Too detailed? No such thing IMO.
Modeling the N&W freelanced at the height of their steam era in HO.
Daniel G.
Umm sometimes I beg to differ, I don't really care if a engine has all of the brake hoses, dual fuel tanks, and every prototypical undercarriage part. When trains are run, mostly noone including me is looking to see if the engine has all its equipment, I care about running, pulling power, sound, and nice paint job. Thats about it because its the stuff that gets noticed. I'm 33 and realize that the Athearn BB models were the best thing since sliced bread as far as durability is concerned. I dropped several of those cars back in the day and got a few scuff marks, and the coupler fell out but no broken parts. These models today. A trip to the floor from said layout would all but dismantle and most likely destroy said model. Smh!
Regg05When trains are run, mostly noone including me is looking to see if the engine has all its equipment, I care about running, pulling power, sound, and nice paint job.
In my opinion what you see depends upon from what angle and distance you are looking. If you are tall, the layout low, and you are three feet away, I agree. However, if one has a high layout of the shelf variety where you can actually see the trains, then the lack of things like windows, wipers, MU hoses, weathering, and so forth becomes more obvious.
Lets face it, even in a op setting, most cars sit idel more than they move. Sure the details blur when moving but unless you just run in a loop, most of your rolling stock sits on sidings or yards. I have a medium sized layout and even if I had 6 people running it (the max do to confiquration, only 1/4 (if all stations were being operated) of rolling stock would be moving at any given time, that means 3 would be constantly switching cars and the other three were moving and not stopping for anything, not happening.
Regg05 Umm sometimes I beg to differ, I don't really care if a engine has all of the brake hoses, dual fuel tanks, and every prototypical undercarriage part. When trains are run, mostly noone including me is looking to see if the engine has all its equipment, I care about running, pulling power, sound, and nice paint job. Thats about it because its the stuff that gets noticed. I'm 33 and realize that the Athearn BB models were the best thing since sliced bread as far as durability is concerned. I dropped several of those cars back in the day and got a few scuff marks, and the coupler fell out but no broken parts. These models today. A trip to the floor from said layout would all but dismantle and most likely destroy said model. Smh!
After the new modern fully detailed cars are dropped on the floor a couple of times, so many parts will be removed that you'll pretty much have your Blue Box cars, just as you want.
Kind of a silver lining, there.
Myself, I just don't drop things. I dunno, maybe it's a gift. Of course, I'm very careful, even sometimes putting my other hand under the model I'm holding "just in case". And looking where I'm stepping. Silly me, such a worry wort.
Ed
I can understand both sides of the issue, but for me, the more detail the better!!! I handle my equipment like a newborn baby. I'm probably over cautious, but when you pay what we do for engines and rolling stock "handle with care"
"Are models today too detailed and fragile or A-Line Hobby Tote system not worth it???"
I think that today's models are too detailed for some and not detailed enough for others. Where each modeller fits within that range would seemingly answer the portion of your question concerning the Hobby Tote. (A product with which I'm not familiar.)After all, no matter what you use for transporting models, they and the container need to be handled appropriately. That means that the rolling stock should be packed so that each piece contacts nothing hard and so that it will not move within its allotted space - your rolling stock will dictate the packaging method.For the container, it should have a side which is consider to be "UP", as seen in notices of "THIS SIDE UP", and should be transported in that position - after all, you're not handing it off to some ham-fisted lout in a shipping department who's mad at the world and takes it out on your package.If the package is to be transported in your vehicle, ensure that it's constrained, either in the trunk, on the seat, or on the floor. I prefer the latter, as I tend to be an "enthusiastic" driver, and don't want that package sliding around during acceleration, braking, or cornering.For packaging, I use produce boxes - those for tomatoes or pears work best for my needs, but all have separate tops and cut-outs for carrying handles. I use cardboard from other boxes to make compartmented trays for each piece of rolling stock - the only cost is for gluesticks used to assemble the trays.
As you can see in the photo, packaging to prevent movement is minimal due to the care used when handling the container.I think that, in your case, the fault lies neither with the container nor the fragility of the rolling stock.
Wayne