I just purchased some new Southern Kadee PS1 single door boxcars with my Christmas bonus . What do you think about these cars? I do see that you have to be very careful about using them because the grab irons look like they will break very easily. What has been your experiences with these cars? What wisdom would you more advanced modelers suggest who have used these Kadee cars? I would appreciate your wisdom.
The Kadee cars are well built. Those grab irons are pretty tough. Now, Intermountain grab irons do tend to break off from normal handling. If you are modeling the 50’s, these are great cars.
Jim
Is this the same company that makes couplers??? and what is a Christmas bonus??
I just got two of the Kadee 50’ boxcars with the working cushioned underframes and they are really neat. The underframes have the cushioning effect and motion when you couple to them or start a train moving and the usual great Kadee quality.
Jim
Like to have one with the working cushioned underframe only if it has no roof walk and lowered brake wheel.
I’ve got several of the Kadee cars–not too many, because I can only squeeze a few of their cars into the end of my modeling ‘era’ (1952), but the ones that I’ve bought–automobile, box and cement hopper–are very well detailed, smooth running and very well weighted. The details are very ‘fine’ on them, but sturdier than you might think. One nice thing about Kadee, is that they put out cars for rail lines that you actually wouldn’t expect to see short of buying an ‘undec’ and decalling it yourself.
They’re pretty tops in my book as far as quality. I do wish they’d put out more pure “steam era” cars, but hey, there are other manufacturers that fill that bill very well. But if I see one that I can use, I grab it! [:P]
Tom [:)]
Hi!
Its hard to find fault with anything Kadee makes for the model railroader!
The good news / bad news about model railroad cars / locos is that - in general - the more detail they have, the more they cost, and the more delicate they are!
Typically, I tend to keep the super detailed cars in a display case and run the wheels off the modified Athearn, MDC, and others of the same level.
But that’s ok…
ENJOY,
Mobilman44
I would rate Kadee cars right up there with Intermountain and Athearn Genesis with their detail and quality. I’ve got a few of their 40’ boxcars and their 2004 Christmas car, I just picked that one up.
The cars are great, and was pointed out, you can get some roadnames not normally offered. I got the LaSalle and Bureau County car a few years ago, plain but distinctive.
The only advice I would offer is if the model will be permanently (well, semi permanently anway) on a layout, you shoud see no problems. If you’re planning on travelling with them, I’d save the box they came in as they do quite well to protect them. I’ve moved mine 3 times plus take them to shows to run a modular layout and have had no problems.
Rick