I have never heard of Hobbytown of Boston or Tiger kits! Someone has suggested they make locomotive kits. Where do I find informatiopn on these manyfacturers?
Thanks
See the link below for Hobbytown of Boston. They were very big in the 50s and 60s.
Tiger Valley Models makes diecast kits for Alco locomotives. As with the other diecast kits, lots of work , filing, fitting, detailing etc. but they will pull the wallpaper off the walls. AFAIK they do not have a website and I think you have to order direct. Perhaps Kalmbach can supply an address as they do advertise from time to time.
Yes, Tiger Valley has a website it is: http://www.lynnet.com/~tigervalley/
I have a number of Hobby-town Units and they run extremely slowly and smoothly, the major problem is their truck sideframes leave a lot to be desired detail wise. I have a set of Metal Bodied F-3’s with multi-drive that will pull plaster off the walls. We used the metal bodied RS-3’s for switching by setting them at a constant speed and just using the reversing lever. With their slow speed capabilites and weight they were perfect in that application.
I have one Tiger Valley kit that I have never finished as the driveline was not as well engineered and cast. Their castings are a little rough but they offer all the different phases of the C-420, RS-36 etc. that the major manufacturers have ignored.
Rick
If you remember Hobbytown of Boston you might also remember Cary Locomotive Works – they made metal diesel shells that fit on Hobbytown or Athearn drive trains, and also metal steam locomotive boilers that fit on Mantua and Bowser chassis’.
Cary was bought by Bowser but I do not know how much Cary stuff is available.
With the entire engine being all metal these were good pullers (as was the old Varney F-3) – lacking in detail by today’s standards perhaps but looking good when detailed and painted
Dave Nelson
Hobbytown kits may not be up to modern standards detail wise but they will probably match anything made today for pulling power.
Pete
I just recently completed building the Bowser USRA Light 4-6-2. It has the Cary boiler and a Bowser mechanism. All metal, heavy, pulls like crazy, has pretty good detail, that you have to put on yourself. Runs smooth and quietly., Bowser has used the Cary castings and dies to put out a very good line of locomotives. In fact, they’re so good that I’m passing for a while on the plastic steam, to go retro and put together some Bowser, old MDC, etc., kits. This “instant gratification” craze that’s hit the hobby is kinda getting to me, I guess - time to get back in touch with my roots…