It seems the best detailed and most diverse responses are rapidly available.
The three shelves devoted to trains at Hobbytown have looked the same for the couple months that i’ve been paying attention.
Time is paramount. It’s hot outside!
So with that great build up, (ah! nothing like loaded compliments), a little story ending with a question.
In the last few days I built the first two models I ever built. I outfitted my excursion with every tool listed and pictured in the plastic kit basics chapter of the getting started book and the ABC’s of adhesive articles on this site plus as an afterthought, which necessity dictated, a magnified task light. My two victiims, a Branchline AAR 40 footer and an Accurail wooden 40 footer. I began with the Branchline spending 2/3’s of the day meticulously gluing tiny grab irons and under carriage lines, posted a plea for help here when i couldn’t find the weights that were in an obvious place in the parts box, and ultimately finished the next morning. The model, to my surprise doesn’t look too bad; especially in low light at a distance. Some, most, or all of the ladders, stirrups, and grabs are bent, which could be to my advantage as they look a lot like the protype photos in my guide to freight book. The second model’s role in my attempts was more a patient than a victim. The Accurail’s way fewer parts meant way fewer things for me to screw up. And I certainly improved in both strategy and steadiness after a days worth of intent focus on the Branchline model.
Anyway, ( talk about long winded) before I spend a hundred dollars in Accurail freight are there other kits that are mostly molded detail with a few additions that I could check into. Hobbytown has little to see, or say unless it applies to things that can be driven on their dirt track behind the store for what must certainly be a marginal fee. I guess I don’t like that place very much.
Thanks, all
JnM
Hobbytown isn’t the greatest train accessories store in the world… I rate them about like I do Hobby Lobby as far as that goes. Thankfully, I have about six hobby shops in my area that specialize in trains.
As for the forum. Yes sir. It’s the place to come to when you have a question about trains!.
The only problem with asking a question on the forum is you get about a zillion different answers on how to do something. The only problem with that is that each of those answers is not only workable, but much better than the way you’ve been doing it! Man I love having problems like that!!! It means that there are a lot of talented folks out there willing to help out. I can’t begin to say how much I’ve learned on this forum and how many ideas for future projects have been added to my ever growing list. That’s way cool.
JnM–Bowser makes some nice, unusual freight car kits, many Pennsylvania Lines prototypes, and some for other roads. Their round-roof box and auto cars are nice to put together, and give a nice contour-break to the usual freight consist. They are a little light–need some extra weight, and I would definitely suggest that you replace the wheelsets with metal wheels from either Kadee, P2K or intermountain (in fact, I’d recommend replacing the Accurail car the same way–metal wheels cut down on drag, keep the track cleaner and have a neat ‘click-clack’ on your track joints). Branchline also has a series of easier-to-build freight car kits (mainly box), and the Athearn blue box kits are well-made and easy to put together. After that, you might want to try some of the P2K kits that are ‘mostly’ built sub-assemblies, then tackle some Intermountain and Red Caboose kits, which are somewhat more difficult. But since you started out with a Branchline kit, these others might seem a little basic for you–congratulations, by the way–they’re QUITE an accomplishment for a first kit!!
Welcome to the hobby, it’s a great one!!
Tom [:D]
Accurail, Branchline Yardmaster, and Bowser all make very nice, easy to build freight cars with exceptional detail. Older manufacturers like Athearn (non-Genesis) and Roundhouse (now part of Athearn) are nice, but their detailing is well over 50 years old (and crude by today’s standards). The above three manufacturers should have just about everything you need to get started.
The highly detailed, but parts heavy, kits like Branchline, Red Caboose, and Tichy build up into beautiful kits, but you shouldn’t have tackled one as your first kit! Save them for when your skills level increases somewhat.
Thank you Tom and orsonroy for the advise on the models. I was worried that my post was turning into a bash Hobbytown which was not entirely my intention.
The Branchline Blueprint was agonizing for a while. Is the Yardmaster series an easier go? I checked for replies a bunch earlier tonight and then decided to just buy a model and see what happens. A Red Caboose is on the way. How’s that for irony. I bought a 42’ flat car, maybe it won’t be so bad.
Also gsetter I am working in HO sometime durring the early fifties. I have been trying to aquire WP freight items.
Thanks again for the info and the encouragement. It really doesn’t look that bad in the dark.
