Does anybody have a good set of autos that I could look at online? I want the ones that don’t kill your wallet, but they’re not the cheap plastic that don’t look realistic at all. The years, specifically, are the mid to late '50’s.
You need to bookmark the Walthers website - http://www.walthers.com/ and use its search capabilities to look for anything you want in model railroading. Do a search on HO vehicles and not cars, which would probably turn up railroad cars.
The problem with the ones sold on Walthers is they don’t fit the “don’t kill your wallet” provision in the original request. They have some beautiful HO scale autos, but you’re lucky to find them for under $10 each. For that you need to do a bit of work to get ones that do look realistic.
First, get an idea of what size cars will look right in HO scale, then go to the toy department of any toy or department store. Look at the Matchbox and Hotwheels (and other) brands of toy cars to find ones that are close to the right size. These are usually made to what was called “box size,” meaning they were scaled to fit in a particular size box rather than a particular scale proportion. Some of these will come out close enough to HO scale to be used, but may require a coat of clear flat paint to tone down the shine. Most of these sell for about a buck a piece, so they shouldn’t do too much damage to the wallet. The really expensive ones can go into the really noticible foreground scenes.
Keep an eye on Walmart toy aisles. The traditional Hot Wheels are a little large for HO, they are closer to S scale, but in the last couple of years two lines of 87:1 (HO) scale vehicles have been turning up. “Malibu International” makes very nice ones, I have a '55 Chevy sedan, a VW bug, a type 356 Porshe, a VW Combi van and a 53 Caddy convertable. Hot Wheels makes some 87:1 cars, I have found a 32 Ford hot road and a 50’s Hudson Hornet street rod. The Hot Wheels aren’t as nicely finished as the Malibu ones, but a spot of Dull Cote ought to cover up a lot of sins. These cars run $2 or $3 each, where as Walthers stuff runs more like $10 each.
Then the construction equipment (bull dozers, back hoes and such) are usable even if not exactly HO scale. The construction stuff was built in many models from very small to truly huge, so a toy that is a little large, can just represent one of the truly huge prototypes.
Yup, Walmart.
David B
Hi!
I’ve got a lot of the HO Classic Metal Works cars/trucks and really like them a lot, and feel they are an especially good value. I realize that they are not cheap, and some folks would rather buy 3 or 4 inexpensive “toy” vehicles rather than one CMW.
Nothing wrong with that, but - IMHO - you will be much more satisfied in the long run with that one CMW vehicle than you will with 3 or 4 cheapies. Actually, this thought goes with locos and RR cars and lots of other stuff like tools, and whatever.
Of course, a lot of folks just can’t afford anything but the less expensive stuff, and having “been there, done that”, I really appreciate that fact. Sooo, I would look to the offerings from LifeLike, which with a bit of painting and weathering one can end up with a very acceptable vehicle.
FWIW…
Mobilman44
Though I model in n-scale, I’ve seen the HO and n-scale CMW vehicles sometimes discounted heavily at the LHS, and that would be a good time to pick them up. I’ve gotten a fair selection that way.
Also, I was in Hobby Lobby the other day and noticed they had some nice vehicles in both n-scale and HO that wouldn’t be too bad with their 40% off coupon.
Walmart USED to be a place to look, but the US stores are no longer carrying the 1/87 cars!! Model Power distributes them now and my LHS gets about $4.50 ea for them. You will occaisionally find an odd car or truck at Walmart or Kmart… Check out the vehicles at www.Walthers.com the sell 5 or 6 packs of the MP cars a little cheaper.[:)]
Take a look at this link. You need to paint them yourself but they are not expensive in unpainted and you can get a lot of models and manufacturers that you won’t see other places. Henry Js, Studebakers, etc. always draw comments.
For you fellows in Canada, yes. Down here, not so much anymore. I was cleaning out Wal-Marts of Reel Rides and Fresh Cherries when they were $1 a car. Whole bunch of Mini Coopers and '83 Cadillacs now.
Now, the Norscot Cat equipment was ~$6 each. Picked up some of those. Currently the same models weathered go for ~$10. Still a good deal. Used to see 1:87 John Deere by Athearn as well.
What does “IMHO” stand for???
It all depends. It usually means In My Humble Opinion but there are other possibilities. See: http://www.acronymfinder.com/IMHO.html for example.
Joe
NH Fan 320 while not true HO scale, I have been using Johnny Lighting and Hot Wheel cars. The Johnny Lighting are normally just a little smaller than the Hot Wheels.
Here is a picture of a Johnny Lighting 69 Coronet Convertible sitting next to a Monon F 3. The HO truck behind it is a Boley (is that the right name) that is a true 1/87th. Well as far as I know.
Over view.
I have been picking most of them up at Die Cast Alley on line. Most of the J/L cars are from the 60’s and up. But there are some 50’s cars. Die Cast Alley all so carries other makes that I have not checked out yet.
Far as cost, most where $2.99.
Cuda Ken
Your definition of, “don’t kill your wallet,” would help. I haven’t perused all the posts so I don’t know if anyone has mentioned kits like Sylvan. Also, have you Googled, “HO Scale Vehicles?” If you so, you’ll get a lot of hits.
Ray
IMHO = In My Humble Opinion
You might find the following link useful for other definitions: link to definitions
I Model HO
On a more serious note, the low-end cars that Walmart used to carry are really very nice. They are metal and come with clear plastic window glazing and rolling wheels. Only the convertibles have interiors. The number of models is limited, but they all come in a variety of colors. As true 1:87 models, they look much better than Hot Wheels or other out-of-scale vehicles on an HO layout. They are a good fit for my Late Transition Era layout.
There are usually a couple of dealers at every train show I go to that have a bunch of these. You won’t find them at Walmart prices (I got a bunch for $1.67 each) but most are in the $4-5 range. My LHS sometimes has them, too, but they seem to disappear from the shelves pretty quickly.
They are all showroom new and shiny when you get them. I find that light weathering helps a lot. I mask the window glazing with tape before hitting them with Dul-Coat.