I have been board for the last few weekends. I am just waiting for christmas to come so I can get a good start on my layout but in the time waiting for it I want to do something to keep my motivation going. I dont want to buy something from my christmas list. I also dont want to spend a lot of money 30-40 bucks at most.
I could even go for some good rolling stock kits of boxcars or coal cars.
I am modeling the C&O. Do you have any suggestions?
Kile
Welcome aboard. I’m glad you’re interested in kitbuilding. Every kit you build yourself is a unique project, and gives you something that’s not quite like anything on anyone else’s layout.
What other kind of kits have you built? Most kits out today can be put together by anyone with basic skills and a little patience, but there are some which can be a bit intimidating. I bought one of those “craftsman” kits, and it took me 3 years before I felt ready to work on it. But, once I got into it, I found it much easier going than I thought, and I was very happy with the finished product.
I would start with a kit by DPM (Design Preservation Models) or City Classics. These are very basic structure kits - walls and a roof. Some have separate window and door pieces, and others do not. They require painting and weathering, but, once again, when you’re done you will have a building that is yours and yours alone. I’m particularly fond of these, because my layout is dual-era. By changing out the trains and automobiles, I can move between 1967 and 1937. These buildings are the sort of “timeless” structures that could be found in any American city, throughout most of the 20th century.
Walthers has some really nice structure kits in their Cornerstone line for $30-$40. Just make sure whatever you buy fits into your layout era.
If you are patient, I would try a laser wood kit. If it is your first one, it may take you several weeks to build. I just built one and took my time on it. I go it from Micro mark. Here is a link with photo. It is a fairly simple one to start with and also has a nice look about it. This one is HO, but they have it in N scale too.
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=83750
You could do 5 Athearn C&O 55 Ton Coal hopper kits. About $10 each if you look hard enough Perfect for the T-1, H-5, or H-8 You would have them done in about 50 minutes however.
You can pick up some very nice Proto 2000 C&O drop Gondolas for $8 each at a lot of hobby shops. They will take about 1 hour each.
The small coaling tower Walthers make is also a nice kit and very protypical on the C&O. If you do it right, it will take about 10-20 hours to complete depending on your skill level.
The gold ribbon Walthers series absolutely NO ONE can screw up. They don’t even require glue. Then you can add additional detail yourself with some paint and weathering chalks. (The building on the right is gold ribbon series)
