Sheldon,
ExactRail released those in 2011. I was grateful to pick up a couple off eBay a few years later before they were all gone. I also have a few made my Accurail and IM.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Watching YouTube vids is as close as it gets for me. I enjoy Manifests the most because of the variety in stock. But, I don't particularly watch the vids to check for detail-details. Like when I'm operating my HO model - just seeing the Trains rolling-by, is "good enough". So no, I don't feel that high-detail Rolling Stock is a must have.
For me, it stops at carving-off moulded-on Handrails and replacing with appropriate detail parts. Also, clunky moulded Stirrup-Steps. If required, new Handbrake Wheel, Couplers and Wheels. This is where the money I saved buying a cheap, used model - starts to go out the window.
All of my Athearn B/B ACF Hoppers and R/House Boxcars will be repainted and so it makes sense to carry-out detailing, to this level.
My 4 No. each Walthers Gold and Athearn Gen' Hi-cubes - will remain exactly as out of the box. Paul
"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".
tstage Sheldon, ExactRail released those in 2011. I was grateful to pick up a couple off eBay a few years later before they were all gone. I also have a few made my Accurail and IM. Tom
The RIB SIDE CAR COMPANY kits were on the market in 2006/2007 and I purchased several then.
ExactRail was five years too late..........
Sheldon
ATLANTIC CENTRALThe RIB SIDE CAR COMPANY kits were on the market in 2006/2007 and I purchased several then.
My only ribbed side car was built from a Sunshine Models kit.
When everything you paint is for a ficticious roadname, certain cars become a problem. B&O Wagon Top cars are all for the MIDLAND ROAD, and the PRR round roof cars will be for the ATLANTIC CENTRAL.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL tstage Sheldon, ExactRail released those in 2011. I was grateful to pick up a couple off eBay a few years later before they were all gone. I also have a few made my Accurail and IM. Tom The RIB SIDE CAR COMPANY kits were on the market in 2006/2007 and I purchased several then. ExactRail was five years too late.......... Sheldon
Accurail purchased the molds from Ribbed Side Cars and has now released a couple of them.
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!
SeeYou190 ATLANTIC CENTRAL The RIB SIDE CAR COMPANY kits were on the market in 2006/2007 and I purchased several then. My only ribbed side car was built from a Sunshine Models kit. When everything you paint is for a ficticious roadname, certain cars become a problem. B&O Wagon Top cars are all for the MIDLAND ROAD, and the PRR round roof cars will be for the ATLANTIC CENTRAL. -Kevin
ATLANTIC CENTRAL The RIB SIDE CAR COMPANY kits were on the market in 2006/2007 and I purchased several then.
How did you know that? I have a stack of undecorated Bowser PRR round roof cars waiting to be lettered ATLANTIC CENTRAL!
dti406Accurail purchased the molds from Ribbed Side Cars and has now released a couple of them.
Rick, good to hear from you again. You have been AWOL and I was getting concerned.
dti406 ATLANTIC CENTRAL tstage Sheldon, ExactRail released those in 2011. I was grateful to pick up a couple off eBay a few years later before they were all gone. I also have a few made my Accurail and IM. Tom The RIB SIDE CAR COMPANY kits were on the market in 2006/2007 and I purchased several then. ExactRail was five years too late.......... Sheldon Accurail purchased the molds from Ribbed Side Cars and has now released a couple of them. Rick Jesionowski
I was wondering about that, thanks for the info.
I for one love the new highly detailed cars, just picked up Tangents new 86' Greenville Hi Cubes and the are beautiful. I will be getting more.
Scalettains new Finger Flats are on the way and will have reinforcing steel loads added soon.
Oh by the way my Athearn 86' Hi Cubes will be on sale shortly.
Rock Jesionowski
dti406 I for one love the new highly detailed cars, just picked up Tangents new 86' Greenville Hi Cubes and the are beautiful. I will be getting more. Scalettains new Finger Flats are on the way and will have reinforcing steel loads added soon. Oh by the way my Athearn 86' Hi Cubes will be on sale shortly. Rock Jesionowski
Ditto that! How many DT&I did you get? I only got one but also got a Southern and 2 SP. I might get another DT&I when they are re-run next year. I am looking forward to what others will be offered.
I have a couple of finger racks on their way too. Cool looking flatcars.
As for my Athearn 86' Greenvilles, I've already got a sale on 7 of them. I have a couple of the 8 door Thralls that there is no replacement for ... yet.
Jim
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761 dti406 I for one love the new highly detailed cars, just picked up Tangents new 86' Greenville Hi Cubes and the are beautiful. I will be getting more. Scalettains new Finger Flats are on the way and will have reinforcing steel loads added soon. Oh by the way my Athearn 86' Hi Cubes will be on sale shortly. Rock Jesionowski Ditto that! How many DT&I did you get? I only got one but also got a Southern and 2 SP. I might get another DT&I when they are re-run next year. I am looking forward to what others will be offered. I have a couple of finger racks on their way too. Cool looking flatcars. As for my Athearn 86' Greenvilles, I've already got a sale on 7 of them. I have a couple of the 8 door Thralls that there is no replacement for ... yet. Jim
I got all four DT&I's and a NYC, also an undecorated GB&W version that I will paint for the Ann Arbor as the Annie got all of the GB&W 86' cars. I will not be selling my Athearn GB&W car that I did as it was the last decal for that car and I don't know what happened to Don Manlick's artwork in order to get any more. Maybe Tangent will do the GB&W car, although you can't run it with the Ann Arbor cars.
dti406 I got all four DT&I's and a NYC, also an undecorated GB&W version that I will paint for the Ann Arbor as the Annie got all of the GB&W 86' cars. I will not be selling my Athearn GB&W car that I did as it was the last decal for that car and I don't know what happened to Don Manlick's artwork in order to get any more. Maybe Tangent will do the GB&W car, although you can't run it with the Ann Arbor cars. Rick Jesionowski
What about the Walthers P-S 4 door DT&I's? I have one of the green versions which I've seen on Rio Grande trains, but I don't ever recall seeing any of the magenta-ish versions thru the Rockies so passed on that one.
I've a few Athearn Greenvilles left, but those will probably be sold eventually too (orange D&RGW, brown "dividend logo WP and red Santa Fe is all that's left)
riogrande5761 dti406 I got all four DT&I's and a NYC, also an undecorated GB&W version that I will paint for the Ann Arbor as the Annie got all of the GB&W 86' cars. I will not be selling my Athearn GB&W car that I did as it was the last decal for that car and I don't know what happened to Don Manlick's artwork in order to get any more. Maybe Tangent will do the GB&W car, although you can't run it with the Ann Arbor cars. Rick Jesionowski What about the Walthers P-S 4 door DT&I's? I have one of the green versions which I've seen on Rio Grande trains, but I don't ever recall seeing any of the magenta-ish versions thru the Rockies so passed on that one. I've a few Athearn Greenvilles left, but those will probably be sold eventually too (orange D&RGW, brown "dividend logo WP and red Santa Fe is all that's left)
I am still keeping the Walther's PS Hi-Cubes unless something better comes along, they are still better than the Athearn and they are PS versus Greenville, and the green is the correct color, the Walther's Magenta Cars are foobies as the Magenta Cars were either Greenville's or PC X67 cars. Hopefully Dave will do the Magenta Greenville's on a future run. I used to see the Magenta Cars on the NYC/PC going east or west thru Airline Junction. They were delivered and originally assigned to the Woodhaven Stamping Plant (WSP Car Code). The DT&I Delta interchange yard serviced both the N&W and NYC with the FAST cars going on the N&W (Ex-Wabash) to Kansas City with some cars forwarded to Milpitas via various routings depending on how the railroads wanted to do the routing, but the UP, SP, D&RGW, WP, MP and RI were involved with the RI dropping out when their track was so bad.
dti406I am still keeping the Walther's PS Hi-Cubes unless something better comes along, they are still better than the Athearn and they are PS versus Greenville,
The Walthers P-S cars are a bit better looking than the old Athearns. Really if the Walthers had separate rods on the doors (apparently the newer upgrade ones do), then I'd probably be ok with them long term. A bit if judicious weathering around the vertical rods may improve the appearance however.
and the green is the correct color,
They look about right to me but I've never done a critical comparison of the color.
the Walther's Magenta Cars are foobies as the Magenta Cars were either Greenville's or PC X67 cars. Hopefully Dave will do the Magenta Greenville's on a future run. I used to see the Magenta Cars on the NYC/PC going east or west thru Airline Junction. They were delivered and originally assigned to the Woodhaven Stamping Plant (WSP Car Code). The DT&I Delta interchange yard serviced both the N&W and NYC with the FAST cars going on the N&W (Ex-Wabash) to Kansas City with some cars forwarded to Milpitas via various routings depending on how the railroads wanted to do the routing, but the UP, SP, D&RGW, WP, MP and RI were involved with the RI dropping out when their track was so bad. Rick Jesionowski
Good to know I dodged the Watlthers foobe magenta. I usually try to check if I am interested in buying, most of the time.
I haven't ever seen a magenta DT&I on a auto parts train pulled by the D&RGW but if what you say is true, they may have run on the Ford FAST and I just never saw a photo of any.
Jim Hediger provided the paint chip for the color match on the green cars for Walthers.
dti406 Jim Hediger provided the paint chip for the color match on the green cars for Walthers. Rick Jesionowski
Cool.
So you've got documantation that the magenta DT&I greenvilles were used on the Ford FAST?
riogrande5761 dti406 Jim Hediger provided the paint chip for the color match on the green cars for Walthers. Rick Jesionowski Cool. So you've got documantation that the magenta DT&I greenvilles were used on the Ford FAST?
I see a market for both a few highly detailed models and more good 'enuff protypically accurate but less detailed economy models. On a small switching layout with one locomotive and five cars I would want a lot of detail. On a large layout I would prefer more economical rolling stock because the focus would be on the long trains and sweeping overall scene.
I had actually been thinking about starting my own thread asking what people with large layouts running hundreds of cars do to fill out their roster.
MJ4562 I see a market for both a few highly detailed models and more good 'enuff protypically accurate but less detailed economy models. On a small switching layout with one locomotive and five cars I would want a lot of detail. On a large layout I would prefer more economical rolling stock because the focus would be on the long trains and sweeping overall scene. I had actually been thinking about starting my own thread asking what people with large layouts running hundreds of cars do to fill out their roster.
OK, I will answer your question right here.
I just took down a layout that filled 1,000 sq ft room, I'm getting ready to start a new one that will fill a 1,500 sq ft room. How nice, my retirement house is smaller than my "raise the kids house", but it has a bigger train room and a bigger yard.....
The new layout is designed for 35-50 car freight trains, 10-15 car passenger trains, and will stage about 30 trains total.
The double track mainline will be about 400' long.
I model 1954, and I have been at this hobby since 1968.
My roster of equipment includes kits made before I was born, Athearn and Varney metal cars, Athearn, MDC, older Walthers, TrainMinature, Bowser, and other "blue box" type cars from the last 45 years.
It also includes a fair number of wood and resin craftsman kits, and many kit bash projects, some easy, some more complex.
And, I have my share of more recent high detail rolling stock. By recent I mean the last 25 years, starting with stuff like Proto2000 kits, Intermountain, Fox Valley, Spring Mills Depot, and others.
AND, I also have my share of less expensive recent production Athearn Ready to Roll, selective Bachmann pieces, Walthers RTR, etc.
It has taken all these years, but the roster includes a lot of stuff, 1,100? freight cars, 200? passenger cars, and about 140 powered locomotives.
Lots of freight cars were purchased for just $2- $4 back in the day, some have cost much more. But I can't say I have paid more than $40 or $50 for much, if any rolling stock.
I do however outfit most every freight car with about $7 worth of Kadee sprung trucks refitted with Intermountain wheelsets, and genuine Kadee couplers.....
MJ4562On a small switching layout with one locomotive and five cars I would want a lot of detail.
My thoughts as well. All of my rolling stock have detailed grabs, ladders, and brake rigging for the up-close views on my shelf and switching layout. Once I get my severe spinal arthritis under control with another steroid injection next month, I'll return to working on it and the other projects that have been put on hold.
Russ
Modeling the early '50s Erie in Paterson, NJ. Here's the link to my railroad postcard collection: https://railroadpostcards.blogspot.com/
DAVID FORTNEY But if you put them side by side the difference is very noticeable. So is it really necessary to pay the high prices of extreme detail if your going to run them on a layout? Dave
But if you put them side by side the difference is very noticeable. So is it really necessary to pay the high prices of extreme detail if your going to run them on a layout?
Dave
Yes.
An "expensive model collector"
Not necessary for me. Like some of you, I have done this a whole bunch of years. I always liked having the latest and greatest. However, in the last few years, I have discovered that wasn't making the hobby fun for me. I grew tired of having the same stuff that everyone has, so I sold my Tangent and Moloco cars and am building more Roundhouse, for example, stuff.
The fun for me is building the old American made kit. In fact, I am planning my layout using American made stuff along with Kato and Roco power.
Besides, the money I'm saving helps me fund my other main hobby...dirt bikes!
Chuck - Modeling in HO scale and anything narrow gauge
Is there a model-railroad related response somewhere in this history of watches tutorial?
Dorassoc1Is there a model-railroad related response somewhere in this history of watches tutorial?
And the 'responses' say about what you'd expect from the question: some would, some wouldn't; and it's a matter of more factors than just the relative visibility of superdetails.
For rolling stock my expectations of detail are quite low, as long as it looks good overall and I'm satisfied with it, I will take it. But I will also not to hesitate to purchase some pieces for projects, to redo and detail.
"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow." -Lin Yutang
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DAVID FORTNEYSo is it really necessary to pay the high prices of extreme detail if your going to run them on a layout? Dave
Dave,
Six things: First of all I will be honest and say that the value of things changes so much that my vison of what $50 means today is so skewed from 40 years ago that I have lost track of what “expensive” means. So I am not a good judge of that.
I try to pay $10 or less for mass produced detailed kits like Intermountain Red Caboose or P2k but that is old school for sure. Many good kits cost far more. I don’t really buy much RTR rolling stock but have paid lots for nice kits – around the price points being discussed here for RTR. It just depends.
This is a new era in terms of RTR quality. Take a look at a Blackstone stock car or a Kadee box car- awesome detail and pretty clean construction. I might have a hard time building to the same quality as some of the RTR out there from a kit. That build quality and detail might be worth some bucks. In many ways if you figure in the skills and time to build, these cars are a bargain...
Other thing: Detail?? Oh yeah...Bring it on!!! Always more. A gorgeous model is a gorgeous model. I will always be for better detail and more accurate. I got rid of nearly all of my Blue Box stuff years ago and replaced it with high detail stuff – we run it and yes, it can break, but in general it warms my soul every time I see it on the layout. But that is just me and the crowd I hang with...
I build most of my rolling stock. It just never occurred to me to buy them. Part of the reason for that is the expense the other is the joy of building things and of course the other factor is the availability of an accurate model of the prototype you seek - whether it be RTR of kit form. If you want it and can’t get the kit or RTR, then it’s a scratch build.
Last thing: I don’t build everything myself – When you need many multiples of a car type and the thrill has worn off building the 34th kit of the same car or when a car is difficult to scratch build and no kit exists, then I do seek RTR relief if possible. That is rare but has happened. My reefer trains are a good example of that.
Dave's Question: So dancing around the semantics of “necessary” for a moment, I would say that Yes, it is necessary to have incredible detailed freight cars in the hobby – just wouldn’t be the same without them.
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
MJ4562 I had actually been thinking about starting my own thread asking what people with large layouts running hundreds of cars do to fill out their roster.
I have a medium sized layout with an operating roster of @200 cars. We hold OPs sessions a few times a year (in non-pandemic times). All the cars on the layout are needed for the OPs scheme. Most of these cars fit into the highly detailed/super detailed category. Most have separate grabs and stirrups all have Kadees, free rolling trucks (mostly metal wheels – it depends) and are set up to run with proper weight coupler height etc.
I built my roster slowly over the years. I love to build cars so at this point I have lots more cars than will fit on the layout. These extra cars are in off layout storage. I often will build cars in batches (I wrote an article about this for another publication) to speed up construction time.
All of the layouts in my operating group have highly detailed rolling stock. Most of us build lots of models, so operators are careful but sometimes things get broken. I do have to fix stuff from time to time. I feel running these nice cars is worth it due to how the cars look. It is great to share them with other operators who enjoy the quality as well.
For those starting out, you can always buy the less detailed cars and upgrade as you feel like it. That is how I started.
trainnut1250I built my roster slowly over the years.
That is the best way to do it.
Over the past three years I have built over 100 freight cars for the fleet requirements of my next layout. It was time very well spent.