HO scale vehicles

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I went to Wal-Mart today and saw the 1/87 scale vans on the clearance rack. 50 cents each! I picked up 4 on the spot. 4 HO scale van for 2 bucks? Can't beat that!

[Anonymous]

It appears prototypical appearance isn't as important as many think, or at least not important enough to keep you out of a magazine. After spending hundreds of dollars each on motive power, using laser-cut structure kits, lots of attention to detail and weathering, Harry Crouch (Ohio and Northwestern RR feature in the 7/04 RR Model Craftsman) has a mid 90's mack tanker truck on his '70s era layout. See page 52. Maybe it was an experimental vehicle??? It's a nice truck, but it just doesn't belong.
Tim

[Anonymous]

It appears prototypical appearance isn't as important as many think, or at least not important enough to keep you out of a magazine. After spending hundreds of dollars each on motive power, using laser-cut structure kits, lots of attention to detail and weathering, Harry Crouch (Ohio and Northwestern RR feature in the 7/04 RR Model Craftsman) has a mid 90's mack tanker truck on his '70s era layout. See page 52. Maybe it was an experimental vehicle??? It's a nice truck, but it just doesn't belong.
Tim

[JPowell]

Once again Model Railroading magazine has published a special vehicle modelers' insert in the March/April (1999) issue of the magazine. Usually printed in time for the 1/87 Vehicle & Equipment Club's annual convention, this year's issue is running a little late. This issue includes articles titled Modeling Trucks Using Alloy Forms Kits by Ken Patterson, UPS Package Delivery Car by Gary Walton, Model Vehicles Help Set The Scene: Automobiles for the Transition Era by V.S. Roseman, Vehicle Reviews: Don Mills Models' 1952 Bullnose Kenworth & Resin Unlimited's 1956 Cab-Over Semi-Tractor by David A. Bontrager, Nostalgia -- Modeling From Memory ICX (Illinois-California eXpress, Inc.) by David A. Bontrager, and Generic Detailing of Truck Tractors by Gary Walton. Be sure and pick up a copy of this magazine! The club would like to thank publisher Randy Lee and Chris Lane, National Sales Manager for their contributions to 1/87 scale vehicle modeling!
Model Railroading magazine's March 1998 issue has an extraordinary 20 page insert titled Vehicle Modeler. The magazine publishes this special insert each March to help the club's annual convention held in March. This year's issue has kit reviews, how-to articles, and 1/87 vehicle advertising all in one section. The club would like to express our gratitude to publisher Randy Lee and National Sales Manager (and club member) Chris Lane. Check pages 37-56 in the March 1998 issue. Note: In subsequent issues there have been several letter to the editor commending the magazine on the quality of this special section.

Ok... I was just 'surfing' http://www.1-87vehicles.org/News/news.php and came across these 2 references of MR doing a HO Scale vehicle section for 2 yrs straight (March '98 and '99). What's happend to this?????

[JPowell]

Once again Model Railroading magazine has published a special vehicle modelers' insert in the March/April (1999) issue of the magazine. Usually printed in time for the 1/87 Vehicle & Equipment Club's annual convention, this year's issue is running a little late. This issue includes articles titled Modeling Trucks Using Alloy Forms Kits by Ken Patterson, UPS Package Delivery Car by Gary Walton, Model Vehicles Help Set The Scene: Automobiles for the Transition Era by V.S. Roseman, Vehicle Reviews: Don Mills Models' 1952 Bullnose Kenworth & Resin Unlimited's 1956 Cab-Over Semi-Tractor by David A. Bontrager, Nostalgia -- Modeling From Memory ICX (Illinois-California eXpress, Inc.) by David A. Bontrager, and Generic Detailing of Truck Tractors by Gary Walton. Be sure and pick up a copy of this magazine! The club would like to thank publisher Randy Lee and Chris Lane, National Sales Manager for their contributions to 1/87 scale vehicle modeling!
Model Railroading magazine's March 1998 issue has an extraordinary 20 page insert titled Vehicle Modeler. The magazine publishes this special insert each March to help the club's annual convention held in March. This year's issue has kit reviews, how-to articles, and 1/87 vehicle advertising all in one section. The club would like to express our gratitude to publisher Randy Lee and National Sales Manager (and club member) Chris Lane. Check pages 37-56 in the March 1998 issue. Note: In subsequent issues there have been several letter to the editor commending the magazine on the quality of this special section.

Ok... I was just 'surfing' http://www.1-87vehicles.org/News/news.php and came across these 2 references of MR doing a HO Scale vehicle section for 2 yrs straight (March '98 and '99). What's happend to this?????

[AntonioFP45]

In case it wasn't mentioned, Busch (Germany) has produced the GMC Fishbowl city transit bus of the 1960s-70s period. Plastic w/ interior ready to run. Price $26. Was supposed to be released earlier this year in 3 acttractive color schemes. Hopefully the delay won't be long.

[DavidBriel]

We HO Modelers need a HO Scale US prototype GLASS TRUCK like those used by companies such as AFGD for transporting flat glass. Some HO model railroad companies such as BOLEY already have the cab and chassis, but not the glass rack itself. The truck would be a much needed model of HO roads and highways and glass manufacturing plants. The glass load itself would be supplied by the modeler using leftover glass used for windows from structure kits. David Briel

[DavidBriel]

We HO Modelers need a HO Scale US prototype GLASS TRUCK like those used by companies such as AFGD for transporting flat glass. Some HO model railroad companies such as BOLEY already have the cab and chassis, but not the glass rack itself. The truck would be a much needed model of HO roads and highways and glass manufacturing plants. The glass load itself would be supplied by the modeler using leftover glass used for windows from structure kits. David Briel

[Anonymous]

Because it's a lot less "comfortable" to fall asleep on your keyboard, than on the couch, reading the printed version. -- I checked out Nixon Enterprises per your suggestion and although I appreciate your lead, frankly their prices for at least the items I'd be interested in, are just as wacky as the prices in Walthers, which we all know (and some of us admit) are often way over what you can get the same item for elsewhere. It's easy to locate far more affordable sources for most HO motive power & rolling stock, and for some structures. Try that for smaller, more specialized items like vehicles and you're looking at absurdly high prices for little, teany, tiny, uncomplicated, easy to injection mold, non-powered, static display model cars and trucks. . . What's wrong w/ discussing the relative value/cost of an important component part of our hobby - vehicles help define an era and set the 'mood' for a scene (all trucks - must be an industrial area; all rundown early Ford sedans and pickups - could be Depression era or just depressed neighborhood or town; a shiny new Cadillac and you've found the 'boss man' or local robber baron; no vehicles-must be deserted (or model railroader can't afford any) ' circus-float ' looking plastic cars w/out any detail - must be a modeler who's given up locating any better ones or can't afford to. . . There still is a need and ready-to -buy market for low cost, decent HO vehicles of American prototypes in all eras ( my bias is pre-and post war WW II ). We harped for years about having affordable steam and diesel alternative to brass that were accurate, not necessarily generic models, well detailed and good runners. Some manufacturers paid attention, stepped up and gave us more than we could have possibly dreamed of while looking at a Walthers' catalog 10 or 15 years ago. Harping and carping is good!. What about a 'poll' asking question(s) like - What should a scale car or truck cost? What era is needed? What level of detail do you expect ? What material will you buy (metal, plastic, resin, etc.) ? RTR or kit ? and, How many would you buy (over the next 12 months) ? Then, we email/snail mail the results to every model railroading publication, every scale vehicle publication, and most every potential model maker including Matell, AMT/ERTL, Revell Monogram, Life-Like, Bachmann, and others. Or we just harp and carp, and cope and hope forever. Then, if we get lucky, we can complain that the flood of HO vehicles are coming from China!

[Anonymous]

Because it's a lot less "comfortable" to fall asleep on your keyboard, than on the couch, reading the printed version. -- I checked out Nixon Enterprises per your suggestion and although I appreciate your lead, frankly their prices for at least the items I'd be interested in, are just as wacky as the prices in Walthers, which we all know (and some of us admit) are often way over what you can get the same item for elsewhere. It's easy to locate far more affordable sources for most HO motive power & rolling stock, and for some structures. Try that for smaller, more specialized items like vehicles and you're looking at absurdly high prices for little, teany, tiny, uncomplicated, easy to injection mold, non-powered, static display model cars and trucks. . . What's wrong w/ discussing the relative value/cost of an important component part of our hobby - vehicles help define an era and set the 'mood' for a scene (all trucks - must be an industrial area; all rundown early Ford sedans and pickups - could be Depression era or just depressed neighborhood or town; a shiny new Cadillac and you've found the 'boss man' or local robber baron; no vehicles-must be deserted (or model railroader can't afford any) ' circus-float ' looking plastic cars w/out any detail - must be a modeler who's given up locating any better ones or can't afford to. . . There still is a need and ready-to -buy market for low cost, decent HO vehicles of American prototypes in all eras ( my bias is pre-and post war WW II ). We harped for years about having affordable steam and diesel alternative to brass that were accurate, not necessarily generic models, well detailed and good runners. Some manufacturers paid attention, stepped up and gave us more than we could have possibly dreamed of while looking at a Walthers' catalog 10 or 15 years ago. Harping and carping is good!. What about a 'poll' asking question(s) like - What should a scale car or truck cost? What era is needed? What level of detail do you expect ? What material will you buy (metal, plastic, resin, etc.) ? RTR or kit ? and, How many would you buy (over the next 12 months) ? Then, we email/snail mail the results to every model railroading publication, every scale vehicle publication, and most every potential model maker including Matell, AMT/ERTL, Revell Monogram, Life-Like, Bachmann, and others. Or we just harp and carp, and cope and hope forever. Then, if we get lucky, we can complain that the flood of HO vehicles are coming from China!

[Anonymous]

For those of you carping about price and selection of HO vehicles have a look at www.nixonenterprises.com They specialize in OOP and remainders.

On the point of buying a Walthers catalog. Why spend money when they have a searchable online catalog free for the using?

Randy

[Anonymous]

For those of you carping about price and selection of HO vehicles have a look at www.nixonenterprises.com They specialize in OOP and remainders.

On the point of buying a Walthers catalog. Why spend money when they have a searchable online catalog free for the using?

Randy

[Anonymous]

hey 'cisco1' --- I think you've got a good suggestion (comparison of what vehicles have been produced by whom/when) . .. A very brief 'comment' following manufacturer info would be helpful as to accuracy, closeness to 1/87, and whether or not is still in production. It would probably be too much of an undertaking to review all of a manufacturer's individual products. There are some inexpensive toy models, of trucks especially , that can be found at swap meets, garage sales and even in discount and chain toy stores that are close, if not exact HO scale. It seems that if an HO scale label is placed on a model vehicle the price all of the sudden doubles or triples. I found a beautifully made and painted diecast Grayhound 'Scenic Cruiser" bus in a toy store sometime ago and paid about $5.00 for it. It's close to 1/87 but has no scale marking on it, nor a manufacturer's label. Don't know about you but I'd go broke paying $8.00-$15.00 for scale 1940s cars, double or more than that for large trucks, and Pirate model buses about the same as discounted Spectrum 2-8-0. Hopefully MR reads these Forums and will consider implementing your idea. . .

[Anonymous]

hey 'cisco1' --- I think you've got a good suggestion (comparison of what vehicles have been produced by whom/when) . .. A very brief 'comment' following manufacturer info would be helpful as to accuracy, closeness to 1/87, and whether or not is still in production. It would probably be too much of an undertaking to review all of a manufacturer's individual products. There are some inexpensive toy models, of trucks especially , that can be found at swap meets, garage sales and even in discount and chain toy stores that are close, if not exact HO scale. It seems that if an HO scale label is placed on a model vehicle the price all of the sudden doubles or triples. I found a beautifully made and painted diecast Grayhound 'Scenic Cruiser" bus in a toy store sometime ago and paid about $5.00 for it. It's close to 1/87 but has no scale marking on it, nor a manufacturer's label. Don't know about you but I'd go broke paying $8.00-$15.00 for scale 1940s cars, double or more than that for large trucks, and Pirate model buses about the same as discounted Spectrum 2-8-0. Hopefully MR reads these Forums and will consider implementing your idea. . .

[cisco1]

Here's an idea for an article {or series of articles}: How about a comparison of vehicles produced over say the past 20 years. Go into detail with manufacturer, models produced, how close to scale {HO for instance} and ideas for modification or alteration.
Model Railroader did this with plastic diesel locomotives not too long ago : GP30s if I remember right. It would be a large enough project that a page or two could be devoted to this each month for a full year and still not cover everything. Just a thought........

[cisco1]

Here's an idea for an article {or series of articles}: How about a comparison of vehicles produced over say the past 20 years. Go into detail with manufacturer, models produced, how close to scale {HO for instance} and ideas for modification or alteration.
Model Railroader did this with plastic diesel locomotives not too long ago : GP30s if I remember right. It would be a large enough project that a page or two could be devoted to this each month for a full year and still not cover everything. Just a thought........

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JCtrain

Do Matchbox cars match HO scale?

Matchbox cars are modelled in a variety of scales, and the scale is "usually",but not always, molded into the bottom of the car.[:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JCtrain

Do Matchbox cars match HO scale?

Matchbox cars are modelled in a variety of scales, and the scale is "usually",but not always, molded into the bottom of the car.[:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by appst03

How about anything modern and American. Quality, modern HO scale vehicles are very scarce offerings by manufacturers probably since most of these manufacurers are foreign companies.

OOOH! Good point!, there isn't an abundance of modern American HO vehicles out there![banghead] How about a 1985 Mustang GT, or a 1997 Camaro Z28, or a 1975 Dodge Van,or.........................What's your pick?[:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by appst03

How about anything modern and American. Quality, modern HO scale vehicles are very scarce offerings by manufacturers probably since most of these manufacurers are foreign companies.

OOOH! Good point!, there isn't an abundance of modern American HO vehicles out there![banghead] How about a 1985 Mustang GT, or a 1997 Camaro Z28, or a 1975 Dodge Van,or.........................What's your pick?[:D]

[Anonymous]

Do Matchbox cars match HO scale?

[Anonymous]

Do Matchbox cars match HO scale?

[Anonymous]

If your looking for really modern HO vehicles, check out www.vw.com. They have
2004 New Beetles, New Beetle convertibles, Touregs and the new Phaeton in various
colors and in several scales. They are absolutely beautiful, but order more than one
because the postage will kill you. I bought 1 Toureg two weeks ago cost me 10 bucks for the car and 13.50 for postage. I bought nine more (many for other people) and they
charged me 12.50 for postage. They are worth a look, Wiking makes em, and like I said
they are very detailed (colors and chrome trim etc) and look great. I asked them about
Jettas, Passats, Golf and GTI's like I saw at the Detroit Auto Show in January, they were
pretty snotty and said all we have is Beetles,Touregs and Phaetons, and the other models come from Germany. I have contacted Wiking in Germany but have yet to hear
from them. I'll let you know what I find out.

[Anonymous]

If your looking for really modern HO vehicles, check out www.vw.com. They have
2004 New Beetles, New Beetle convertibles, Touregs and the new Phaeton in various
colors and in several scales. They are absolutely beautiful, but order more than one
because the postage will kill you. I bought 1 Toureg two weeks ago cost me 10 bucks for the car and 13.50 for postage. I bought nine more (many for other people) and they
charged me 12.50 for postage. They are worth a look, Wiking makes em, and like I said
they are very detailed (colors and chrome trim etc) and look great. I asked them about
Jettas, Passats, Golf and GTI's like I saw at the Detroit Auto Show in January, they were
pretty snotty and said all we have is Beetles,Touregs and Phaetons, and the other models come from Germany. I have contacted Wiking in Germany but have yet to hear
from them. I'll let you know what I find out.

[DSchmitt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Scottydog

You guys really need to buy the Walthers catalog. All the autos plus motorbikes and motor scooters are there. They have Brawa US and European models with working head and tail lights.

There are a lot of companies (In particular but not limited to small ones) that are not distributed by Walthers, and a lot of the products in the catalog are not currently available from them

[DSchmitt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Scottydog

You guys really need to buy the Walthers catalog. All the autos plus motorbikes and motor scooters are there. They have Brawa US and European models with working head and tail lights.

There are a lot of companies (In particular but not limited to small ones) that are not distributed by Walthers, and a lot of the products in the catalog are not currently available from them

[Anonymous]

Why should HO vehicles cost as much as , and sometimes much more than, highly detailed , 1/24 or 1/25 scale cars and trucks? Also consider that most HO scale vehicles often consist of a very basic body shell lacking any chrome trim ,windows, or realistic wheels and tires. Most lack any underbody detail or running gear. There are some very nice and very expensive and difficult-to-build kits on the market, but there's the rub. How much time and money does the average model railroader have or want to commit to an appropriate number of model vehicles for their layout? Who wants to spend over $50. for an HO scale city bus, when for a few dollars more they can get a Spectrum 2-8-0, or a Proto 2000 diesel or perhaps a half dozen or more decent freight cars? If a manufacturer can tool up a very complex and highly accurate depiction of an, HO locomotive body shell or freight car body ( or for that matter, a complete 1/24 or 1/25 scale automobile engine part in a $12. model car kit), why can't they do the same in an injection molded HO scale vehicle? Think about it - do we need scale underbodies or engines? No. Do we need scale interiors? No. Do we need separate chrome parts? No. Why? Because most real car windows are dirty enough that if you tried to see into them from as far away as it is when we look at 1/87 scale vehicles, you couldn't make out any details anyway. When you look at colors from that same 1/87 vantage point they are less bright-chrome parts would be duller even if the car had just been washed! We do need an accurate body shell with trim that can be lightly detailed with a paint stick and a brush, as well as windows that are translucent enough to hint at what's inside, and that could be a generic interior 'tub' of seats, a dashboard and a steering wheel. A basic underframe consisting of a flat plastic piece with locating tabs for 2 thin metal 'axles' and simplified wheels and tires would probably satisfy most requirements, provided that they looked appropriate for the era of the particular prototype. There have been some really awful HO scale vehicles offered in the past and many of them have populated otherwise spectacular layouts, and even graced the cover of Model Railroader, frankly ruining any feeling that you were looking at a realistic depiction of a railroad.; instead it became a flawed work of art. I realize that the model manufacturers argue that they would have to sell large quantities of scale vehicles to recoup their tooling costs but wouldn't most of us buy more vehicles than we do now if they were as I described and their costs were in line? We need to tell the industry what vehicles we would buy; for instance we need basic trucks like the old Ulrich line of 40's and 50's truck tractors and various trailers. We need more modern trucks like Peterbilts and Macks and appropriate trailers. How about a GM city bus from the 50's that often served for 20+ years? Most cars over the years, until the Japanese invasion in the past 30 years have been from Ford, GM or Chrysler and most were 4 door sedans and pickups. Most were relatively the same length and width and consequently, the undercarriage and interior tubs would have wide application to keep tooling costs down. Ditto for wheels and tires. The same applies to the windows, since most GM, Ford, and Chrysler shared bodies within their respective product lines. The same holds true even now and pertains to Hondas, Toyotas and other imports. Seriously what do you think it would really cost for someone like Bachmann, Life-Like, or Athearn/Horizon , or perhaps AMT Ertl or Revell/Monogram, to do what I am challenging them with? Or will it take a savy outsider or newcomer to take a proactive approach and do it instead? In the meantime I think it is stupid to spend $50. for a truck or bus model, and just as stupid to spend hours building a $10. Model T or settling for a cartoon like vehicle (that is still overpriced) that looks more like a parade float than a Chevy. I'm glad that I've got this off my chest and hope that we can look forward for all of us to be heard and that this mostly ignored portion of our hobby will finally be addressed.

[Anonymous]

Why should HO vehicles cost as much as , and sometimes much more than, highly detailed , 1/24 or 1/25 scale cars and trucks? Also consider that most HO scale vehicles often consist of a very basic body shell lacking any chrome trim ,windows, or realistic wheels and tires. Most lack any underbody detail or running gear. There are some very nice and very expensive and difficult-to-build kits on the market, but there's the rub. How much time and money does the average model railroader have or want to commit to an appropriate number of model vehicles for their layout? Who wants to spend over $50. for an HO scale city bus, when for a few dollars more they can get a Spectrum 2-8-0, or a Proto 2000 diesel or perhaps a half dozen or more decent freight cars? If a manufacturer can tool up a very complex and highly accurate depiction of an, HO locomotive body shell or freight car body ( or for that matter, a complete 1/24 or 1/25 scale automobile engine part in a $12. model car kit), why can't they do the same in an injection molded HO scale vehicle? Think about it - do we need scale underbodies or engines? No. Do we need scale interiors? No. Do we need separate chrome parts? No. Why? Because most real car windows are dirty enough that if you tried to see into them from as far away as it is when we look at 1/87 scale vehicles, you couldn't make out any details anyway. When you look at colors from that same 1/87 vantage point they are less bright-chrome parts would be duller even if the car had just been washed! We do need an accurate body shell with trim that can be lightly detailed with a paint stick and a brush, as well as windows that are translucent enough to hint at what's inside, and that could be a generic interior 'tub' of seats, a dashboard and a steering wheel. A basic underframe consisting of a flat plastic piece with locating tabs for 2 thin metal 'axles' and simplified wheels and tires would probably satisfy most requirements, provided that they looked appropriate for the era of the particular prototype. There have been some really awful HO scale vehicles offered in the past and many of them have populated otherwise spectacular layouts, and even graced the cover of Model Railroader, frankly ruining any feeling that you were looking at a realistic depiction of a railroad.; instead it became a flawed work of art. I realize that the model manufacturers argue that they would have to sell large quantities of scale vehicles to recoup their tooling costs but wouldn't most of us buy more vehicles than we do now if they were as I described and their costs were in line? We need to tell the industry what vehicles we would buy; for instance we need basic trucks like the old Ulrich line of 40's and 50's truck tractors and various trailers. We need more modern trucks like Peterbilts and Macks and appropriate trailers. How about a GM city bus from the 50's that often served for 20+ years? Most cars over the years, until the Japanese invasion in the past 30 years have been from Ford, GM or Chrysler and most were 4 door sedans and pickups. Most were relatively the same length and width and consequently, the undercarriage and interior tubs would have wide application to keep tooling costs down. Ditto for wheels and tires. The same applies to the windows, since most GM, Ford, and Chrysler shared bodies within their respective product lines. The same holds true even now and pertains to Hondas, Toyotas and other imports. Seriously what do you think it would really cost for someone like Bachmann, Life-Like, or Athearn/Horizon , or perhaps AMT Ertl or Revell/Monogram, to do what I am challenging them with? Or will it take a savy outsider or newcomer to take a proactive approach and do it instead? In the meantime I think it is stupid to spend $50. for a truck or bus model, and just as stupid to spend hours building a $10. Model T or settling for a cartoon like vehicle (that is still overpriced) that looks more like a parade float than a Chevy. I'm glad that I've got this off my chest and hope that we can look forward for all of us to be heard and that this mostly ignored portion of our hobby will finally be addressed.

[Anonymous]

I think they should make more 40's and 50's cars. That seems to be the most popular modeling era right now. Some modern cars would be nice too.