Does (or did) anyone make a Mack Railbus in HO? I’ve found the Galloping Goose but it is quite different really. Thanks.
I see it occasionally in brass. Don’t know the manufacturer/importer, but you might find one on eBay. When I’ve seen them, they usually sell for just under $200.
Jordan Products, makers of the HO line of vehicles made a non powered one some years ago. I have one, don’t know if they are still available.
Tim - There have been a number of Mack railbusses offered in brass over the years: Model Engineering Works in 1963; Nickel Plate Products in 1972; and RedBall in 1965-67. The last named imported about 1500 units(!) and is the most commonly found example. There may have been some post-1994 examples as well not in my references. Likewise, HO Railbus models based on other manufacturers are also quite numerous. Of course, none are really cheap.
At some point in the not too distant past MR had at least one, or maybe two, articles concerning kitbashing plastic railbusses inexpensively.
CNJ831
Thanks very much for the replies. Now that I know that they made them, I’ll start watching ebay for one. I will also search the Model Railroader archives to see what I find. I happened to come across a photo of one on a Lehigh Valley website and thought it would be neat to model.
Precision Scale Imported several variations in HO and HOn3 within the last 6 to 10 years.
Mark
Also, a company named Vintage Vehicles offered a plastic, non-powered model of the Mack Model ACR Railbus. It was their kit # 764-1, originally offered at $19.95. The box says “Model ACR”, but it really looks more like Buffalo Creek & Gauley’s Model AC, built 11/1921. With the small size, light weight, and limited number of wheels for electrical pickup, even the nicer brass ones can be a little finicky in operation. (I’ve contemplated purchase of some brass ones at shows and have seen a couple on test tracks, but didn’t purchase…frugal or foolish.)
Coverage of Mack railcars, including a complete roster of all units built, is found in Edmund Keilty’s Interurbans Without Wires (Interurban Press, 1979 & 1987). From 1905 until 1954, Mack built some 91 rail motorcars and 21 locomotives.
Bill
That’s the same one I referred to, Vintage Vehicles was a part of Jordan Products, never did hear the reason why the two names. They also released a steam shovel and crane under the name.
The railbus was Mack model “ACR”, it did not have anything to do with a railroad name. Some Mack trucks were model AC, so I assume the railbus used some of the parts from the truck.
Thanks very much everyone. Precision Scale sounds like what I might want because I need HO rather than HOn3. I’ll start watching for them in auctions or at shows. I will also look into that roster.
Heck I just wanna see a picof this! I love Mack’s specailly the old one’s from teens to 30’s. Mack had a span there untill the 50’s were the trucks were kinda ugly, and then after the late 50’s they were kinda ugly untill, well…mid 90’s when they came out with the CH613 when Mack started to use more aerodynamic designing. I’m a little biased towards the older CH613’s though, one of my high school friends dad hauled for a tanker company (just gas to gas stations) and they used 613’s as their primary fleet. They also had an old R model they used as a yard dog where my friend work but no matter how much I begged him he wouldn’t let me drive it. He let me start it up all the time and help him hook up trailers and I even managed to install a CD player in there correctly in one attempt trying to guess what color the 20 year old wire was and trying to decipher 20 year worn wiring lable, but he still wouldn’t let me drive the dang thing.
They had both painted and unpainted versions, as well as those with two powered wheels (one axle) and four powered wheels (two axles). One should have less electrical pick-up problems with the two axle model. All the models had a two-axle lead truck.
This is the first photo I found that got me interested.
Thanks very much for the added detail on what was available. When it comes to model roading I seem to have good shopping kharma so I’m sure I’ll find one. It really helps to have your feedback to narrow my search.