60' Passenger Cars

[rbettig]

Hello
My layout is about 12 x 12 and I am using 18'' radius. I would like to run
some passenger cars that look realistic, and so far the only ones that
I found are made by Rivarossi, and sold in a set of 4 by Walthers.
Does anyone know of other makes in that size?
The 83' and longer, just look out of place on my layout.
Thanks
Richard

[railman]

They aren't 60', but Con Cor makes a line of 72' streamliners in a myrad of paint schemes that look good around tight corners. (I have 18" & 22" curves, so I feel your pain about 85' cars.)

They run pretty good, too. My set of 7 in Milwaukee Road yellow/gray are the pride of my passenger fleet. Remember, even though they are "shorties" in the eyes of purists they look just fine in my opinion!

[Anonymous]

When you get into the less expensive cars, you may have to upgrade your wheel sets/couplers
What road name?
Here's Amtrak, phase IV http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/223-10090023 and you should
be able to get these at a discount.
According to one review this phase IV may be an upgrade that may have the McHenry knuckle, added weight, a new brass post and screw truck mounting system.
Perhaps that may account for the four dollar premium over the phase II.

I have the Athearn 72" that came kit form with horn hooks but I see from the old 2004 Wathers there are the 70' ready to rolls for a MSP of $17.00.
Go to the http.www.athearn.com and scroll through their listings

[M636C]

Guys,

Am I missing something here - nobody has mentioned Athearn yet?

Athearn's passenger cars are all about 70 feet long, and given that, aren't too bad copies of their prototypes. Compare the Athearn streamlined RPO (scale length, about 60 feet) with the Walthers equivalent - theres not much to show for forty more years of technology in the Walthers car!

I only recently saw the Rivarossi cars - I think the basic coach looks too short, but the baggage, combine and RPO look fine.

MDC Roundhouse used to make 60 feet Harriman round roof cars. Again, the coach was a bit short, but the details reflected SP practice.

Peter

[railman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by M636C

Guys,

Am I missing something here - nobody has mentioned Athearn yet?

Athearn's passenger cars are all about 70 feet long, and given that, aren't too bad copies of their prototypes. Compare the Athearn streamlined RPO (scale length, about 60 feet) with the Walthers equivalent - theres not much to show for forty more years of technology in the Walthers car!

I only recently saw the Rivarossi cars - I think the basic coach looks too short, but the baggage, combine and RPO look fine.

MDC Roundhouse used to make 60 feet Harriman round roof cars. Again, the coach was a bit short, but the details reflected SP practice.

Peter

completely forgot about the blue box. Duh! On replacing trucks/couplers, I just used the McHenry replacements to swap out the horn-hooks and they run fine. About a ten second job.

[Anonymous]

Your choice for passenger cars for 18" radius curves are Athearn, MDC, Mantua, short Rivarossi and the short Walthers are your current choices. Styles include Streamline(1950-1970), Heavyweight(1920-1950), Harriman (1910 -1925), Overton (1880+ - 1910). Times are approximate but can always survive for branch-line and tourist rails. Some of these have been shortened for the tighter curves with the real ones being 80 - 85 feet. Lots of stuff like seats,diaphragms, and doors available from multiple sources to make any of these appear more complete. As suggested above, replace the wheelsets with something decent (P2K, IM, Rexx or similiar) and in many cases replace the couplers, I prefer KD but folks have had good luck with others. I'm tarting up a few myself as my available space limits me to 18" radius. I'll go to more realistic car lengths when circumstances change to allow greater radii.

[railman]

Q.
Is there some vendetta against Con Cor here? In your very detailed response, mstein, you failed to mention them. I don't work for Con Cor or anything (just to be clear) but all the responses outside of mine have been mum on CC. What's the scoop, forum?

[Anonymous]

Railman,
Nothing against Con-Cor. All I remembered was their 85 footers. Had to whip out the Walthers and see that they make 60' Material Handling and 72' passenger cars. I feel comfortable in what I mentioned as it's what I've seen in my neck of the woods but I'm sure I've missed some others that will work just fine for Rbettig.
Mike

[MudHen_462]

I have a small layout, so I ordered the Rivarossi 60' set of four. Then came the "buy-out" and the offer of the "extra" Pass. coach went south. Now Walthers is offering a limited number of the extra coaches at $29.95 each.... I have just ordered mine.

Just an FYI, in case any one on the forum did the same and missed out on the "5th car".

[rbettig]

I want to thank everyone for their input. Now I have something to go for. Mstein not only did you list the makes but also the time frame. Railman, I am looking at Con Cor, and
Peter I will not overlook Athearn. Locomotive 3, your suggestion of upgrading the wheels and the couplers, is well taken. IronGoat, one question: is the coupler on the Rivarossi attached to the car body or the wheel set.?
Again thanks to all .
Richard

[Anonymous]

http://okengines.com/museum.shtml
Hello if you want a good tracking 60 ft streamliner check out this site.OK streamliners have been making these sets for a long time.They are made of corragated aluminum,and can be polished painted look very nice polished.They track very well die cast trucks lighting kits,they now offer rtr and custom.I have been collecting these for about five years and you can pick them up fairly cheap.