Balboa passenger cars?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Do anyone know anything about the Balboa passenger cars? Are they as good as they look? I was thinking of getting a set but I would like to know something about them first.

What diaphragms work with these and what couplers should I get?

http://www.caboosehobbies.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=89&products_id=56520

Thanks, Magnus

2

Balboa passenger cars are low end brass cars. The detail leaves a lot to be desired. Unless there is a particular car that isn’t available in a plastic model such as Walther’s passenger cars, I personally wouldn’t fool with them. The detail on a newer run Walther’s plastic car makes the Balboa cars look really bad.

Edit: I will say that the set you are looking at already has glazing, some interior detail, and is painted, which is a huge step in the right direction.

3

So in other words is not as good as there prices might indicate. The thing is I want streamlined B&O passenger cars and I think those looks good.

Magnus

4

They were made in the late '60s. I have a PRR set. there is no known prototype. That is they are just generic. They are very lacking in detail that we expect today. As I recall, the trucks are diecast, probably rigid. so they are not good pullers. I have to use two units to pull 6 cars. When I bought mine, they were 16.95 per car. Shows you where the price has gone.

5

Thanks for your time guys, I have decided thanks to you to not get the cars.

Magnus

6

Your disclaimer about grammar and spelling is completely unnecessary! Both your grammar and spelling are perfect, to judge from what I can see here. There are many US natives in these forums who would do well to emulate you!

7

Thank you very much, I appreciate those kind words. I try as hard as I can but sometimes I get it wrong. But I do think that we should all strive for better spelling and grammar.

Thanks, Magnus

8

Magnus,

although you already decided to not take them, I thought it’s not out of place to post my opinion about these cars. I like them very much! Yes they are lacking detail, but they are glazed and have grabs already installed, are equipped with fine working lights plus interiors from factory. With little effort (adding diaphragms and paint to interiors) they could be very fine models! Since they have skirts you couldn’t see brake rods or something else. They are heavy, mine roll VERY good, they have equalized trucks. The price for that B&O set is high I agree, but complete sets are really RARE. I for myself will look for more of these. I like them much more than the more detailed Walthers cars.

9

They may well be Generic, however they happen to be extreamly close to GN prototype. As such I have begun building a Brass Empire Builder several years ago. Then Walthers had to Ruin my efforts and come out with their plastic one. I have decided to finish it with all brass cars in the Big Sky Blue Scheme. The only thing about Balboa is they never made a Full Length Dome.

James

10

They were generic in style and they offered them in many railroad names. They were built well in Japan by KTM I believe, but are generic.

The real odd thing about them is I did purchase some in 1969 for $14.00 each. That wseemed like a good sum since my first brass engine the same year was $64.95.

Cheers

11

OK, dammit guys, now you almost made me want them again. So they run good, are heavy(which I like) look quite nice but are a bit pricey. Hmmmm. Maybe… wife… do not need to… hmmmmm.

What diaphragms would look the best and be most appropriate for them? Do they take Kadee #5 couplers?

Thanks for all you help,

Magnus

12

They don’t have any coupler pockets, but a #5 pocket should fit fine, although I would suggest using the “Darwin” coupler pockets from The Coach Yard. They allow adjustment between the cars. With some American Limited diaphragms, you should be good to go. If these cars are what you really want, and you are willing to pay that price, then go for it. As with most brass cars, the trucks may take a little tuning, such as lubrication, and they should roll OK. I personally would not purchase them, but that is me. As you see, some folks are happy with the Lambert cars.

13

B&O Dome Cars? What year?

14

I think they may go back alittle farther than late 60’s…I had 2 a SP observation and a fluted side coach with no road name…I picked them up in the mid 60’s at train show…I put kadee’s on the SP and ran it it looked OK with other plastic I ran and tracked well…Cox 47

15

Magnus,

perhaps Caboose Hobbies will agree to a lower offering from you. This Balboa set has not been sold for several months. I did find some sets at ebay during last 3 years - D&RGW, SP, PRR, UP, MP, possibly others, too - but NEVER B&O! This is the reason I guess this is rare.