Some people's Mommas, didn't teach them very good manners.
May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails
kcole4001Everyone's bar is at a different level, though this level is subject to change at any moment.
I couldn't agree more and I can attest to the statement of change. My level has increased. We'll see how far!
But back to the OP's question. The 1/87 Hot Wheels are packaged differently than the regular H.W. (a box) and they have "1/87 scale" on the package. The regular ones do not. WalMart also carries, off and on, Malibu Classic cars often for $1.00. Their selection is dismal, but occasionally they will get in a load of different ones but still usually only one or two styles. Of course that is at my local Wal Mart. I've also picked up a couple of M.C. semi truck tractors for less than $5.00 ea. If I remember correctly they were $3.99?. (prices subject to change taxes not included. May not be available in Alaska and Hawaii. Subject to availability in Canada.)
Todd
Central Illinoyz
In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.
I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk.
Has anyone ever considered modifying a Hot Wheels or Matchbox car?
I bet if you take one apart and use thinner window glazing, change the tires and weather it, you could make one of those look pretty good and probably save yourself some $ in the process. I know that it's no fun to strip paint, but I think the main problem with using toy cars is the paint jobs are unrealisticly thick and gaudy. Remember, they're made to create interest and withstand some abuse by a child.
As for the scale proportions, yeah they're bigger, but if strategically placed, I bet 75% of the general population wouldn't even notice. 20% would notice and wouldn't care, and the last 5% are rivet counters who are under the impression that model railroads only appear in print and should always be viewed from no further than 2 feet away with a magnifying glass in hand.
I think this would be a great how-to article in MR. Not everything has to be purchased and placed on the layout right out of the box to look convincing.
challenger3980Some people's Mommas, didn't teach them very good manners.
Off topic. Please answer the original posters question.
Replacing wheels would be the biggest improvement. Shouldn't be all that hard to so, once a source for decent wheels is found.
Set the stage with them in the background and the more expensive models such as Jordans in the foreground and you're good to go.
As already posted, an empty layout looks less realistic than one populated with less than totally realistic vehicles. I agree. We all have to make compromises at times.
I am modelling the 1930s so I have little to choose from except the models such as Jordan sells, but for modern and recent eras there's plenty of variety out there. Jordans seem to run between $6 and $9 US for the most part for the 1920-1940 era vehicles, so I have a very long way to go on a very limited budget.
I'll set my own bar pretty high, and whether or not I can reach that with the time, money, patience, and talent I've got remains to be seen.
If a picture is worth a thousand words.......
$3.50 Hotwheels VW Bug vs $9.60 Wiking VW Bug
$25 (99cents if you 50 years old and happen to keep your matchbox cars around that long ) Matchbox regular wheels police car vs $12 Busch police car
Even using the older matchbox regular wheel vehicles from the 60's, its not even close. Spending time repainting and putting different wheels on it would give it a Frankenstein look IMHO.
Driline Ibflattop Drill. Ya got any pics of the Train club ya belong to or a website? Just cell phone pics. I'll take some decent ones next week. A few years ago Model Railroader was going to run a picture spread and article on their layout. It didn't happen for a variety of reasons, but if their layout was good enough for MR...........
Ibflattop Drill. Ya got any pics of the Train club ya belong to or a website?
Drill.
Ya got any pics of the Train club ya belong to or a website?
Just cell phone pics. I'll take some decent ones next week. A few years ago Model Railroader was going to run a picture spread and article on their layout. It didn't happen for a variety of reasons, but if their layout was good enough for MR...........
And that was which edition of MR? Oh it wasn't, in MR. maybe it wasn't good enough after all.
accatenary Im not embarassed about matchbox cars on my layout. id be more embarrased with empty streets.
That's fine for you, but I'm building a scale model railroad, and after spending time to get the track, trains, scenery, details and structures right, I don't want to suddenly start using out-of-scale toys just because they're cheaper or easier to find.
But then, I didn't use Tyco trains or Plasticville structures, either.
Midnight RailroaderBut then, I didn't use Tyco trains or Plasticville structures, either.
LOL. You hit the nail on the head. I couldn't agree with you more.
Driline Midnight RailroaderBut then, I didn't use Tyco trains or Plasticville structures, either. LOL. You hit the nail on the head. I couldn't agree with you more.
I'd rather get the proper things that are needed first than spend the money on dollar store stuff---then have to get the right things after the fact
If you factor in the time spent and the money on gas spent etc on getting the 'el cheapo' products you really would've been better off just taking the time----
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
blownout cylinderI'd rather get the proper things that are needed first than spend the money on dollar store stuff---then have to get the right things after the fact If you factor in the time spent and the money on gas spent etc on getting the 'el cheapo' products you really would've been better off just taking the time----
I don't quite understand what you are saying. Do you mean its better to save your money and get quality stuff first?
Driline blownout cylinder I'd rather get the proper things that are needed first than spend the money on dollar store stuff---then have to get the right things after the fact If you factor in the time spent and the money on gas spent etc on getting the 'el cheapo' products you really would've been better off just taking the time---- I don't quite understand what you are saying. Do you mean its better to save your money and get quality stuff first?
blownout cylinder I'd rather get the proper things that are needed first than spend the money on dollar store stuff---then have to get the right things after the fact If you factor in the time spent and the money on gas spent etc on getting the 'el cheapo' products you really would've been better off just taking the time----
My writing skills went South---You got the meaning though
Before we degrade this post into a "should you or shouldn't you and why you should or shouldn't" maybe we should re read the posters question.
KyleManAre Matchbox/Hot Wheels Cars HO Scale (1/87)? What is a good way to tell if they are to the right scale before purchasing any?
It soiunds to me as if he doesn't intend on using them unless they are scale. Hence the last sentance.
It has all been said. Time to move on.
-Crandell