I find this thread very interesting yet very conflicting.
Matchbox nor Hot Wheels were never intended to be accurate scale models and we all know this. They were built to look cool, entice a youngster to buy it and play on an orange track or in a dirt pile. (I had some track but usually chose the dirt pile. Hence my lack of most all the old cars of my youth.) not to end up on a scale railroad. Of course a furnace filter was not made with the intention of being a tree either. My point is it’s not H.W. or M.B. fault the cars are not H.O. scale except for the ones they sell as a particular scale. ( and I realize no one is saying that they arepoor “models”) However as has already been said, if you choose to use a oversized vehicle on your layout as a stand to get a feeling for the scene, go for it, much like many do with cutout buildings to get a feeling for the scene. Though I’m sure that will be different in some way. If you just choose to use some because it looks close enough for you, then great. I’m not going to loose any sleep over what you choose to do with your layout and I’ll leave your train room saying looks good just like I’d tell someone their new car is nice even though I wouldn’t pick that color. What’s the harm, not my car or layout. A mention is ok, but I wouldn’t dwell on it at all. Everyone has something or things on their layout that is not prototypical it just depends on how far YOU choose to dig. And that is the big issue, how far do you choose to go before prototypicalness is no longer an issue. That is a point that will never be agreed on by all. Just my opinion. Others may disagree.
I must say I am impressed with this thread. Though people have strong opinions one way or another each has been expressing their opinion and no one has developed an attitude that has degraded the conversation to an argument. It would be very easy for that to happen and on many forums I’ve visited it would have in the first few posts.
Everyone has their own threshold of rivet counting. If what you’re currently doing works for you, then fine.
We all have to set goals for ourselves, hopefully ones we can obtain, or at least come close to. Everyone’s bar is at a different level, though this level is subject to change at any moment.
Personally, I see no harm in using reasonably realistic vehicles until I can populate the layout with proper models of the appropriate vintage. This can be quite expensive, so it will definitely take me a fairly long time, since obviously the actual operating pieces of a model railroad will have to take precedence over static details.
Placing a bunch of ‘reasonable facsimilies’ in a ‘backstage’ parking lot behind a factory or warehouse should work pretty well, as long as the relative scale of each vehicle is the same. It’s the grossly out-of-scale ones that really stick out, I’d never use those except to play with the kids in the sandbox or back yard.
One can’t expect a scene with such details to pass as totally realistic, however, but if that’s good enough for now, so be it.
Enjoy what you do, improve it when you can, I say.
I couldn’t agree more and I can attest to the statement of change. My level has increased. We’ll see how far![(-D]
But back to the OP’s question. The 1/87 Hot Wheels are packaged differently than the regular H.W. (a box) and they have “1/87 scale” on the package. The regular ones do not. WalMart also carries, off and on, Malibu Classic cars often for $1.00. Their selection is dismal, but occasionally they will get in a load of different ones but still usually only one or two styles. Of course that is at my local Wal Mart. I’ve also picked up a couple of M.C. semi truck tractors for less than $5.00 ea. If I remember correctly they were $3.99?. (prices subject to change taxes not included. May not be available in Alaska and Hawaii. Subject to availability in Canada.)
Has anyone ever considered modifying a Hot Wheels or Matchbox car?
I bet if you take one apart and use thinner window glazing, change the tires and weather it, you could make one of those look pretty good and probably save yourself some $ in the process. I know that it’s no fun to strip paint, but I think the main problem with using toy cars is the paint jobs are unrealisticly thick and gaudy. Remember, they’re made to create interest and withstand some abuse by a child.
As for the scale proportions, yeah they’re bigger, but if strategically placed, I bet 75% of the general population wouldn’t even notice. 20% would notice and wouldn’t care, and the last 5% are rivet counters who are under the impression that model railroads only appear in print and should always be viewed from no further than 2 feet away with a magnifying glass in hand.
I think this would be a great how-to article in MR. Not everything has to be purchased and placed on the layout right out of the box to look convincing.
Replacing wheels would be the biggest improvement. Shouldn’t be all that hard to so, once a source for decent wheels is found.
Set the stage with them in the background and the more expensive models such as Jordans in the foreground and you’re good to go.
As already posted, an empty layout looks less realistic than one populated with less than totally realistic vehicles. I agree. We all have to make compromises at times.
I am modelling the 1930s so I have little to choose from except the models such as Jordan sells, but for modern and recent eras there’s plenty of variety out there. Jordans seem to run between $6 and $9 US for the most part for the 1920-1940 era vehicles, so I have a very long way to go on a very limited budget.
I’ll set my own bar pretty high, and whether or not I can reach that with the time, money, patience, and talent I’ve got remains to be seen.[:)]
$25 (99cents if you 50 years old and happen to keep your matchbox cars around that long [:)]) Matchbox regular wheels police car vs $12 Busch police car
Even using the older matchbox regular wheel vehicles from the 60’s, its not even close. Spending time repainting and putting different wheels on it would give it a Frankenstein look IMHO.
That’s fine for you, but I’m building a scale model railroad, and after spending time to get the track, trains, scenery, details and structures right, I don’t want to suddenly start using out-of-scale toys just because they’re cheaper or easier to find.
But then, I didn’t use Tyco trains or Plasticville structures, either.
I’d rather get the proper things that are needed first than spend the money on dollar store stuff—then have to get the right things after the fact[banghead]
If you factor in the time spent and the money on gas spent etc on getting the ‘el cheapo’ products you really would’ve been better off just taking the time----[swg]
