I have looked and didn't see anything elsewhere in the forums. So I will ask. I was wondering if specific road names go in and out of production over time. Specifically I am interested in D&RGW. 12 years ago I started a layout and wanted to model D&RGW and it seemed HO models were fairly readily available. Now that I am finally able to start up again it seems alot of stuff is discontinued. Was just wondering if this would get worse or will there be items coming and going all the time.
Thanks for any info.
to the forum
There are a huge number of road names that they could model. I'm sure they must have historical records of what sells better. Maybe Santa Fe sells better than B&O which is better than WM which is better than ACL.
They do a run of a half a dozen road names and I'll bet 4 are top sellers and 2 are the less popular RR's. Then you have the problem of modern vs vintage equipment. Some manufacturers are just doing modern equipment.
GG-1's and heavyweight passagenger cars will be as rare as Civil War rolling stock in my childeren and grandchildren's lifetime.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I've snapped up quite a few Milwaukee cars over the years, mostly as bargains presented themselves. Just keep looking.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
12 Years ago the manufacturer's (actually importers) delivered many more units either cars or locomotives without any pre-ordering. It today's world if you don't pre-order you won't get it. Although you may pickup that model at a train show or on E-bay. Nobody carries stock anymore unless it is in a region where that roadname sells, lets say Denver-Pueblo-Salt Lake City Triangle for the Rio Grande, or a large internet provider and even they have limited inventory anymore.
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
Makes sense on the upside D&RGW's paint scheme is about as easy as it gets. Found some good decal sheets.
So I went directly to my two preffered online retailers; MB Klein/ModelTrainStuff and TrainLife. A quick search of Rio Grande shows all the products both stores have available, and its pretty common with what I have seen previously. A few SD40T-2 options (that is going to explode once ScaleTrain's SD40T-2 enters the market), a few GP variants, HOn3 equipment, a few ALCO's, coal hoppers of different types, and some various streamliner passenger cars. I also remember Walthers announcing plans for a Rio Grande SW1200, and Athearn has some upcoming Rio Grande GP40-2's, gondolas, and metal cabooses in Rio Grande paint.If there is anything lacking, it would be representation of standard gauge Rio Grande steam. I think the only standard gauge Rio Grande steam I have ever seen in ready to run plastic is an ALCO Challenger, and in part because its a paint scheme variant of the ever popular UP Challenger locomotives. I'd also point out some very iconic Rio Grande locomotive types such as a GP30 or any type of F-Unit are lacking on the market right now (not to say those haven't been made in the past, just saying they don't seem to be in current production).
But for the most part, if you are aiming for sort of a mid diesel era Rio Grande, most of the bases are covered right now. If you want narrow gauge stuff Blackstone Models' HOn3 and other brand's On30 stuff has that covered.
Is the current market stuff a complete representation of the line as you want to model it? That's really for you to decide... Keep an eye on the market, what might be retired and out of production right now will likely return to shelves in a few years time. Or bite the bullet and start searching eBay and train shows to buy used models if you don't want to wait for a manufacturer to remake a model you need. Not to mention, but the Rio Grande had a few neighbors in its route; Western Pacific, Southern Pacific and Utah Railway on the west end; Burlington Northern, ATSF, and Rock Island to the east; and Union Pacific butting both ends of the Rio Grande as their main competition. Maybe dabble in a bit of stuff from those other lines to represent run through power or the area competitors. If you pick post-merger eras, you can have large chunks of Southern Pacific and later on Union Pacific power mixing with Rio Grande power; since it wasn't until the mid-2000's that most Rio Grande branded locomotives were repainted or retired; meaning much of the 90's was a rainbow of UP-SP-DRGW colors with a dash of the emerging BNSF.
Try reaching out to the Rio Grande modeling community to... The Rio Grande Modeling and Historic Society has an organized group, a periodical magazine, and a Facebook group that would cover a lot of your needs. Or get on the Utah Rail Modelers group since it seems 90% of railroad modelers in my state are obsessed with the Rio Grande. Get on Flickr and browse the countless photos of the line from various photographers, etc. Just reach out to the right people and they will probably point you the way you need to go.
Hi there. Welcome! Athearn just announced today a GP40-2 in Rio Grande. Its a very popular road. as one of the other posters stated, the two big online guys have the road. Train shows are also a good place to find the road you want..
Good luck!
Neal
Walthers currently lists 66 HO scale D&RGW freight cars. Some are in stock, some are items announced for future shipment, a couple are special order, and some are just out of stock
https://www.walthers.com/products/trains/freight-cars/scale/ho-scale/road-name/denver-+-rio-grande-western/mode/list/show/120?match=AND
The in stock ones are probably available at discount prices from other online stores like Model Trainstuff/MB Klien
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
As has been meentioned, the key here is understanding the pre-order system, but I'll add some Rio Grande-specifics.
The Rio Grande is a roadname that regularly sells out. What is produced is largely based on pre-orders now, but because it's popular larger stores who do carry some inventory will often stock a few. Problem is when something is released in Rio Grande, those who didn't or won't pre-order scarmblle to locate and buy the units not already spoken for. Good luck getting it after that. The online auction market will have some examples, but sellers there understand the advantage that scarcity gives them. Keep that in mind and keep an eye on product announcements then order from a reliable dealer if you want to be sure you get something Rio Grande.
A good way to hunt for older Rio Grande releases is to enter it as a search in Ebay, then it will email you when someone lists something you need. Be patient, almost everything shows up eventually.
Another help is to join the .io groups Rio Grande list. People may have what you're looking for or you may find tips on where to look.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Wow. Got some good info for retailers I hadn't visited before. Thanks for all the help everyone.
Can't thank you enough for all this great information. Thanks alot.
Lots of good thoughts here. I'll add one. Take the long view. If you're like most of us, then you'll be in the hobby a long time. Over time, many models will come and go. If you have good idea (a list even) of what you want/need and buy it whenever you have the chance, eventually you'll have most of what you want.
A couple of caveats here. Obscure lines will have very little if any. Odd eras like the 1890's won't have much either. Scales other than HO will have less.
If you're willing to repaint and decal and are in the diesel era, most models are available over time. Same for freight cars and passenger cars.
Good luck
Paul
To expound on what others have posted, Athearn is on their third or fourth release of the D&RGW SD40T-2s. The coming release of GP40-2s will be the second release of that model in the Genesis line. Athearn seems partial to western lines and is wise enough to re-run what sells so, if you miss out on an item and it's more than an obscure prototype, there is a good chance it may reappear at some point in the future--just keep your eyes open and money ready.
mlehman The Rio Grande is a roadname that regularly sells out.
The Rio Grande is a roadname that regularly sells out.
NHTX To expound on what others have posted, Athearn is on their third or fourth release of the D&RGW SD40T-2s. --just keep your eyes open and money ready.
To expound on what others have posted, Athearn is on their third or fourth release of the D&RGW SD40T-2s. --just keep your eyes open and money ready.
Try 8 runs to date.
Being a Rio Grande fan since the mid 1980's it was great when Athearn upgraded their old blue box SD40T-2 and started releasing them in 2007. I've bought from every run but have back dated to pre 1985 so I have sold most of my post 1986 versions except for a couple so far. Still have a couple to sell.
Here are the runs and road numbers Athearn had produced so far.
First run: 5357, 5362, 5371 plus RGM&HS unnumbered version. Represented D&RGW 2nd order but post 1985 with PTC cabinet
Second run: 5399, 5301, 5411 no PTC cabinet
Third run: 5342, 5348, 5351 number 5342 came with PTC
Fourth run: 5374, 5377, 5384 As delivered, no PTC cabinet
Fifth run: 5347, 5355, 5368 As delivered, no PTC cabinet
Sixth run: 5398, 5405, 5412 Post 1986 with PTC cabinet
Seventh run: 5341, 5343, 5349, 5354 Post 1986 with PTC cabinet
Eighth run: 5357, 5387, 5392, 5394 Comes with PTC cabinit but not installed. This is the most recent run and still in stock. It's the first run Athearn has offered with DCC/sound installed and also first with LED lights. They've also flipped the truck gear tower so the rear "see through" panel is mostly unubstructed. The real tunnel motors you can see clear through to the other side.
From UtahRails.net site here are is the bread down of D&RGW tunnel motor orders:
Detail differences among D&RGW SD40T-2s.
73 units in five separate orders built in 1974 to 1980
blue flag bracket centered on engineer's side of cab only
footrest under front number board immediately left of headlight
sinclair type radio antenna.
two fuel fillers on both sides, one fore, one aft
rerail frog hung beneath deck sills on both sides, two different styles used at different times: "bat wing" or "butterfly" type, then double ramp type
when retrofitted with the PTC system in the mid-1980s a sloped-top equipment cabinet was added on the walkway against the hood between the electrical cabinet filter box and the traction motor blower duct
all units were delivered with extended range dynamic braking
D&RGW 5348 and 5370 wrecked on November 22, 1994; all other units to UP
D&RGW 5350, 5351, 5352, 5368, 5378, 5380, 5387, 5388, 5393, 5394, 5397, 5399, 5412 (13 units) repainted into SP speed letter scheme.
Built in October 1974
EMD order number 74636
diagonal lifting slots at top corners of pilots; top corners of front pilot later notched and new lifting slots cut lower down on *some* units
front MU connection box on deck above pilot
Mars warning light mounted in nose (many units got Pyle Gyralite replacements in later years)
81in nose with ratchet handbrake
early cab subbase doors
bolted cab side window plate
delivered without vents on side of cab, but added later, usually *rearward* on engineer's side, but *rearward* on fireman's side on a few units
Nathan M3 airhorn (some units changed to Nathan P3 beginning in the mid-1980s)
early stand-off style electrical cabinet air filter box (as on the SD45T-2 model)
bolted (at top) radiator access doors (hinges at bottom)
delivered without numbers on rear flank above radiator intake screens, orange (and even *white* on a few units) stencil numbers added after delivery
square pilot, short slots on the battery box doors (Nathan Z.)
Built in July and August 1975
EMD order number 756046
Mars warning light mounted in nose (same on replacements)
81-inch nose, with ratchet handbrake (D&RGW 5357 refitted in October 1979 with 88-inch nose and a Gyralite mounted on a box welded to the nose due to wreck repair.)
Nathan M3 airhorn (same on replacements)
older stand-off style electrical cabinet air filter box
delivered with *orange* numbers on rear flank above radiator intake screens
Built in January 1977
EMD order number 766050
top corners of front pilot notched as delivered
front MU connection on face of pilot
Mars warning light mounted in nose (same on replacements), *not* painted black as delivered
88-inch nose, with wheel handbrake
later cab subbase doors
delivered with *forward* vent on fireman's side of cab, none on engineer's side
later style electrical cabinet air filter box against cab wall and hood (as on the original Athearn SD40T-2)
latched radiator access doors (hinges at top)
Built in August 1978
EMD order number 776098
Pyle Gryralite mounted *on box* welded to nose
88-inch nose with wheel handbrake
bolted cab side window plate on most units, welded on a few units
delivered with *rearward* vent on fireman's side of cab, none on engineer's side
later style electrical cabinet air filter box
Built in March 1980
EMD order number 786264
Pyle Gryralite mounted *in* nose
welded cab window plate
Leslie RSL-3L airhorns
exhaust silencer hatch with associated bulged section of dynamic brake blisters
dial fuel gauge now mounted on top of tank instead of inset in side of tank
xboxtravis7992 mlehman The Rio Grande is a roadname that regularly sells out. I mentioned earlier the Scaletrains SD40T-2, and I thought the reason I wasn't finding it was because it hadn't been released yet... No turns out to be the opposite, it already sold out! Although again it points out that two plastic RTR manufacturers (Athearn and Scaletrains) both have tooling for the SD40T-2 and know very well its a solid seller...
I mentioned earlier the Scaletrains SD40T-2, and I thought the reason I wasn't finding it was because it hadn't been released yet... No turns out to be the opposite, it already sold out! Although again it points out that two plastic RTR manufacturers (Athearn and Scaletrains) both have tooling for the SD40T-2 and know very well its a solid seller...
Yes, they regularly sell out. I was flying to England when the Genesis GP40-2's hit the shelves and had to borrow a laptop from my wifes daughter in England to order mine.
ScaleTrains SD40T-2 is due out later this month (March) and yes, are sold out on the pre-order. I've pre-ordered the ones I want. ST should ship some to stores as well so you can still probably buy some that way.
Actually there are 3 manufacturers who have tooling for HO SD40T-2's. Intermountain is the third and has show samples - they were announced 3 or 4 years ago but it appears they are still on track to be made:
https://www.intermountain-railway.com/ho/loco/holocsd40t-2.htm
Beware regarding D&RGW HO rolling stock. There are a lot of foobies out there if you look on Ebay, if that matters. I've compiled a list of rolling stock here so you can sort out what is what:
http://atlasrescueforum.proboards.com/thread/5232/ho-guide-rio-grande-models
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
There a lot of D&RGW groups in Groups.io.
Also try HOSwap, in Group.io
https://groups.io/g/HOswap/topics
A member in here had lots of stuff for sale, just recently, all new and in the box.
Worth the visit.
Mike.
My You Tube
What Mike said. In fact between the Rio Grande and HOSwap io groups, that is where I have advertised and sold the DRGW engines I didn't need. Have 3 SD50s up there also because I backdated to 1977-1983 and the SD50s we're delivered in 1984.
That is alot of great information. You all have alleviated my fears I would not be able to find what I need in the future. I really can't say how much this has been of a help.
to the Model Railroader forums. Your first few posts are approved by the moderators and delayed. This will end soon enough. Please stick around.
.
I only buy models for the UNDECORATED railroad, and they are getting more and more rare in new releases.
I feel your pain.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I model the Grande in 1949 era. It all depends on what era you want to model. The more modern Grande of the 70's and 80's is better represented although you have to search on ebay. I won't go into those as others have addressed them above. For transition era there had been a fair amount availible although you still have to search. There hasn't been a whole lot run lately.It seems as though Grande commands a premium.
To go into what has been produced over the past fifteen or so years in transition era diseasals er diesels..... Stewart has produced FT's, F3s and F7's in Bumble-bee schemes (Black with yellow stripes) as well as in the newer 5 stripe and one stripe Grande Gold. Proto 1000 also made an F3 in the Bumblebee but it was the wrong phase with the chicken wire on the sides. Athearn Genesis has run some limited runs of F- units. Bachman has run some GP-7's and RS-3's in Bunblebee. Atlas did S-2, RS-3, and GP 7's at one time in several runs going back to the yellow Box era. Athearn has also run them. Atlas about 15 or more years ago ran the FM hood units. Walthers ran the H10-44 switchers with sound and they had also made them earlier in the old Roco units. Broadway and Proto both did some SD 7's and 9's. Kato quite a while back did a NW-2 for Grande's lone unit. Broadway also did that but I think the hood was the wrong phase (could be wrong on that)
As for Rio Grande steam the only- CORRECT- ones that have been imported are the Proto 2-8-8-2 of nearly 20 years ago and the 4-6-6-4 challengers that were done by Athearn, Lionel, Riverossi and Broadway. That being said there are some reasonable stand ins for those of us whose budgets are not brass. Most of these will need to be relettered- Microscale makes decals. The Broadway 2-8-0 is close to a C-48 (and lettered in Grande) as well as the Bachmann 2-8-0 is close to one as well. (The domes and the headlight would need to be changed- I didn't bother with doing so) USRA light 2-8-2's produced by several manufacturers are decent stand ins for the K-59's although the trucks on the tender are wrong. The same goes for USRA light 4-6-2's for the P44's. USRA heavy 4-8-2's are usable. One thing that goes a long way for Rio Grande appearance is a doghouse- these are a little hard to come by- PSC makes them rarely and there is a guy on E-bay that makes some 3-d printed ones.
As you are finding- modeling the Grande is a treasure hunt. Not all is on the shelf items and you have to hunt to find them.
Jim
Of course, if you are a little flexible, model the narrowgauge. Plenty of authentic, down to the right rivets models available in HOn3 and On3 isn't far behind. If you don't mind rolling up the sleeves and working on models, there are plenty of HOn3 brass K-27 models available at very reasonable prices. Drop in your favorite decoder and paint and it will cost little more than many new plastic diesels.
New Blackstone stuff is kind of thin now, but can still be found. Top quality, reasonable pricing, and excellent detail is a pretty darn good combination. It's been on the market long enough it will appear in estate sales, etc, because while model railroaders get old and die, their stuff lives on.
The OP can truly post now with 6 posts counted.
Just curious if he is still reading and what exactly he is looking for after starting this topic.
The OP started a interesting topic about the ebb/flow of freight cars. Being one who models the N&W, I'm quite lucky to find a large variety. I add more variety with 1-2 cars of other reporting would appear in my location (southern VA) but haven't gone overboard. No on would question having 1-2 PRR, CO, BO on the layout.
Wasn't there a ratio of home/away reporting marks to follow? I recall that the ratio varies on multiple factors, including location, era, etc. Heck, that can start a topic on its own.
True. It really depends on the RR I could guess. My interest is in the D&RGW between 1977 and 1983 but being a bridge route, there seemed to be a much higher ratio of off-line rail cars vs. home rail cars.
Due to the fact the D&RGW was a bridge route, I've resisted the temptation to buy-up every D&RGW freight car number that was ever produced in order try to have a roughly prototypical mix of freight car road names. Sure, you would see blocks of some freight cars but most of the rest were a mix of east, west, midwest etc. railroad freight cars.
In the case of other railroads, which I know far less about, they may have had much more in the way of home road marked freight cars in trains.
I recall an MR article about interchanges providing a viable way to justify having "foreign" cars "invading" your layout. Adding non-home cars to your layout does not only add variety but also realism. Some don't even car about home vs. away and just get the cars.
Just to get 'back on track', the OP's question was about the availability of models decorated for his favorite railroad seeming to change over time. I'd say that's true, many manufacturers now seem to offer a particular engine in a particular paintscheme for a year or two, then maybe not again for a while. I have two factory-decorated (HO) Atlas Northern Pacific RS-11s; one was made about 15 years ago and the other was a 'reissue' done about 3 years ago. Sometimes you just have to be patient and wait for what you want to come around again.
riogrande5761 The OP can truly post now with 6 posts counted. Just curious if he is still reading and what exactly he is looking for after starting this topic.
I am still reading and taking in the all the info. I am currently trying to build a list of what I want. I am really about a year out from starting my railroad building. Have to build the Worshop/Train room first. But when I was laying plans I had in mind a layout covering just the Grand Junction valley and the local buisnesses there. Both my Grandfathers did 30 years with the D&RGW out of the Grand Junction yard from mid 40 to mid 70's. I was just concerned when there didn't seem to be alot of readily available locomotives that maybe manufacturers were phasing out the Rio Grande road name and in a year or 2, I might not be able to find anything. It seems however that this should not be a problem and I will be able to get stuff as time goes by. As far as home and away cars that was always part of the plan. I can remember seeing alot of UP, SP, and BNSF freight as well as others going past Grandpas house all the time.
DSC03157 by wp8thsub, on Flickr
DSC03157
Note that Arrowhead Models, new manufacturer, has some fantastic three-bay coal hoppers based on D&RGW prototypes appropriate for the 1960s and later. https://arrowheadmodels.com/collections/shop If you're modeling D&RGW coal traffic in Colorado or Utah they'e a must-have. They're also currently in stock.
Rob Spangler
wp8thsub DSC03157 by wp8thsub, on Flickr Note that Arrowhead Models, new manufacturer, has some fantastic three-bay coal hoppers based on D&RGW prototypes appropriate for the 1960s and later. https://arrowheadmodels.com/collections/shop If you're modeling D&RGW coal traffic in Colorado or Utah they'e a must-have. They're also currently in stock.
by wp8thsub, on Flickr
I did see those and ordered a set. Looks nice.