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Taking a poll for all ho scale modelers

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Posted by danmerkel on Thursday, January 26, 2023 6:48 PM

Pennsylvania RR X23. They had over 7,000 of them but no one had really ever made a good plastic model of one. I'd prefer a kit as opposed to an RTR model. From that, one could also kitbash the war emergency cabooses that they were also used for.

dlm

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Posted by azrail on Thursday, December 29, 2022 4:58 PM

Santa Fe's 53'6" rib-sided, drop bottom gondolas, class GA-82/84/87/92/96 (all were similar). Over 2000 of these cars were built throughout the 1950s and they operated into the 90s.

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Posted by doctorwayne on Thursday, December 29, 2022 4:22 PM

dehusman
... All in HO: 34' trussrod boxcar, both right and left opening doors.

Accurail's version of the Dominion Fowler boxcar is 37' long, but you could easily remove a portion of the doors to get it down to 34'.  It wouldn't be too difficult to add truss rods, and then glue-on some suitable doors.

I bought a bunch of them, but removed the cast-in-place doors on many of them, replacing them with various doors from other HO scale cars.  I didn't redo any of them as double-door cars, though.

Here's one with the original doors...

...not sure where these doors are from, but my guess is Intermountain...

...another mystery door...

...this one's likely from Red Caboose, but could be from Train Miniature, too...

This one was a Model Die Casting reefer kit, but I decided to make it into a Southern SU double sheathed truss rod boxcar.   The Southern Railway had close to 15,000 of these cars built between 1922 and 1926...

The underbody is cast metal, but I added some strip styrene to create a more robust looking centre-sill.  I don't recall if the queen posts were part of the kit or merely from my supply of "stuff", but I used monofilament fishing line for the truss rods, along with turnbuckles from Tichy...

The bracing for the queenposts was built separately onto the lower edges of the car's sides....just in case it became necessary to remove the underbody in order to add weight...



The cars' Hutchin ends were scratchbuilt...

...as was the car's roof...

(the original roof was scribed boards, similar to those on the sides of the car)

While this MDC kit was also a 37'-er, a small car like this would be very easy to modify into a doubledoor 34'-er.

Wayne

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Posted by hardcoalcase on Thursday, December 29, 2022 8:52 AM

dehusman

All in HO:

34' trussrod boxcar, both right and left opening doors.

PRR class GD hopper bottom gon.

Camelback boiler superstructure to fit on Roundhouse 2-8-0, 4-4-0, 2-6-0 underframes.   

Ditto on all three (again) !!!

Jim

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Posted by allegedlynerdy on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 1:03 PM

HO scale copper ore cars of the style used by the Copper Range Railroad (I'd settle for C+H or mineral range though) in any form.

Or 20' wooden ore cars of the DM&I early style in a ready to run form (about 30 of those ended up in copper service and there's a decent kit right now but it being RTR would be a great improvement)

 

I'd like some more lighter consolidations, in the 98-100 ton range that have been modernized. Athearn has been doing runs of them on occasion though so it isn't as important. 

Even if someone did build a model that was based on the one surviving consolidation from my prototype, they were truly built to "no two alike" specification so getting multiple would still require modification and super detailing.

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 10:23 AM

n012944
You will have to be on the look out for it, but they are out there.

Well... How about that?

I knew about the Proto 1000 Erie Builts, but not the DL-109 model.

I will keep an eye out, thanks.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by n012944 on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 9:33 AM

SeeYou190

 

I already have PAs and E Units. I would like an SGRR DL-109, but what are the chances it would be available in undecorated if it was made?

 

 

 

You will have to be on the look out for it, but they are out there.

https://www.walthers.com/proto-1000-diesel-alco-dl-109-powered-assembled-undecorated

An "expensive model collector"

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Posted by n012944 on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 9:30 AM

PRR8259

 

I have all the locos I need or want to have.

 

 

I have enough, but I will always be replacing the weakest link as superior models come out.  For example, I recently dumped 5 Atlas RS3s, and replaced them with Bowsers fantastic model.  

An "expensive model collector"

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 9:25 AM

JDawg
For all HO scale modelers, what would be a freight car, a locomotive or a caboose that you would like to see made that you, yourself would 100% buy. If one was made.

Looking back on my original answers to this question..

JDawg
freight car

SeeYou190
A good model of the Helium Car.

This was a stretch. I still would like a Helium Car, but I can always scratchbuild a fantasy version or upgrade the plastic model. I really had to think about something I would want. With Sunshine, Westerfield, Funaro & Camerlengo, and Yarmouth... there is an endless variety of era appropriate nifty freight car models to build already.

JDawg
locomotive

SeeYou190
A decent DL-109.

I already have PAs and E Units. I would like an SGRR DL-109, but what are the chances it would be available in undecorated if it was made?

JDawg
caboose

SeeYou190
None, sorry. The SGRR has all the cabooses it will ever need.

The SGRR still has too many cabooses.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by FRRYKid on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 3:01 AM

I think I'm good on engines. (I'm repainting two to BN F-units that were ex-NP units. I need to subletter a GP18 and build another one of my Tythearn GP20s. Those are Tyco shells on Athearn GP35 drives.)

Freight cars are a different story.

  1. A non-RBL paper hauling car. Atlas showed a Canadian-prototype in their preorder within the last year or so but I haven't seen anything recently about them being released. Another option would be the NP/BN version. (I haven't seen an online picture of one. The only place I've seen one is in the NP Color Guide by Morning Sun publications) Edit: I forgot that I had this in my collection: http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/np/np4279awb.jpg
  2. A non-brass version of the Brainerd-built NP/SP&S/BN cabooses. There was a brass release of those a couple years ago but they were an order-only run and they were expensive. There is one special caboose I would love to do but I don't think I'm up to kitbashing the caboose. Edit: This is one version http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4690510
"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 11:47 PM

John-NYBW
Every time I think I have all the locos I need somebody will come out with a new must-have loco or I'll learn about one from the past that I didn't know about.

Well, I just went back and checked. It turns out my NKP 4-6-4 was actually the last locomotive I bought.

I purchased it in August, so it was not even that long ago.

-Photograph by Kevin Parson

I can't believe I forgot about this beauty.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by John-NYBW on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 9:11 PM

SeeYou190

 

 
PRR8259
I have all the locos I need or want to have.

 

Ithink I reached this point as well. It has been a while since I bought a locomotive.

My brass ten-wheeler was my last purchase, and filled the final hole on my "want-to-buy" list.

-Kevin

 

Every time I think I have all the locos I need somebody will come out with a new must-have loco or I'll learn about one from the past that I didn't know about. For example, I just read a post about Con-cor's set of the original CB&Q Zephyr. That has me intrigued even though I don't model that area of the country and it doesn't fit my time period. I did the same thing with the Fox Valley Hiawatha streamlined steamer and passenger cars. I just had to have it. I wish I had bought more cars when they were still available because they haven't resumed production and it's looking like that might never do so. Finding specific cars on ebay is like panning for gold. 

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 5:24 PM

SeeYou190

 

 
PRR8259
I have all the locos I need or want to have.

 

Ithink I reached this point as well. It has been a while since I bought a locomotive.

My brass ten-wheeler was my last purchase, and filled the final hole on my "want-to-buy" list.

-Kevin

 

Well I am pretty close as well to having all the locos I want.

I have four on preorder right now, and even if I made some sort of "wish list" it would only include about 4-6 more tops.

Sheldon

    

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 12:43 PM

PRR8259
I have all the locos I need or want to have.

Ithink I reached this point as well. It has been a while since I bought a locomotive.

My brass ten-wheeler was my last purchase, and filled the final hole on my "want-to-buy" list.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by crossthedog on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 12:37 PM

navyman636

I know it would be strictly in the realm of fantasy, but my road is freelanced, so using one or more could thus be deemed reasonable.  I'd love to have a couple of double-ended EMD F units.

 

Great Northern had one, so I'm not sure what you mean by it being in the realm of fantasy. It would only be as "fantastic" as your freelance layout overall.

Also:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/76677346@N04/23553497590

-Matt

Returning to model railroading after 40 years and taking unconscionable liberties with the SP&S, Northern Pacific and Great Northern roads in the '40s and '50s.

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Posted by PRR8259 on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 9:53 AM

Nothing new, but I would like BLI to trash their own decoder and crappy sound system and just switch to either Loksound or Tsunami and be done with it.

I have all the locos I need or want to have.

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Posted by navyman636 on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 8:29 AM

I know it would be strictly in the realm of fantasy, but my road is freelanced, so using one or more could thus be deemed reasonable.  I'd love to have a couple of double-ended EMD F units.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, October 21, 2022 8:59 AM

Good morning

gmpullman

I sure appreciate you keeping an eye out for me, Kevin. I hate to come across as a depressed-center snob but — I was really holding out for a Railworks model Cool

 PRR_FW1-FD2 WooSung by Edmund, on Flickr

Very Neat Model Indeed!  Hopefully I can get me one of thosePirate

 

I'm a Big Fan of those Heavy Haulers Ed! Stick out tongue

The weight of the carrier alone might have been a problem if not engineered correctlyIndifferent

It's my thoughts that all those wheels aren't just necessarily needed only for the weight of the load, but more importantly, for the distribution of weight spread out over the rails, similar to weight restrictions on heavy loaded semis. 

Or the "Tar Bender" if you will, why most Interstates are mostly cementWink

 

P.S.   I wonder how many Yen per hour it is to ship something Heavy on one of those ThingsWhistling...Laugh

 

 

 

TF

 

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Posted by n012944 on Thursday, October 20, 2022 4:25 PM

 

A passenger shark would be nice as well.

 

An "expensive model collector"

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Posted by jim57 on Thursday, October 20, 2022 3:02 PM

Since you asked:

Steam switchers seem to be generally overlooked. 

I have been searching for an 0-8-0 N&W S1 or S1a.  Although early versions were USRA designs purchased from the C&O, the tender of the N&W version has a very unique appearance with a beveled coal bunker extending well above the tender deck.  I believe Tenshodo made a creditable replica years ago, but thay are rarely available in good working order (or missing the tender.)

Also, heavy-duty compound locomotives of the 0-6-6-0 and 0-8-8-0 categories would make a nice addition for a yard requiring more powerful switchers.

JimW

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Posted by snjroy on Thursday, October 20, 2022 10:15 AM

fwright

A good-running model of a standard Baldwin 4-4-0 of 1880 era (1890s would be OK) for less than $300.

The same in narrow gauge (HOn3).

 

The Bachmann 4-4-0 with new tooling runs very well, but I hear ya about the price. I found one used on Ebay for half the price. All it needed was a decoder reset Smile. From what I've read, Bachmann will soon be selling a 4-4-0 on their Thomas the train line at a lower cost. Hopefully, with the motor under the boiler. A few cosmetic changes (removing face on the boiler, etc.), and it might find a spot on my layout.

And I agree about HOn3. Anything in HOn3 at a reasonable cost would be nice, especially the locos.

Simon

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Posted by Tin Can II on Thursday, October 20, 2022 9:21 AM

Locomotive:  Santa Fe 2-6-2 

Car / Caboose: Santa Fe CE-3 class peaked roof caboose

Other:  Santa Fe doodlebug M122

 

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Posted by fwright on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 3:47 PM

A good-running model of a standard Baldwin 4-4-0 of 1880 era (1890s would be OK) for less than $300.

The same in narrow gauge (HOn3).

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Posted by hardcoalcase on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 7:26 PM

 

dehusman

All in HO:

34' trussrod boxcar, both right and left opening doors.

PRR class GD hopper bottom gon.

Camelback boiler superstructure to fit on Roundhouse 2-8-0, 4-4-0, 2-6-0 underframes.   

Two thumps up YesYes.  Dave has such good taste!!!

Jim

DrW
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Posted by DrW on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 6:42 PM

jjdamnit

Despite these units not being well received, I am a sucker for consists, B-units, cow & calf sets, and slugs.

I share your addiction. Thus, I was very happy when Athearn Genesis came out with the Santa Fe GP7B units a few years ago. Only 5 of them were ever built, all for the Santa Fe; all B units of other railroads were GP9Bs.

As a Santa Fe afficionado, I would welcome a model of the TR4 calf-cow switcher in black w/ silver stripes. 15 TR4 sets were built, 2 were sold to the Santa Fe. Other owners were Milwaukee Road and C&O.

JW

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Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 5:02 PM

jjdamnit
And while you are at it how about a General Steel Castings 60-Ton Well Car?

Yes, I'd be in line for a few of those. They would compliment my F33 well car I built a while back:

 PRR Well Flat F33 by Edmund, on Flickr

I'm all for any type of specialty flat. I like to see a variety of loads. Sure, I know they weren't as common as most other freight cars but they were neat to look at.

The ERIE was often used for hi-wide loads as their R-of-W allowed for wider clearances, I believe.

Thank you, Ed

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Posted by jjdamnit on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 2:52 PM

Hello All,

gmpullman
Speaking of "relatively" rare cars, I'd like to add an FD2 Queen Mary flat car to my list.

Oh yeah!

Sign me up for one!!

And while you are at it how about a General Steel Castings 60-Ton Well Car?

 

Eastern Seaboard Models offers them in N scale.

I actually scratch-built one in HO to move the Bethlehem Steel Rope Pullies; geared and non-geared for the mining operations on my pike. 

Hope this hleps.

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 10:45 AM

gmpullman
I hate to come across as a depressed-center snob but — I was really holding out for a Railworks model 

I am pretty snobby about certain components of railroad builds, but have a devil-may-care attitude about others.

I completely understand.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by rrebell on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 10:01 AM

36' boxcars made to the beter Atlas or Intermountain standards. Acurails are nice but want the individual grabs. A good camelback with DCC. 

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