Flipping thought the NMRA rag, saw a new name ROKA manufacturer. the ad was for the autopac cars from the 70's. Thney advertise as a prototype manufacturer. Have the popped up at any of teh major shows?
Shane
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
Went on their webpage: https://rokamodels.com/. They are VERY limited in selection and charge about $100 for a single car. WOW! Seriously?! Do they also sell bridges?!
Wow! Pricey is right!
Looks they only have auto racks as of now.
Mike.
My You Tube
Looks so well detailed that the Kadee type coupler looks out of place.
kasskaboose Went on their webpage: https://rokamodels.com/. They are VERY limited in selection and charge about $100 for a single car. WOW! Seriously?! Do they also sell bridges?!
dknelsonI predict people will pay if the models are good ones.
I think they look like $100.00 models.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
They were at the Amhearst show - and by the crowd at their booth there seemed to be a lot of interest in the Autoracks.
Check out the close-up photos on their Facebook page! The molding is so good I thought they were making the sides from etched metal. That has to take some expensive tooling to manufacture. Also, Athearn charges that much for a Genesis caboose with lights inside, so it seems like this is the way prices are going unfortunately...
_________________________________________________________________
You can google Ken Patterson; he is big fan on the detail. His buddy on his videos is big into autoracks too. He is also a model railroad professional photographer so he may or may not have a relationship with the company. Having watched his videos over the years, I don't believe he would misrepresent the quality.
We used to have a "This hobby is too expensive" thread. Indeed it is. Especially if you are talking about spending $1,000 on an just 10 cars.
If your are using Peco turnouts and a tortoise and an edge connector that's $50 a turnout plus LED's and switches. Raise you hand if you just have one turnout. I see no hands.
Fortunately there are still options in this hobby. You don't need the best of the best and you can save at trainshows, buying used. At my age and medical condition, I am not buying $100 freight nor passenger cars nor $750 steamers.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
LMAO I love the random quotes they put on the home page in large font:
"Exquisite cars""An awesome accomplishment""Absolutely beautiful"
No mention of who these quotes are from...just random quotes from random people I guess. Supposedly that's supposed to convince me to buy some.
Charles
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
I don't need auto racks on my layout, as I don't model a class I mainline.
Plano makes etched metal side panels and details for 75' auto racks, if you are so inclined to make your excisting racks more detailed:
http://www.planomodelproducts.com/autorack_scq.html
These cars were featured in the MRC 2/2023 receiving yard and 4/2023 test track columns.