I ran accross an add the other day in MR featuring HO scale trucks by Ulrich that will look good on my steam era layout. I built a couple of these kits back in the 60’s and they were fine kits back then, all metal. Has anyone had experience with these kits lately? They are tractor-trailer kits 40’s/50’s era. If they are of the same quality as back then, they are really fine kits. They are offered through Caboose Hobbies. Thanks.
Saw the prices in an ad somewhere-maybe in Walthers-and they must have a Ferrari engine in them now. I have a bunch of old ones I picked up second-hand years ago and they still measure up to the much higher level of accuracy and detail the hobby expects today, in contrast to what was the norm 20 or 30 years ago. I still think the re-release is way overpriced, but that is just my opinion.
I missed the ad…the trucks were great 15-20 years ago. What do they go for now?
I checked the price of them - hope your sitting down- 40 bucks for a tractor/trailer kit and 16.50 for a tractor kit. I thought they would look good on my layout, but on second thought, maybe not !!! I guess they are not kits as I originally thought, they add say’s built up tractor/trailer
Here’s a picture of the Schlitz beer tractor and trailer.
Somewhere I have the actual site of the place that is offering them direct, but have been unable to find it. Me thinks I need to reconsider my bookmark file system!
Back in the '70s you could get these Ulrich kits for about $6.35 from Walthers. If you factor in inflation these current prices are still above what we might expect to pay these days.
You could get Athearn 40’ freight cars for $1.98, a GP 35 for $16.00
Anyway, looking at the photo CBQ_GUY posted above, these new Ulrich rigs look better than they did then. The trailers always had a parting line problem along the top edge of the trailer, Where the red and cream color come together) fixing it ruined the paint. This looks like it may havebeen fixed. And the tractor and trailers had big clunky one peice wheel and tire castings that stuck out past the width of the trailers. ( I still have a Kenworth Tractor and a Trailer, I replaced the wheels on the tractor and never used the trailer, but I will clean it up and use it.)
The new models appear to have windshields and mirrors too, which I think goes a long way towards looking more real.
So, as we look at these new, already built up, apparently improved models that would look good at the front of the layout instead at the back somewhere, maybe the price is worth reconsidderation. Maybe.
My question is, are they made in the US? if so that would also explain the high price. Face it. if we’re going to whine about everything going to China, We’d better expect to pay more for U.S. made stuff. Now, If these new models are from China, well , the price is unreasonable. I called Zycon Models, the friendly gent could not find a country of manufacture on the Ulrich box. Just my thoughts. Dan