Need Passenger Car Advice--am I getting warmer?

[SpaceMouse]

HI,

My daughter wants passenger cars to match this locomotive.



I need passenger cars to match this locomotive.



What should I be looking for? How do I tell quality from non-quality? Where are the best deals? (See guys I'm learning.)

I also need some 34' Overton passengers in SP. They seem to be hard to find.

[cacole]

You need Union Pacific and Pennsylvania passenger cars. The Union Pacific cars need to be heavyweights, and the Pennsylvania could be either heavyweights or streamliners. Check Internet sites such as 1st Place Hobbies, IHC, etc.

[ndbprr]

Depends how realistically you want and how much you want to spend. The PRR E7 could use Bachman P70 coaches for a traditional look at about $15-20 each on EBay or Centralia car shop P85BR coaches at $50.00+ for a post war intercity look. UP I can't help you with. If you just want matching cars you can the UP gray and PRR Tuscan red from Rivarossi on EBay for about $20.00 per car

[Anonymous]

For the UP cars look into Bachmann Spectrum Heavyweight passenger cars and the Rivarossi Union Pacific passenger car sets. Both are apropriate for your UP FEF-1.

[SpaceMouse]

I saw passenger cars for $6.50, $20, and $40. What is the difference?

[orsonroy]

The UP set should be streamliner cars, while the Pennsy E unit can have either streamliners, heavyweights, or a mix of the two.

What are your curves like? If less than 24", I'd suggest using all Athearn cars, or maybe the Bachmann Spectrum heavyweights. Con-Cor, AHM, Rivarossi, Branchline, Intermountain, Walthers and others generally make scale length cars, which means 80-footers, which will be too long for tight curves.

As for the Overland cars, buy any old Roundhouse cars you can find, strip 'em with 91% denatured alcohol, and paint and letter them yourself. It's not hard. Pullman Green and black out of Floquil spray cans, decals by Champ or Microscale, and glosscoat by Testors, and you're done. Passenger cars wih simple lettering make for great first decalling/painting projects, since they don't have a lot of lettering on them.

[ndbprr]

Without more info it is hard to say. Were did you see them? Typically Athear=n passenger cars are in the $6.50 range and are shorter than in real life so they can handle 18" radius curves. Concor, Rivarossi, Walthers, Centralia and others that are full 85' length require bigger curves like 22" and preferably 30" to look right. Generally the higher the price of the car the more accurate are its details and paint job.

[tstage]

Does anyone manufacture the old, shorter passenger trains (like those built in the late 19th century) that would fit in Spacemouse's 1880 theme and radii? How about MDC Roundhouse? I know that they have more of the older steam rolling stock than most anyone else.

Tom

[Anonymous]

Try http://www.trainsetsonly.com for MDC-Roundhouse for 34' Overton SP cars. I recently purchased some from them, also P.E. (Pacific Electric-a subsidiary of the SP), as Xmas gifts to son and grandson. :)

Passenger cars ran $8.62 each and box cars, 2 in a set, at $14.03. S&H I believe was included in the price. I don't see it on the invoice, anyway.

Note that as Athearn only recently bought out MDC-Roundhouse that these cars may not continue to be available and that might be why you've had a hard time finding them. So, I'd sorta hurry to see if they still have any in stock. You might try e-mailing them if you don;t see what looking for online?

[SpaceMouse]

Well, I got the Overtons and the UPs but have been unable to find the right Pennsylvania for the 7A.

[Anonymous]

Like orsonroy sez:

QUOTE: What are your curves like? If less than 24", I'd suggest using all Athearn cars, or maybe the Bachmann Spectrum heavyweights.

The thing to remember about Athearn passenger cars is that you can get them in 72 scale foot length... as pointed out almost all other brands come in 80'~85' and are really too long to negotiate a less than 24" radius nicely (their ends stick out too far going around a curve and longer trains have a tendency to derail by pulling themselves apart across the curve). Athearn Ready-To-Rolls are pretty nice and come with knuckle couplers instead of the old horn-hooks... and DOUBTLESS you can find them for the Pennsy in either heavyweight O.D. (olive drab I calls it) with six wheel trucks or in the more modern streamlined 'lightweights' with 4 wheel trucks. I dunno about the Bachmann Spectrum heavyweights as far as scale length goes... except that they are sid to be quite good for the money..

[NZRMac]

These are my new (old) passenger cars made by Frateschi in Brasil very nice cars metal wheels and plastic old style couplers, I changed them to knuckle couplers.



Here's a link http://www.frateschi.com.br/home_eng.php

Ken.

[Anonymous]

Wow, those are really pretty, Ken, and first I've known of the Frateschi name... so thanks for that, too. [:D]

Did you do up the green paint job on that coach?

And, what is the scale fottage on those old-timers? They sorta look to be somewhat longer than MDC-Roundhouse 40-footers?

[randybc2003]

I just got a 4 car set of the 85' Bachman Spectrum Heavyweights from a local discount house, $60 for the set. I have had Riverossi heavyweights in the past, and like them just as well. Riv have taglo trucks, and easily go 'rond 18" curves. Bachman Spectrum have coupler pockets that pivot. In all cases, I think good value. For $40/car, I expect prime quality, and get ONLY a FEW. Walther's new Heavyweights recomend min. 24", unless you are prepared to take a knife to the centercill.

MDC also has a 50' set of open-platform wooden style. I have no problems negotiating 18" curves. Athern's old 70' heavyweights too.

There is also LaBell and Ambroid/Northeastern, but they are craftsman kits. I have even scratchbuilt using those designs.

Go to swap meets, and see what is available.

[Don Gibson]

MOUSE:

Before you make a 'Newbie' mistake, realize that tight radii require shorter cars and engines to look, and to run right.

18" R and 85' cars are asking for trouble. 85' cars should have 48" radii to look circular. Cetainly there is compromise., as few of us have 8' X 16' boards.

MDC 'Overton' cars will fit both your SP Mogul and a tight raidus.The UP 4-8-4 will give you more concerns. (Stay under 72'.) Athearn and ConCor make 72'rs.

'Shorter' is better, or in the immortal words of designer Mies VanderRoh ..."Less is More".

[dave9999]

Listen to Don... I have some IHC smoothsides(needs weight) and even on 30" radius curves, they do not
look right. Any of the long cars will give you trouble on tight radius curves. Good luck, Dave

[SpaceMouse]

These will be my MRR Club cars--but I am looking at '72s anyway.

I found these, but the color scheme isn't quite right.
http://www.all-railroads.com/instock/ho72pass.htm

These look like the right color, but they say nothing of the lenghth.

http://www.ihc-hobby.com/cgi-bin/bsc.cgi?sn=9745739250B599SK93103V4R3B4320

[Don Gibson]

SPACE(Y) MOUSE

You must be looking for trouble. IHC cars are 80 - 85 footers, and cheap imitations or Rivarossi passeger cars - a line they formerly had.

If you want some cars that are too long and too light to stay on the track, buy these. They also come with TALGO trucks with 31" (undersized) wheels on NEM axles (short European) but ARE ON SALE!

Be advised that Hobby Shops were selling these @ 6.98 - and making a profit!.
If you buy JB NEM wheels, KD'S, JB body mounts, enough weights, they will come up to other cars - but then they are no longer $9.98.

CONCOR - & Every car I know of - are superior to these. Remember, Advice is only as good as your use of it.

[SpaceMouse]

I am not prepared to spend $50 per car at this point, but if I could find a few in the $20-30 range I would buy them.The problem is that I haven't found them. Athearn seems to have discontinued the Pennsylvania line. As you can see, the Concors seem to be a different color scheme. Also none of the above list the length--I seem to be expected to know it,--which I don't. If you know of a place to buy the right car, I'm pretty much out of ideas.

I am going to be using these cars on long straight tracks with large radii.

I'm not going to buy without your approval.

[Don Gibson]

ConCor cars are closer to $25. As stated here all 80' cars need wide curves. - and body mounted couplers , and METAL wheels.are preferred.

[Anonymous]

I have small radii, so I can't run the big cars either. Over in the Coffee Shop I found out about a company that understands this problem, and has cut cars down to a non-prototypical length of 60' they should work easily. The company is OK Streamliners. Search for them on Google, and you'll find their webpage. The cars are all aluminum, but you have to order a catalog from them to see pics of the cars. It comes fro the low, low price of only $3.00. The cars also have a great price. I don't remember exact figures but I think about $25 will pick one up for you.

Hope this helps,
Greg

[dave9999]

Spacemouse,
I might have missed it in your other posts, but what size track radius do you have, or anticipate
having. It sounds as if you might be putting your cart in front of your horse, so to speak. When
I first started, I wanted everything and I wanted it NOW. As a result, I ended up with some items
that I will probably never use. And some money spent that I will never get back[:D].

Take your time and pick your rolling stock to fit your layout, not the other way around. Good luck, Dave

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dave9999

Spacemouse,
I might have missed it in your other posts, but what size track radius do you have, or anticipate
having. It sounds as if you might be putting your cart in front of your horse, so to speak. When
I first started, I wanted everything and I wanted it NOW. As a result, I ended up with some items
that I will probably never use. And some money spent that I will never get back[:D].

Take your time and pick your rolling stock to fit your layout, not the other way around. Good luck, Dave

I will be using this exclusively at our local club. The tracks are mostly long straights with 4-5 ft radius turns. The tightest turn I know of, and I've only been there once, is a helix that turns around a 3 foot radius.

I still would like 72' cars. But I have only found one company--the one I posted, that has the right color scheme. Athearn had them, but they have discontinued them.

My home set is mostly 18" turns which I will be using old small steamers.

[NZRMac]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Ken Wood

Wow, those are really pretty, Ken, and first I've known of the Frateschi name... so thanks for that, too. [:D]

Did you do up the green paint job on that coach?

And, what is the scale fottage on those old-timers? They sorta look to be somewhat longer than MDC-Roundhouse 40-footers?

Hi Ken

My passenger cars are just over 6.5" long (is that about 47'?)
The paint job is factory and My LHS puts the signwriting on, NZR Kingston Flyer which is a tourist train in the South Island.

Ken.

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

QUOTE: Originally posted by dave9999

Spacemouse,
I might have missed it in your other posts, but what size track radius do you have, or anticipate
having. It sounds as if you might be putting your cart in front of your horse, so to speak. When
I first started, I wanted everything and I wanted it NOW. As a result, I ended up with some items
that I will probably never use. And some money spent that I will never get back[:D].

Take your time and pick your rolling stock to fit your layout, not the other way around. Good luck, Dave

I will be using this exclusively at our local club. The tracks are mostly long straights with 4-5 ft radius turns. The tightest turn I know of, and I've only been there once, is a helix that turns around a 3 foot radius.

I still would like 72' cars. But I have only found one company--the one I posted, that has the right color scheme. Athearn had them, but they have discontinued them.

My home set is mostly 18" turns which I will be using old small steamers.

Well in that case, just about any rolling stock should do fine on 4-5' radius. Just some are better
quality. IHC passenger cars are cheap, BUT (and this is a big but) you will have to do some work
to be happy with them (ie. metal wheelsets, couplers, lots of weight). In the end you will be better off
with a higher priced line. I learned this first hand, after sixteen IHC cars I ordered. I have installed:

Kadee conversion coupler kits #508 @ $3.50 per car
Intermountain 36" metal wheelsets @ $1.70 per car

That's an extra $5.20 per car x 16 cars= $83.20
Plus they need weight.

Now here's the kicker... the detail (or lack there of) stinks. In order to get these cars the way I
would like them is going to cost me more money and time than if I had just shelled out the $$
for some Walthers. It all depends on the level of quality and detail you are looking for.

As for the 72' Con-cor cars that you linked to, they have the horn hooks and plastic
wheels, so you would still be looking at an additional 5 bucks a car. They are listed
as $15.98 each + s&h + the five dollars each to get rollin' right. About $21 a car.
Dave

[SpaceMouse]

I think I have a line on some Spectrum 72' cars. These okay?

(Now watch, I'll get told that Bachman doesn't make a 72" car.)

[NZRMac]

I paid $39 NZ for the Frateshi brand that's about $27US plus changed couplers.

Ken.

[SpaceMouse]

I looked at the Frateschi site and they don't make the style for American lines.

[Anonymous]

With this being your first passenger train I would stick to tried and true and not dump a lot of money into a car. Athearn cars are inexpensive, nicely painted, well detailed, reliable and stay on the track. They are forgiving on bad trackwork, handle switches better than the longer cars, and if you want a longer train just buy an extra car or two and you will have more passenger train then you need. Purchasing exotic passenger equipment at this stage in your hobby life is just not necessary or wise. As the length of the passenger car gets longer you get into issues of track quality, switch performance, derailing issues that are sometimes difficult to correct unless you are well qualified to address bad track problems, etc. You want to be able to put a train on the track and have it operate without issue. Stick with the basics until you have mastered some of the skills of modeling. Don't do too much all at once or frustration can replace excitement.

Fools tread where angels fear to go is a worn-out phrase, but in HO it might be appropriate. Take small steps before the leaps and keep your pocket book intact along the way.

[SpaceMouse]

Athearn is the first place I looked, but they have discontinued everything. I'm only looking at getting a few cars for the moment so I can participate at the club.