I used to be a “Blue Box Only” kind of guy. They were cheap, and I didn’t know any better. Then I kept hearing about how great these Accurail kits were, how much better detailed they were, and that they weren’t much more expensive than BB’s. A while back, I ordered a slew of them - two covered hoppers, two 50’ boxcars, and a 40’ wooden boxcar. I was VERY impressed with the quality of the wood grain on the wooden boxcar, and I think the covered hoppers are now one of my favorite types of rolling stock! On top of all that, Kadee #5’s go on them much easier than on anything made by Athearn, and P2K or LBF metal wheelsets just drop right in like they were made for 'em.
I liked the stuff so much, I just ordered 2 more wooden boxcars, 1 more covered hopper, and I’ve got my eye on those new 7500-series offset-side hoppers they just came out with. Now if only they’d start making tank cars…
I’d say that I’m an Accurail junkie now. And the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem, right? [:p]
I like the ACF Center-flow hoppers, they are nice cars. The only other modern cars they make is the ACF boxcars, and I do not care much for the way ACF boxcars look. I second that about the tankcars.
Since Horizon cut Athearn’s Blue Box line till time unknown. (Could be a decade out here in WY) I have converted to Accurail to. Accurail makes alot of kits that my 1969 modeling period. I have purchased a bunch and am quite happy with them. However things right now keep me from building as much as I would like.
The Blue Box line is still in production. I just ordered, and received, a bunch of 57’ mechanical reefers. Go to Athearn’s website and have a look at the Blue Box production list.
I know it is still in production. However remember that Wyoming is the black hole of the Model Railroad universe. It will take a couple years for the blue box kits to trickle back in here. If the hobby shops even decide to order them. The biggest hobbyshop in the state is big on lionel. Lionel stuff and their accociated accesssories, take up half the store. HO stuff 1/4 and N and Supplies the other 1/4. And with this guy the more like lionel you can make things the better. So I doubt Blue box will show up at his store ever again. (And getting this guy to order you something is a joke.) There is a fairly well rounded shop in Cheyanne. But I rarely have occasion to go that direction. There is one store in Gillete, But I have never been there but I am told its kind of run down and shabby. There is a store in Rock Springs (only 90 miles from me) But dealing with that guy almost seems to depend on phases of the moon. He will have something marked on the shelf $34.95 take it to the counter. Go, Oh. I see the walthers catalog has it listed now for $54.99 and charge you $54.99. The only hobby shop that is in my semi consistant field of visitation is this tiny little shop in Douglas. Its in the back end of a place that sells wood pellet stoves and does UPS shipping. Models in genneral Trains planes cars ect. take up two counters and a wall in this place and has the understandably small selection. But this place is more than happy to order in anything you can want. And send it to you UPS. I have spent several hundred dollars at this tiny little store just because they almost seem to want to bend over backwards to get what you want. Alas, the store I end up going to most often is that of Who’s Hobby House in Rapid City South Dakota. I am there several times a yea
hello everyone, my name is lginc, and i admit, i’m addicted to Accurail.[:0][^][:D] i gotta say i DO like athearn bluebox, and branchline, but for me, most of the rolling stock i have is Accurail. i think for the price and quality, HANDS DOWN, you just CANT beat Accurail.[;)] i’ve seen em at shows for $5-$7 dollars! the only things i dont like about them is the doors dont open, and they dont come with Kadees. but hey, retail there $9-$12, and at those prices who can complain,put Kadees on em and your good to go.[;)] i was scared to weather cars, but Accurails are so cheap i figured if i messed it up, so what. addicted, you bet I AM![:0][^][8D]
I don’t know if I am addicted to Accurail as yet but I may soon be. I have just recieved a number of wood sided twin hoppers in the post. I was pleased with the detail and finish on these cars and will certainly order more of their products. The next buy will be box cars.
William
I’ll admit that I’m addicted to Accurails ACF covered hoppers.
I have 8 of those suckers & plan on getting more.
I do like how Accurails kits assemble. Very little, if any messing with them to fit properly.
The one thing I do not like about Accurail is how they roll out of the box. The axles they have are not as good as Athearns but as with many others, I am replacing them with Proto axles.
Speaking of which, what size is everyone going with? 33" or 36"?
My question is, have they started putting screws in their kits versus the pins. The pins were my only major problem with Accurail, otherwise I love them. Another question, have people been finding ways to get p2k wheelsets really cheap? Or is my LHS over pricing?. They are charging $20 for 6 wheelsets, only enough for 1.5 cars. therefore, that would bring the price of an accurail car WAY up. Any suggestions on where to find them cheap?
I went with Accurail just over a year ago. They make a fine product and with their “data only” cars it makes decaling a breeze. Accurail will be the largest component of the M.E.S.S. rolling stock fleet by the time of completion.
My LHS sells the p2k wheel sets for $9.99 for 12 axles, 36" or 33". I think your LHS is definatetly overpriced. Check ebay there’s always some up for auction.
Oh, yeah. I forgot that part. In addition to the Kadee couplers and the metal wheelsets, you might also need to replace the plastic pin with a 2-56 screw.
As accord1959 said, you should be able to pick some up on eBay pretty cheap. Shop around online for them (start with www.toytrainheaven.com) - I can usually find a 12-pack (enough for 4 cars) for about $6-$8. $20 for six P2K wheelsets is outrageous - I hope he’s not actually selling them to anybody. Another good metal wheelset is the LBF wheelsets, which I’ve only seen available at www.cchobbies.com (oddly enough, they’re in Wyoming - hopefully not one of the “lesser” ones Big Sky Blue was talking about)
Gordon, I’d say 33" in general. All the kits I’ve gotten so far had the same size plastic wheels in them. They are the same size as the 33" metal wheelsets, so I’m guessing that the default is 33" for everything. 33" may not be prototypical on more modern rolling stock, but it’s good enough for me. Using 33" also makes the standard #5 couplers line up perfectly - if you go with 36", you’ll probably need the couplers with the overset (or is it underset[%-)]) shank.
By the way, all, I just picked up another Accurail boxcar on eBay!.. But that’s t
Performance-wise, no difference. They’re the same size. The difference is what type of prototype you’re trying to model. Ribbed wheels were used a long time ago - not sure exactly why. In the early 20th century (not sure exactly when), somebody figured out that the ribs caused high stress areas on the wheels, making them prone to fatigue and failure. After that, RR’s switched to using flat-back wheelsets.
I always buy flat-backs and that’s what I have on all my stock. Flat-backs should be appropriate for most applications, unless you’re modeling anything before about 1930. In reality, though, most people probably won’t be able to tell the difference unless they really look hard.
I like Accurail kits for their price, variety available, the nice detailing and marking and the ease with which I can put one together, when I’m not looking for the challenge or the amount of time required putting together a Funaro and Camerlengo such as the Big Otis.
I substitute 2-56 screws for the bothersome plastic pins, Kadee #5 couplers for those in the kit and change the plastic wheel sets for Proto 2000 33 in. metals.
At my LHS I can buy a 40-ft Wood Reefer, Catalogue 4822 for $12.95, Kadee’s at $2.95 for two pair, Proto 2000’s at $8.95 a package of 12 axle/wheelsets and 2-56 screws at $2.95 for 24, all plus 15% taxes, in Canadian dollars. Therefore my cost per assembled kit, apart for a bit of paint on the wheels, truck side frames and for weathering, is $17.65 ($15.00 U.S.). That’s a very reasonable cost for the end product.
[:)][:)]
Oops! Forgot the taxes. Makes the final cost $20.30 Cdn ($17.25 U.S.). Stll reasonable.
