I don’t know your area of expertise or how long you have been modeling, so, this may be something that you know very well. The key thing with whatever the appearance is, is MAINTENANCE. If it is a kit, build it well to begin with and it should perform well practically forever. You can usually get the cheaper kits to perfom as well as the expensive ready to run equipment, if you do it correctly. However, with some of the cheaper kits, I have not always been able to do that.
Generally, you get what you pay for. But, cheaper kits like Bachman and Tyco, that are built well will perform well, But, sometimes, that takes about an hour or two per car and may require some drilling and most always replacing the couplers, and wheels and sometimes realiging the body shell with the chasis.
Then, there are the cadillacs, the ready to run with great detailing. They are ready to roll, just slap them on the track and they are usually perfect. They usually cost over $25.00 each though. Sometimes, you might have to do some work on the wheels. I always take off the couplers, if not kadees, and replace with kadees. There are some cars that i keep mate-matics on for transition cars, so that I can use those cars to run someone else’s cars with one of my trains or vice-versa.
Mondo
If you re-read my post, you’re assumption that since I choose to upgrade some of my equipment - therefor I think that others should - is a bit of a stretch. Those that enjoy their AHM and Athearn cars, by all means should keep them. Improving - for me - is a way of increasing enjoyment.
Actually, I sold them at train shows. You may have bought some.
I apologize if it wasn’t tactfull. This was not my original intent. I shall keep your post in my file as an example for the future.
D.G.
PS: Thanks Mark
Talk about rude, calling someone anal retentive because he prefers a scale prototypical model to an Athearn bluebox because you like them don’t cut it bud.Comparing an athearn Vermont Railway boxcar to a Kadee VTR car, the Kadee is the correct model. It’s a PS-1, not some bad made 5 over 5 car. Some of take pains to model cars to there correct prototypes, so we prefer Kadees, Red Caboose, Branchline trains etc,some don’t, it’s what we want. some athearn cars are decent models, same with accurails, study and choose your rolling stock wisely
I have several rules on motive power and rolling stock, as foar as purchasing.
- PRICE
- HOW DOES IT LOOK
- IS IT WHAT I WANT.
Sometimes I don’t want to buy a super detailed piece. I like a challenge! I’ll buy the lower detail model then get the required parts and detail it myself. Same goes for motive power. I want locos I feel comfortable running all the time. I can afford to burn up a $50 Athearn. I cannot afford to burn up $260 BLI or a $180 Spectrum. Same goes for rolling stock. Why should I buy a $40 boxcar off the shelf when I get a cheaper one for $10 and detail it for another $15 and have virtually the same car. I don’t want to have expensive stuff on my layout that I have to hide when the kid’s come over. Besides which, I don’t go in for exceptional detail. I just like building layouts and running trains. I’ve built over 25 layouts in 35 years for myself and friends. I’ll build my new one, and when I get tired of it, I’ll tear it apart and build another one.
Hello Simon.
Rather suprised by your post. [B)] Anyway, no not getting bored at all. I don’t think that way. I check out this forum, read the topics and respond to the ones that I can relate to. When I’m finished, that’s it. [:D][;)]
Dredge? I don’t consider bring this thread up dredging.
As I’ve stated before, I’ll sometimes notice newbies asking questions that have been answered before and they don’t get as many responses as a similar topic from let’s say, a year ago. To help, I go to a related thread and bring it up to the front page.
Look at this topic itself…got some good responses from seasoned modelers as well. [4:-)][C):-)]
Point is, some-----no, many of the “older” threads still hold a wealth of valueable info that newbies and long-timers can benefit from.
If you noticed lately my old passenger car interior thread has been brought up by other modelers 3 or 4 times in the past six or seven months.
Peace.
No worries, Don. Us “anal retentives” must stick together![:D][:D][:D]
Cheers, mate!
Mark.
I’ve built a couple of the Walthers’ Timesaver Kits and thought they were quite good. Lots of detail, good paint job, and very heavy so that they run well. And since they are kits they only cost about $10-12. They do take more than an hour to assemble however.