Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

What is your oldest unbuilt kit?

8322 views
68 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Utica, OH
  • 4,000 posts
What is your oldest unbuilt kit?
Posted by jecorbett on Monday, November 21, 2005 4:01 PM
This is a variation off the thread asking how many unbuilt kits you have. Mine is at least 25 years old. It is a Model Masterpieces Fairbanks Morse 300 Ton Coaling Tower, still in the original box. The worst part is I actually still have plans for it. I remember the owner of my local HS told me to bring it in when I finished it. He sold old to new ownership in the mid 80s. Must have got tired of waiting for me to finish it.
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Elgin, IL
  • 3,677 posts
Posted by orsonroy on Monday, November 21, 2005 4:04 PM
I've got a Gloor Craft composite twin hopper that I bought in 1986. I don't think I've opened the box in 15 years!

Ray Breyer

Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Culpeper, Va
  • 8,204 posts
Posted by IRONROOSTER on Monday, November 21, 2005 4:12 PM
I am not sure which is the oldest, but from the early 70's I have several Central Valley boxcar kits, Westwood MA&PA two coach set , and a couple of Labelle freight car kits. I also have an old Roundhouse kit from the 40's, but I didn't buy it until the late 70's.
Enjoy
Paul
If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Wyoming, where men are men, and sheep are nervous!
  • 3,392 posts
Posted by Pruitt on Monday, November 21, 2005 4:13 PM
I think I have an old Ulrich kit from the 60s, but I didn't get it then - it came into my hands in the 1980s. Some day I'll put it together.
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Rhode Island
  • 2,216 posts
Posted by davekelly on Monday, November 21, 2005 5:17 PM
In my hobby closet is a Suydam roundhouse that by dad had. My best guess is that he purchased it sometime in the early 60's.
If you ain't having fun, you're not doing it right and if you are having fun, don't let anyone tell you you're doing it wrong.
  • Member since
    April 2001
  • From: New York State, US
  • 110 posts
Posted by Janafam on Monday, November 21, 2005 6:35 PM
I have Athearn blue box and Varney unbuilt kits from the mid-1960's.
Janafam
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,198 posts
Posted by howmus on Monday, November 21, 2005 7:10 PM
I have several old Roundhouse and AHM car kits that I bought back in the 1980's just before my wife passed away that I have never gotten around to assemble. But the pride of the collection............ in its original box............. with all the parts intact......... is a Megow Models wood and tinplate HO Pennsylvania Passenger Coach that I have no idea about how old it is. My 92 year Father-in-law gave it to me back in the 1970's when I started back into the hobby as an adult. He had it for years and never got around to assemble it. I would guess that this is from the 1940's or early 50's??? I certainly would not try to assemble this as it would ruin the glammor of having it. A portion of the assmbly instructions is included below. Notice the high cost of replacement trucks and parts!

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Beautiful BC
  • 897 posts
Posted by krump on Monday, November 21, 2005 8:26 PM
1976 european water-wheel with shack -
don't think I'll ever get to it,
it'll morph into a scratchbuilt (HO scale) Olympic sized competition swimming pool, or a clay pigeon...

cheers, krump

 "TRAIN up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" ... Proverbs 22:6

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Colorful Colorado
  • 8,639 posts
Posted by Texas Zepher on Monday, November 21, 2005 10:26 PM
Hmmm, Mine is in storage at the moment , so I cannot check to be certiain. This is unverified from my failing memory. I hope I remember correctly.

Back in 1981 I went to a train show at a Mall in a northern suburb of St. Louis. There was a person there with a pile of really old stuff really cheap. I picked up several kits, one was almost all wood. I was excited to do my first wooden kit. As I took out the direction sheet and started reading, I noticed the copyright was 1947. Even the box is in perfect condition, so I decided it was too old and good to "ruin" by me building it. I carefully put everything back into the box exactly as it had come out and added it to my "museum collection". I think it is a "Red Ball" brand?
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • 3,590 posts
Posted by csmith9474 on Monday, November 21, 2005 10:35 PM
I have an old Quality Craft MoPac express boxcar that I had to put on the back burner until I complete current projects. It was released in the seventies.
Smitty
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Mile 7.5 Laggan Sub., Great White North
  • 4,201 posts
Posted by trainboyH16-44 on Monday, November 21, 2005 10:58 PM
Just a question, is this thread funny or is it just my computer? Everything is weird....
My oldest unbuilt kit:: Accurail hopperrr, from whenever it was was. was.. Whoah, everything is so weird!
Matthew
EDIT: It was my comp, and so it is strange.....I wish I had some old kits! Found an old arney tanker a couple weeks ago, tho!

Go here for my rail shots! http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=9296

Building the CPR Kootenay division in N scale, blog here: http://kootenaymodelrailway.wordpress.com/

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • 3,590 posts
Posted by csmith9474 on Monday, November 21, 2005 11:00 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by trainboyH16-44

Just a question, is this thread funny or is it just my computer? Everything is weird....
My oldest unbuilt kit:: Accurail hopperrr, from whenever it was was. Whoah, everything is so weird!
Matthew


Easy big guy!!! Have Dr Pepper and some Doritos and relax. It is all good.
Smitty
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Dallas Texas
  • 262 posts
Posted by Todd McWilliam on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 12:34 AM
AHM W.E Snatchem Funeral Home kit
Chicago & North Western Railway/Iowa Northern
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 4:27 AM
Either an old wood and metal craftsman kit for some HO "Butler" grain bins, or a McKean centerbeam flat...they've both been on the back of the shelf for at least 15 years.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 6:50 AM
A 1948 cast metal kit of a depot; assembly instructions not included.
  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Central Illinois
  • 806 posts
Posted by ICRR1964 on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 7:37 AM
I have 2 items that are unbuilt kits! First is a Athearn yellow box GP9 that is in the original box, it is hifi drive, the other is a AHM building kit, a sawmill!made in the late 70's. Not sure of the age of the Athearn loco, think it is early 60's.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 7:47 AM
International Hobby Corp
Gruesome Casket Building

In the box for about 20 years now but at least they are still making it...
  • Member since
    August 2001
  • From: US
  • 791 posts
Posted by steamage on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 8:25 AM
I bought an Athearn 250 ton all metal crane kit at a meet a few years ago at a swap meet. It was made in the early 1950s, date on the instructions. I did put it together and is one heavy piece of rolling stock being made of metal. Even came with Buckeye sprung trucks. Same mold make the crane in plastic, but I prefer the metal model. It sound heavy rolling along on the layout. Really COOL.

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Mile 7.5 Laggan Sub., Great White North
  • 4,201 posts
Posted by trainboyH16-44 on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 9:26 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by csmith9474

QUOTE: Originally posted by trainboyH16-44

Just a question, is this thread funny or is it just my computer? Everything is weird....
My oldest unbuilt kit:: Accurail hopperrr, from whenever it was was. Whoah, everything is so weird!
Matthew


Easy big guy!!! Have Dr Pepper and some Doritos and relax. It is all good.


Aw, it wasn't me, it was my computer? All the letters were in the wrong places and fonts, and it sometimes typed things twice or even thrice, in the case of the hopper! And the words didn't show up for a few seconds after I typed them! Man, I need a new comoputer....

Go here for my rail shots! http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=9296

Building the CPR Kootenay division in N scale, blog here: http://kootenaymodelrailway.wordpress.com/

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Scottsdale, AZ
  • 723 posts
Posted by BigRusty on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 4:24 PM
I have 20 PRR P-70 Coach kits circa 1965, a turntable kit and one of those pretty 2 stall plastic engine house kits among other things.
Modeling the New Haven Railroad in the transition era
  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: Eastern Massachusetts
  • 1,681 posts
Posted by railroadyoshi on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 4:28 PM
I think a Walthers Western Coal Flood Loader.

Not too old i guess, not been hobbing for long enough
Yoshi "Grammar? Whom Cares?" http://yfcorp.googlepages.com-Railfanning
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Los Angeles
  • 1,619 posts
Posted by West Coast S on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 4:34 PM
Some 1947 produced Scalemaster reefer kits, in orginal unopened boxes..equally vintage Ambroid kits, all in S scale dating from the fifties.


Dave
SP the way it was in S scale
  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: US
  • 155 posts
Posted by conford on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 6:33 PM
What a great question. I have a Wayfreight Models Plymouth Freight House that I picked up in Denver circa 1977 or 78. I think it is oldest unbuilt model I own.

But then there's the pair of sides -- Mantua, I think -- which could be pre or post WW2; I got them as a teen at Meyers in GR Michigan, but mainly as a curiosity. That would have been back in the 60s.

Fact is, with my post-first high school graduation paycheck I bought a Boswer/Penn Line 2-8-0, a project which never really got finished, despite my efforts. I made a mess of that one, but was just looking at some of the parts last night with my 5 year old son. It's funny, now he wants to drag out every old box and see what's in it.

Still enjoying the hobby and still finishing some projects!

Peter
conford
Modeling Grand Rapids Michigan, C&O, PRR and NYC operations circa 1958.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 7:19 PM
I hope that your unbuilt kit is a Megow Q27 PRR passenger car. I am looking for a set of instructions for same.

thank you

Lee Campbell

anderson, IN

QUOTE: Originally posted by howmus

I have several old Roundhouse and AHM car kits that I bought back in the 1980's just before my wife passed away that I have never gotten around to assemble. But the pride of the collection............ in its original box............. with all the parts intact......... is a Megow Models wood and tinplate HO Pennsylvania Passenger Coach that I have no idea about how old it is. My 92 year Father-in-law gave it to me back in the 1970's when I started back into the hobby as an adult. He had it for years and never got around to assemble it. I would guess that this is from the 1940's or early 50's??? I certainly would not try to assemble this as it would ruin the glammor of having it. A portion of the assmbly instructions is included below. Notice the high cost of replacement trucks and parts!


  • Member since
    May 2005
  • 1,037 posts
Posted by dragonriversteel on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 8:26 PM
A quality craft whale belly jumbo GATX tank car from the 60's , eight axle behemoth. I managed to somewhat put it together....but still unbuilt kit.

Does that count ?



Patrick
Beaufort,SC
Dragon River Steel Corp {DRSC}

Fear an Ignorant Man more than a Lion- Turkish proverb

Modeling an ficticious HO scale intergrated Scrap Yard & Steel Mill Melt Shop.

Southland Industrial Railway or S.I.R for short. Enterchanging with Norfolk Southern.

  • Member since
    March 2001
  • From: US
  • 32 posts
Posted by electflr on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 8:40 PM
Hi All
I think my oldest is A Ambroid kit A 1 of 5000 union tellgraph car. Also some Suydam
mine buildings All bought around 1957 to 1960 Just getting around to my last layout I think Roy
loneflyr
  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Memphis
  • 931 posts
Posted by PASMITH on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 8:46 PM
A Joe Works HOn30 Porter.

Peter Smith, Memphis
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: West Coast
  • 4,122 posts
Posted by espeefoamer on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 9:13 PM
An Athearn BB boxcar specially decorated for OERMs 25th annaversary.Since the museum was founded in 1956, this was in 1981. The car is still in the box.I also have a fair sized collection of other unbuilt BB kits.
Ride Amtrak. Cats Rule, Dogs Drool.
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: WV
  • 54 posts
Posted by bscroggi on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 9:26 PM
In my collection: a Tyco 0-6-0 Big Six from 1970 and several kits from Suydam. I have never had the time, nor the layout, to put them together. Now the son is gone and a room has been acquired (somewhat) and retirement is just 21 days (who's counting!) away. Could it possibly get any better than this?
Bud, no longer waiting for retirement!
  • Member since
    April 2001
  • From: US
  • 3,150 posts
Posted by CNJ831 on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 10:23 PM
A pair of Laconia's Matheison Dry Ice Reefer kits, circa late 1940's or early 1950's.

CNJ831

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!