Brakie, Lehigh Valley is looking for freight car kits from the 50s in N-Scale.
Not having been an N-Scaler I don't know if kits have ever been available in N-Scale. My brother-in- law is an N-Scaler and I remember looking for kits to build for him 10-15 years ago and not having much luck.
Also Brakie, you made a statement making me thing that the Branchline Yardmaster Series is now the Atlas Trainman Series, can anyone verify this?
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
NP2626Lehigh Valley 2089 By the way, while we are talking about car kits, are there any companies that produce 1950's era freight cars in kit form? Lehigh Valley, This is a list people here helped me come up with about this exact question: Abacus Model Works (Mixed media prototype scale model railway kits in HO). Accurail (I love this manufacturer, they have told me personally that they will continue to make kits) Alkem Scale Models (Laser cut freight car kits and detail parts, car kits are from the 1860s to 1890s). American Model Builders-Laser Kits (Out of the ordinary Wood Caboose Kits. There kits produce very fine caboose models) American Models (S-Scale & S-Hi-Rail model kits and RTR, a wide selection of products). Amesville Shops (Resin craftsman Kits of pre-1900s freight Cars). Bethlehem Car Works (Passenger Car Kits) Branchline By Atlas (Maybe the second widest selection of kits available. Some small parts that break easily. Branchline Passenger cars can be found at some of the auction sites [Ebay, etc.]) Central Valley Products (Has a very nice Northern Pacific Round roof Stock car Kit). C&BT Shops (Fairly easy to build, mostly box car kits). Crusader Rail Services (Handles craftsman kist from a few different manufacturers. Deerfield River Laser (Laser cut wood kits in 0 scale narrow gage). Durango Press (Now owned by JL Inovative, did have some HOn3 freight cars). English Model Railroad Products--Bowser (Bowser sells a nice selection of Freght Car Kits! Easy to build and nicely detailed.) ExactRail (ExactRail does offer some kits of their products. However, they sell their undecorated unpainted kits for the Exact same price as their RTR [ready to run] products?!? Funaro & Camerlengo Highly detailed resin unpainted/undecorated kits. I've never built a resin kit, so I can't speak to there difficulty). Hi Tech. Details (Make kits of Hy Cube Boxcars and detail parts). Intermountain Railway (Undecorated kits and RTR) JL Inovative Design (Detail parts, structures, line side details, etc.). Kadee Quality Products (Kadee offers undecorated; but, painted car kits of many of their Freight Car offerings and has hundreds of detail parts, wheels, trucks and of course probably the best couplers available to the modeler. Kasloshops (Canadian company with many products listed at http://www.central-hobbies.com/products/kasloshops.html#CMLW ). Labelle Woodworking (Wood Kits, mostly older truss rod type equipment, both feight and passenger) Moloco (An Austailian kit manufacture of two General American 50 foot box cars, caboose and freight car parts). Mount Blue Model Co. (Mostly On3, On30 caboose wood kits. NKP Car Company. (Prototypically correct passenger cars for many roads. Craftsman kits for experienced modelers, with brass car sides, plastic and resin parts. OK Engine Company (Passenger car kits and will even make car side per the buyers descriotion of window positions and other data). Precision Scale Company (As well as an importer of wonderful brass locomotives, the offer some kits in both HO, HOn3, O, On3 and large scale, both cars and locomotives). QConnection (HO scale Whale Belly Cement car and CB&Q Havelock Baggage/Express car [unsure of material construction] and structure kits. Also sell American Model Builders [Laser Kit] CB&Q Caboose kits). Rail Line (I could not find a website for this manufacturer; however, they are advertized in the Walther's Catalog as a producer of quality narrow gage plastic kits. Red Caboose (Undecorated/unpainted freight car kits) Rib Side Cars (CMSt.P & P, Milwaukee Road 40 & 50 foot Rib Sided steel boxcars with decals for road numbers. Middle as far as difficulty). Rio Grande Models (HO, HOn3, On3 On30, Sn3 model craftsman's kits with laser cut and cast metal parts). Silver Crash Car Works (Resin pre-1900 craftsman kits). Southern Car & Foundry (Manufacture passenger cars, tank cars and box cars in both HO and O scales, fairly expensive). State Tool & Die (Steel industry hot metal cars,Ingot mold car, Universail Mill cars for steel mills and some structure kits). Sunshine Models (Another producer of high quality/highly detailed resin kits. Tichy Train Group (Nice selection of out of the ordinary and ordinary Freight Car Kits) Treasure Trove (HOn3 Trucks, Passenger and Freight cars kits). Trout Creek Engineering (HOn3 freight and caboose craftsman kits in wood, styrene with metal detail parts). Westerfield (Another resin kit manufacturer, extensive list of kits). Wrighttrak (Resin kits Freight cars and cabooses, loved there sales position: Our models are not "ready to run" because we feel each model should be built and painted by the modeler according to their specifications. We also feel that a hobby should be "hands on" for enjoyment and to be able to say "I built that". A hobby is an activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure or relaxation, often in one's spare time. Personal fulfillment is the aim! Ye Olde Huff & Puff (Wood Kits, older steam up to transition era freight cars and Cabooses from Silver Streak, Mainline Models, Sugar Pine Models and AC Models) Decals by Jerry Glow: http://home.comcast.net/~jerryglow/decals/full.html
Lehigh Valley 2089 By the way, while we are talking about car kits, are there any companies that produce 1950's era freight cars in kit form?
By the way, while we are talking about car kits, are there any companies that produce 1950's era freight cars in kit form?
Lehigh Valley,
This is a list people here helped me come up with about this exact question:
Abacus Model Works (Mixed media prototype scale model railway kits in HO).
Accurail (I love this manufacturer, they have told me personally that they will continue to make kits)
Alkem Scale Models (Laser cut freight car kits and detail parts, car kits are from the 1860s to 1890s).
American Model Builders-Laser Kits (Out of the ordinary Wood Caboose Kits. There kits produce very fine caboose models)
American Models (S-Scale & S-Hi-Rail model kits and RTR, a wide selection of products).
Amesville Shops (Resin craftsman Kits of pre-1900s freight Cars).
Bethlehem Car Works (Passenger Car Kits)
Branchline By Atlas (Maybe the second widest selection of kits available. Some small parts that break easily. Branchline Passenger cars can be found at some of the auction sites [Ebay, etc.])
Central Valley Products (Has a very nice Northern Pacific Round roof Stock car Kit).
C&BT Shops (Fairly easy to build, mostly box car kits).
Crusader Rail Services (Handles craftsman kist from a few different manufacturers.
Deerfield River Laser (Laser cut wood kits in 0 scale narrow gage).
Durango Press (Now owned by JL Inovative, did have some HOn3 freight cars).
English Model Railroad Products--Bowser (Bowser sells a nice selection of Freght Car Kits! Easy to build and nicely detailed.)
ExactRail (ExactRail does offer some kits of their products. However, they sell their undecorated unpainted kits for the Exact same price as their RTR [ready to run] products?!?
Funaro & Camerlengo Highly detailed resin unpainted/undecorated kits. I've never built a resin kit, so I can't speak to there difficulty).
Hi Tech. Details (Make kits of Hy Cube Boxcars and detail parts).
Intermountain Railway (Undecorated kits and RTR)
JL Inovative Design (Detail parts, structures, line side details, etc.).
Kadee Quality Products (Kadee offers undecorated; but, painted car kits of many of their Freight Car offerings and has hundreds of detail parts, wheels, trucks and of course probably the best couplers available to the modeler.
Kasloshops (Canadian company with many products listed at http://www.central-hobbies.com/products/kasloshops.html#CMLW ).
Labelle Woodworking (Wood Kits, mostly older truss rod type equipment, both feight and passenger)
Moloco (An Austailian kit manufacture of two General American 50 foot box cars, caboose and freight car parts).
Mount Blue Model Co. (Mostly On3, On30 caboose wood kits.
NKP Car Company. (Prototypically correct passenger cars for many roads. Craftsman kits for experienced modelers, with brass car sides, plastic and resin parts.
OK Engine Company (Passenger car kits and will even make car side per the buyers descriotion of window positions and other data).
Precision Scale Company (As well as an importer of wonderful brass locomotives, the offer some kits in both HO, HOn3, O, On3 and large scale, both cars and locomotives).
QConnection (HO scale Whale Belly Cement car and CB&Q Havelock Baggage/Express car [unsure of material construction] and structure kits. Also sell American Model Builders [Laser Kit] CB&Q Caboose kits).
Rail Line (I could not find a website for this manufacturer; however, they are advertized in the Walther's Catalog as a producer of quality narrow gage plastic kits.
Red Caboose (Undecorated/unpainted freight car kits)
Rib Side Cars (CMSt.P & P, Milwaukee Road 40 & 50 foot Rib Sided steel boxcars with decals for road numbers. Middle as far as difficulty).
Rio Grande Models (HO, HOn3, On3 On30, Sn3 model craftsman's kits with laser cut and cast metal parts).
Silver Crash Car Works (Resin pre-1900 craftsman kits).
Southern Car & Foundry (Manufacture passenger cars, tank cars and box cars in both HO and O scales, fairly expensive).
State Tool & Die (Steel industry hot metal cars,Ingot mold car, Universail Mill cars for steel mills and some structure kits).
Sunshine Models (Another producer of high quality/highly detailed resin kits.
Tichy Train Group (Nice selection of out of the ordinary and ordinary Freight Car Kits)
Treasure Trove (HOn3 Trucks, Passenger and Freight cars kits).
Trout Creek Engineering (HOn3 freight and caboose craftsman kits in wood, styrene with metal detail parts).
Westerfield (Another resin kit manufacturer, extensive list of kits).
Wrighttrak (Resin kits Freight cars and cabooses, loved there sales position: Our models are not "ready to run" because we feel each model should be built and painted by the modeler according to their specifications. We also feel that a hobby should be "hands on" for enjoyment and to be able to say "I built that". A hobby is an activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure or relaxation, often in one's spare time. Personal fulfillment is the aim!
Ye Olde Huff & Puff (Wood Kits, older steam up to transition era freight cars and Cabooses from Silver Streak, Mainline Models, Sugar Pine Models and AC Models)
Decals by Jerry Glow:
http://home.comcast.net/~jerryglow/decals/full.html
Modelling HO Scale with a focus on the West and Midwest USA
Thanks for the correction Alex, the data base has been corrected to show the change which appears to have taken place back in 1999!
NP2626Thanks for the correction Alexstan, the data base has been corrected to show the change which appears to have taken place back in 1999!
Thanks for the correction Alexstan, the data base has been corrected to show the change which appears to have taken place back in 1999!
NP2626 Also Brakie, you made a statement making me thing that the Branchline Yardmaster Series is now the Atlas Trainman Series, can anyone verify this?
See page 2..I posted a picture and UP in CT posted a link to Atlas.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/213208.aspx?sort=ASC&pi314=2
As far as N Scale kits good luck..There may be a few undecs kits but,N is primary a RTR scale with a required change out of trucks and couplers for most brands..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
NP2626 Brakie, Lehigh Valley is looking for freight car kits from the 50s in N-Scale. Not having been an N-Scaler I don't know if kits have ever been available in N-Scale. My brother-in- law is an N-Scaler and I remember looking for kits to build for him 10-15 years ago and not having much luck. Also Brakie, you made a statement making me thing that the Branchline Yardmaster Series is now the Atlas Trainman Series, can anyone verify this?
Obviously I'm going to have to do some real hard searching to find what I want. Just hope I can find some really good kits for not too much money.
The Lehigh Valley Railroad, the Route of the Black Diamond Express, John Wilkes and Maple Leaf.
-Jake, modeling the Barclay, Towanda & Susquehanna.
Brakie, I don't know how important this is however, simply pointing to the Atlas Trainman series and stating that it is the old Branchline Yardmaster series doesn't prove your contention that they are. Logically, it sort of makes sense; but, I can see no statement from Atlas stating this as fact. However, these cars are kits, so thanks for pointing this out! They will be added to my list of kit manufacturers.
NP2626, send Atlas an email. They are very good at responding.
Rich
Alton Junction
NP2626 Brakie, I don't know how important this is however, simply pointing to the Atlas Trainman series and stating that it is the old Branchline Yardmaster series doesn't prove your contention that they are. Logically, it sort of makes sense; but, I can see no statement from Atlas stating this as fact. However, these cars are kits, so thanks for pointing this out! They will be added to my list of kit manufacturers.
Having built several of these kits I will assure you they are..
They are slightly different from most kits since you need to glue the ends and roof on.Still they are very nice cars..I think you will like them.
As far as gluing the roof I found 2-3 rubber bands is needed to hold the roof in place.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Atlas-Trainman-HO-2-Bay-Box-Car-Kit-PLE-p/atl-21000024.htm
NP2626,
http://www.atlasrr.com/News/branchline.htm
March 1st, 2011Atlas Purchases Branchline Rolling Stock AssetsAtlas Model Railroad Co. Inc., Hillside, NJ and Branchline Trains Inc., East Hartford, CT have formally announced the sale of all Branchline rolling stock assets, including molds, inventory and other items to Atlas, effective today. Branchline Trains, started in 1998 produced the HO Blueprint Series, freight car kits; passenger car kits detail parts, and Yardmaster freight car kits. Select Series cars were also produced in ready to run models. Branchline Trains will continue and expand both their multi-scale Laser Art Structures and model railroad distribution business. New laser art brick structures and backdrop buildings are planned for release in the near future.Marilyn Krutt, President, Branchline Trains said, “Atlas is well-suited to take over the production and distribution of the former Branchline rolling stock. Branchline and Atlas are both family based businesses and we know that Atlas will provide well for current and future customers.”Atlas, founded in Newark, NJ 85+ years ago, has been a model railroad company for the past 60+ years specializing in N, HO and O scale track, freight cars, locomotives and accessories. Diane Schaffan Haedrich, Atlas President and granddaughter of company founder Stephan J. Schaffan Sr. said, “Atlas is pleased to have the opportunity to bring this fine line of HO scale trains into the Atlas rolling stock family of products.” Atlas plans to integrate both ready to run and kits into Atlas packaged rolling stock lines. Atlas will also continue to offer a complete line of HO wheel sets, trucks and freight car detail parts.Branchline Trains will honor existing warranties until the end of 2011, at which time customers will begin to work with Atlas. Atlas will begin to offer limited availability existing Branchline in-stock kits to Atlas distributors in March 2011. New and re-run previous Branchline based products will be announced and distributed by Atlas throughout the second half of 2011.
From the old Atlas Forum:2011 March 03
Paul A. Cutler III
Lehigh Valley 2089 Oh, sorry. I was wondering if there were cars of that era from the 50's time frame in N scale.
Oh, sorry. I was wondering if there were cars of that era from the 50's time frame in N scale.
Apparently you not only want '50s-era cars, but car kits in N scale. These are rare. Intermountain made kits for a number of their N scale '50s-era freight cars in years past. These are easily found on eBay and a few may still be at hobby shops. A few N scale kits are still found on Intermountain's web site, but they seem to be winding down the kits. There have been other manufacturers offering N scale kits in the past; these often turn up, unbuilt, on eBay.
The idea that kits should always be much cheaper than assembled cars is a left-over concept from the 1960s or so. The cost of tooling models so that the modeler can build them (as opposed to a modern assembly-line) is substantial, as well as the costs of providing instructions, customer service, etc. This has been explained to me first-hand by a manufacturer and he had no reason to be untruthful.
So those who really want to build kits may do so, but they won't save a lot of money for their effort.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Sometimes you just have to go with what's available. If you don't like painting your own or scratch building, then skip the obscure railroad from yesteryear...model the present day UP, and enjoy. The more mainstream you make your layout, the easier it will become to populate your layout with models that are readily available in stores.
Ulrich Sometimes you just have to go with what's available. If you don't like painting your own or scratch building, then skip the obscure railroad from yesteryear...model the present day UP, and enjoy. The more mainstream you make your layout, the easier it will become to populate your layout with models that are readily available in stores.
Well, there are plenty of locomotives that I would like to run that are decorated for the Lehigh Valley and I decorate and patch-out the rest. I would like to have some cars that come from kits for that little bit of variety. Nice to know that they at least exist, will be checking eBay more often now. Thank you!
Ulrich, I find researchg my chosen fallen flag (Northern Pacific) to be every bit as fun as building the car kits I can find; or, building my layout!
I literally have no interest in modern railroads; although when a BNSF freight passes by when driving, I always look at the train.
Apropos building from kits, some years ago there was an article (in Car and Driver, IIRC) about how much it would cost to build a VW Beetle from spare parts. That was over 40 years ago and back then a Beetle retailed for about $2500. Building your own would have cost you something over $12,000 (parts only, never mind the tools you might need). Then, again, a VW Beetle has a lot more parts than, say, an Athearn BB boxcar.
I decided to see how much it would cost to build an Athearn 1950's 40' boxcar from parts. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find a listing for the body shell or the weight, but I did find most parts. So here's a (partial) list.
Betterndorf trucks: 5.98/pair
Underframe: 3.98
Door guides: 6.98/12 (or about 1.16/pair).
Doors: 3.98/6 (about 1.33/pair)
Roofwallk: 3.98/3 (1.33/each)
Brakewheel: 3.98/6 ( .66/each)
I did find top and end casting for a 40' reefer at $2.98, so let's assume we can get a full boxcar body for $3.98 and a metal weight for a $1.
So far, using the calculator, I've got $19.42 without couplers, paint or decals. A pack of 2 pairs of couplers will cost you $3.19 (plus shipping) at MB Klein. So that's $1.60 for a pair and we're up to $21.00. We won't bother costing out paint and decals, because there'd be a wide variance depending on the road name (an NYC Pacemaker car is going to cost you more than a simple boxcar red car).
$21 compared to the cost of a RTR car (with the caveat that the partsbuilt car won't be decorated). The closest thing I could find from MB Klein was an Athearn 40' modern boxcar with a price of $14.99 (MSRP of $19.98). So the price difference between the RTR boxcar and the parts built boxcar is a lot more favorable than trying to build a late 1960's VW Beetle from spare parts.
There is another solution (if you're willing to move to China and work in a factory) and that's to get your modeling done the way Johnny Cash built his own car. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWHniL8MyMM You could even get Genesis items that way.
Sorry ' bout that. I saw the thread and couldn't resist.
Andre
Andre,The last BB kit I bought was $5.95..Now that same car is $18.98 and still has a thick out of scale roof walk..
My point?
It always cost more to build a car or locomotive by using R&R parts..
In the end this all boils down to what it is that we want to do in this hobby. I want kits and will not be buying much in the way of RTR equipment and absolutly will not buy any pre-built structures!
You can listen to as many explainations from the manufacturers about why they charge what they charge for something, as you want. It's still boils down to what a willing buyer is willing to pay a willing seller.
Like I've said before, I'll pay $50.00 for a wood caboose kit. I get around 20-30 hours of enjoyment putting it together, painting, detailing and decaling it. In the end I have something I built and have a certain amount of pride in. I get no pride from simply buying something and ploping it down on the rails.
NP2626 I get no pride from simply buying something a ploping it down on the rails.
Actually one needs to paint the wheel face,trucks and change out couplers to KD if the car doesn't come KD equipped..Then there's the matter of weathering the cars so,IMHO we went from building kits to touch up,changing couplers and weathering..
Kind of a odd trade off I think?
BTW.The last wooden caboose kit I built was a Mainline Models PRR N6B..This kit took me about 4 hours to build.
BRAKIE Andre,The last BB kit I bought was $5.95..Now that same car is $18.98 and still has a thick out of scale roof walk.. My point? It always cost more to build a car or locomotive by using R&R parts..
Like I've said before, I'll pay $50.00 for a wood caboose kit.
That's all well and good, but you're an anomaly, given the history on this site of people wailing and gnashing their teeth about prices. Of course, people complaining about prices are invariably complaining about the prices of RTR items. When you point out that, say, a Bethelehem Car Works passenger car kit (sans truicks) is about the same price as a Walthers RTR passenger car, they're remarkably silent.
If DJH quality steam locomotive kits of North American prototypes were available, they'd be priced north of $500 and would be remarkable both for their prototype fidelity and the incredible amount of dust that would collect on the kit boxes during the decades they would sit on the shelf.
Now finally the truth! Look at the price of plastic kits in comparison to RTR, which is cheaper?
NP2626 Now finally the truth! Look at the price of plastic kits in comparison to RTR, which is cheaper?
Don't compare all generic car kits or generic RTR cars with the prototypical correct RTR cars that is available.
There is no logical way to compare these cars to the old Athearn,Accurail and MDC generic kit cars.
Even trying to compare the upgraded cars with their old kit counter parts is near impossible.
andrechapelon ... If DJH quality steam locomotive kits of North American prototypes were available, they'd be priced north of $500 and would be remarkable both for their prototype fidelity and the incredible amount of dust that would collect on the kit boxes during the decades they would sit on the shelf. Andre
...
They are. B.T.S.
Enjoy
Paul
BRAKIE NP2626 Now finally the truth! Look at the price of plastic kits in comparison to RTR, which is cheaper? Don't compare all generic car kits or generic RTR cars with the prototypical correct RTR cars that is available. There is no logical way to compare these cars to the old Athearn,Accurail and MDC generic kit cars. Even trying to compare the upgraded cars with their old kit counter parts is near impossible.
Where do you come up with these ideas? I can comapare what I want, when I want. Personally, I don't give a rat's patoot about prototyipcally correct cars one bit, never have! I am also unwilling to pay the money you guys are so willing to part with for these prototypically correct cars. I have one opinion on all this, if it looks like a freight car that I can use on my layout, I'm happy. If it don't have enough panels; or, rivits; or, the roof panels are all wrong, I personally don't care!
Maybe there isn't enough high priced, prototypically correct cars for all you guys who want them to go around? To bad, so sad!
NP2626 Maybe there isn't enough high priced, prototypically correct cars for all you guys who want them to go around? To bad, so sad!
Actually 80% of my cars are BB and MDC..Those are my club cars..The other 20% is the better detailed cars I will be using on my layout when I get it built.For the record I still like my BB GP7s.
If I change eras then I will learn toward Accurail and Atlas Trainman kits since they fit the '50s.
-----------------------------
I can comapare what I want, when I want.
--------------------------------
All I'm saying is don't lump all RTR cars in the same pile since there are several types from little detailed cars like Trainman to the higher detailed prototypical correct cars like Atlas and Tangent.
Even Athearn has 4 types of RTR cars..
I should make this clear, I'm not trying to bash anyone's view point here, just making a point.
I know that I am just barging in here, but please stop getting at each other's throats about prices and detailed cars VS less detailed cars. Point is, if one is happy with a car, good for them. If one is willing to pay $100.00 for a car that they have been looking for long and hard, that's okay, but we don't need to get into a fight about it.
After all, model railroading is a hobby that should be about having fun with what we want to have fun with. I like running realistic N scale models through a river valley (too small for good accuracy, as argued by some). However, I also love collecting and operating postwar Lionel trains (isn't realistic, why bother with them, says others). Again, if one is happy with how they are enjoying the hobby, then that's fine with me.
Again, just stating a point, not trying to bash anyone here. If you take this the wrong way, well, I am really sorry.
I like RTR and with the time i have Kits just take too long to build.Talking about older stock the old MDC cars like the ABOX and FMC boxcars can't compete with what Athearn did with them to look better,what about the ballest hoppers the new one's is great.And about 50 dollar plus freight cars the Springs Mills Can Stock i had to have,remember when they first hit the rails and that was Seaboard Coast Line days.
Russell
i agree with mr cutlers last sentence. that is still possible today.you can still purchase a locomotive on e bay at a reasonble price and strip the paint off and repaint and decal to your railroad of preference. john
Brakie, what am I supposed to do with your comment about it only taking you four hours to build a wood caboose kit? Am I supposed to be impressed and in aah of you building prowess? Not going to happen! I enjoy the process and savor every moment of building a nice model.
Also, you keep going back to the Athearn Blue Box kits. It's my understanding that Athearn stopped making these, that they are no longer available from Athearn and haven't been for a decade; or, more! Yes, they can be found in dwindling numbers on Ebay and at Train shows. Before Athearn stopped making them, I sold most of my Athearn Blue Box freight cars on Ebay and moved on to better kits like Accurail, Branchline, Proto 2000, Intermountain and Red caboose kits.
My interest is not bringing Athearn Blue Box Kits back. My interest here is keeping those manufacturers who are still producing kits, continuing to produce kits! Believe me, these manufacturers are extremely interested in my satisfaction with there products. If you don't like the fact that Athearn is always sold out, stop buying their products!
Maybe this thread should get back to it's O.P.'s intent which is Athearn's products always being out of stock. I've been to their website, most of what they show as products they produce, is sold out! This begs the question: If the products you show as being for sale are sold out, are they actually for sale?
Now I'll get a lecture from some of you collage boys about economics in today's market. Save your breath!
NP2626 Brakie, what am I supposed to do with your comment about it only taking you four hours to build a wood caboose kit? Am I supposed to be impressed and in aah of you building prowess? Not going to happen! I enjoy the process and savor every moment of building a nice model.
Nope..Just stating the fact that I use to build wooden kits-4 hours was about right for a Mainline Model caboose kit before painting the roof,ladders,railings and grabs.
I suppose today it may take me longer since my fingers isn't as nimble as they was when I was young..