishing there were more O scale kits available. 99% of my HO stuff is made from craftsman kits. A few months ago Norm's O Scale had a few Intermountain Kits and Intermountain still had them listed at their web site.
Pete

[Big_Boy_4005]

It sounds like car kits are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Again back over on the MR forum, there was a letter from Walthers saying that more kit cars were being turned into ready to run, and that their market research said that the demand for kits simply wasn't there. They were referring to HO, which as we all know, is the most popular scale. If HO demand can't support kit sales, O scale hasn't got a chance.

Stop and think about it though. Most of the old metal kits were too heavy to operate, wood and cardstock kits were fragile, and had little detail, and both were prone to warpage. Just like in the movie The Graduate, "PLASTICS". Plastic has all of the properties perfect for model railroading, and manufacturers know this. Modern technology has made it impractical to make kits.

Another thought, railroads no longer use wooden cars, and there really haven't been that many new car styles made in the last 30 years.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, We have the "Instant Gratification" mentality. Not too many people have the time or patience to put something together. "Assembly Required" is a no no. Lionel recently abandoned their kits and are now concentrating on prebuilts. Nice, but too much layout space is being taken up. As for other manufacturers, all I can say is ask them to create an O-Scale version. Most will consider such a suggestion. Otherwise, there's always scratchbuilding or kitbashing.

HMH

[Big_Boy_4005]

Structures are a different story, since at some point it becomes impractical to ship them. It takes a lot more space and packaging to get an O scale building to the customer in one piece.

When it comes to buildings, I have done quite a few over the years, and still enjoy doing them. I would much rather take the time to put a building together, than spend it doing a car, and it sounds like I'm not alone.

[Anonymous]

Hello , I have an abused Hudson made by Williams. I need some one to help me rebuild it ..Does anyone know a good Williams dealer/ repair shop/individual?? Thank you for your reply, Dasha