Trix trains are they worth it?

[Anonymous]

Ok
so I sort of agree the big boy they make is impressive and that if you drop it on your foot it will be your foot that breaks not the train.
But what is the deal with the rolling stock their cars are nearly 30.00 a piece
are they really that good?
I mean they have tons of UP stuff sets individully numbered and so forth but man what a price tag.
Any opinions out there

thanks

[orsonroy]

The new Trix rolling stock (three UP cars and a NYC caboose) are all prototype-specific models. If you're interested in these specific cars for the particular prototype they represent, then yes, they are "worth it", because they're generally the most correct and price competitive model of that particular car. (the Trix NYC caboose runs $35. The only other wat to get that car is in two discontinued craftsmen kits or in brass, both of which will cost you more in time & money).

If you're just looking for a "UP boxcar" then the cars probably aren't worth it.

[tstage]

Actually, Walthers has an NYC caboose but I've been informed that it is based on a GN design, not the NYC. Roundhouse does make an earlier, turn of the century, wooden-frame caboose in kit, which should still be available.

According to the recent February issue review of MR, even the new Trix caboose isn't entirely accurate and modifications are necessary to bring it in line with the prototype. On the flip side , the review is followed by a handy article on how to make the needed changes to the so-called caboose.

Tom

[Anonymous]

Trix are great quality models, though as you mention this quality comes at a price. The major reason for the high prices is that the models are still made in Germany (where they have to pay a decent wage to their workers, unlike China...) and are also of specific prototypes. If I had both the money to buy and the size of layout needed to run one I would buy one of their Big Boys with no hesitation - I've seen and heard one in action on a store layout and they really are great locos. One of those and the multipack of boxcars they offer is now high on my list of "what I'd buy if only I had the money"!

These prices are pretty much what they charge for their home-market models too - German passenger cars tend to be the equivelent of $40-$50 each, and it's unusual to find a sub-$20 freight car. However, the high prices do result in great detailing, smooth mechanisms, and stock that will last for years.

[orsonroy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage

Actually, Walthers has an NYC caboose but I've been informed that it is based on a GN design, not the NYC. Roundhouse does make an earlier, turn of the century, wooden-frame caboose in kit, which should still be available.

Wrong. Roundhouse and Walthers have cabooses lettered for the NYC. That's not the same as having an NYC caboose.

QUOTE:
According to the recent February issue review of MR, even the new Trix caboose isn't entirely accurate and modifications are necessary to bring it in line with the prototype. On the flip side , the review is followed by a handy article on how to make the needed changes to the so-called caboose.

Tom

No model is entirely accurate, but the Trix model is the best bang for the buck. And what model out there DOESN'T need some work to "bring it in line with the prototype"? I know guys who will heavily rework very accurate brass steamers, just because they're "not correct".

[pedromorgan]

it will be very interesting to see what happens to the price of the trix big boy when hornby re-release the rivarossi big boy which i believe is on the list for this year. i dont think it is quite as good as the trix but for $150 less it may well tempt most people.

Peter

[lupo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy

The new Trix rolling stock (three UP cars and a NYC caboose) are all prototype-specific models. If you're interested in these specific cars for the particular prototype they represent, then yes, they are "worth it", because they're generally the most correct and price competitive model of that particular car. (the Trix NYC caboose runs $35. The only other wat to get that car is in two discontinued craftsmen kits or in brass, both of which will cost you more in time & money).

If you're just looking for a "UP boxcar" then the cars probably aren't worth it.

How accurate the trix models are can be seen in the review of the NYC caboose and the comments in this topic:
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=28573&REPLY_ID=283773#283773
I see lots of Trix and Marklin stuff overhere and it looks very good, but IMO not better as the much friendlier priced models by the top US manufacturers,

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by pedromorgan

it will be very interesting to see what happens to the price of the trix big boy when hornby re-release the rivarossi big boy which i believe is on the list for this year. i dont think it is quite as good as the trix but for $150 less it may well tempt most people.

Peter

I didnt expect to see Hornby releasing a bigboy so soon
I haven been wondering if they were going to build it.

[Anonymous]

I think it will be a while before we see the Hornby Big Boy. They're in the midst of crating the tooling up and sending it out to China at the moment, and though the Rivarossi models are high on their list of re-introductions (they want to get into the US market) it'll probably be 2006 at least before we see it again. They may also want to do some modifications such as better motors, better paintwork, more detail parts and probably some electrical changes (DCC socket and more pickups I would guess, judging by what they're doing in their OO range at the moment). I agree it will be interesting to see the prices on these locos - Hornby seem to be headed towards very high quality products at sensible prices.

[Anonymous]

Well, based on what I've seen, Trix models are the best you can buy. Wether you can buy them or not, is the problem.

Trix= $$$$$$$$$

[BRAKIE]

To my mind the answer is simple..NO WAY! [B)] There is to much work in correcting these cars starting with the couplers.See the last 2-3 months of MR for details.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by unionpacific4018

Ok
so I sort of agree the big boy they make is impressive and that if you drop it on your foot it will be your foot that breaks not the train.
But what is the deal with the rolling stock their cars are nearly 30.00 a piece
are they really that good?
I mean they have tons of UP stuff sets individully numbered and so forth but man what a price tag.
Any opinions out there

thanks

The Intermountain are more accurate and better than than the Trix cars, but cost much in the same range.

[Anonymous]

It is the" Working Mans" Brass.......If you get one, you will not regret it.