Craftsman kits

[Anonymous]

Hi!

I am just getting started again with the hobby, and although the apartment doesn't afford space for a layout, I want to get into building rolling stock and locos. I remember a while back there used to be "craftsman kits" (which us armor modelers call mixed media) that consist of brass, white metal, wood and plastic. (I am sure you folks know what I am talking about)

I can't seem to find any rolling stock kits on the net, except for cabooses. cabeese?

I am particularly looking for pre war freight stock (by war I mean the 2nd World one)

Anything helps.

Thanks

[CNJ831]

The older mixed media freight car kits have been replaced by resin craftsman kits today. These are offered by Westerfield, Yankee Clipper, F&C, and Sunshine, to name a few. Although I find some of these kits more difficult to build than the older mixed media kits, they do result in a much more realistic model.

If you are really searching for the older kits, try eBay. They usually have a fair selection available.

CNJ831

[Anonymous]

The "craftsman's kits" that you describe have become a bit rare. I still see a few around at train shows and some hobby shops have them. It seems today's modelers want the ready-to-run (RTR) stuff. The quality has improved on RTR in recent years, so the incentive for manufacturers to produce the craftsman kits has diminished.

More directly to your question, have you looked at Accurail? (link below) Their kits are very detail oriented and considered very prototypical. They're certainly a step above the "shake the box" kits.

http://www.accurail.com/accurail/

douort

[jrbarney]

Schwarzvw,
Have you considered La Belle Woodworking kits ? Their URL is:
<http://www.labellemodels.com>
Also, you might want to consider the various lines that have been absorbed by Ye Olde Huff N Puff. Their URL is:
<http://yeoldehuffnpuff.com>
Granted, they may not be stocked by every LHS, but you can still order by mail.
Both brands are short on brass and plastic, but you'll find the wood and die castings you're seeking. Hope this helps.
Bob

[michaelstevens]

What is (was) the plural of caboose ?
Schwarzvw suggests cabeese -- but because trains rarely ever had more than one, it was a word that was hardly ever needed !

[nfmisso]

Schwarzvw;

http://users.multipro.com/westerfield/

The top detailed plastic kits are from Redcaboose, InterMountain and LifeLike's Proto 2000 series, a couple steps above Accurail, and harder to put together. A sprue nipper is an essential tool.

http://www.red-caboose.com/
http://www.intermountain-railway.com/
http://www.lifelikeproducts.com/proto/index.htm

A couple steps below are Stewart, Accurail, Bowser

http://www.stewarthobbies.com/
http://www.accurail.com/accurail/
http://www.bowser-trains.com/

And at the bottom of the HO kit pile, but still great products are Athearn and MDC/Roundhouse. Both are improving.
http://www.athearn.com/
http://www.mdcroundhouse.com/

The above are my opinions.

[Anonymous]

Hey thanks everyone.

I will check out those linkies. I picked up a bowser 40' box this passed weekend and I was really impressed with the molded in detail. It seems like the quality of kits has improved much in the last 15 years (that was around the last time I did any RR stuff).

I just wi***he wood/metal kits were easier to find. I would love to spend more time on assembly rather than just weathering.

[Anonymous]

Interesting problem. Here in the UK there are still plenty of craftsman kits in production in a variety of materials. Parkside Dundas produce kits in OO and O scales that would probably qualify as craftsman kits - they need painting and the OO scale kits don't come with decals. There are also many smaller manufacturers producing passenger and freight car kits in plastic or brass, often with whitemetal detail castings. I have to say that one of my reasons for starting in US HO scale was the easy-to-assemble nature of the kits - I have no problem with assembly, but painting and decaling are not my greatest skills!

[Anonymous]

To Westerfield I'd add: F and C, LaBelle and Sunshine. All first rate and a test of a model makers skill.

Randy

[nfmisso]

I forgot Branchline;
Thier Yardmaster series is as good as, or better than Accurail, thier Blueprint Series is as good as or better than RC, IM, P2K.
http://www.branchline-trains.com/index.html

[Anonymous]

I just purchased a couple of LaBell kits. They're great. LaBell says nothing looks like wood like wood. They have period box cars and lots of passenger cars. You can order from their web site: http://www.labellemodels.com/

[randybc2003]

Pick up a copy of Narrow Gauge & Shortline Gazett. They often have adds and reviews for car kits. You might also think about changing scales to something that specializes in such, like Sn3, etc.

Haven't checked by Dictionary, but I and other local wags have used the term "Cabeese"

Randybc

[Jetrock]

RailroadingBrit: Typically what is thought of as a "craftsman" kit in the US is one consisting largely of uncut pieces of wood or other materials, with plans of what the pieces of wood are supposed to resemble when they have built. In particularly convenient craftsman kit, the wood is already cut but in no way resembles the finished product. In the case of metal things, like locomotives, a craftsman kit is typically a bunch of white metal pieces that must be assembled and painted after filing the flash off.

It wasn't too long ago that kits that merely needed to be painted and decaled were considered "shake-the-box" kits.

LaBelle kits are lovely. I have a couple sitting in my layout room's workbench area growling at me, waiting to be assembled. I'm still working up the nerve to have a go at them...