Well, as I progress on my HO layout and build up a fleet, I have started to acquire what I think are just phenomenal models. After a couple of Intermountains, it’s hard to go back to my Atlas Trainman stuff, they just can’t sit side by side. I have been building up my collections of Intermountains on the cheap on E-Bay, and wow, are they nice cars. Also have acquired some Athearn Genesis…beautifully detailed! And I broke down and am buying an Exact Rail Southern Waffle boxcar, incredible. These models seem to take the hobby to a new height for me, I guess I’m becoming a high quality car fan. I just like having these, looking at them, seeing them run. My tolerance on price has gone up too obviously, though I’m not shelling out for a lot of scenery costs like I have in the past.
I have also E-Bay something I also was surpised/blown away by - I think it’s a Huberts NSC hy-cube boxcar. The detail is wonderful, actually awesome. Has KDs. I think from research (eliminating other possibilities) that it must be a Huberts car. ??? That shocked me. Funny thing is, I had always associated Huberts with LBF, thought they were basically one and same and LBF stuff leaves a lot to be desired, pretty crude IMHO. Does anyone have any background on what’s up with Huberts? I’m assuming they are out of business since there seems no web trail on them. But perhaps they had a wide variety in quality in their catalogue? If these NSC boxcars are indeed Huberts, it’s a shame they are gone then.
My regular Atlas, some Athearns (esp tank cars) are terrific and even my many Walthers cars (I’m still a Walthers modern day freight car fan) can sit next to these Intermountain freight cars, but I got to drop the Trainman stuff, and all the other basic stuff I have. The detail looks silly and out place, very toy-like next to the higher quality cars. I guess it’s either hobby growth or a ridiculous extravagance on my part, bu