HI
Who in your opinion makes the most detailed cars, trucks, and tractor trailers?
I've gotten a lot of my best ones from Model Power and Boley.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Sign up for the Walthers catalog. Every month, they'll send you a paper catalog of what's on sale. There are pages of vehicles at reduced prices. If your LHS participates in Walthers promotions, then can order them for you. You'll get the sale price, pay no shipping and support your LHS, all at the same time.
To some extent, you need to think about the era you're modelling. For the 1950s and 60s, I like the ones I find a Wal-Mart in the toy section. (I never remember who makes those.) They're very nice little models for under $2. For the 1930s, I have a number of Jordan kits, and Athearn has been releasing a few "vintage" autos as well.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
jeffrey-wimberly I've gotten a lot of my best ones from Model Power and Boley.
He said BEST not CHEAP. Those are definatley not the best.
I would have to say...Preisser,Wiking, ER models, GHQ (even though you have to put them together). There are others.....
Most detailed HO vehicles are in the 10 to 20 dollar range and up. The cheap HO vehicles are normally under 10 dollars. Now that does'nt mean they're bad, its just they don't have the detail the more expensive models have. Some guys here even use matchbox 1/64 scale cars for their models Personally I would be embarrased.
I have a few wally world & Boley models myself, but I'm carefull where I place them. Prominent scenes have more detailed models. Here's a GHQ bobcat I just put together. It also came with an HO driver as well. Now these you have to paint and weather, but the detail is very good. If you don't want to paint and weather, then buy preiser or wiking or ER etc...
Did you ever buy that nice Atlas Gold line DCC RioGrand engine??? And what DCC system are you going to buy???
Wow that looks nice. I still havent bought the loco yet. I have bought however two Rio enclosed automobile carriers, and a Rio gondola. I like the handheld DCC system, it seems pretty mobile. I also was looking to see if i could find some layout kits that are ready to build.
Some things to consider in your placement of highly detailed items. Will the layout be used by young (children) operators? Mine is occasionally so I place the better detailed stuff toward the middle of the layout where they can't reach it. While Boley does have a lot of cheap poorly detailed stuff they also have more expensive highly detailed items and those are the ones I usually get. The Model Power vehicles I get are their top-end models and look quite good. There are some that I'm almost afraid to touch because the details can be easily damaged.
I saw some of the new (?) Athearn trucks and fire trucks at a show before the holidays and was very impressed. Priced just over $10 if I remember right, and excellent detail. I'm surprised the company has not featured them more in their advertising.
I would have to say Classic Metal Works they are HO Scale,whereas Boley are larger than HO.You get what you pay for.
My favorites are the Jordan Highway Miniatures, but I like to build things - I have no opinion about RTR vehicles. These little kits take me about 8 hours, but the results are what I'm looking for:
The kits cost about $10 and keep me entertained for 8+ hours, I consider it a good deal.
Phil, I'm not a rocket scientist; they are my students.
7793 Wow that looks nice. I still havent bought the loco yet. I have bought however two Rio enclosed automobile carriers, and a Rio gondola. I like the handheld DCC system, it seems pretty mobile. I also was looking to see if i could find some layout kits that are ready to build.
Since you're leaning towards the NCE Power cab, I'll let you know which one I purchased. In fact I did purchase the NCE just for the reason you described. It allows you to walk around within 7' of the plug. I made myself another longer cord, so I can move around even more. Someday I'll upgrade to an SBE power transformer and another panel, but for now this works fine for me in my 11X8 train room.
7793,
It depends what era you are modeling and whether you want RTR (ready to run) or kits. For kits, I like Sylvan Scale Models (resin) and Jordan Miniatures (Styrene). Course, those will be in the pre-60 eras. (ca. 1900 - 1955)
For RTR, Classic Metal Works makes some nice cars. There's a company that just came out in the past year or two (who's name escapes me), who makes some phenomenally detailed cars for ~$15. They look a lot like the Masterpiece Automotive Replicas that Atlas released this past year. (I wouldn't be surprised if it's not the same company.) I've also been pretty happy with the Athearn HO-scale autos.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
tstage There's a company that just came out in the past year or two (who's name escapes me), who makes some phenomenally detailed cars for ~$15. They look a lot like the Masterpiece Automotive Replicas that Atlas released this past year.
Probably Ricko
As mentioned, Boley's automobiles are overscale, but their modern trucks (IH/Navistars & GMC Topkicks) are pretty good and look reasonably scale - only problem is the grill on most of the models is simply a decal, so you really can't repaint them (I think one company did make replacement decals, not sure if they still do).
And another note, GHQ makes decals for their Bobcats - I brought the decals, but haven't gotten around to applying them yet (after only a mere 10 months or so...)
As other posters have mentioned--a lot of it depends on the era you're modeling. I'm modeling the WWII/Korean War era, so a great many of my vehicles come from Jordan, Classic Metal Works and Athearn. I have found some of the WS automobiles that I've been able to fit in, also, especially their late '40's and early '50's convertibles.
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Im goin with a more modern setup. Like from 1990's to early 2000
chutton01tstage There's a company that just came out in the past year or two (who's name escapes me), who makes some phenomenally detailed cars for ~$15. They look a lot like the Masterpiece Automotive Replicas that Atlas released this past year. Probably Ricko
Bingo! Thanks, chutton! If I had been home I could have checked.
shayfan84325 The kits cost about $10 and keep me entertained for 8+ hours, I consider it a good deal.
That's the spirit! Too often, people are afraid of the "extra effort" involved with kits. I too like to think of the "entertainment" value of a project instead.
I had a lot more fun painting and assembling the Jordan pickup on the right than I did buying the Athearn on the left.
Folks:
Budget has always been a big concern for me, so I have always been one of the heathens that used Matchbox cars. A lot of them are near HO, particularly the trucks. I use an advanced process of squinting to correct scale on those that aren't. A sawbuck is a lot of cash for something that small that is only decorative. I'd rather have an Accurail boxcar or another track switch, or ten close-enough toy cars. For a $9 savings, I can squint a lot.
At some point, since I'm now trying to stick with a mid-30s era, I may want to get into the Jordan cars and horse vehicles, or find some cheaper way to get them. In the past, I've made bathroom-caulking molds and cast cars in water putty from carved masters, which I might try.
I've also used some of Oddo's old plaster cars, obtained secondhand. These are quite nice...I should stop there next time I'm in Pgh. and see if they still make those.
Other cheap but usable cars I've found:
-Big Lots and other stores sell HO scale plastic military vehicles, sometimes on bubble cards, sometimes in playsets, that can be converted for civilian use.
-Dollar General sells "Transporter" sets for $1, including a nice though generic HO highway tractor, a fairly ugly trailer, and two HO scale plastic autos. Some sets have animals.
Drilinejeffrey-wimberly I've gotten a lot of my best ones from Model Power and Boley. He said BEST not CHEAP. Those are definatley not the best. I would have to say...Preisser,Wiking, ER models, GHQ (even though you have to put them together). There are others.....
Ditto on Preisser and Wiking
I've got all kinds of vehicles, maybe as many as I have rolling stock! Prefer the fancier ones that need to be assembled, see toy-like Matchbox ones on layouts just doesn't look right.
Here's a Kibri dozer with rip blades that I just assembled recently:
Bob Boudreau
CANADA
Visit my model railroad photography website: http://sites.google.com/site/railphotog/
Very nice job!!! I work for the county and this is what our dozer looks like between baths. But another kit manufacture I like is SHEEPSCOT they have some big cranes, construction equipment and trucks.
Depending upon the era will limit your use of vehicles. I am modeling the post WWII era, so a great many of my vehicles I acquire from Busch,Woodland Scenics, Classic Metal Works and Athearn. Last batch acquired was a half dozen Greyhound buses that were recently released by Classic Metal Works, coupled with the Walthers bus station they look great.
jeffrey-wimberlyjeffrey-wimberly I've gotten a lot of my best ones from Model Power and Boley. Note that I said 'my best ones', not 'the best ones'.
Don't even try to get out of this one...You blew it B.....
Autobus PrimeFolks: "Budget has always been a big concern for me, so I have always been one of the heathens that used Matchbox cars." A lot of them are near HO, particularly the trucks. I use an advanced process of squinting to correct scale on those that aren't. A sawbuck is a lot of cash for something that small that is only decorative. I'd rather have an Accurail boxcar or another track switch, or ten close-enough toy cars. For a $9 savings, I can squint a lot. At some point, since I'm now trying to stick with a mid-30s era, I may want to get into the Jordan cars and horse vehicles, or find some cheaper way to get them. In the past, I've made bathroom-caulking molds and cast cars in water putty from carved masters, which I might try. I've also used some of Oddo's old plaster cars, obtained secondhand. These are quite nice...I should stop there next time I'm in Pgh. and see if they still make those. Other cheap but usable cars I've found: -Big Lots and other stores sell HO scale plastic military vehicles, sometimes on bubble cards, sometimes in playsets, that can be converted for civilian use. -Dollar General sells "Transporter" sets for $1, including a nice though generic HO highway tractor, a fairly ugly trailer, and two HO scale plastic autos. Some sets have animals.
"Budget has always been a big concern for me, so I have always been one of the heathens that used Matchbox cars." A lot of them are near HO, particularly the trucks. I use an advanced process of squinting to correct scale on those that aren't. A sawbuck is a lot of cash for something that small that is only decorative. I'd rather have an Accurail boxcar or another track switch, or ten close-enough toy cars. For a $9 savings, I can squint a lot.
This thread isn't about CHEAP vehicles, its about the BEST vehicles used. You should start a CHEAP vehicle thread if you want to talk about that.
Small and decorative? Vehicles are a very important part of the illusion and should be treated as such. If you want a toy like layout then more power to ya, but if you want to create a true representation of the outside world, then most of us tend to use products that will realize that goal.
I could buy a "lifelike" $35 train set set at wal-mart, and then shop General Dollar or Big Lots for cheap plastic vehicles, and then use popsicle sticks to build my buildings and crayons to weather my engines and save lots a dough but....I mean....yuck
Unless your an extremely talented "Da Vinci" good luck.
Driline Autobus Prime Folks: "Budget has always been a big concern for me, so I have always been one of the heathens that used Matchbox cars." A lot of them are near HO, particularly the trucks. I use an advanced process of squinting to correct scale on those that aren't. A sawbuck is a lot of cash for something that small that is only decorative. I'd rather have an Accurail boxcar or another track switch, or ten close-enough toy cars. For a $9 savings, I can squint a lot. At some point, since I'm now trying to stick with a mid-30s era, I may want to get into the Jordan cars and horse vehicles, or find some cheaper way to get them. In the past, I've made bathroom-caulking molds and cast cars in water putty from carved masters, which I might try. I've also used some of Oddo's old plaster cars, obtained secondhand. These are quite nice...I should stop there next time I'm in Pgh. and see if they still make those. Other cheap but usable cars I've found: -Big Lots and other stores sell HO scale plastic military vehicles, sometimes on bubble cards, sometimes in playsets, that can be converted for civilian use. -Dollar General sells "Transporter" sets for $1, including a nice though generic HO highway tractor, a fairly ugly trailer, and two HO scale plastic autos. Some sets have animals. This thread isn't about CHEAP vehicles, its about the BEST vehicles used. You should start a CHEAP vehicle thread if you want to talk about that. Small and decorative? Vehicles are a very important part of the illusion and should be treated as such. If you want a toy like layout then more power to ya, but if you want to create a true representation of the outside world, then most of us tend to use products that will realize that goal. I could buy a "lifelike" $35 train set set at wal-mart, and then shop General Dollar or Big Lots for cheap plastic vehicles, and then use popsicle sticks to build my buildings and crayons to weather my engines and save lots a dough but....I mean....yuck Unless your an extremely talented "Da Vinci" good luck.
Autobus Prime Folks: "Budget has always been a big concern for me, so I have always been one of the heathens that used Matchbox cars." A lot of them are near HO, particularly the trucks. I use an advanced process of squinting to correct scale on those that aren't. A sawbuck is a lot of cash for something that small that is only decorative. I'd rather have an Accurail boxcar or another track switch, or ten close-enough toy cars. For a $9 savings, I can squint a lot. At some point, since I'm now trying to stick with a mid-30s era, I may want to get into the Jordan cars and horse vehicles, or find some cheaper way to get them. In the past, I've made bathroom-caulking molds and cast cars in water putty from carved masters, which I might try. I've also used some of Oddo's old plaster cars, obtained secondhand. These are quite nice...I should stop there next time I'm in Pgh. and see if they still make those. Other cheap but usable cars I've found: -Big Lots and other stores sell HO scale plastic military vehicles, sometimes on bubble cards, sometimes in playsets, that can be converted for civilian use. -Dollar General sells "Transporter" sets for $1, including a nice though generic HO highway tractor, a fairly ugly trailer, and two HO scale plastic autos. Some sets have animals.
I urge you to keep in mind that the term best is a matter of opinion. Also remember that cost is often a factor in determining what we select for our hobbies. I've seen pictures of some of Jeffery's vehicles and the AMC Gremlin and Pacer not only looked very credible, they made me smile. Your dressing down of Jeffery was uncalled for.
Hi!
I've got a number of Classic Metal Works HO vehicles of prototypes before 1960. For the money, they are pretty nice. You could dull cote them and add extra details to some of the trucks, but they are pretty good just out of the box.
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
shayfan84325 I urge you to keep in mind that the term best is a matter of opinion. Also remember that cost is often a factor in determining what we select for our hobbies. I've seen pictures of some of Jeffery's vehicles and the AMC Gremlin and Pacer not only looked very credible, they made me smile. Your dressing down of Jeffery was uncalled for.
I'll have to side with Driline on this one. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I ain't beholdin' too much with Wallyworld stuff for anything but poorly lit background vehicles.
shayfan84325Driline Autobus Prime Folks: "Budget has always been a big concern for me, so I have always been one of the heathens that used Matchbox cars." A lot of them are near HO, particularly the trucks. I use an advanced process of squinting to correct scale on those that aren't. A sawbuck is a lot of cash for something that small that is only decorative. I'd rather have an Accurail boxcar or another track switch, or ten close-enough toy cars. For a $9 savings, I can squint a lot. At some point, since I'm now trying to stick with a mid-30s era, I may want to get into the Jordan cars and horse vehicles, or find some cheaper way to get them. In the past, I've made bathroom-caulking molds and cast cars in water putty from carved masters, which I might try. I've also used some of Oddo's old plaster cars, obtained secondhand. These are quite nice...I should stop there next time I'm in Pgh. and see if they still make those. Other cheap but usable cars I've found: -Big Lots and other stores sell HO scale plastic military vehicles, sometimes on bubble cards, sometimes in playsets, that can be converted for civilian use. -Dollar General sells "Transporter" sets for $1, including a nice though generic HO highway tractor, a fairly ugly trailer, and two HO scale plastic autos. Some sets have animals. This thread isn't about CHEAP vehicles, its about the BEST vehicles used. You should start a CHEAP vehicle thread if you want to talk about that. Small and decorative? Vehicles are a very important part of the illusion and should be treated as such. If you want a toy like layout then more power to ya, but if you want to create a true representation of the outside world, then most of us tend to use products that will realize that goal. I could buy a "lifelike" $35 train set set at wal-mart, and then shop General Dollar or Big Lots for cheap plastic vehicles, and then use popsicle sticks to build my buildings and crayons to weather my engines and save lots a dough but....I mean....yuck Unless your an extremely talented "Da Vinci" good luck. I urge you to keep in mind that the term best is a matter of opinion. Also remember that cost is often a factor in determining what we select for our hobbies. I've seen pictures of some of Jeffery's vehicles and the AMC Gremlin and Pacer not only looked very credible, they made me smile. Your dressing down of Jeffery was uncalled for.
And I'll thank-you to to keep your own erroneous conclusions to yourself thank you very much. No one was dressed down. As a matter of fact I have the pacer too. Start your flamewar somewhere else..
BEHOLD! The grail of 1/87 vehicals...http://www.1-87vehicles.org/And a wealth of tips and tricks.http://www.87thscale.info/Tips%20&%20Tricks.htm
The new athearn offerings look fantastic. The semi trailers have fantastic detail.