Tired of paying 40-$50 for a freight car?

ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.


J.Albert said:
Buy used.
Either on eBay or, better yet, from the HO swap list:
Click to expand...
Buying used is what I do for both locos and rolling stock. Sometimes it takes some patience to find what you want at the right price in good condition, but I find the effort worthwhile. You can get stuff even less expensive if you don't mind something that needs a few repairs. I've scored some pretty good stuff that way. I'll give a good example. This brass beauty only cost me about $50 when most go for around $300.
MEW Colorado Midland 101 (my model) (18).jpg

The reason it was about $50 is because it looked like this when I got it. But, it was something I wanted and was well worth fixing.
MEW Colorado Midland 101 (my model) (1).png
 
It all comes down to what you want on your railroad. I have a switching layout so I handle all my cars as the "staging" is in drawers below my layout. Am I going to buy higher priced rolling stock? No, the details on some would get damaged. Most of my rolling stock is what I bought 30+years ago. Roundhouse, detailed, nope, do I care, nope.

I've seen prices for rolling stock and locomotives go up and up. I've seen more detail on rolling stock than has ever put on by manufacturers before and yes consumers want more detail. Not just on rolling stock or locomotives but also on structures, buildings, scenery. Some just don't "build" what they want, they would rather purchase it. I'm not one of them. I would rather buy a less expensive piece of rolling stock or a locomotive and put the details that I would like on them myself. Years back, you had to that to get the locomotive or rolling stock you wanted because it just wasn't offered.

Not only can you buy from Accrail for rolling stock but also Tichy Train Group which I have bought from both. Good models when completed and yes you can add more details if you want but you don't have to.

Here is one of Tichy Train Group tank cars. To me reasonably priced. Very easy for younger people (teens, early twenties) that don't have a lot of extra money to still enjoy the hobby.

#4020 TANK CAR - 4020
#4020 TANK CAR


Click for Larger Images


Scale: HO

THIS CAR IS TYPICAL OF THE INDUSTRY STANDARD TANKER USED FOR DECADES TO HAUL CRUDE OIL, OFTEN IN LONG TANKER TRAINS-THE PIPELINE ACROSS AMERICA BEFORE SUPERTANKERS. THIS CAR FOLLOWS THE USRA BASIC DESIGN, VARIATIONS OF THIS CAR WERE MADE BY A NUMBER OF CARBUILDERS. THIS KIT FEATURES THE 54" DOME WITH OPTIONAL MANHOLE COVERS AND MOLDED END HANDRAILS.
ERA 1918 TO 1955.
INJECTION MOLDED IN GRAY STYRENE. INCLUDES TRUCKS.


$16.50
 


Colorado Midland Modeler said:
Buying used is what I do for both locos and rolling stock. Sometimes it takes some patience to find what you want at the right price in good condition, but I find the effort worthwhile. You can get stuff even less expensive if you don't mind something that needs a few repairs. I've scored some pretty good stuff that way. I'll give a good example. This brass beauty only cost me about $50 when most go for around $300.View attachment 245274
The reason it was about $50 is because it looked like this when I got it. But, it was something I wanted and was well worth fixing.View attachment 245273
Click to expand...
Nice find. I do the same thing. There's just something about those old models but i'm of course referring to scaled models like this one. Even the "before" picture looks good, and if all that brass was steel, it would truly look like a real locomotive sitting somewhere on a forgotten siding. I just like to fiddle with them, add some details, make them run, or run better if they are in running condition, because i find that, a truly satisfying part of the hobby.
 
J.Albert said:
I can fit only about 32 cars on my layout. I have more than that, so I haven't bought a car in quite a while.

The only highly-detailed cars I've bought were some cabooses, and the highest price I paid (ebay) was about $35. If folks want to pay more, fine with me, but I won't be doing it.

Same with engines, I've got more than will fit (35+). So I'm pretty much done buying those, too, although I did find a Conrail SD60 (Proto2000, new-old-stock) on ebay a couple of weeks back for less than $59...
Click to expand...
Ditto here. I've been in the hobby off-and-on for the last 75 years, in HO. I, too, have more cars and locomotives than will fit on my folded dogbone layout in a 14 x14 room. I model the times back when I was a kid, through high school and rode the Zephyrs and CNW 400's. I'm retired and on a fixed income, so with all that, I only occasionally will buy locomotive parts to kitbash. Right now, working on a Mantua logging 2-6-6-2, which is giving me some fits assembling the valvegear, and will require some modifications to enlarge the front cylinders to turn it into a Mallet (compound), and may enlarging the boiler somewhat. Not costing much, but fun, and something to keep me busy...when I'm not, which isn't often! Some of my refers are kits with wood bodies and stamped metal sides from years ago. A lot are Athearn Blue Box. So nobody is getting rich from me.
 
I forgot to say earlier, most of my well basically all of my rolling stock is from roundhouse from back in the 80’s. And they are simple car kits and look good to me. Like I said before I have a switching layout and I handle all my cars. Then I found tichy and have some of their rolling stock as well more nice models.

I honestly have not bought any rolling stock or locomotive since then. No just remembered I bought a climax from Bachman (bad choice) and a diesel switcher from atlas about 10 years ago.

I personally can’t see the value in some of the rolling stock that is produced today. What I mean by that is I can buy a less expensive car and some detail parts and in an evening have a very nice detailed car for less money, lot less. Just a little time is needed.

DCC is another thing. Like it, like the sounds, but in the end, sometimes quite running with some music on is more enjoyable than having all the huffing and puffing or diesel whine during an operating session. Sometimes I just turn the sound off and operate.

IMG_0687.jpeg


My switching layout above. One operating session lasts about 45 minutes to hour. Just enough to when you just have an hour or so to enjoy the hobby.
 
I have a question for anyone that wants to answer (if you have the answer). First all my cars that I bought were kits (roundhouse, blue box, tichy, and most if not all are so you can open the doors.

Question, why are all the box cars made today (that I can see) have molded in doors? Easier to manufacture? But what if someone wants to model the door open? Do you really want to pay high price just to make the door opening?

Just wondering why years ago they made them so you could model the door open or closed and be honest all my box cars, stock cars, reefers, I can have them open or closed now. The manufacturer made them so you glued on rails so you could open or close the car doors.

Sorry not a good picture. These are Roundhouse cars, detailed to a high degree? nope. Did I pay high dollar, heck no. I was in my teens when these were purchased, I paid probably 10-20 bucks for each back then. Still have them now so pennies on the dollar for the rolling stock I have now.

IMG_0035.JPG


The flat car below, was my dads and it's made all out of metal !! Don't see them now a days.

IMG_4901.JPG
 
kgstakes said:
I have a question for anyone that wants to answer (if you have the answer). First all my cars that I bought were kits (roundhouse, blue box, tichy, and most if not all are so you can open the doors.

Question, why are all the box cars made today (that I can see) have molded in doors? Easier to manufacture? But what if someone wants to model the door open? Do you really want to pay high price just to make the door opening?

Just wondering why years ago they made them so you could model the door open or closed and be honest all my box cars, stock cars, reefers, I can have them open or closed now. The manufacturer made them so you glued on rails so you could open or close the car doors.

Sorry not a good picture. These are Roundhouse cars, detailed to a high degree? nope. Did I pay high dollar, heck no. I was in my teens when these were purchased, I paid probably 10-20 bucks for each back then. Still have them now so pennies on the dollar for the rolling stock I have now.

View attachment 245333

The flat car below, was my dads and it's made all out of metal !! Don't see them now a days.

View attachment 245334
Click to expand...
I started from scratch 10 years ago. I sold everything off in my 30's. All the cars that I have currently purchased have working doors. We're blessed to be at a point in our life that we are financially comfortable. Busted our butts during our working years, invested aggressively, lived below our means, and became debt free 8 years before retiring. Maybe I'm just buying more expensive and detailed stuff, but Walthers Mainline, Athearn, Intermountain, ScaleTrains, etc. all have working doors.

I have a small 2'x13' switching layout and only have about 30 cars and 7 engines. Actually, I could get by with just the 2 Rapido engines, but I am drawn to small 4 axle, 1st generation, SP engines.
 
Last edited:


Marlin39 said:
I started from scratch 10 years ago. I sold everything off in my 30's. All the cars that I have currently purchased have working doors. We're blessed to be at a point in our life that we are financially comfortable. Busted our butts during our working years, invested aggressively, lived below our means, and became debt free 8 years before retiring. Maybe I'm just buying more expensive and detailed stuff, but Walthers Mainline, Athearn, Intermountain, ScaleTrains, etc. all have working doors.

I have a small 2'x13' switching layout and only have about 30 cars and 7 engines. Actually, I could get by with just the 2 Rapido engines, but I am drawn to small 4 axle, 1st generation, SP engines.
Click to expand...
That's exactly what we did - work your butt off, live within your means and payoff everything. Now we can enjoy what we have. Now I'm not wealthy, but I have some play money. This is what freedom is. No worries, to speak of and can live peacefully, with trains of course. ;)
 
Twinboystrains said:
Did some research before posting. I have yet to buy a brand new anything in model railroading. Everything I own is used. It’s my strategy to make offers towards the end of train shows. Easier to pack up cash than the items that I bargain for.
Click to expand...
I have found that to be the case at all train shows that I go to, excepting the regular traveling dealers who do 40 shows a year. The estate guys and individual sellers will always bargain during the last 2-3 hours.
 
davidone said:
Sounds elitist to me.
Click to expand...
Nah. Elitism would be buying the expensive stuff and looking down your nose at modelers who buy Accurail, or Mainline, or have fun with old Blue Box models. I've never seen that here, or on any of the other forums where I participate. As with any hobby, some of us just have more disposable income than others. The market (most of us) is demanding accurate super detailed models. The manufacturers are providing them. It's as simple as that. ;)
 
For 17 years on my daily commute to work I drove past a antiques/collectibles store in the
adjacent town. Finally decided to check it out. Not a large place but it wasn't dusty and
didn't smell musty which is typical of many such establishments. Found the following for $15.
PB100068.JPG


PB100069.JPG

PB100070.JPG


Carton condition is what you would find at your local hobby shop. Decently detailed, easy to construct, metal wheels, and doors
open. Shop owner says he occasionally gets model railroad items. Wonder what I have missed in the past years.
 
I was going to suggest eBay as well. Just about all my locomotives and freight cars came from eBay. I don't believe I have ever paid over $15, about $6 shipping. Some really nice looking Accurail and Roundhouse models. Many new in the box .

My era is pre 1940, so excellent availability.

I previously purchased many highly detailed freight cars, but ultimately sold them off due to little pieces wanting to be broken off .

May be a learning curve on what to look for in the ads. My experience recommends a literal reading of the description. Ebay will guarantee those words, or your money refunded.

Like J. Albert, my layout is full. My Rule is, if I buy one, I sell one.

Dave LASM
 
logandsawman said:
I previously purchased many highly detailed freight cars, but ultimately sold them off due to little pieces wanting to be broken off .
Click to expand...
Yes, at the last train show/swap meet I went to, there was a fellow selling a whole box of those highly detailed cars for $10. All had many broken tiny parts. He said he was sick of repairing them all the time, and if you don't repair them they look bad. He's removed all that type from the layout so he can have an operating session where everyone can relax and not feel like they are walking on eggshells.
 


You must log in or register to reply here.




Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)

Back
Top