I’ve been asking questions here about rolling stock suitable for a layout set in the 20s-30s. I’ve gotten some good advice on identifying it at a glance, and help in finding sources for rolling stock generally. But unless I’m missing something–and I hope someone out there will tell me if I am–practically the only cars available as RTR or simple kits seldom reflect much before WWII. I don’t see many 40-foot cars, or vertical brakestaffs, and many of the older-looking stuff is identified as representing postwar makeovers in lettering and logos.
I’m interested in building kits to some extent, but there’s a limit to my time if not my ability. I’d appreciate opinions on the wisdom of moving my era into the forties–either that or some sources of cars that I’ve missed.
I should perhaps say that I’m new to HO and not as familiar with its much broader range of choices that I knew in N scale. As to my choice of era in the first place, it’s partly because I wanted shorter cars (and smaller steam engines) to serve my imaginary branch of the Great Northern and its interchange with Canadian Pacific in northwest Montana.
Michael,Here’s my thoughts.I would start with either a 2-6-0,4-6-0 or a moderized 4-4-0 with 40’ wooden cars and some of the “newer” 40’ steel cars…I would used a wooden caboose or a combine.
The 1905 to 1939 time-frame saw the introduction of the Pacific 4-6-2 class (ATSF had at least one by 1907, as an example), and the Mikado 2-8-2 which comprised perhaps 70% of all steamers in that time along with the other most numerous steamer, the 2-8-0 Consolidation. 1926 saw the introduction of the 4-6-4 Hudson on the NYC. The Berkshire 2-8-4 and Mountain 4-8-2 varieties were well established by 1927 (1911 for the first Mountain, and it went to the C&O). Rolling stock was generally in the 40’ range, and the hobby has tons of it available in HO, including RTR.
If your layout will necessarily have tight curves in the 17-22" range, 40’ers will be fine, and the smaller driver bases would be best, as Larry suggests. Fact is, though, that most 2-8-2 HO locos in non-brass will handle 18 curves with relative easy…by design.
I model the early 40s. While there is undeniably a plethora of RTR and kits available for the 50s and later, you can still find pre-40s rolling stock (boxcars, reefers, gondolas, hoppers, and tankers) from Accurail, Bowser, Branchline, and Proto 2000.
I think the 6- and 8-panel wood boxcar kits from Accurail are exceptional and a bargain, given their exterior detailing. And you’ll find most of them come with vertical brake staffs.
Your choice is something that can be done, but you may be limited to ‘kits’ and lots of painting/decal work. The only really ‘RTR’ cars for that era are the Athearn/Roundhouse line of 36’ freight cars/cabooses/wood passenger cars). Accurail has kits of USRA 40’ and GACX wood reefers that are decorated and assemble in under 30 minutes of your time.
Where the biggest selection of ‘RTR’ cars are available is for the ‘Transition Era’ from post WWII to about 1960. The next big era modeled is ‘Current’ Era’ stuff. I was talking with some guys at a train show a few weeks ago and they were lamenting the ‘lack’ of 70’s stuff!
Myself, I basically have two roster of equipment:
Transition Era - Based on the Milwaukee Road. A few steam engines, and lots of diesels.
Current Era - Based on BNSF
The transition era is my main focus, but I do like to ‘build’ stuff…
Building kits is fun and an Accurail, Atlas Trainman, or Bowser kit, takes very little time/effort to construct. In fact, I know it takes me more time to weather these cars that it does to build them. Those of us who have been in this hobby for a while would even call these types of kits “Shake-the-box-to-build” kits. Then, when you get done building and weathering a kit, you have something to be proud of.
I get no pride or enjoyment from simply buying a RTR car!
Obviously kits sort themselves into the easier and the more difficult. Where that line is is different for everyone. My point is that there is a nice range of kits available for this era. Whip together some of the old MDC, Train-Miniature, or Bowser/Stewart offerings that are quick to assemble, and you’ll have enough rolling stock to get started.Then you can ease into a Tichy or other somewhat more involved kit, and soon you could be knocking off those really neat Sunshine, etc resin kits.
Lots of great steam locos out there (and a few duds), but these guys are already helping with suggestions.
Track is close enough to being the same for eras behind and ahead, but bridges and other structures really help define era along the right of way. Vehicles are another resources for setting time, along with road markings and signs.
This is so true, assembling 30-40 100 ton Bowser hoppers for a chessie coal drag really isn’t that time consuming. I find that I’ll spend far more time in the stages of weathering, wheel change outs and replacing couplers than the actual assy.
I must admit though, that w/ all the RTR stuff, I will “cheat” as there is just so much great detailed and era specific stock to put together that Chessie '70s local w/ a couple dozen plug doors, centerbeams etc. The same can be done for most road specific consists, Maybe we are starting to get a bit spoiled/ lazy ?? But still is “fun to run”
If you’re going to move eras for better availability of RTR, I suggest you go with the transition era of the late 40’s into the 50’s. You’ll find the widest selection of RTR rolling stock and locomotives. You can limit your choices to 40’ cars or shorter and still have plenty to choose from. Even in the 50’s smaller roads such as the Ma&Pa were still using 0-6-0, 4-4-0, 4-6-0, 2-8-0 locomotives as well as small diesel switchers. Limit yourself to cars built in the 20’s and 30’s and you can eventually back date the paint schemes as time allows.
Another choice is to go narrow gauge. Either HOn3 or On30 has RTR and much/most of it is for the 20’s and into the 30’s when most narrow gauge lines folded. Even the ones that hung on into the 50’s weren’t “modernizing” so much as hanging on with their old equipment. HOn3 is smaller than HO about the size of TT standard gauge. On30 uses HO track but is about the size of S standard gauge. Both scales have RTR.
Like you, I was into 40’ freight cars, so my rolling stock would be not too modern; i.e., transition era and before. With a bent to kits, I went through MBKlein’s website and ordered pretty much one of each type of 40’ freight car from Accurail & Bowser and have enjoyed putting them together and seeing which I like the most. I’ve also found some nice (perhaps not now offered as kits) older kit items from Walthers, Branchline, Intermountain, and Tichy, plus some old Athearn BB kits… The old MDC roundhouse are not my favorite, including the paint jobs, though weathering will eventually overcome that. There are more than I would expect available at hobby shops, train shows, and on EBay (if you know what you want).
I think many of the Accurail kits, as mentioned above, will suit your needs very well, e.g., the wood side hoppers and box cars, plus some gondolas. The old Walthers Mather stock car kits are still around if you look. Lettering indicates build dates from '08 to the 30’s on many. I built my first Intermountain kit this week, a steel side 40’s reefer, and it was really nice but took about 4+ times the time of an Accurail kit. I haven’t yet tackled the couple of Branchline items on the shelf.
I’m planning a wide range of dates, having what I want, from 2-6-0’s thru older diesels except the SD-40 that was on sale…oh, well). Whatever fits your pistol is perfect.