I’ve been discussing the possibility of getting a new freight car, but I don’t know which one to get; I was thinking of a CSX or other car, but by all means (with total disregard as to what and where I am modeling) give me all and any ideas!!! :)[:)]
Covered hoppers and tank cars are my favorites.
Soo Lines 7 Post Fon du Lac boxcars (A.K.A Accurails 5600 series Exterior Post Modern Boxcars), and gondolas.
fThat’s like saying “I’m thinking of having a beer…”
ThE best Beer is (hopefully) the one in front of me now…
The best out-of-box freight car I have is the Athearn Genesis ACF 50-foot insulated boxcar as released as the GN 200100 series in Glacier Green. This is a model that needs almost nothing right out of the box to be prototypic and beautifully detailed. Sadly, they are out of production now, though occasionally they can be found at train shows and in LHSs.
I’ve picked up a few of these in kit form:
This is a 40-foot Mather box car, P2K from our friends at Walthers. Most of the details come pre-attached, and it only takes an evening to assemble this kit. I didn’t do any painting prior to this photo. At $16.99 list, this is a very reasonable way to get a really well-detailed model.
No, they don’t come in CSX.
Allow me to make a few suggestions to assist your decision making:
Look at the businesses your railroad (model or favorite prototype) serves in the geographical area you model or are interested in. Do they ship out their products by rail? What type of car(s) do they ship their product in? In this case, an appropriate home road car will do. Do they recieve raw materials or products by rail? If so, an appropriate type of car from a railroad that operates where the products originate would be appropriate.
Hope this helps.
I like the Atlas Hooker chemical tank cars.
http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/HOFreightCars/17360tankcar/112006/1556-6TQ.jpg
KoKi10000 class very high speed container car, with the huge roller bearings, designed to carry five standard JNR containers at 160kph.
It’s also designed to run on 1067mm (42 inch) gauge track, just like all other Japanese freight cars.
As you may have figured out, your question was easily broad enough to allow this answer. If it isn’t helpful, my apologies.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - too early for the above)
How about something in pink?
http://www.walthers.com/exec/page/guide/hi_cube_box
It’d be hard to miss that one on any layout.
Nicest RTR car is Athearn 2970 Covered Hopper. Etched metal walkways, metal wheels, wire grab irons. Amazing cars, I’ve got 8 and can’t wait to get more when some other roadnames are released.