Is there anyone here familiar with Kadees Truss Type Logging Flat Car Kit, since it’s Kadee I assume that the quality is great but what is your experiences, do they go together OK?
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/380-103
The same questions about the logging caboose:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/380-104
Magnus
I have a few of these, assembled one (skelleton type). Went together without too much fuss. Thought the plastic logs are a little hokey though (prefer real ones)… Have the caboose too but haven’t put it together yet.
I have done a number of these. They are great models but I would not suggest the kit to someone without a lot of experience in kit building. Follow the instructions and it makes a really nice car. If I recall it took a number of hours to build.
Dave
I have assembled perhaps ten cars to this day, I’m working on a branchline heavyweight car and I think that kit is rather easy. How would your rate a branchline kit to the Kadee kits in complexity.
I should also ad that outside of Model railroading I have assembled way over two thousand models of different size, complexity and materials, from plastic, metal and resin.
Magnus
I have built a few of these. The detail is wonderful, but some of the parts are really really really tiny. It took me over a week for the first one. Kadee’s support is second to none.
They sure looks great. I will have to get some and try them out.
Magnus
Magnus: With your model building experience, you should find the Kadee kits an easy build. They are primarily high quaility die castings with some wooden parts. Modern CA glues are very useful in assembly.
Don’t know if you are familiar with Jack Work who authored numerous articles in MR on building structures and rolling stock in the 50’s and 60’s, but he worked for Kadee for a time and I think he had a hand in developing these kits.(The AHM/IHC coal mine is also a copy of his work)
I used to think the logs were a little hokey too (too big, wrong texture/color of bark, etc) until I got to spend some time on the Pacific slope. They’re pretty good representations of the trees found in that part of Washington, Oregon and Northern California. We’re talking some really big timber here.
JBB
I have moved out of HO and have never done a Branchline kit. I was in HO pre1900.
If you have worked on that many types of kit and modeling I would think that the KaDee would not be so hard. I only suggested that it would not be a good kit for someone with little to no experience.
Dave
My complements, Don. Your log cars look great. I assume that those are the plastic logs that come with the Kadee kits. How did you finish them to get that realistic look? Yours look like the real thing. Great work.
My mother gave me one of these kits a few years ago and every time I open the box I feel intimidated; this interchange has me feeling courageous enough to build it.
I grew up 6 miles from the town where Kadee is located (Talent, Oregon); I’ll vouch for the size of the trees out there - The size of Kadee’s logs is not a bad representation of some of Oregon’s prize timber, but my mother says the logs in the kit look like shriveled wieners - I agree that they don’t look like logs. I’ll appreciate your advice for making them look realistic.
They look great, but too rich for my blood. I picked up 6 used IHC cars for less than the price of 1 Kadee. With a little work, they came up good. Also got the 3 pack of MDC log cars…again not nearly as much as 1 Kadee. I made logs with Sculpy clay, turned out surprisenly well. Roll them on 60 grit sandpaper for the bark, add short cut off branches, cut almost halfway thru on both sides & pull apart for the sawed off look, paint with ends lighter & the old alcohol /ink trick to bring out the grain.
A little steep for price, and the logs look like they should be on the gumby show, use real logs.
I ordered five of them from Micro-Mark for 28$ each. I will let you know how they turn out. I also bought the caboose, how could I resist it.
Magnus
Magnus,
Given your skills, you might enjoy these logging bunks. The prototype is the Yosemite Valley railroad. The kits are your basic craftsman situation: a few castings and some wood. Difficulty level on a scale of 1 (easiest) to 10 is a 9.5. You have to use your skills, but they do build into very cool and unique cars. The comapny is Rio Grande Models. They also make a Pickering logging caboose that is also very nice. The company also makes lots of mining and logging equipment as well.
Here are shots of the log bunks: (click to enlarge)
Rio Grande Models Website: http://www.riograndemodels.com/index.htm
If you decide to build these contact me offlist for some hints.
Guy
These sure looks nice. But they are to much of an hassle to order. They do not take credit cars or pay pal if ordering from Sweden so I can’t even get them if I try, well I can but it’s not worth the effort of sending money orders. They are not available from anywhere else are they? I would love to try something beautiful as that.
But thanks for the link and pics, you sure got me tempted.
Magnus
FWIW: From what I understand they typically used disconnect or skeleton log cars out west. It’s only in the east that you have the bed/truss type. So in essence, those big logs really are incorrect for the car type pictured.
Magnus,
Try Caboose hobbies in Colorado or THe Train SHop in Santa Clara, CA. Coronado Hobbies (google em) can also get these products.
Guy
I found them at caboose. Thanks for that idea. I will probably get one or two kits next time I order from them.
What is the exact name on those cars in your pictures?
Magnus
Magnus,
Glad that you found them at Caboose!! Be sure to order some trucks as well, the kits don’t include them. I also use the #78 Kadee couplers. They are # 58’s pre-installed in boxes (much easier). There are two names depending on which car you are looking at:
“Yosemite Valley Railroad” and a shortened version on some of the cars that reads simply “YV”
Guy
Thanks, I will make sure to remember that
Magnus
Love their caboose and I have a number of them, most made of wood, they now come in plastic which I also have. Love their disconects too but I find the new Riverrosi log cars a better value, also have a bunch of keystone which are great also. One point of note on kadee log cars is you have to put this little metal ring on the chains and it is a real pain!!!