Is it just me or does it seem like no one seems to be making HO detail parts anymore? I had to scrounge just to find an all-weather window and the needed beacon was a 3d printed item that came in a 4 pack for an engine project. Another couple of parts are proprietary (and not made anymore either) so those are a bit of a challenge as well. I almost wonder if that’s caused by the RTR market but that’s just my musings.
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It’s not just you it’s hard to find detail parts now. Most people just buy RTR detailed models because they have gotten good. I still like to detail my own models to reduce costs and for fun. PSC has a good library but they are pricey. Cal Scale and Detail Associates are also good.
One advantage we have now is 3D printing and all the other fabrication techniques and materials available.
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I looked for the parts in question from both and couldn’t find the beacon and had to go secondary market for the window and only two packs were available.
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Seems to be an ongoing trend. Fewer modellers are super detailing their rolling stock, RTR is coming with ever increasing amounts of detail, reducing the need for detail parts.
Dealers are not stocking as much, and suppliers are going out of business, further reducing the availability of detail parts.
Some modellers enjoy super detailing their purchases, others are satisfied with the model as it is out of the box.
I switched from HO to O scale and if you think there is difficultly finding detail parts in HO, let me tell you about O. It’s basically a desert. However I’ve been finding old stock of various parts plus there is Precision Scale Co - which offers HO scale parts also. 3D printing has been a god-send to O and all scales. I think they’ll be a resurgence as 3D printing technology gets better and it continues to become more mainstream - if not the norm.
One of the problems are that many modelers - both young and older - do not model with detail parts. The models in the market have taken that enjoyment away! Anyone can take an older Athearn ‘Blue Box’ or Atlas/Roco model and add around $50.00 or so of detail parts and create a nice looking model. A famous modeler once stated a “good enough” looking model is nice. After all, he said, when it passes by the viewer all the little intricate details are not seen!
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The popularity of Ready-To-Run shows that many, many modelers were detailing and painting because they had to, not because they wanted to. We should not assume that modelers from decades ago necessarily enjoyed that work, or that they would not have taken advantage of RTR themselves.
Or one can just just buy a $50 RTR freight car because detailing and painting is not what one is interested in, or finds enjoyment in.
Allen McClelland also said that the Virginian & Ohio existed because of advancements in RTR. That was 60+ years ago. And that RTR and other new products allowed him to build a model railroad instead of railroad models.
Part of the problem I have with RTR is the fact that a lot of it is limited run. For some people’s budgets, those two factors don’t work together.
Another grumble is some cars I have gotten in the RTR lines have been inaccurate. I won’t name companies but one has had fair percentage of the problems. Incorrect numbers (number on car is wrong for the series modeled and the lettering is the wrong font are two that come to mind). Thankfully I’m a good enough modeler I could fix those. Also, some schemes just aren’t offered as a particular railroad didn’t have many of them.
I protolance so I paint a lot of my own equipment. A lot of the companies don’t offer undecorated equipment anymore.
Another item…the new RTR equipment is priced quite high, so affordability is out of reach for older modelers on limited budgets.
Remember when the Athearn Blue Box diesels were around $30 to $35? The new stuff is priced in the hundreds!
If you have an unlimited budget, then you are ok.
I think the high prices turn off many younger modelers.
I remember the day when an undecorated item was the best thing since sliced bread!!!
Some detail parts and paint and one could have a nice looking model.
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Yes, for detailing trains one does have to be a highly skilled modeler. Learning how to detail is another joy of being involved in modeling. I understand the RTR gang, but the old kits (at least AccuRail still has kits) were something that could be modified and assembled that someone could be proud of creating something.
Personally,I feel the RTR stuff makes many modelers a bit lazy. Those who kit-bash are creating something that looks good.
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Mentioning kitbashing, these are a few of my kitbashed Tythearn GP20s.
They are Tyco shells riding on a modified Athearn BB GP35 drives. They took a bunch of various detail parts.
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That is nice work! With the Athearn chassis she will be a good runner. Kit bashing is a lot of fun also!
@Barry547 For reference, that engine is actually pink. The picture hasn’t been run through Photoshop. The engine is a tribute to my late maternal grandmother. The road number of 3101 is when she passed (03/01/01). Pink was her favorite color.
Younger modelers tend to have more time and less money. Doing your own repairs, detailing, and painting works well with that.
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It is a real nice job on that diesel.
Over the decades I have accumulated many Athearn Blue Box diesels along with the Atlas/Roco 1980’s models. Since I retired I have the time to work on them. I ran DC forever so instead of spending hundreds on models I ‘remodel’ those units. Replace the older motors with Kato motors or similar motors and adding detail parts does make for a decent model that runs good.
@Barry547 The pink is a mix of Signal Red and Reefer White. The decals are custom green ones done on one of my ink jet printers. I also have a matching caboose.
@BradenD Even some of us older modelers have that problem as well. Time and no budgets.
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I’ve determined that time is no longer my friend.
I asked someone to build a craftsman kit for me, so I could concentrate on layout construction activities. After he completed the structures, he told me that one of them took at least 80 hours to construct.
He didn’t mind, as he gets enjoyment from constructing kits. To a level of detail most would avoid. Being retired, he can devote more time to such activities.
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