After a two year break (new house, new job, new city... the usual) I'm getting back to n-scaling... at least the planning part. Yet as I took an inventory of my 500+ pieces of rolling stock, I realized just how much I learned about different brands and I'd like to share that. I've found MRR product reviews continue to be completely useless... every review says the same thing. "paint and printing are excellent"... or "the wheels were in gauge per NMRA standards"... guess what MRR, technology is good enough today that nearly EVERYTHING you can buy has great paint and printing. Just because the wheels on the copy you got doesn't mean mine will be in gauge... useless! Since they won't actually talk about what is good and bad about these models, I will. I'm reviewing from the point of operations, especially if you want magnetic uncoupling... If you're content just watching your trains piddling around in a circle, then ignore this post. That being said, please feel free to agree, disagree, or add your own opinions. Also, please point out where I'm blatantly wrong as I'm sure it's in here somewhere...
A quick note before I begin: Paint and printing is pretty much razor sharp on most newer rolling stock I've bought in the last five years or so and can be assumed as such with a few exceptions that I'll mention. Also, obviously good trackwork and magnet placement are vital for good operations. As far as trucks and couplers, Micro-Trains have the ONLY good couplers for operation. Their operating mechanism (and coupler centering device) is a little spring whereas other brands like McHenry and Accumate rely on a poorly designed plastic tension "coil". These don't work very well. The last few cars on your train will inevitably uncouple over the magnet, whereas MTs (properly adjusted) will not. By properly adjusted, I mean trip pins at the correct height and correct angle. For magnets, I use MTs or McHenry (if you can find them) under-the-track type... the between-the-ties type usually don't spread the couplers far enough apart to actually work.
Here goes...
My "A" list
-ATLAS (Masterline) rough price: $12-16 online (on sale often though)
PROS: wide variety of models, easy to find, great details like etched metal roof walks and separate brake lines, and a reliable company that stands behind their products. I can't think of any pieces that don't easily accept MTs trucks. Most newer models, like the 5701 grain hoppers, have easily removed roofs and steel (magnetic) weights that are screwed in (vs glued-in) making it a breeze to replace them with A-line (non-magnetic) lead weights. They generally release road names with only two road #s at a time, yet they will typically release more road #s fairly often (every 1.5-2 years).
CONS: recent price increase (although online retailers usually discount about 25% and have sales when they're trying to get rid of stock). Shipped with Accumate couplers which have to go... add $3 to price to get MTs.
-INTERMOUNTAIN (IMR) rough price: $15-17 online
PROS: Same great details as ATLAS Masterline, shipped standard with MTs trucks and couplers, wide variety of models, widely available, released in sets of six road #s (great for unit and shuttle trains) and usually have new #s out every two years. IMR are pretty much ready-to-go right out of the box. They also have great customer service. I bought a set of 60' TTX flat cars which arrived with broken couplers and brake handwheels due to a packaging flaw. I e-mailed IMR, who quickly responded saying they'd hold a new set for me and pay for shipping costs. Luckily I didn't have to do that as MBKlein also has great customer service.
CONS: Model magnetism is hit-or-miss with no good way to change out the weights. Some models like the cylindrical covered hoppers, ACF 4750, ACF 4650, or 60' flats aren't magnetic, whereas the Trinity 5161 and ACF 2-bays are... nothing's perfect.
My "A-" list
-RED CABOOSE rough price: $15-17 online
PROS: Awesome car types that nobody else makes, shipped with MTs, most models have the top details, fairly easy to find, usually released in sets of 6 road #s. You just can't find some of these models anywhere else... 73' centerbeams, coil cars, bi-level autoracks, thrall all-door boxcars and so on. Even though MTs makes an autorack, RC is far superior to it... it tracks better and even the car sides are perforated just like real thing!
CONS: They don't release as often as other brands. If you see one you want, you'd better get it before it sells out! The variety of models offered is kind-of limited to the unique models they sell. Some of the more "common" models, like their 4750 covered hopper, isn't as detailed compared to IMR (no brake air reservoir for example).
-FOX VALLEY MODELS (FVM) $13-15 online
PROS: The ONLY reason FVM isn't a solid "A" is the fact that they are fairly new and haven't made a wide variety to choose from yet... boxcars (older style which are still great for modern shortlines) and Trinity RD-4s and some recent passenger additions. That said, for what they make, the design is incredible. On most other boxcars, you remove the roof and try to peel up the glued-on magnet without destroying the car ends. On FVM, the entire box shell comes off to reveal a steel plate that is cleverly held in-place by the inside ribs of the car... no glue! What a genius design! They even have etched metal end-walks and MTs trucks standard... all for about $14-15. Boxcars come in a very wide variety of road names release in sets of 4 #s. I was equally impressed with my NS RD-4s (which come in sets of 24 road #s). They came with MTs and coal loads, aren't magnetic, don't need extra weights (which can be an eye-soar for unloaded hoppers) and even provide the car side-braces to run them empty. Highly impressed with FVMs.
CONS: Narrow variety of models
My "B+" list
MICRO-TRAINS rough price: good luck!
PROS: The best thing about MTs rolling stock is that they understand how frustrating a magnetic car is to operations, so they don't make any that way... no modification needed. They are built like tanks and feel nicely weighted and solid. They have a very wide variety of unique models like 89' autoracks and TOFCs, bulkhead flats, troop sleepers, etc., and more common ones as well. They release new paint/ road # schemes monthly, and even release pre-weathered/graffiti cars which look great. Obviously, MTs trucks are standard. You can pick up MTs cars dirt cheap at end-of-year sales at places like MBKlein.
CONS: Less detail than the above brands... you won't find etched metal anywhere. Compare a MTs autorack to one from Red Caboose and you'll see what I'm talking about. Since the company focuses on the collector market, most cars are released as an orphan, except for the occasional two-road # release of a model or their "runner-packs" of four. If you miss out on a model you want, you might as well forget it or pay through the nose on e-bay. Also, some releases can be outrageously expensive.
-ATLAS (Trainman) rough price: cheap
PROS: They're found everywhere, not very expensive but still look good enough to have on a realistic layout, wide variety of models, lots of releases quite often. If you want some filler cars or a coal train on a budget, look no further. Like most ATLAS, easy to convert to MTs, mostly easy to swap out weights
CONS: Details lacking (but still not too bad), same-old crap-u-mate couplers.
-KATO rough price: depends
PROS: (I only have Kato 53' Maxi-IVs and some Amtrak stuff). Good construction, track well, nice packaging, metal wheels standard, sales and closeouts occur often, magnetic containers stay in place (Maxi IVs).
CONS: Plastic details and slightly light weight on Maxis, KATO's proprietary couplers (which can't be changed out on Maxis) are just as bad as Accumates, narrow variety of models.
-BLMA
BLMA is fairly new in the rolling stock market and I have high hopes for them. I have some of their new 53' spine cars and I love them... they are almost the perfect model. They even come with extra lowered hitches to put on if you so desire, MTs are standard, nicely weighted with great detail, non-magnetic. They're TOPGONS are another story though... I love the model (considering I model NS), yet I feel they're overpriced, the come with accumates, they have NO weighting as far as I can tell, and they don't even come with a coal load. I want to buy a full set (which come in as many as 36 at a time), yet I just can't justify the expense of adding MTs, weight and a coal load, which would drive the price up to about $25 a model... just too much.
My "B-" list
For this and further lists, I can't speak to all models of the brand because they either don't make many, or I've been disgusted enough to not buy any to make an honest judgement.
-TRAINWORX
Kind-of overpriced to me... I have a few 86' autoparts box cars from them and I love them! Etched metal, MTs standard, great brake line detail, and a nice design to keep the long coupler arm in place while running... usually 4 road #s per release. I didn't really care for the highly magnetic 100-ton hopper though. It has a weird looking weight on the inner ramp of the hopper which makes it extremely ugly to run unloaded. Although it has a coal load and MTs, and comes in large releases (6-24 road #s), I paid $20 for the car which is too much for me (although price may have dropped since I looked last). I also hear they're drop-bottom gondola is too light.
-DELUXE INNOVATIONS
The reason they're down here is that nobody knows what is going on with the company. Are they ever gonna release something new?! I've been waiting on their version of the 53' Maxi IV for 5 years now. Anyway, what I have from them I like. They have the best intermodal stuff you can find in n-scale. They also make a pretty nice woodchip car (magnetic though with a glued-in plate).
My"C+" list
-LBF/HUBERTS
While they do have some unique models like 60' autoparts boxcars and CSX's Big Blue, they've been long out of business. Apparently the owner was a tax-evading crook who I think is in jail. Anyway, from time to time I'll find one. Since the tooling and technology which made these models is older, the paint and printing can be blurry and inconsistent (especially the older LBF name). The details aren't up to today's standards either. However, they're boxcars had steel weights mounted with double sided tape... easy to remove! I even have some gondolas that came with scrap metal loads. The models usually aren't too cheap if you can find them and good luck finding the full release of 24 (or even 12) road #s... although I found a 12 pack of NS 60' boxes at BLW about four years ago.
-ATHEARN
I have mixed feeling about Athearn. I love the quality and build of some of their stuff, and others I hate! For example, they have great looking, detailed 30,000 gal ethanol tankers, but they're steel plates can't be removed and I have to physically cut off a piece of molded plastic to fit MTs trucks. I had a bear of a time trying to get A-line weights into a PS-2600, and I was downright angry with they're fully plastic 48' husky stacks (which I sent back)... what junk! Sometimes Athearn paint is too thick and shiny... almost toy-like. Plus, they come with McHenry just-as-bad-as-Accumate couplers. The company is large (now part of Horizon Hobby) and you can find they're stuff anywhere, yet for as long as they've been around, you'd figure they'd know how to produce good stuff... sorry Athearn!
-EXACTRAIL
I may be a little biased here, yet I think these guys are capitalist pigs! Sure they have a nice looking model in the 50' high cube TTX boxcar (I did buy 6 of them), but c'mon. A cardboard box? No MTs? No etched details? for that price? To get to the steel weights, I had to destructively pry the roof off to find a plate that I swear was welded in there. I broke the darn thing and despite the fact that I understand it was my fault, the company basically laughed when I asked for a replacement shell. Plus, I don't think their models are anything you basically can't find from a better brand. That said, they do release in large batches. (batches of straight junk!...)
Brands I stay away from...
Con-cor, Bachmann, Life-like, Roundhouse... (all great for your kids)
Anything I haven't mentioned I probably haven't tried and I welcome any input. To anyone who is reading this line right now... I can't believe you stuck around to read all of my blathering! But thanks!
"You show me a man with both feet on the ground and I'll show you a man who can't get his pants on." -anonymous
But, what really is your opinion based upon personal experience?
Actually, a nice start! Why not expand this long-term into an "N Scale Rolling Stock Review" web presence? Here's Spookshow's N Scale Encyclopedias. Your approach is different than Spookshow's approach and worthy of note.
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
My A list includes all cars currently offered except the following brands:.Concor,Life Like and Bachmann.
One may be shocked to learn N Scale isn't very high in the manufacturers new tooling pecking order-no guessing I e-mail several manufacturers over the past two years and got my ears tickle with "Thank you for your interest in our N Scale products..We have several "exciting" new N Scale projects planned.Watch for announcements.Yeah,you mean your newly tooled HO announcements right? One even boasted they are "retooling" their N Scale! Yup,more newly tooled HO releases has sprung forth since that 2011 reply.
Be happy we have what we have it could get worst.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I have no problem, other then money, finding way more N-scale cars or engines then I need or want for my railroad or era..
I empathize with you a little, but if you pick a railroad that the manufactures do not do a lot of, why do you complain? Oh, because you can! They make what sells, not what just a few that post on forums want.
This topic just seams to go on and on. Either change the railroad or era you model or repaint and kit bash, but to complain that the manufacturers don't care is just weird.
Ken G Price My N-Scale Layout
Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR
N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.
Lake,
Your response doesn't make any sense to me. My post has nothing to do with the fact that I model NS. Besides, I have just about any modern piece of rolling stock, whether it is BNSF, KCS, SP, CSX... just like real interchange. I'm simply expressing what I feel manufacturers have done right or wrong based on comparison of each other. Changing the era I model isn't going to magically make everything perfect and I do have to modify to get it the way I want. Nowhere in my post did I ever say a particular manufacturer "doesn't care"... If they didn't care, they certainly wouldn't make model railroad products as there's little money in it. We are the consumers of these products... not just "some guy posting on a forum". They should care what we think. You say they "make what sells", yet if they don't listen to what consumers want they'll eventually stop being able to "sell what they make"...
jkroft Lake, Your response doesn't make any sense to me. ------
Your response doesn't make any sense to me. ------
I think he is addressing BRAKIE's comment not your original post.
Atlas's Trainman line is basically the same cars they sold starting in the late 1960's. Even many of the paint scemes are the same. The only upgrades I have noted is they now have better trucks and are equipped with knuckle couplers (although not MicroTrains) and sharper lettering.
Back, when I started in N Scale (1968) I considered Bachmann and Atlas be equal in quality and the best then available. ConCor N was second in quality (mainly due to very poor lettering). The only other brand I remember from that time is Aurora. They were generaly more toylike.
When I found Micro Trains, I was really impressed. They set a new standard for quality, greatly exceeding the other brands. Their early cars had slightly fuzzy lettering (when magnified, although I could and still can read the smallest print on them without magnification) compared to latter issues. Their quality was better than Atlas. Today I would still rate MicroTrains(even the old ones) well above Atlas Trainman.
The quality of the newer MTL is better than the originals, but I do agree that some other newer brands do currently exceeded them in quality.
Don't write off Roundhouse. I bought many of their cars over the years and considered them equal to Atlas.
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
Lake I have no problem, other then money, finding way more N-scale cars or engines then I need or want for my railroad or era.. I empathize with you a little, but if you pick a railroad that the manufactures do not do a lot of, why do you complain? Oh, because you can! They make what sells, not what just a few that post on forums want. This topic just seams to go on and on. Either change the railroad or era you model or repaint and kit bash, but to complain that the manufacturers don't care is just weird.
Ken,I'm just tired of the ear tickling they hand N Scalers.Again I been hearing it via e-mail for the last two years.
Wheres the N Scale coil car by Atlas that's been long on promise? The HO coil car has come and gone with a second run announced.Still no N Scale coil car.
Where's Atlas N Scale trash flat car that been long on promise?
Did you know the last new N Scale locomotive by Atlas is the Trainman GP15-1?
An interesting observation on rolling stock pricing.
In the old days the cost of a freight car by Atlas, Bachman, ConCor etc plus the cost of the Kadee (MicroTrains) truck/coupler conversion was very near the cost of a similar MicroTrains car. The MicroTrains had closer to scale details (ie.on standard box cars - thinner roof walks, finer more accurate brake wheels, finer stirup streps and working doors)
Today the list price of an Atlas (Trainman) boxcar plus MicroTrains conversion appears to be within 10% of the list price of a similar MicroTrains boxcar.
Today the list prices of similar FoxValley, Intemountain, and Red Caboose and MicroTrains box cars all appear to be within 6% of each other.
jkroft -EXACTRAIL I may be a little biased here, yet I think these guys are capitalist pigs!
I may be a little biased here, yet I think these guys are capitalist pigs!
I wish I had read that part first so I could have avoided the rest of this ridiculous post...
jkroft -EXACTRAIL I may be a little biased here, yet I think these guys are capitalist pigs! Sure they have a nice looking model in the 50' high cube TTX boxcar (I did buy 6 of them), but c'mon. A cardboard box? No MTs? No etched details? for that price? To get to the steel weights, I had to destructively pry the roof off to find a plate that I swear was welded in there. I broke the darn thing and despite the fact that I understand it was my fault, the company basically laughed when I asked for a replacement shell. Plus, I don't think their models are anything you basically can't find from a better brand. That said, they do release in large batches. (batches of straight junk!...)
Let me get this straight:
You buy something, destroy it, and then want them to replace it? And somehow this makes them bad guys?
Open up your TV, break the case, and then see what Best Buy says.
Also, complaining about a box? Seriously?
NittanyLion jkroft: -EXACTRAIL I may be a little biased here, yet I think these guys are capitalist pigs! Sure they have a nice looking model in the 50' high cube TTX boxcar (I did buy 6 of them), but c'mon. A cardboard box? No MTs? No etched details? for that price? To get to the steel weights, I had to destructively pry the roof off to find a plate that I swear was welded in there. I broke the darn thing and despite the fact that I understand it was my fault, the company basically laughed when I asked for a replacement shell. Plus, I don't think their models are anything you basically can't find from a better brand. That said, they do release in large batches. (batches of straight junk!...) Let me get this straight: You buy something, destroy it, and then want them to replace it? And somehow this makes them bad guys? Open up your TV, break the case, and then see what Best Buy says. Also, complaining about a box? Seriously?
jkroft: -EXACTRAIL I may be a little biased here, yet I think these guys are capitalist pigs! Sure they have a nice looking model in the 50' high cube TTX boxcar (I did buy 6 of them), but c'mon. A cardboard box? No MTs? No etched details? for that price? To get to the steel weights, I had to destructively pry the roof off to find a plate that I swear was welded in there. I broke the darn thing and despite the fact that I understand it was my fault, the company basically laughed when I asked for a replacement shell. Plus, I don't think their models are anything you basically can't find from a better brand. That said, they do release in large batches. (batches of straight junk!...)
I know, I know... you're right about that. They have no obligation to replace something I broke... and I didn't really expect them too... Aside from that part of the post, it was truly meant to be objective. I just wish I had learned from someone else's experiences before I bought some cars... for example, I had to shell out $23 to actually buy an 86' Bluford Shops autoparts box to find out there is no simple MTs truck conversion, which is important to me. Had I known, I would have just stuck to Trainworx.
Very interesting post. I was wondering what you think of the North American Rail Car (NARC) products? |I have purchased over 50 of them and find the detail to be of a very high level, excellent paint and detail.
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."