How interested in kits are you?

[Darth Santa Fe]

Just want to see how much you like kits. I personally think they're great and build them all the time.[:D][:D][:D]

[Rob Davies]

There's nothing quite like seeing some stock that *YOU* have built, just rolling on by....

Count me in for option one!

-Rob

[ARTHILL]

I don't build them all the time because scenery takes a lot of time. I like to scratch build, but with a new layout, getting the basics in now is the priority. First scratch built will be a huge curved trestle. Already have a kit trestle, I needed that to get started. The curved will wait. Love some of the WS kits, but the painting takes forever.

[SilverSpike]

I like building kits because all the parts and instructions are included. I also like to scratch build occasionally as well, but it takes time to obtain all the right parts.

- Ryan

[IRONROOSTER]

I enjoy the building kits and scratch/parts building, but I also like the RTR because I don't have the time to build everything from kits. One of the reasons the old layout plans didn't include staging was that most people didn't have enough equipment to do any staging.
Enjoy
Paul

[loathar]

I like a good kit. I recently bought 2 older Walthers 22,000 gal. tankers kits and they where garbage.Nothing fit right, bad seem lines and they derailed all the time. If fact, they both plunged to their deaths the other night. I'm not fixing them AGAIN!!
Still like building kits though.Good kits.

[Eriediamond]

I love kits, but after 50 some years of building models, the parts are getting smaller and more of them[sigh][sigh] I do wi***here were more steam loco kits on the market. Bowser has a great kit, if your a Pennsy fan. Ken

[csmith9474]

I especially love the older wood and metal kits. I am working on a Quality Craft Models kit right now. I love the older Walther's and Red Balls as well. I do occasionally cheat and use newer detail parts rather than some of the more crude detail parts included with the older kits. I get a lot of satisfaction after completing a good kit.

[tstage]

I always try to build kits...unless what I need or want comes only RTR. (I probably have only about 4 cars that are RTR.) I particularly enjoy the wood laser kits from American Model Builders.

I haven't tried a full-fledge scratchbuild project yet. I have done one "semi-scratchbuild" coaling tower (you can view it in the link below) and have modified or added to some existing kits that I have put together - e.g. like adding a wood floor, making the roof removable for the advent of lighting later on, etc.

My most recent "kitbash" - albeit a minor modification - was to glue wood ties on the bottom side of my Walthers plastic track bumpers so that I could make them "removable" - since I haven't completely settled on a design for my layout yet. I cra***ested them again this afternoon using an Athearn BB F7 as my standard, because they:

1) are inexpensive
2) are heavy as all getout
3) fly like the wind

I had previously tested the bumpers a couple of weeks ago with the F7 set at only 50% power. Today, I increased the power to 75% then 100%. Each time, that fragile looking plastic bumper stopped that speeding F7...COLD! A easy how-to for the bumper modification on my Railimages link below.

Tom

[selector]

I voted for 'as long as they are easy". That is my current situation, although that should change as my gumshen and experience allow. My first kit was far above my level of difficulty, a single dome tank car on which I had to place microscopic grab irons and thingies. I think I got most of them off the sprue okay, but not onto the model okay. Luckily, a modeler at the LHS saw what I brought in, looked at me, looked again at the model, looked once more at me, and offered to put it right. He had it six weeks, and replaced just about everything with brass wire, a first class job. [:D]

[Anonymous]

I chose 'kinda like' because (1) I'm into kitbashing - I prefer that my structures not like like they jumped straight out of the Walthers catalog - and (2) most of the weird structures I model are not available in kit form (and definitely not RTR!).

As for rolling stock, I'll buy Athearn BB kits to save money. But I don't have the patience to sit down and superdetail every last freight car - especially tankers!

[tstage]

Crandell,

You're right! It seems the older we get; the smaller the parts (and font sizes) become. I don't know how in the world I put some of my earlier kits together before I purchased my magnifying head visor. It's almost a must wear anymore...

Tom

[TrainFreak409]

Well, if I had a layout, I would build more of them. And being N scale, there aren't as many kits out there. And at the local hobby shops around here, there are none. So....

[SpaceMouse]

I picked "Only if I have to." I thought you were talking about engines. I like building rolling stock because it is easier to paint. I'd prefer it if they didn't put on the decals because I think I can get better color than the plastic dyes.

But what I voted on was locomotives. I like how the Atlas engines run and I don't think I can make them that smooth yet. Of course, I've only been working on steamers and they are 20-plus-year-old technology.

But my next project will be to build a pair of MDC 0-6-0 and convert them to 2-6-2T's. I figure that is about the only way I'll get what I need. Any remotoring/regearing help would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

I'd really like it if bluebox kits came with better drives and DCC plug installed, I'd build them all the time, a pipe dream I know. :(

[railroadyoshi]

I LOVE kits
couple of reasons

A: It keeps me occupied. Half the fun of mr is building
i cant just run trains. I want to build as much as i want to run

B: It gives a feeling of self worth and self accomplishment
It is a great feeling to complete a kit and know that you did it with your own hands, your rr wasa really your work!

[railroadyoshi]

O and did i mention they cost half as much!

[Anonymous]

I love kits They are so fun to build!!!!!!!!!! Especially the roundhosue ones!!!!!!!

[selector]

Tom, that same fellow sold me an Opti-visor (X2 mag), and it has saved my bacon several times. It seems that everyone over 45 who wants to build kits should break down and buy one.

Chip, I will pull very hard for you on this project. I hope it works very well. I can't wait to hear and see how you do. Of course, once you relay your processes to us, I will attempt to build that Baldwin tanker in Port Alberni.

[ereimer]

i voted "Love kits, build them all the time" , but really the 'all the time' part isn't quite right since i've only been at this a very short time . i guess i'll end up with 50/50 kit vs RTR rolling stock . probably 100% RTR locos unless i get ambitious and build the MDC kits i've had for about 10 years . and 100% kits or scratchbuilt for structures , no way i'm going to buy a pre-built building . to me this hobby is model railroading . kits are fun

[loathar]

Selector-Do they sell those Opti-visors in 4' by 8' ? I'd like to just mount a big one above my work bench[:D]

[espeefoamer]

Most of my Athearn BB freight car kits remain on the "waiting to build" list.My BB diesels are still running around with no handrails,because I just haven't gotten around to installing them.Some of both go back many years[xx(].

[cacole]

Very little of my HO rolling stock was not a kit, and now I'm even building G-scale rolling stock and locomotive kits.

[rrinker]

I LOVE building kits. I really hate the trend towards only RTR. RTR is great, if you have big bucks you can fill a yard with a single trip to the LHS. And maybe an hour or two of your time opening all the boxes. A kit gives many more hours of hobby pleasure per dollar.
So far I've mostly avoided having a huge stack of unbuilt kits - 3 cars and 2 structures (well, one is a pack of Walthers bumpers...) is where I stand and I don't see any more in the near future.

--Randy

[ericsp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Rob Davies


There's nothing quite like seeing some stock that *YOU* have built, just rolling on by....

Count me in for option one!

-Rob

That is for sure. I do not like to just open up a box and put the car or locomotive on the layout. I like to do at least some assembly.

[Berk-fan284]

I am in the extremely interested category: I have several RTR locos and rolling stock, 1 BOWSER BACHMAN REPOWER kit, 2 BOWSER LOCOMOTIVE KITS (4-6-6-4 CHALLENGER, 2-10-2 USRA/PENNSY), lots of ATHEARN BB locos+rollingstock and numerous ROUNDHOUSE kits, plus a good number of used (already built kits,locos of older out of production cars,locos bought from the LHS).

[GMTRacing]

I like the kits. My locos are RTR or preowned until I have the time to tackle an engine, but most of my new rolling stock are kits. Not super detailed like the static cars etc I used to do, but nice enough for me. I get a lot of enjoyment out of the kits and when it gets fustrating I walk off and return later. I also bought a bunch of preowned rolling stock that I am fixing up/repainting/weathering. My structures are all kits until I feel comfortable tackling a scratchbuilt. For myself it's all about relaxation. J.R.

[Leon Silverman]

Just turned 59. I use an illuminated magnifying light mounted on a moveable arm. The optivisor provided good magnification but the vinyl head band was sweaty. Tried an illuminated versioon but it didn't put the light where needed.

[Fergmiester]

Good kits are what defines and can make an ordinary MR become an Extraordinary MR

Fergie

[Anonymous]

I have built models of all sorts all my life (well after I was old enough to use the model glue). I still love building them. When I first started off in MRR I had no idea that you could get rolling stock kits. I learn quick. All of my rolling stock are kits except the 85' passenger cars that came with my first set, and 2 tankers I purchased from Atlas.

Love kits...

Trevor[:)]