How good is model power rolling stock ? thanks
Depends on your own tastes. Detail of about 30 years ago. For me OK I cannot afford 20-30 per car for the newer stuff.
Model power stuff is cheap trainset qulity and less detailed than the better and more expensive and more detailed rolling stock.
A lot of Model Power stufff still comes with horn hook couplers which you would want to change over to the newer knuckle couplers.
If your budget cna only stand cheap, then go for it. But I would suggest you save for the better quality.
I once bought a cheap older Bachmann trainset qulity boxcar when I first got back into the hobby 5 years ago that had horn hook couplers on it for $4.99. I asked the LHS owner about changing to knuckle couplers, he suggested I get McHenry couplers at $1.99 a pair instead of KaDees, because “other wise you will spend $4 for couplers on a $5 car, and that would be rediculous”. I took his point well, and I found as I got further into the hobby that I really DID want teh better quality and detailed rolling stock.
Just my opinion and experiences, others may vary.
In the big scheme of things it is close to being bottom of the barrel. The real question is whether or not it is “good enough” for what you need. If one needs to fill a yard for a very low price they are hard to beat.
The biggest problem is that Model Power still comes with the XR2 horn-hook couplers. Most equipment that is one step up the quality scale is going to have some form of a knuckle coupler.
Thanks for the in put . I was thinking on MODEL POWER passenger cars mainly My layout is just one loop with a sideing . The train just adds action to the layout .
I don’t see why a XR2 is a plague to qualify a car when most knuckle coupler supplied with car nowadays need to be replaced anyway.
Among the cheap trainset quality cars, Model Power indeed lurks in the bottom of the pit. They all need massive rebuilding to run properly. Replacing trucks isn’t a cosmetic luxury, it is a technical restriction!
On the other hand, I often rebuild cheap trainset cars into something else, but MP stuff is a nasty one to mess with it. If you already have them on hand, that’s OK. But they aren’t worth their retail price. Specially, their cast-on brake wheel!!! (Yes, on their gondola, they didn’t even bother to make one…)
If rebuilding cars and tweaking with them is what makes you enjoy the hobby, any brand may be worth a try. But MP cars start with a big handicap, even for the kitbasher. If you just want to have reliable cars to operate, walk away from MP (I don’t know about the reissuing of Mantua Classic), you’ll just wait your time and money.
Matt
If you want lower price car that is still decent, check out the Bachmann Silver Series… metal wheels, decent detailing, decent couplers and most can be had for less $10.
I have to agree. You’ll be happier in the long run if you save your money and buy better quality stuff. I have some MP cars that were given to me as a gift (even though I requested gift certificates – In Laws!). Even after changing the couplers and shimming the trucks, they still derail and self-uncouple on every curve and grade change.
Bachmann Silver Series is OK if you want inexpensive, hobby store stuff, but I now save my money for the higher end RTR (Walthers Gold Line) or kits.
Ready to Rebuild cars are pretty good (if I can find them on sale) … though I find the most bang for my buck coming from kits (even the Athearn shake the box variety).
The MP, cheapo LL, and Bachmann cars usually end up as “test cases” for a new paint/color formulation, weathering technique attempt, or other process that may be annoying on (or ruin) one of the more expensive care.
You see a lot of Model Power-type stuff at the flea markets- or old “train set” cars that are also offered for bargain prices- but also a lot of inexpensive Athearn BB kits and already-builts as well. Hobbyland chain stores sells a lot of inexpensive Bachman cars that parallel Model Power, but with knuckle couplers installed.
For the enterprising railroad hobbyist, I would think that getting some of these less expensive cars, replacing the couplers and doing a bit of weathering is an economical and beneficial move, if the goal is filling out the yard or having a few longer trains made possible.
Another writer commented on the concept of a $4 coupler pair being put on a $5 car- but is that any crazier than spending $40 to repower an old Athearn diesel that originally cost $20?
It’s fun to take something that is just plain vanilla and spruce it up a bit- that’s what gives many of us the anticipation of the weekend for our little “projects”- not to mention the self satisfaction and pride we obtain after remaking one of these “cheap” cars.
Just my perspective- but then, I don’t think I’ll be getting a big raise anytime soon, so flea markets and Model Power are good to have around!.
Cedarwoodron
There is one exception to the MP train set quality rule. I have a couple of there “Metal train” cars (ATSF Tank car and an open top hopper also ATSF) that are heavy have knuckle couplers and run fairly well.
I’ve got a small switching layout with 10" radius curves and needed a small switcher. I picked up a MP “Porter” diesel switch engine, pulled it apart and added as much weight as I could cram in. I polished the plastic axles, shimmed the couplers into alignment and relocated the little cheapo headlight bulb into the actual headlight area. It will crawl at 2.5 scale mph with a 6 car train. That’s on an old MRC Tech 2 1400 power pack (with the built in pulse). The wheels have skinny flanges, almost pizza cutters that are “in gauge” except for the fact the flanges won’t fill the gauge grooves. It’s cheap, ugly, with a little pos motor and 2 wheel drive. But…it works. Like the bumblebee who can’t read the engineering paper that proves he can’t fly, he just does. It doesn’t derail, stall over level frogs, spit bevel gears or any other nasty stuff. For what it’s worth.
Lou
I’d have to agree with the Bachmann silver series. I bought a bunch when I first started. Over time I get the “good stuff” one at a time to supplement the layout. When things get crowded the Bachmanns will be the first to go but in the mean time they look and run pretty good.
Unfortunately I know nothing about Model Power passenger cars.
I have the Model Power 40’ old fashioned cars. They were nothing but trouble out of the box, and even with new couplers and extensive modification to the trucks, they still like to derail and uncouple more than my other stuff.