Magnus,
perhaps Caboose Hobbies will agree to a lower offering from you. This Balboa set has not been sold for several months. I did find some sets at ebay during last 3 years - D&RGW, SP, PRR, UP, MP, possibly others, too - but NEVER B&O! This is the reason I guess this is rare.
OK, dammit guys, now you almost made me want them again. So they run good, are heavy(which I like) look quite nice but are a bit pricey. Hmmmm. Maybe..... wife.... do not need to...... hmmmmm.
What diaphragms would look the best and be most appropriate for them? Do they take Kadee #5 couplers?
Thanks for all you help,
Magnus
Lillen wrote: Do anyone know anything about the Balboa passenger cars? Are they as good as they look? I was thinking of getting a set but I would like to know something about them first. What diaphragms work with these and what couplers should I get? http://www.caboosehobbies.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=89&products_id=56520 Thanks, Magnus
Do anyone know anything about the Balboa passenger cars? Are they as good as they look? I was thinking of getting a set but I would like to know something about them first.
What diaphragms work with these and what couplers should I get?
http://www.caboosehobbies.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=89&products_id=56520
Thanks, Magnus
They were generic in style and they offered them in many railroad names. They were built well in Japan by KTM I believe, but are generic.
The real odd thing about them is I did purchase some in 1969 for $14.00 each. That wseemed like a good sum since my first brass engine the same year was $64.95.
Cheers
jsoderq wrote:They were made in the late '60s. I have a PRR set. there is no known prototype. That is they are just generic. They are very lacking in detail that we expect today. As I recall, the trucks are diecast, probably rigid. so they are not good pullers. I have to use two units to pull 6 cars. When I bought mine, they were 16.95 per car. Shows you where the price has gone.
They may well be Generic, however they happen to be extreamly close to GN prototype. As such I have begun building a Brass Empire Builder several years ago. Then Walthers had to Ruin my efforts and come out with their plastic one. I have decided to finish it with all brass cars in the Big Sky Blue Scheme. The only thing about Balboa is they never made a Full Length Dome.
James
although you already decided to not take them, I thought it's not out of place to post my opinion about these cars. I like them very much! Yes they are lacking detail, but they are glazed and have grabs already installed, are equipped with fine working lights plus interiors from factory. With little effort (adding diaphragms and paint to interiors) they could be very fine models! Since they have skirts you couldn't see brake rods or something else. They are heavy, mine roll VERY good, they have equalized trucks. The price for that B&O set is high I agree, but complete sets are really RARE. I for myself will look for more of these. I like them much more than the more detailed Walthers cars.
Tom Curtin wrote:Your disclaimer about grammar and spelling is completely unnecessary! Both your grammar and spelling are perfect, to judge from what I can see here. There are many US natives in these forums who would do well to emulate you!
Thank you very much, I appreciate those kind words. I try as hard as I can but sometimes I get it wrong. But I do think that we should all strive for better spelling and grammar.
Thanks for your time guys, I have decided thanks to you to not get the cars.
So in other words is not as good as there prices might indicate. The thing is I want streamlined B&O passenger cars and I think those looks good.
Balboa passenger cars are low end brass cars. The detail leaves a lot to be desired. Unless there is a particular car that isn't available in a plastic model such as Walther's passenger cars, I personally wouldn't fool with them. The detail on a newer run Walther's plastic car makes the Balboa cars look really bad.
Edit: I will say that the set you are looking at already has glazing, some interior detail, and is painted, which is a huge step in the right direction.