OK, I know many of you are old enough that you know exactly what a kit is. But seriously, there's some effort required to even find kits for many things that were common in the past. Kit building has become a niche part of the hobby, with folks like narrowgaugers and 1/4" scalers being blessed with relatively large selections of kits. Here's a kit from a manufacturer that still believes there's a place in the market for kits for standard gauge Class One prototypes, ScaleTrains.com, with its Kit Classics line.
While it looks like someone didn't quite pack it right, this is how the kit calls attention to itself as something needing YOUR intervention to set it right. Don't be intimidated, assembly is easy. Let's take things out of the box and get started. The gang at ScaleTrains.com thoughfully included something to carry you through to the next meal. They even knew my favorite Dum-Dum flavor was pineapple!
Held securely inside the plastic clamshell is everything you need except a few basic tools. The box indicates all that is needed is a small Phillips head screwdriver, but I'll indicate a couple of others that will come in handy that you'll likely have on hand.
The metal weight is sandwiched between the deck casting and the underframe. 4 of the 6 Phillips flathead screws are used for this. Once the two major pieces are asembled, the next step is to mount the couplers. These at first glance look like dummy couplers, but these are actually an ingenious new design used by ScaleTrains.com. The only trick is to mount them so they face the right direction to couple with your other cars when they are asembled upside down.
The last 2 flathead Phillips screws are used to attach the coupler box covers. There is a top and bottom to these, so be sure to attach it so the cone of the screw opening faces up. There is a small bent brass spring that goes into the coupler box first, followed by the coupler, then the cover.
After that, you're ready to attach the trucks. This is where I ran into a small issue. There are 2 washer-head Phillips screws supplied to do this. I found that these screws, which are supposed to be self-tapping, are actually a little too large for the holes in the bolster that mounts the trucks. I managed to strip the heads on several of these, even after taking care to try to drive them home carefully. Instead, find a drill bit that is slightly larger than the holes and open it up by drilling. Be careful to not go too far and pierce the decking unrealistically or to make such a larger hole that the screw won't seat securely.
Once the trucks and couplers are in place, there is a small bit of brake rigging that needs to be oriented properly so the pointy end of the brake cylinder points toward the end of the car which mounts the brake wheel. A air tank and valve assembly complete the underside. These parts seem like some might be self-retaining, but I used just a tiny bit of glue to assure this.
Here's the brake wheel end of the car.
The brake wheel needs a little glue. but then you're all done and the car is ready for track testing. Time needed to assemble, even working slowly and carefully, is about a half hour. Not quite as quick as taking RTR stuff out of the box, but more satisfying in its own way.
Speaking of the box, ScaleTrains.com makes the clamshell so that it also fits the assembled car and then goes back in to protect it. Remember how frustrating many kit cars could be in the past where the couplers on the assembled car meant it would not fit back in the box? Problem solved.
This is the Havelock Shops 52' 6" gon kit and a few are still available with info on them here: https://www.scaletrains.com/product-category/kit-classics-ho-scale-cbq-havelock-shops-52-6-gondola/
A previous Kit Classic was a RBL. Both of these cars were priced under $20 retail, so are quite affordable if you're looking for new rolling stock.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Thanks for the review, Mike! The assembly looks on par and perhpas a bit easier than an Accurail kit. And what I thought was ingenious is how you were able to modify it from a Burlington to a Soo Line gondola in only a 1/2 hr.
It would be nice to see kits make a comeback. While I like and do purchase RTR rolling stock, I still prefer kits and am grateful for manufactures like Accurail who have decided to stick with kit building over RTR. At last check Accurail made up 47% of my roster and I'm generally happy with the quality of their product.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Looks exactly like the old blue box kits. For good reason too. Scale trains did say a couple years ago they would be doing those kits again. Nice to see the follow through
shane
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
Good review. One thing I noticed when enlarging the photo of it upside down, is the notches molded into the inside of the body where the trucks rotate to accommodate a sharp turning radius without sacrificing ride height and also notches in the ribs along the bottom floor. That's well thought out. It's also a really nice looking car. I hope they do more of these types of kits and even try doing some in N scale.
Ralph
Thanks for the review Mike. Anything else to add about their couplers? Do they mate with Kadees?
Simon
tstagewhat I thought was ingenious is how you were able to modify it from a Burlington to a Soo Line gondola in only a 1/2 hr.
Ha! Well, I'm keeping that bit of craftsmanship secret...
I should have noted that a pair of bent nose tweezers (seen in the background) come in handy for handling those tiny screws.
Thanks for all the comments everyone.
If you look on a commercial model railroad product as a useful start to your own modifications and (one hopes) improvements, the current era of RTR rolling stock and structures can be the very devil to take apart, even slightly. That is, one of the nice things about a kit is that you can work in your desired changes as you assemble, whether the change is adding more weight, sturdier parts for the airbrake rodding and such, a different brakewheel to match a prototype photo, or even heavy weathering on the car body. In some ways the challenges are even greater with already assembled structures because the desired modifications are probably more significant.
I do think that all of us, especially those with a longer history in the hobby, have to get over our bias and assumption that a kit should be cheaper -- much cheaper - than its RTR counterpart. Athearn drilled that notion into our brains and it is hard to extract it. Some manufacturers have argued that if anything a kit might have to be more expensive because more thought and effort has to go into packaging it, not to mention the need to suddenly have replacement parts in inventory, and not just replacement models.
Dave Nelson
tstageWhile I like and do purchase RTR rolling stock, I still prefer kits and am grateful for manufactures like Accurail who have decided to stick with kit building over RTR.
Mike
Dave,
The finished model looks good. I hope ScaleTrains is successful with this line. This is the kind of thing that looks like a fun hobby.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
The only bad thing is that this gondola is only good for the CB&Q or BN, it would have been better if they had chosen a Greenville, Thrall, or Pullman Standard prototype so it could be used for more railroads.
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!
Kit's, I remember those. Of course any of us who have been around the hobby for at least since the 90's have probably built quite a few kits but I get the jab at RTR.
But I get so little hobby time since buying a fixerupper home, that kits are something pretty far down on my to-do list well behind building the layout, installing and adjusting KD's on a large fleet of models, installing decoders and much more. Now if I were retired or semi-retired, maybe I get out some of the kits I still have and build them.
Anyway, I may get me one of those ST gondolas. I believe the CB&Q are a good match, as well as the BN repaints. The rest are fantasy from what I understand.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
A type of kit I like. Simple to put together and look good.
I wish Companies here in the U.K. would do something similar. The kits here are ever so fiddly and you need three or four hands at once on a lot of kits.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
snjroyAnything else to add about their couplers? Do they mate with Kadees?
Simon,
They mate right up with Kadees. I don't have any under-track magnets to know whethere they uncouple that way or not, but your standard uncoupling pic works.
I just recieved by kit from Scale Trains and enjoyed the assembly and how well thought out this puppy is. It is a fine model, and I too had some issues with mounting the trucks. The screws, although self tapping, are tough to drive home into the bolsters and I stripped the head of one attempting to drive it home.
The fix was easy however. I took my trusty Kadee drill and tap set and enlarged the screw hole for a 2-56 screw. After doing so, the truck mounting was completed without further issue.
I love the assembly of kits and would like to see more of them released as assembly teaches one much about lokey and rolling stock maintenance.
Don; Prez, CEO or whatever of the Wishram, Oregon and Western RR
As best as I can recall, I have only two r-t-r freight cars on my layout, out of the current 417 that are in use on my layout (not all at the same time, of course).
One is this covered hopper from Bowser, available only as a r-t-r car...
...and this tank car from Tangent...
While the tank car was available as a kit, I didn't have (and, at the time, couldn't find) similar lettering as decals or dry transfers.
I have bought pre-owned cars, either at train shows or off the "used" table at various hobby shops, that many modellers might have considered to be ready-to-run, but, in my opinion, needed some repairs, or added details, to fit in with cars that I already had.
This car, from Rapido, was available r-t-r and as a kit (both for the same price), but because I prefer kits and wasn't interested in the roadnames being offered, I opted for an undecorated kit...
I bought the car mainly to support Rapido, but to be honest, they haven't offered much that's suitable for my layout's late '30s era (or affordable for my budget).
Wayne
doctorwayneAs best as I can recall, I have only two r-t-r freight cars on my layout,
Same here. Only two R-T-R freight cars are in my fleet. Both are by Fox Valley Models. They are "wagon top" BALTIMORE AND OHIO boxcars decorated for Tony Koester's ALLEGHENY MIDLAND railroad.
SeeYou190doctorwayne As best as I can recall, I have only two r-t-r freight cars on my layout,
You make it sound like a good thing. But keep in mind, some of us have very little hobby time so RTR can help us toward an operating layout. I do enjoy kits to a degree, but just don't have the time. I have a bunch of lumbler loads waiting to be painted and assembled for flat cars, nearly two years now. Layout, on hold for most of last year and this year.
The annoying thing in this hobby is when comments with a negative tone toward some aspects of the hobby. Not everyone can dedicate the time to build a fleet of 400 or 500 models all from kit form, especially if you have a wife who is type A and has a never ending list of projects you are expected to help with - you know - happy wife, happy life - kind-of.
RTR is often maligned on this forum, either outright or in subtle ways such as in this example. There should be room for both in the hobby without looking down on one or the other, and by extension, those who build their fleets that way. Besides, most of the models I need are ONLY available in RTR forum. Cheers.
riogrande5761You make it sound like a good thing. But keep in mind, some of us have very little hobby time so RTR can help us toward an operating layout.
I have no real roadnames in my fleet, so all my cars are custom painted. Only having two Ready-To-Run freight cars comes from this requirement.
Also, I really enjoy assembling freight car kits of unusual body designs.
riogrande5761 riogrande5761 wrote the following post 3 hours ago: SeeYou190 doctorwayne As best as I can recall, I have only two r-t-r freight cars on my layout, You make it sound like a good thing.
Well, for me it was a good thing, as much of what I had early on was available only in kit form...there wasn't much r-t-r, other than toy train sets.
That doesn't mean that I'd denigrate anyone who prefers ready-to-run, though. As a result, I enjoyed kit building, but when I saw what some modellers were doing with modifications to out-of-the box (kit or r-t-r) stuff, I was drawn to it almost immediately.
I picked up a lot of second hand stuff, some of it damaged, and some that would definitely look better if the moulded-on details were remove and replaced with free-standing details. I also bought some cars that were quite well detailed, but perhaps with an unwanted road name or a poor paint job. If the price was right, it was easy enough to strip it and re-paint/re-letter.
Once I had that bug for detailing and modifications, it became difficult to leave anything "unimproved".
I'm sure that the fact that my railroad is freelanced plays a part in my methods, as I have lots of modified rolling stock which has no prototypes, but (in my opinion, at least) looks like it might have a prototype.When I backdated my layout from the diesel era to the late '30s, I sold-off not only most of my locomotives, but also a couple hundred pieces of rolling stock (some well-detailed, and some not) and lots of it lettered for my freelanced road. I was surprised that all of it was snapped-up within a week or so, and for prices better than I had expected, which helped a lot in my quest for era-appropriate equipment.
riogrande5761The annoying thing in this hobby is when comments with a negative tone toward some aspects of the hobby.
Well, I aplogise if my comments were interpreted as negative, but I look at my position on kits as being positive, without any need to resort to negativity.
riogrande5761Not everyone can dedicate the time to build a fleet of 400 or 500 models all from kit form, especially if you have a wife who is type A and has a never ending list of projects you are expected to help with - you know - happy wife, happy life - kind-of.
Been there, done that, Jim. After almost 40 years of shift work, building my own house, and renovating several others, and now children and grandchildren making requests for this or that, it still cuts into hobby time.
Here's one of my latest non-model railroading projects...
...and one from a couple years earlier...
...both built for my younger artist-daughter. Neither are kits nor r-t-r...both were scratchbuilt.
riogrande5761RTR is often maligned on this forum, either outright or in subtle ways such as in this example.
I offered up the original post to demonstrate the very low bar that needs be overcome to build a very simple kit. The reality is that RTR dominates the marketplace, at ScaleRails.com just as it does across the general market place. A new kit is rather remarkable, not a dig at RTR, at least from this angle.
LastspikemikeI think one of the points of this thread is kit building doesn't necessarily have to involve much time although it can seem so when you first open the box.
Yep, that's it. As a narrowgauger, it wasn't too impressive an example from the building new skills angle. I did it for relaxation more than anything, plus saving a few bucks, as well as to recognize an effort to actually provide kits as an option when almost no one does that anymore. The price of 3 kits was just slightly more than buying a single RTR. I very rarely buy standard gauge cars anymore, as I have plenty, on a fixed income, etc.
I bought one of these cars myself. As already stated, my only grumble was with the screws. I would hope that if they do another run of these cars (not that I need another one), they either make the hole bigger or get a better fitting screw. Due to bent coupler springs, I ended up changing out the couplers for some Kadee 148s which I had on hand. (I don't like having to deal with the extra coupler part anyway. Just more pieces to get lost if one isn't careful. Hence why I use the 140 series for anything new, but that's a whole different train of thought.)
I think a real value in one of these kits is the ability to take a child or grandchild and spend a half hour with them which is about all their short attention span will allow.
Once the car is complete you will be able to spend a bit more time test running it etc. Then whenever that young person gets the chance, they will want to run 'their' car.
rbturnerI think a real value in one of these kits is the ability to take a child or grandchild and spend a half hour with them...
Time...the irreplaceable and precious commodity spent on a child that will often yield fond memories years down the road as it is reflected back upon - even by both parties.
I'd recommened rail nippers or sprue cutters to remove the parts CLEANLY from the sprues
BEAUSABRE I'd recommened rail nippers or sprue cutters to remove the parts CLEANLY from the sprues
True, if there were any sprues involved. In this case, there were none, another point about how easy this kit is to build.
mlehman BEAUSABRE I'd recommened rail nippers or sprue cutters to remove the parts CLEANLY from the sprues True, if there were any sprues involved. In this case, there were none, another point about how easy this kit is to build.
Rich
Alton Junction
Now this is a kit:
Tangent 86' High Cube Boxcar kit, I started on it last night and came to a screeching halt as I was missing one of the two Keystone Return springs for the cushioning system. E-mail sent, no response yet.
tstageTime...the irreplaceable and precious commodity spent on a child that will often yield fond memories years down the road as it is reflected back upon - even by both parties.
Nothing better than hanging out with your baby-baby at the model building desk.
What great memories!
Half (At least) my cars were kits. BB, Accurail, Roundhouse, 2 STX boxcars (one was a door prize I won @ Berea show way back in BC {Before Covid} years.) Walthers white box and "red" pictures box, and a few others.
Just ordered 3 Accurail kits, and a NOS Con-Cor kit.
So glad to see STX is still making new kits.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
My three new "ready to run" Rapido X31A boxcars turned out to be surprise kits!