I have been looking for PRR or LVRR Passenger Car's Not Hi in Price & decent quality built in materials. I had a set of 4 LVRR passenger car's I got from a yard sale a wile back but they did not work well uncoupled a lot did not roll good on the rails I even changed to steel wheels (I think they where OLD Athern car's. I wound up throwing them away. So I am in search of new decent Passenger Car's.... Any help on this subject Thanks
1. Yard sale stuff is 99 percent junk, buyer beware. :o
2. Most things "are" repairable if you know how, :)which leads to no. 3.....
3. Don't ever throw anything away. You eventually will do something with it. 8)
I am with trainman. Athern are good cars. I never had any trouble with them other than the fact that they are truck mounted couplers. If you try to run long cars with truck mounted couplers that are coupled to a car with body mounted couplers, then you can have derailments. I don't know why spell check doesn't like couplers.
A truck tuner, http://www.micromark.com/ho-truck-tuner,8241.html, can help improve the rolling characteristics of the plastic trucks found on many cars.
I've also found body mounting on Athearn, and similar, passenger cars using the Kadee #451 Extended Swing Gearbox http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page451.htm helps on the tight (18"/22" radius) curves most people use.
Len
Quote from: Trainman203 on October 29, 2016, 09:00:10 PM
1. Yard sale stuff is 99 percent junk, buyer beware. :o
Really?!? I beg your pardon, but that all depends on what manufacturer is being represented at the Yard Sale. ;)
That's why I said 99 percent, Brock. :o :D😂
I know what you said and 99% is without merit. But I guess you thought it was funny or truthful, take your pick 'cause it was neither. ;D
It's all relative to personal experience Brock. The yard sales and a lot of train shows where Ive seen used HO stuff, there have been too many defective or broken items, with no cautionary offered. Down here, 99 percent is a pretty real figure.
You may have seen a better ratio of quality merchandise and that is possible where more items are out in circulation. But from I've seen I'd be surprised to find things much different in other places. I still think it is very good advice to a beginner to buy used trains with knowledge of what you are getting . Wouldn't you agree with that? The chances of decent luck may be better in your neighborhood, and that would be great.
You should be so lucky out here to even find a yard sale with any model trains. I suspect yard sale trains would probably be cheap items to begin with, and likely to have been worn out.
On the other hand, I have bought some very serviceable items second-hand at hobby shops or at hobby shop displays at train shows. The hobby shops have reputations to protect, even with second-hand items.
Les
Quote from: Trainman203 on November 01, 2016, 10:33:22 PM
It's all relative to personal experience Brock.
Agree, which is why you should qualify it as such and not make a blanket statement.
Quote from: Trainman203 on November 01, 2016, 10:33:22 PM
I still think it is very good advice to a beginner to buy used trains with knowledge of what you are getting . Wouldn't you agree with that?
I absolutely do :). Too many have no clue, regardless of WHERE they buy from. Why? No time spent doing any research.
Were you giving advice about gaining knowledge before buying? Because I did not see that anyhwere, just a warning to "beware", whatever that constitutes. ::)
Quote from: Desertdweller on November 02, 2016, 12:11:25 AM
You should be so lucky out here to even find a yard sale with any model trains.
Les
That's been my experience as well. But I certainly read alot of accounts of folks buying decent items from "Yard Sales". In fairness, I also see that the TYCO boys bring home lots of what I would certainly consider, junk. That said, I can't make the statement that
Yard sale stuff is 99 percent junk.
We should quantify what a "Yard Sale" is. Does that include "Flea Markets"? "Church Sales"? "Barn Sales"? How about "Estate Sales"? Ever see items advertised on Ebay that came from "Estate Sales"? A lot of it is definitely
NOT junk. But then, one would actually have to look in order to see that instead of simply being the type that devotes themselves to driving back and forth to a Hobby Shop for 4 hours or having others do their train modifications for them...
Quote from: Desertdweller on November 02, 2016, 12:11:25 AM
On the other hand, I have bought some very serviceable items second-hand at hobby shops or at hobby shop displays at train shows.
Les
I'm not a fan of train shows and have given my reasons why ad infinitum here and won't repeat myself. Talk about junk?!? Gimme a break, ever see the kind of junk that shows up repeatedly at Train Shows?!?
Les, does "second-hand hobby shops" include Pawn Shops? Consignment Shops? What exactly is a "Second Hand Hobby Shop"?
I'm on vacation in the Ozarks, not in English composition class , so I'm not going to worry too much about precision. But I will say that I've seen a whole lot of HO railroad stuff out on tables at sales and shows of various kinds, and here's what I see repeatedly :
Missing wheel sets or trucks, couplers bent broken or missing, steam engine side rods bent or missing, diesel trucks missing side frames, boxcar doors missing , considerable cosmetic wear in the form of hits and gouges, and on and on..
In short, the used trains I've seen are way more than "used", they've been through hell and back .
Plus, the ones I see at these sales environments are mostly gaudy day-glo colors intended for the toy market. I've bought some cars like these and repainted, detailed, and outfitted them with good couplers and trucks and come up with a nice car. But this is different from a beginner buying something expecting it to work well.
I "have " bought high quality things at train shows but it's always been though a dealer.
About "estate" sales...... I myself have never seen one with trains. We've all heard horror stories about the widow happily throwing away brass steam engines to get the sewing room back. In my area two guys with attic sized layouts have recently passed with not a word anywhere about disposition of the stuff, not even local forums. I've told one of my friends to hurry up and get my stuff out fast before it's pitched..
Enough .. .... We're going hiking....
Quote from: Trainman203 on November 02, 2016, 02:45:31 PM
And thank you, Brock, for your over the top hyper-criticism and trip-wire judgmentalism and constant negativity , and in general making this place un- fun. Enough is enough, man. Let the rest of us enjoy this place. End of conversation for me. Carry on at will, dude, if you wish.
and some wonder why I disappeared for awhile ;) I found it's better to ignore than fuel.
Back to the subject, my first set of passenger cars were Athearn and others. Since I have been collecting the Bachmann UP cars and they are nice/ My plans for the others may include a diner or train wreck ;D
You are right Jerry and that is what I should have done. I can do better and will. Back to passenger cars , my Bachmann 72' heavyweight SR combine is a beautiful car. I only wish I'd gotten it and the coach in MP when they were out. I had all the Athearn heavyweights at one time , they were fine cars.
English can be a baffling language, especially the phrase of (some word) + sale: it seems the same format can have at least three different meanings.
1.) shoe sale, appliance sale, book sale - the item named is what is on sale
2.) (name of some holiday) sale - stuff will be on sale around the holiday date but that stuff does not always include stuff directly purposed for the holiday. For example, a Columbus Day sale can include bath towels, which now that I think about it, he might have needed, plus some soap, after weeks cramped together in a little bitty boat, but it is a couple centuries too late for the towels to be of any benefit to Columbus.
3.) garage sale, yard sale - the yard and the garage are most decidedly not for sale.
Will you English speaking people please make up your minds what you want your language to do! ;D
Quote from: Trainman203 on November 03, 2016, 11:30:24 AM
Brock.... From now on.... Silence is golden.
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D I like that! but hell would freeze if it were true ;D
jbrock:
I have no desire to get into an argument here. There is a lot of junk sold at train shows. This is why that stuff must be subject go close scrutiny before purchasing.
But there can be real bargains found at train shows, mostly in the form of new-old-stock, maybe in out-of-production road names. These items are new, but maybe not the latest design. Generally, these things have been around someone's hobby shop for awhile, and are sold at a discount.
A second-hand hobby shop? I've never seen one of those, but I'd check it out.
Les
Quote from: Desertdweller on November 03, 2016, 12:50:50 PM
I have no desire to get into an argument here.
Les
Nor do I
Les. It is unfortunate it may be assumed that I desire to, when all I am doing is merely offering a different point of view and raising some simple and straightforward questions for food for thought. Trying to broaden a somewhat myopic view of things, if you will.
I mistook your mentioning buying second hand items at hobby shops to mean such shops are "second hand hobby shops" as I have never seen anything but New items for sale at hobby shops.
Silence :D
@HoModeler,
Don't ever throw anything away. You eventually will do something with it. 8)
The place you keep all this stuff is aka Bash Box, Scrap drawer, Parts bin, or something similar.
If you can't use it, a fellow modeler has been looking a long time for it, give it to him.
But it is true, in fact, that the disposal of anything model rail related is strictly prohibited and punishable by law. ;D (You might get your Model Railroad Card revoked). :o ::)
(Bad cars can be made good better.)
Also consider @Len's advice about the truck tuner, IMO a necessary tool if you like the older, vintage stuff.
@jbrock and @Desertdweller and @Trainman203, offer good advice as to educating one's self. The smart buyer does their homework.
ca·ve·at emp·tor
/ˌkavēˌät ˈem(p)ˌtôr/
noun
noun: caveat emptor
the principle that the buyer alone is responsible for checking the quality and suitability of goods before a purchase is made.
Some don't like eBay, some do.
Some don't like train shows, some do.
Garage sales, estate sales, yard sales, flea market, same thing.
All kind of a moot point.
The OP is asking for recommendation of "new decent passenger cars."
I don't have anything to recommend because I am ignorant of HO models, I don't model your scale.
Hopefully somebody gets this back on track and can offer some personal experience advice.
You tell me, what's your choice of manufacturers? What's available? Got links?
How do you rate your modeling skills?
Are you willing to bash?
What year(s) are you modeling??
What cars do you need ? Coaches. Diners, Sleepers, etc. ???
Before any recommendation on passenger cars can be made, a key question needs to be answered by the OP:
What size curves do you have on your layout??
It makes a difference. There's no point to recommending cars that require a 24" minimum radius if your layout only has 18" and 22" curves.
Len
Quote from: Len on November 05, 2016, 01:07:36 AM
Before any recommendation on passenger cars can be made, a key question needs to be answered by the OP:
What size curves do you have on your layout??
It makes a difference. There's no point to recommending cars that require a 24" minimum radius if your layout only has 18" and 22" curves.
Len
I have pretty big radius's on my layout...The only tighter radius I have is the one that goes from my 3 track passenger station & Fright Tracks up to my main 2 layout tracks.
If it helps I have a UP Big Boy Steam Engine (articulating frame) & my big boy goes around my layout & switches with no problems at all... Only draw back was when I got my Big Boy I had to move scenery (Back) mainly telephone poles & some bushes LOL
I Found a Passenger car Bachmann Sells...
Bachmann #4536
PRR Postwar Tuscan Red & Yellow Coach Car
$54.32
This is just about where I want to be price wise & the RR I am looking for I take either PRR or LVRR but its been hard finding LVRR stuff & if I do find LVRR its expensive stuff.
Here's his layout right here:
Quote from: trainmainbrian on February 21, 2014, 10:25:41 PM
http://s35.photobucket.com/user/maintrackbrian/library/?sort=3&page=1
Hi everyone I have some new photos in my photo library if anyone is interested.... FEATURED is my Bachmann Acela Passenger Train on my layout...
If you can find them, MTH made a set of 5 LVRR cars, plus a 2 car add on pack.
Len
These guys are trying to help you.
They need specific information to do that.
Unless you provide that information a satisfactory answer cannot be expected.
@Len asks
QuoteWhat size curves do you have on your layout??
Your reply to him is not only vague but also subjective.
QuoteI have pretty big radius's on my layout...The only tighter radius I have is the one that goes from my 3 track passenger station & Fright Tracks up to my main 2 layout tracks
???
From experience unless you get up very early you are not going to find trains at those front lawn junk sales many call yard sales. Reason very simple mention the word train and the early birds come in and scoo them up. At least that's what happened at my yard sale. Even the train set stuff was gone.
Quote from: Joe323 on November 06, 2016, 09:53:29 PM
From experience unless you get up very early you are not going to find trains at those front lawn junk sales many call yard sales. Reason very simple mention the word train and the early birds come in and scoo them up. At least that's what happened at my yard sale. Even the train set stuff was gone.
I agree I stopped @ a local Yard sale in my neighborhood & the woman was selling (Life Like & TYKO) HO Rolling Stock. Cheap 50 Cents a car A few looked OK but I can tell by looking not worth even the 50 cents she was asking for each car.
FYI... The Passenger cars I had but wound up throwing them out was (Hand Me Down's) Maybe that's why that person did not want them for his layout anymore. But anyway new Trucks & Steel Wheels could not help those cars
There's Junk Sold @ Train Meet's too.
There's a Train meet twice a year in my Area called I believe
The 1st Frost Train Meet & The Spring Thaw
Held @ the Allentown PA - AG Hall Maybe some of you have been there
I went to that meet 1 time paid the $7.00 admission fee but was overly disappointed with the show
89% of the show was all Big Scale Stuff & the Few HO Guys that had tables there wanted a small fortune for there stuff & it was mainly Junk. What a waist if you ask me I don't care about the $7.00 but mainly the Show itself.
Quote from: Joe323 on November 06, 2016, 09:53:29 PM
...mention the word train and the early birds come in and scoo them up. At least that's what happened at my yard sale.
Staten Island Joe, how would you categorize the majority of train items you were selling at your Yard Sale?
Question for ya here, Joe...
I snagged a 'New In Box' Bachmann LS "S.C.Ruffey" for $10 at a local thrift shop yesterday. Still had the coupler height adjustment pieces and directions in the box.
You never know what you'll find unless you go look. Sometimes there's gold buried under the junk.
Len
Quote from: Len on November 17, 2016, 08:40:16 AM
I snagged a 'New In Box' Bachmann LS "S.C.Ruffey" for $10 at a local thrift shop yesterday. Still had the coupler height adjustment pieces and directions in the box.
You never know what you'll find unless you go look. Sometimes there's gold buried under the junk.
Len
Well after a lot of internet searches for LVRR or PRR passenger cars... I decided to order 4 Passenger Cars in PRR from Bachmann's Sliver Series line up From my Hobby Shop
I got 4
72" Heavyweight Coach's w lighted interior PRR Tuscan Red #4536 & 1 Observation Car #136
I am going to scratch off the last # & remake #'s 37 & 38
So my consist will be 4536 - 4537 - 4538
The Passenger Car's are very nicely painted & Detailed nicely they work well on my layout & the interior lighting lights up the cars well & can see the details inside nicely the lights do not Flicker at all its a constant lighting ( witch I like very much )
I thank everyone for there input & posts