Hello everyone!
I would like to hear your opinions about HO passenger cars, specifically with regard to which manufacturers you might recommend or which you might avoid and why. I am modeling the late 50's with Canadian Pacific as a main focus.
I don't mind paying fair prices for decent items. I am reluctant to shell out the dollars required for Rapido rolling stock unless somebody can argue that they are good value given the included lighting and more accurate interior and exterior detail. I don't want 'toy train' quality. Brass is out of the question unless I re-insure my wife and then......ah, better not go there!
I do want lighted interiors. Marker lights I can do myself. I want to install passengers.
As always your comments and experience are very much appreciated.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Dave,
If you want late 50's CPR passenger equipment, the future release of the CPR 'Canadian' train from Rapido is the 'gold standard'. As far as the models Rapido has released; I think most of them have been CN cars. Not sure what Walthers cars would be sutible 'stand-in' cars. Even the Walthers cars have gotten sort of expensive as of late.
The other option is some of the brass ovelays that require some kind of base shell. All the detail work/painting is up to you.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
hon30critterI don't mind paying fair prices for decent items. I am reluctant to shell out the dollars required for Rapido rolling stock unless somebody can argue that they are good value given the included lighting and more accurate interior and exterior detail.
If you are modeling the late 1950's and mainly the CPR then you have a few choices. No longer in production but still available if you keep looking are the Walthers smooth side Budd cars in the silver finish with the maroon stipe. I have picked up all of the cars necessary to fill a passenger consist by watching the online vendors specials. The walthers cars will need you to change out their couplers for Kadee's, the Walthers couplers just do not last very long. I have had no problems with their wheelsets. Overal I am satisfied with the Walthers cars.
As you indicated you were going to model the 1950's then I would assume that heavyweight cars would not interest you.
Rapido also made available their smoothside cars in the CPR maroon finish, note though that Rapido has yet to release a tail end car.
I have bought a number of Rapido cars in the 1950's CN green and black livery and am quite satisfied with the cars. As I mentioned Rapido has yet to release a tail end car to fully complete the series. Oh, and I would also change out the couplers and install Kadee's. The Rapido cars are great, a bit pricey but worth it.
If you're a "do-it-yourselfer" you could look at the Con-cor Budd cars. Not as accurate as Rapido and no interior, but you can add details and interiors (like from Palace Car Co.) down the road. Otherwise you could find Walthers cars as stand-ins, but you'd need to add the grabirons and such, which can be moderately difficult (having to drill microscopic holes) where the Rapido cars come truly "ready to run".
Texas Zepher:
I guess I was expressing my 'sticker shock' at the prospect of putting out $70+ per car. I'm not a rivet counter so I am having a little trouble justifying the Rapido prices even though the detail that Jason Shron is putting into his products is incredible. I think in order to answer my question I will have to buy a couple of the other makers units to see what I think.
hon30critterI guess I was expressing my 'sticker shock' at the prospect of putting out $70+ per car. I'm not a rivet counter so I am having a little trouble justifying the Rapido prices even though the detail that Jason Shron is putting into his products is incredible. I think in order to answer my question I will have to buy a couple of the other makers units to see what I think.
don7 If you are modeling the late 1950's and mainly the CPR then you have a few choices. No longer in production but still available if you keep looking are the Walthers smooth side Budd cars in the silver finish with the maroon stipe. I have picked up all of the cars necessary to fill a passenger consist by watching the online vendors specials. The walthers cars will need you to change out their couplers for Kadee's, the Walthers couplers just do not last very long. I have had no problems with their wheelsets. Overal I am satisfied with the Walthers cars. As you indicated you were going to model the 1950's then I would assume that heavyweight cars would not interest you. Rapido also made available their smoothside cars in the CPR maroon finish, note though that Rapido has yet to release a tail end car. I have bought a number of Rapido cars in the 1950's CN green and black livery and am quite satisfied with the cars. As I mentioned Rapido has yet to release a tail end car to fully complete the series. Oh, and I would also change out the couplers and install Kadee's. The Rapido cars are great, a bit pricey but worth it.
Don't give up on "heavyweight cars" as The CPR continued to use Silver painted and aluminum sided heavyweights for a considerable time along with the 'new" 1953 Budd cars, a strange looking collection indeed, want a good site on the history, go to : CPR 'the Canadian equipment" by Rolly Martin Country, indeed some great information.
I originally wasn't going to post but then read TexasZephyr's above comment and have to say that I totally agree with him. I own Walthers and Rivarossi cars and have to admit that in replacing the wheels, couplers, installing interiors, etc........it turns out that pricewise I came close to that of the Walthers Budds.
The Rapidos may be pricey for your budget, but at least purchase one and try it out....especially since they're Canadian based.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
Antonio and Texas Zepher and others:
Thanks for the insight. I do like to kitbash stuff so I have decided to experiment as you suggested to see what results I can get.
Hey Dave,
Ok, here I go. I model CPR in the late 50's as well, and heavyweights were still king on the CPR. Yeah there were lightweights, Grove Cars, etc, but heavyweights were still in.
I don't know if you like to build or not, but for a really decent heavyweight coach, you can't beat Branchline's NYC single window 80' coach kit.
Branchline makes it in CP colors, but the color is all wrong.
I buy undec kits in the 3 packs every time I can: Ebay or what have you.
You'll have to cut out the divider bar in the door glass and cut glazing to fit, but as far as the actual carbody, that's about all you need to do. The length (80') is correct, so you have a good start there.
Roof vents can be scratch built out of ABS, and drip rails can be incorporated over the doors if you wish.
The biggest thing you'll need to change are the trucks. The trucks supplied are actually very rarely used on the CPR. Walthers makes a really good straight equalized inside stabilizing Commonwealth 3 axle heavyweight truck that is an excellent stand in for CPR style trucks.
In order to use these trucks on the Branchline car, you'll have to mosify the bolsters somewhat, but it's an easy job.
Paint them, apply Black Cat decals,and you're good to go!
If you want to get gung ho, you can model some open windows as well. They look awesome!
Even if you don't want to change stuff around and do kitbashing at all, as long as you cut out the dividers on the door windows, most people won't notice the trucks or roof vents being not quite right.
For sleepers, you're pretty much stuck with BGR group and a few others. Resin it has to be, unless you like brass.
I hope those coaches will give you an idea or two. They are really quite close, IF you take the time to change a few details.
Van Hobbies H1b, K1a, T1c, D10g, F1a, F2a, G5a. Division Point: H24-66 Hammerhead, Alco covered wagons A-B-B-A, C-Liner A-B-B-A, EMD FP7A A-B-B.
H1b modified to replicate modern day 2816. All with Tsunamis.
Hey folks!
Heavyweights were still the norm in the late 50s, even into the early 60s. Especially on locals, secondary trains,and mixed trains.
Look at any late 50s photos of The Dominion to see what I mean. Don'tforget, in the 50's Steam was still alive and well on the CP, and steel heavyweights were the rule, rather than the exception
Thanks everyone for your input.
IHC car interiors are good if you can find them; I have used and kitbashed a number of them with good results.
Con-Cor was supposed to come out with a line of passenger car interoirs this summer, but their Chinese manufacturer went bankrupt so this product is on hold while the re-group.
Con-Cor has released a line of HW coaches that may be worth a look. They come with interiors and lighting. I have not seen them except on-line, but they have been well received and are selling well.http://www.con-cor.com/HO-1920-1950-Heavyweight-Passenger-Cars.html
The fate of future Branchline car production is in the hands of Atlas, maybe they will make some decision in a couple of months.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
G Paine IHC car interiors are good if you can find them; I have used and kitbashed a number of them with good results. Con-Cor was supposed to come out with a line of passenger car interoirs this summer, but their Chinese manufacturer went bankrupt so this product is on hold while the re-group. Con-Cor has released a line of HW coaches that may be worth a look. They come with interiors and lighting. I have not seen them except on-line, but they have been well received and are selling well.http://www.con-cor.com/HO-1920-1950-Heavyweight-Passenger-Cars.html The fate of future Branchline car production is in the hands of Atlas, maybe they will make some decision in a couple of months.
I am very happy to hear that ConCor has intentions to produce HO passenger car interiors, with IHC's demise I wondered if anyone would be coming forward to take over production.
AS to the new Con-Cor cars, I had the opportunity to check them out personally. I am very impressed with the level of detail, they look to be very good quality coaches. I had pre ordered a couple of sets and just lately received word that mine are in the mail.
hon30critterI am reluctant to shell out the dollars required for Rapido rolling stock Dave
I agree that the $70 Rapido cars are out of my budget as well. One thing to consider is that they include both interiors and lighting. That counts for about $30 of the retail cost right off the top.
The same applies to the new Con-Cor passenger cars.
Some of the on-line train shops are selling the Con-Cor with a discount. I paid $185.00 per 4 car set plus shipping.