Proto Subways, Why Not Individual Cars?

[davekelly]

I have a couple of the NYC subway sets and think they are fantastic. I do wish, however, that Life Like would sell individual units in the various paint schemes. I have 4 sets (two gray/blue and two redbirds), but 4 unit sets are a little long for what I am planning. I would love to be able to purchase one powered unit of each from which I can make three 3 unit sets of each. I'm sure there are others that wouldn't mind being able to purchase some unpowered units to make longer trains. Does anyone know if Life Like will ever make available individual units?

[trolleyboy]

I wonder if they were just going for a prototype consist. Most subway trains in real life are at minimum a two car married set in some cases real cars are sets of four.. Are the cars permenantly attached or are tyhe models individual units. Rob

[davekelly]

Rob,

The models are individual units, in fact the set is actually four units, each in an individual box then shrinked wrapped together.

[AntonioFP45]

The typical New York City subway train is 10 cars. Has been for decades.

On a few lines and in the evening time, some trains can be 4 to 5 cars long, but 10 is the general rule. I sure enjoyed riding those Red Birds as a kid.

As for the models, it would be great if individual cars were offered, but let's face it: It's more profitable $$$$ to sell in sets!

Life Like want to make sure it's going to "recoup" its investment. While it hurts our wallets, can you blame them?

I'm only guessing but I have a feeling that within a year or two you may start seeing individual cars on EBay. I've seen various railroad models for sale on Ebay that were once part of a set.

A good example being the Bachmann Metroliners which came in 4 cars sets years back in HO and N scale. There have been "LOADS" of them on Ebay. I won one last year and may get another as I'm currently repainting my "Metros" into the Penn Central scheme.

So hang in there, its likely that those subway cars will start popping up.

Peace!

[davekelly]

Antonio,

I used to enjoy riding the subways when I was a kid also. In fact this summer it was great to get back to the city and ride the subway with my son. Way cool!!

I don't blame any manufacturer of maximizing its profits, but perhaps offer subways in a set of 4 and individual units such that their numbering would be different than those in the set. Just as they released separate A on the E units for some railroads. Of course LifeLike would price the individual units in such a way that most folks would purchase which ever would maximize its profits. I'm just thinking along the lines of I've bought 4 sets. I'm not planning to buy any additional sets, but would buy 2 powered units, that's more sales than if they didn't produce the single unit. If someone was modeling a prototype correct consist they would buy two sets and then 2 indiviudals. But of course that's just me - I don't know what others would do.

I can still wish!

[MisterBeasley]

I've got a set of redbirds, too. Have you looked into powering one of the dummy units? The shells are identical, and a lot of the internal parts are the same, too.

I had to substantially modify my plans when I got these. My station wasn't going to be able to handle all 4 cars, so I had to stretch it out. I may run a 2-car train and park the others on a siding for decoration occasionally.

[dinwitty]

heh,, beat me to the answer punch, I have the cars, the dummies are virtually just without the motors and gears, the wheels are ready for powering.

[underworld]

Dave Have you checked with your local hobby shop to see if they can be ordered???

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[davekelly]

MisterBeasley and underworld,

Good ideas from both of you. I think the most probable solution is to get one more set, a body shell of the different paint scheme and the parts to power one of the dummies. Then I'll be able to turn 5 sets into 6 3 unit sets.

But then I'll have two more dummies . . . so I could get one more powered unit for an additional 3 car set . . . . hmmmmmm. lol The vicious circle!!!

[METRO]

NYC MTA runs 10 unit trains usually but, in a system as vast as the MTA things are never a complete rule. Another general trend is that MTA cars are individual units and not drawbared together. www.nycsubway.org has everything MTA anyone could ever want.

Also, how do those Redbirds run? I've got some very fond memories of them myself and have been thinking about picking up a set and putting in a subway line on my layout. (this is something I've been thinking about for a long time. Originally I was going to use repainted Walthers DC Metro cars but they seem to be quite out of production these days)

~METRO

[trolleyboy]

Dave what is the power unit like in the powered ones.If it's similar to iother proto locos you might be able to swap in an F-3's motor and gears.The big frame won't fit of coarse but the proto1000 F-3's are a cheap possible motor sorse and you can always recoup some costs by selling off your new dummy F-3's. Just a thought. Also I wonder how close to TTC h-cars these are. I've not seen any really good pictures of them and not many LHS's sell them up here. I may have to order some too. Rob

[davekelly]

Metro,

I think they run fantasticly. Quiet and very smooth. I also was wanting to do a subway for the longest time and was thinking about using some Japanese prototype commuter trains originally. I'm pretty much thinking of modeling two stations - one two track, one four track under the layout with a facia board cut so you can't see the entire length of the station. Reversing units (like circuitron's) would be used to stop and reverse the subways at the end of their runs. What would be neat, however, is to do a bit of elevated behind some building also. nycsubway.org is a fantastic site filled wih pics of various stations etc. There are a couple other sites that also have a bunch of archived photos of stations, but I seem to have misplaced the list I had. There is also a couple of sites out there that show several methods of constructing the elevated structures - but alas I can't find those URL's right now either.

trolleyboy,

Got idea about attempting to use F-3 insides on them. Another possibility might be using an RDC inside or something like a Spud of PDT. Of course using one of the unpowered units would then still leave me two units short of 6 3 car sets lol.

[davekelly]

Metro,

I did find some excellent subway entrance models at image replicas. They can also be found at http://www.collect-corner.net/subways.html. I did remember reading about a year ago that NJ International (I think, I'm not sure) was working on producing token booths and turnstiles.

[trolleyboy]

Another thought dave would be maybe using a Bowser or customtraxx motor floor unit. They make some interesting stuff as well. www.bowser.com or www.customtraxx.com Rob

[MisterBeasley]

The collect_corner link is OK, but delete the period at the end or it will come up bad. Neat site, though. Make sure you turn on your sound when you go there.

I'm wondering about stairs, though. I can't find a source, and I'd like to model a stairway into my stations. Model Power's Iron Fence will serve for the surface entrances, but I'd like some stairways down. Any suggestions?

[davekelly]

Mister Beasley,

Check out http://www.imagesreplicas.com/accessories.htm it has the same entrances for a little cheaper price. The entrances come with stairs down. The detailing on them is pretty good for $4.00 a piece. They don't have full steps, but rather a couple of steps so that at least from the surface you get the idea of steps.

For full steps, perhaps some of the pedestrian bridges might work. There are several listed in the Walthers catalog that I am considering for a passenger station project. Of course the steps could be made by stacking pieces of styrene. The solid look shouldn't be a probem as all you would have to do is mount a door on the back side so it looks like a storage area.

[trolleyboy]

Mr Beasley Rix products (pikestuff) makes some nice stair case pieces as well. They might be worth a look at. Also IHC used to make some entrance exit tyope concrete staircases,though I feel that the rix ones are allot nicer. Rob