I have decided to invest in a steam era set of passenger cars, probably in SP Daylight livery, and I was curious as to the forum’s recommendations for brands. All I’m looking for is something to run, but that looks decent and won’t be too much trouble maintenace wise. I have looked at Walthers, Athearn, IHC and others and there seems to be a big difference in price. Looking at pictures on the Net makes it hard to discern any advantages/disadvantages of one passenger car over another. Please enlighten the novice model railroader.
Out of the box, Walther’s cars are your best bet. Athearn cars are too short and lack in detail, and IHC cars are OK but require some tweaking, such as adding weight. Does Walther’s do cars in Daylight livery?
Hello drewsdaddy. Like csmith9474 said, I would go with the Walther’s cars if you can find them. If all else fails you might try ebay. I think you can run either the 1920s heavy weights, or more modern corrugated cars with that loco. If you ask me, I think the corrugated cars look better.
Good luck to you.
Tracklayer
Thanks for the replies! I have been watching what comes and goes on Ebay, but I usually just search road names instead of brand names. I’ll check on Walthers’ site and get some dealer prices. Thanks Again!
One caution on Walthers passenger cars. They often require at least 24" radius curves (and that fact, although listed clearly on the box, is not usually mentioned on their website or in the catalogues). I purchased some, and they consistantly derailed even on 22" curves. To their credit, Walthers cheerfully refunded my money. I have now purchased a train of their shorty (60’) passenger cars (from their Trainline series – no longer in production, I think, but still available here and there). They may not be prototypical, but they look great to me, and they roll like a dream.
That last line is the most important part.[:)]
Passenger car’s in ‘Daylight’ livery severely limit’s your choices.
CHEAPEST and easiest to obtain are Athearn 72’ Steamlined. They were offered in ‘Blue Box’ kit’s.
BETTER is ConCor’s 85 footer’s with metal wheels and better color’s. Not for 4x8 layout’s
BEST is Coach Yard brass @ $400 per car available by reservation for the next run.
POOREST is any Rivarossi '‘Daylight’ car’s. Poor color’s, non corregated sides.
The ‘Daylight’ was a custom built all coach train with X large window’s, Unique 3 car diner, and had 90’ articulated coaches (45’ each). Only the costly brass car’s can afford to do this. Other’s used what’s tooled for other roads.
… so you end up with ‘AT&SF’ shorties, or Rivarossi eastern ‘longies’ painted up in red ,orange, & black.- and at 5% of the price.
In regards to the Walthers (same as the last edition of Rivarossi) passenger cars…
I have a set of the 85’ smoothsides and they run fine on my less than perfect 18 and 22 inch radius track. (they look terrible on the 18, not quite as bad on the 22) They track well but will not transition from two close tracks thru #4 turnouts, the diaphrams get hung up. Other than that, I think they’re great right out of the box. I don’t know if Rivarossi ever put them out in SP livery, though.
I love the Walthers cars, but I have found the couplers to be unreliable. They are all scheduled into the shop for Kadee rework.
Mine are going to get upgraded to Kadee 58’s, the stock knuckle couplers are really poor. (McHenry’s I think, without the coil spring.) Since my consist stays together, I ended up CA’ing all the couplers in the closed position except the one on the lead car, that has a Kadee #5 for now.
A weird problem I have ran into with IHC’s passenger car set, which was made by Rivarossi I believe, is that they have plastic trucks with the mounting pins offset from the truck center, so no other brand of truck can be substituted for them.
I saw an all-metal replacement truck in the 2006 Walthers catalog (HO scale) from IHC, and a separate “IHC/Rivarossi adapter,” but the adapter is not shown or explained.
With the trucks priced at $20.98 per pair and the adapters at $3.98 each, that’s more than what I paid for the passenger cars.
Those long-shank McHenry replacement knuckle couplers that these cars require are another drawback – body mounted couplers would be much better.
My favorite over the Walthers HW’s (which I have also)
are the Branchline Blueprint series. Formerly only kits,
some are now available RTR. If what you want is not,
and you don’t want to build kits, it is not too hard
to find a builder.
These offer blueprint accuracy including very detailed
underbody, more detailed trucks, and realistic
diaphragms. Very free-rolling trucks. Best thing
cheaper than brass, and better looking than most.
Hal
Gene,
If you’re not real worried about being absoultely faithful to the prototype, Bachmann Spectrum has some fair heavyweight S.P. Daylight cars. These are appropriate for the steam era. You can usually find them in sets of 4 for $70.00 - $100.00 through train shows, online, or mail order stores. I’ve seen the sets of 4 for $80.00 - $90.00 at some of my LHSs. List is $120.00.
I do agree with the other posters about the quality of the Branchline and Walthers heavyweights, but they are a bit more expensive.
I have some 25 year old Riverossi smooth sides, but they did need a lot of work to get them to run right. And they do not like 18" - 22" curves very much.
Athearn streamlined cars are a great choicesince the prototype Daylight cars were considerably shorter than the standard 85’ ( and most were articulated but you’ll probably want to skip that). The stock Athearn Daylight paint is just a little better than atrocious but you can remedy that by painting the cars Daylight red and then using the Micro Scale 87262 which is the orange window band w/ silver striping. after masking the red and painting the roof and underbady black.
I have Bachmann Heavyweights, out of the box they have metal wheels, couplers, lighted, ok detail, nice weight.
I really like them look great behind my N&W class J.
Ken.
Confusing isn’t it? Lots of choices, lots of variables… Narrow your selection, then come back before you buy
and we can address the pros & cons of that specific car.
As experience modelers we have already been there. We can save you expense & grief.
What’s your curve radius?
First, thanks for all the replies. Second, my current layout is 5x9 with 22" and 18" radius curves. FYI I have been watching this set on Ebay: Item number: 6003082304
Also, for full disclosure, my layout is modern era freelanced. However, I just like trains and I like to run them. Nothing is greater than seeing a three year old’s eyes sparkle when a big consist goes around the layout.
For sure, eliminate the Budd cars. They recommend 24" There’s just not sufficient lateral swing to eliminate possible de-rails on 22" unless you want to make KD coupler adjustments. 18" are out.
Athearn is the way to go with the tight radius. You will also end up saving yourself a pile of money. I forgot to take into account radius. Oops!
Here’s the listing as best as I can copy & paste.
OK you Athearn lovers, what’s your opinion?
Seven Athearn Southern Pacific “Daylight” passenger cars in like new condition. All cars are equipped with Kadee couplers. Set has following cars: (1) RPO; (2) Diner; (3) baggage; (4) two coaches; (5) vista dome; (6) observation. Shipping and handling is reduced for multiple auctions.
One bid so far for $30.00 + $8.00 to ship.