Enjoyable lists in this thread, and I would add:
Caboose Industries ground throws. Yes, I know and anticipate the "oversize" comments, but I also remember what we had to work with before these came out. It is a great example of what a good model railroader - Aubrey Olson in this case - can develop.
Bill
softail86mark Southgate How come nobody has mentioned Santa Fe Warbonnet F-7s? That's what got me started in 1959... A 4x4 twice-around to which my dad added a 2x4 piece onto which I could switch stuff around. Good times. MC
Southgate How come nobody has mentioned Santa Fe Warbonnet F-7s?
How come nobody has mentioned Santa Fe Warbonnet F-7s?
That's what got me started in 1959...
A 4x4 twice-around to which my dad added a 2x4 piece onto which I could switch stuff around.
Good times.
MC
I threw that out there in jest, but this reply does bring up an aspect of the list to considder.
1: Great ideas in the past that got the hobby to here today, whether or not they are gone now, and
2: The great stuff (services, resources, products) available now that KEEP people in the hobby.
Irv Athearn revolutionized the hobby with the AFFORDABLE twin flywheel, all wheel pick up diesels, what with their old inefficient motors, steel wheels, (better than raw brass) diecast trucks, wide bodies and all, yet they were FAR better than the train sets that got us hooked initially. AND THEY STILL RUN!!! By todays standards, they are rather rough around the edges. But what a huge contribution overall.
And blue box type freight and passenger cars, also lacking by modern standards, did back then fill the void of better-than-trainset rolling stock. All the steam loco kits out there... MRC Rheostat power packs that at least gave better control and didn't burn out.
Suydam structures are no match for todays structures, but for many they helped keep the hobby alive to GET us from then to now.
Who remembers big mail order stores like AHC, HFM, other big discout sources advertised in MR that are gone now? (Ohhh, I couldn't wait for that UPS trick!)
Kadee has been brought up many times, and their contribution past and present just can't be overstated.
And NOW? We have stuff we couldn't dream of even in the '80s, much less before that.
Every item in this thread is valid and obviously stands on it's own merit.
Personally speaking for myself, Athearn locos, Kadee couplers, and Atlas NS flex track provided the solution to what to me were the Big Three frusterations that would otherwise have made me lose interest and drop out. Todays new stuff, including the various services, internet contributions, etc, just keeps the excitement going.
WP Lives
andrechapelon Of course, without electricity, there'd be no internet available...
Of course, without electricity, there'd be no internet available...
Or, as George Gobel used to say, "If it weren't for electricity, we'd all be watching television by candlelight." Probably internet, too...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
kasskabooseA robust MR forum
ELECTRICITY.
Without it, the hobby as we know it would be orders of magnitude more difficult.
Even though electricity is not specifically for model railroad use, it does enable so much in the hobby that it should be reqarded as a sine qua non ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sine_qua_non ) for the hobby even ignoring its use as a locomotive power source.
How would you like to light your layout with gas light, whale oil lamps or candles?
Wanna build a layout without the use of power tools (battery or otherwise)? Then again, it's always possible to have semi-portable power tools operated by foot treadles similar to a 19th Century dentist's drill http://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/items/56743 , but they're kinda klunky to drag around. It should be possible to beef that up a bit so you can make the foot powered equivalent of a battery operated drill/driver.
Of course, you could always have a steam powered shop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zI0iozg3Ns , but that seems to me to be a bit excessive.
Of course, without electricity, there'd be no internet available to enable moaning and kvetching about customer service, prices, disappearing brick and mortar hobby shops and the imminent demise of the hobby. On the brighter side, there'd probably be no hobby in imminent danger of demise.
Andre
This biggest one I take for granted so much that I totally forgot about it:
Walk Around Throttles! Running trains is so much more fun when you can go on a journey with them instead of watching from a remote location. As a kid I connected Tyco slot car throttles to my Tyco train transformers so I could walk around the layout. I still had to throw the direction switch on the transformer but I wasn’t stuck there. I could walk around with my train. Now I have two DC power CMI Super Blue transformers which are walk around, and I love them.
I'll pitch in with Ring engineering Railpro.
I mean wow, what a good idea. Consisted locos that are actually talking to each other via direct radio and real-time 1000 speed steps matching, no matter how geared or aged your locos are.
All the DCC features and more, for less hassle.
That is a good idea.
Antoine
cv_acr riogrande5761 I never considered myself an elitist by any means, but I didn't like to buy multiples of a freight car with the same road number - that actually kept me from buying more. That's not just about being elitist. If you do any sort of operating with car cards or switchlists where movements are based on car numbers, every car needs to be unique - just like the real thing. If every box car on your system has the same ID number, you can't even do it.
riogrande5761 I never considered myself an elitist by any means, but I didn't like to buy multiples of a freight car with the same road number - that actually kept me from buying more.
I never considered myself an elitist by any means, but I didn't like to buy multiples of a freight car with the same road number - that actually kept me from buying more.
That's not just about being elitist. If you do any sort of operating with car cards or switchlists where movements are based on car numbers, every car needs to be unique - just like the real thing. If every box car on your system has the same ID number, you can't even do it.
I do switching with car cards and waybills but my operating system allows for blocks of freight cars that remain permanently in the consist of through trains so if I have a car with a duplicate number one of them will go in these blocks. These blocks are at the front of these trains while the cars to be switched are on the rear. I also have a couple industries that receive 3 car blocks of cars from an off the layout shipper which are always switched together and I use one car card for all three so it doesn't really matter if the individual numbers are the same.
I agree with a lot of your choices but would put KD couplers #1 on my list. Never was a brass collector and bought only one basswood rolling stock kit which I never got around to assembling. Loved Allen Keller's video and Evergreen styrene products have been a big part of my layout building. DCC in general might be my #2 choice. Never was interested in hand laying track so flextrack would find a place on my list. Photo realistic backdrops would make the cut as well.
Others to add are the following (in no order):
- Atlas trainman
- Athearn's ability to view their PDFs to get build dates
- MB Klein's fast shipping and outstanding customer services
- A robust MR forum
- Walthers providing interesting histories and uses of various structures
There are prob more but can't think of anything.
- Cheap craft paint
Chris van der Heide
My Algoma Central Railway Modeling Blog
MB Klein and their real-time online inventory/availability display for each item.
-Ken in Maryland (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)
I'll emphatically third Mobileman44's and Brakie's mention of Model Railroader Magazine,(or Kalmbach pubs)
And this forum...
Lest we forget (HO in my case) vehicles and equipment, a sub hobby in itself:
Keeping it affordable; Jordan, CMW, Boley, Woodland Scenics kits, Athearn KWs and Freightliners, Minitanks (Roco?) Williams Bro's, Herpa (some)
Quality worth a few more bucks; Athearn's more recent trucks, Wiking, Lee Town...
Those are some of my faves, but the list is not complete, just off the top of my head.
Put Ulrich in where you think it fits. Norscott, Busch, Walthers, Alloy Forms, Kibri, Preiser, and those well detailed resin kits from various makers are some I haven't bought into yet, but look great.
Wha'd I forget?
Here's an older pic of some of the vehicle family, even with a few Matchbox trucks detailed and snuck in.
If you just see an X here, click on it.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Oh yeah, LEDs! Not strictly a model railroad product but definitely a great asset to the hobby.
Howard ZaneMy two bucks worth......others???
Just Three Words...
LIGHT
EMITTING
DIODES
We take these little guys for granted these days but every time I watch my nearly to scale, three-color searchlight signals automatically change colors (thanks to I-R LEDs embedded in the roadbed) I just get all smiley
Not to mention cab lights, number boards, the Walthers traffic light, lighted flood lights on the roof of my Capitol Limited "Moonlight Dome", LEDs allow us to place nearly scale sized lighting just about anywhere the real world would have them.
Just amazing.Yes, there are many other great advancements and I agree with all the other contributions above but the advances in sub-miniature electronic wizardry are indeed a real benefit to all modelers!
Oh, and I should mention, too, that about 80% of my entire layout room is illuminated by LEDs as well!
Regards, Ed
Hmm, so many great products/ideas... Just a few of the best off the top of my head:
1. Static fibers and applicators.
2. The various ground-foam scenic products.
3. Evergreen styrene products, and a special tip of the hat to the late Al Armitage for his early efforts in promoting styrene as a scratchbuilding material.
4. Grandt Line!
5. Flex track and ready-made switches.
6. The recent development of "dead rail" battery power.
7. Sound!
8. The Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette.
9. L-girder benchwork.
10. "Pink foam" for building terrain.
Good thread. I'd like to add some of my favorites.
Blair Line signs
Scale lumber and shapes from Northeastern, Kapler, etc
Plastic sheet and shapes and embossed sheets for brick,stone,etc
door, window, ladder and detail parts by Tichy, Grandt Line, etc
Kadee coupler line
Walthers old line of metal and wood passenger cars, gas-electrics.
Central Valley and Lindberg trucks (Still available under new nane)
The "freight car revolution" of the 1980's
Peco turnouts
Walthers line of urban and industrial buildings.
The explosion of information via historical societies, literature, video and Internet.
I'm sure there's many more I could add but these popped into my mind right off.
The hobby has had several excellent products over the years.
Atlas locomotives
Athearn BB cars and locomotives.
Roundhouse cars
Walthers
Life Like's P2K models.
X2F couplers( in their time)
MRC Power Packs-One of the best in its day was the 'Golden Throttle' pack.
KD couplers
Nickel Silver track
DCC
DCC/Sound
Code 70 rail-It should have been the standard but,C83 was the modelers choice.
Metal wheels like Intermountain.
Dremel Tool
3 and 5 prong grippers.
Flo Quill paints
Woodland Scenics
Champ Decals-now gone.
Linburgh RP25 trucks. Smoothest rolling trucks of the 60s.
Model Railroader
Trains Magazine
Honorable mention
Hobbytown RS3 and their replacement drive for Athearn's F7 and GP7.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Preiser figures. I think Preiser makes the best figures. Not only do they look the best they have a huge variety of styles. I have hundreds of them on my layout and they really do bring it to life. I also have other brands but Preiser figures are the stars.
Kadee couplers are also great, so HO scale has some uniform couplers that look realistic and can operate.
Flex track is awesome so we don't have to hand lay track or use 18 inch curves.
Walthers for putting all products together in one catalog so adults can still have a wish book.
My top ten.
1. S scale - big enough to enjoy building, small enough for a layout
2. Wireless DCC - for effortless walk around control
3. RTR - so you can get something up and running quickly.
4. Sectional track - for the same reason.
5. Basswood kits - just because they're fun.
6. Flex track - for easements and curves of any radius
7. KD couplers - a good compromise between looks and operation.
8. NMRA - for standards
9. Thomas the Tank - for my 4 year old grandson.
10. Lionel trains - for my grandson as he gets a little older.
Enjoy
Paul
I agree with items on the list.
I think flex track and ready to install turnouts are a great addition to the hobby. Hand laying of track is too time consuming and is impractical if building a large layout.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Milepost 266.2Athearn blue-box cars and almost everything else was produced with the same number.
Russell
ExactRail's GSC flat cars with the laser cut taskboard decks.
The decks are user installed, meaning they're easy to weather before installation. The car at rear shows the color of the taskboard material before weathering.
And what's a flat car without a load? Owl Mountain Models has a great plastic kit for a 50s or earlier lumber load http://owlmtmodels.com/ . I modified it into a configuration more suitable for the 1970s. I highly recommend these kits.
Rob Spangler
hon30critter I was able to get onto the Mount Albert Scale Lumber website: http://www.mtalbert.com/ Dave
I was able to get onto the Mount Albert Scale Lumber website:
http://www.mtalbert.com/
Dave
If you want Mt. Albert scale lumber, it is best to call Black Bear Construction Company: http://www.blackbearcc.com/BBCC_Home.html.
They are in Glenwood, Iowa.
Contact information is on their webpage.
dknelson Howard Zane Everything I have ever built be it structure or piece of rolling stock was built with Goo. It can be thinnned if neccessary and applied with a tooth pick of from the tube with practice. HZ What do you use to thin Goo with, Howard? Dave, I use Floquil thinner (dio-sol), but I'm sure any laquer thinner would work with Goo. I know dio-sol is no longer available, but I still have a serious mess of it from my custom painting days. HZ
Howard Zane Everything I have ever built be it structure or piece of rolling stock was built with Goo. It can be thinnned if neccessary and applied with a tooth pick of from the tube with practice. HZ
Everything I have ever built be it structure or piece of rolling stock was built with Goo. It can be thinnned if neccessary and applied with a tooth pick of from the tube with practice.
HZ
What do you use to thin Goo with, Howard?
Dave,
I use Floquil thinner (dio-sol), but I'm sure any laquer thinner would work with Goo. I know dio-sol is no longer available, but I still have a serious mess of it from my custom painting days.
Milepost 266.2 Something that took manufacturers a long time to figure out. Multiple road numbers. Seriously, for decades Athearn blue-box cars and almost everything else was produced with the same number. Now, three numbers per loco run are common, and it's quite easy to get 12-15 different numbers of lots of rolling stock.
Something that took manufacturers a long time to figure out. Multiple road numbers.
Seriously, for decades Athearn blue-box cars and almost everything else was produced with the same number.
Now, three numbers per loco run are common, and it's quite easy to get 12-15 different numbers of lots of rolling stock.
Thats a good point when some wax nostalgic with their rose colored glasses at the (not so) "good ol days". I'd take todays offerings over 30+ years ago any day! There are definitely some things I think were better back then, but model railroading isn't one of them! This is the golden age of the hobby as far as I'm concerned.
Road numbers is something manufacurers finally woke up and smelled the coffee on. I never considered myself an elitist by any means, but I didn't like to buy multiples of a freight car with the same road number - that actually kept me from buying more. When freight cars and engines began being offered with multiple road numbers I bought more of them where appropriate and I think many others did too.
I remember one of the first multiple road number items - I have some old kit MDC FMC Western Pacific double door box cars produced in mulitple road numbers. I think it was the 1st 2 digits was printed on all of them along with the rest of the artwork, and then the last 3 were done after in different numbers, they are of a slightly different shade and do not quite match up, but they are unique road numbers!
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983