Re: cost of plastic kits

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BillB

Roundhouse and in-Accrurail kits often are incorrect when compaired to the prototype, and I will not buy them. Athearn kits are hit and miss in this regard, I only buy the "good" ones. What good does buying a cheap kit do you if the model is not correct???

Branchline and P2K make quality kits, and most of my recent kits are these brand.

Some people are confused - Kadee does not make kits, but R-T-R. I often buy Kadee and Atlas R-T-R, as the quality is well worth the price! The same is true of kits - why buy a cheap kit if the quality is not there? That is REALLY wasting your money, IMHO!

Well I guess it all depends on what facet of the hobby appeals to an individual. Some people are model railroaders and some people are railroad modelers. Some are good enoughers, with a large layout to build and operate while exploring other facets of the hobby as well, which is time consuming, and some are so detail and prototype oriented that they will NEVER be satisfied - they're not just satisfied to count THEIR rivets, but are more than willing to try and count yours as well.

Some people, increasingly so it seems, have more money than time/skills and maybe it has something to do with the instant gratification thing that we've been hearing about in those coming up over the past 20 years. I'm glad I have purchased most of my needed rolling stock and other kits over the last dozen or so years, before the recent "unpleasantness" in the pricing area. Now I am just sitting back waiting to see it all implode and collapse. Many LHS are getting away from model railroading, or closing their doors altogether, because of the cost and the stuff just ain't movin', according to many messages I've seen on lists, newsgroups, and forums. What's that book with the line saying, "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times."? The author could be writing that today about our hobby. I'm just gonna keep playing with my toys, and sit back and watch the ultimate reality show, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Roundhouse and in-Accrurail kits often are incorrect when compaired to the prototype, and I will not buy them. Athearn kits are hit and miss in this regard, I only buy the "good" ones. What good does buying a cheap kit do you if the model is not correct???

Branchline and P2K make quality kits, and most of my recent kits are these brand.

Some people are confused - Kadee does not make kits, but R-T-R. I often buy Kadee and Atlas R-T-R, as the quality is well worth the price! The same is true of kits - why buy a cheap kit if the quality is not there? That is REALLY wasting your money, IMHO!

[Anonymous]

Hard for me to answer the question. I design and scratchbuild all my structures, save for such items as some windows and other details. Mostly wood and hydrocal in preference to styrene.

I have observed that some of the craftsman kits are real works of art costing $100 or more and frequently made in limited runs. Others are frank junk I wouldn't have as a gift for background filler. If structure kits are expensive, I suggest those who buy them and complain of the cost, as an alternative, learn their craft.

Design and make your own structures. It isn't all that difficult to turn out a passable building. The allup cost of materials runs about 20-25% of the cost of a kit. Its interesting and fun to research an era and function appropriate project. When finished you have an absolutely unique artifact of your knowledge and skill. As you finish successive projects you gain skill and, perhaps more importantly, a bone-deep understanding of the abilities of others in our hobby.

Randy

[Anonymous]

It seems that many of the building kits are overpriced, especially Walthers.
The kits aren't that intricate, they'll sell for a long time, and there's not the labor-intensive research of rolling stock kits and RTR.
The cost of rolling stock and motive power seems high, but generally in the 'get what you pay for' catagory, since it's often more railroad specific, with correct (or closer than shake the box) roofs, ends and doors.
Paint schemes get more research, etc., so I can see the $15 list price on kits and $30 on RTR (although I'm not about to pay RTR prices)
But $40 for four walls, a roof and a couple of details is way too much for a plastic building.
Eric

[IRONROOSTER]

I think the cost is high, but I do think that the kits are much better. Plastic has come a long way in the last thirty years. My first plastic kit was an MDC billboard reefer. While it was pretty nice it doesn't compare to a Pacific Rails Shop kit (S Scale - I changed along the way). The extra detail is great. That said you can do wonders with the cheaper kits with a little paint.
Enjoy
Paul

[tomwatkins]

I think there is a large difference between something being overpriced and being more expensive than I'm willing or able to pay. I'll pay the price for the quality and accuracy of Intermountain, Red-Caboose, Branchline or resin kits because because I enjoy building them. They take time to build so my expenditure is spread over a longer enjoyable time spent building the model. I buy Accurail kits because they are accurate, less expensive than the others and easy to add additional detail to. Their 40' double sheathed box car is one of my favorites.
On the other hand, all my locomotives are plastic. I 'm unwilling to spend the money for brass locomotives. I'd rather have a number of Spectrum 2-8-0's which are detailed out close to accurate for my prototype than one very accurate brass model.
It's all a matter of choice.
Tom Watkins

[orsonroy]

I feel it's always a matter of "you get what you pay for", especially with freight cars. I won't pay $5 for an Athearn 40' box car that only sort of looks like a real car, but I'll gladly plunk down $15 for a Branchline car or $25 for resin, because I know that the car I'm getting is an accurate representation of the real thing. Besides, I like building the more involved kits from Red Caboose, Branchline, F&C, Westerfield and Sunshine (I'd mention Intermountain, but they've basically killed their kit like by only producing undecs that are only made to order).

What I think is nuts is paying $15 for a preassembled Athearn "kit"! It takes what, eight minutes to build an Athearn car?

[bluepuma]

In N scale it isn't so much the cost of many kits as it is that they don't match what I want to model - I'd like to have a Denny's, but not the current one, one from 1980 or before. Show me a good chain market of the 50s, Shopping Bag, Market Basket, Safeway, and some Thrifty Drug or Rexall Drug stores. If you needed batteries Christmas Day, Thrifty had them.
The new Atlas series wil have one house after it trickles down to N. I remember those
in Riverside, old farm houses in Ontario, California, etc. Single story all.

I want some garment district style 5-6 story buildings. Much stuff above 3 stories, below 10, but no models.

[Anonymous]

I prefer to buy kits (Athearn, Accurail, MDC, and Roundhouse etc) especially now since they are rumors of Athearn going RTR on all of their kits. The prices on these range from 5 to 10 dollars apeice. I dont mind spending this dollar amount as long the kit fits in with over all fleet.

However with that said, I recently coughed up some hard cash for a set of Walther's ready to run cars. They were very nice and it took me several months worth of thinking before I decided to get these cars. But as a result of getting these two cars, It will be a while before I buy anymore.

Now, I do have a few 10 year old Athearn passenger equiptment and frankly they are sad compared to today;s offerings. I will try and acquire some Varni***his year but not before researching all of the availible cars. I did purchase one of the Kato Business cars and that is a starting point.

Now, I have stated in the past that train shows and meets are very good for finding that hard to find car or saving money over retail. A bit of dealing usually creates a win-win situation for everyone. However, I occasionally see a price tag on a item or two or three very high and knowing I can get it cheaper at a local hobby shop; Ill not buy it at the show.

And finally the asking prices for AHM engines sometimes exceed the original retail prices of 20 years ago. I can understand it if it is in great demand or a valued collector's item. However I recently saw a y6b for $70- versus a more modern riverossi selling for much more.

I have noticed that some people will offer an older engine in mint condition for very close to what today;s engines are retailed for while neglecting to mention that the technology is older. I dont think this is widespread practice.

[2c]

[AggroJones]

I voted most plastic kits are over priced. The only ones that come into my price range are the MDC, Athearn, and Accurail freight car kits. I would pay a little more for somthing I really, really yearn for, but even that has a limit. [xx(]

Intermountain, RedCaboose, and Kadee are excellent in quality, but their cost forces me to detail cheaper kits and use awsome weathering to enhance them to the next level.

[CP5415]

I don't have a problem buying Athearn, Roundhouse or Accurail kits. For the buck, they are a decent kit.
Kato, Kadee, Intermountain & kits or RTR from these or the above manufacturers are rediculously priced. Gorgeous models yes, but priced way out of the price range I want to pay.
Only if it was something that I had to have, then I'd pay the price. I've only bought one Genesis car. Because I had to have it.

Gordon

[Hawks05]

the RTR stuff is way to expensive for me to buy multiple items. the kits are pretty decent. just its to bad they are becoming a thing of the past. i voted its slightly overpriced. kits shouldn't be like $9 for a boxcar. i'd say everything should be like $4-$6. that would be good.

[Anonymous]

I'd say you get what you pay for. I've not found any truly awful model train kits. There are an awful lot of plastic kits out there for ships, aircraft, etc that are terrible - mis-shapen hull mouldings on ships are a particular nuisance.

I agree with the comment about how kits that have been in production for many years should be improved if the prices are to rise. For example, on rolling stock kits it would be good to see improved paint finishes, as some of the older kits are beginning to look a little tired alongside the latest RTR stock.

[emdgp92]

Some of it has to do with how small the parts are. I think the other thing, is that some people will buy things no matter what the costs are.

What *really* annoys me, is that some kits have been in production for years-- take a look at the chair factory in Model Power's line--and it's like the kits are still stuck in the 1950s. With that chair factory kit, you don't even get a loading dock! Yet, the price on that kit (and others like it) continues to rise.

However, some kits, like the recent Atlas houses, are great. The only thing I could see that they're lacking... is some furniture (chairs, and a swing) for the porch. To me, that kit was worth the $20.

[Anonymous]

I picked up a kit of a Cinder Conveyor and Ash Pit the other day, it was small, well done and afforded good detail and was a welcome addition to my layout. The only reason I spent the $38 CDN on it was because I just cashed in $24 worth of recyclables. If I had bought a model aircraft or ship at the same price I would have gotten something 5 to 10 times the size and intricacy. Why are Model Railroaders being charged higher prices?