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Post by sd40dash2 on Feb 19, 2020 9:23:27 GMT -8
Accurail has updated their catalog page to show the planned releases for March/April.
Interesting items this time, including patched CNW ex-RI 'bankruptcy blue' hoppers, CN hopper and various boxcars from NH, PGE, GTW and National Packing Company.
www.accurail.com/accurail/catalog.htm
The demand for these types of car kits must be strong given the ongoing monthly production of more and more paint schemes and car styles.
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Post by elfan on Feb 19, 2020 12:50:56 GMT -8
My concern about Accurail has always been the accuracy of their paint schemes. While I’m not a rivit counter but any means,I do strive for a degree of prototypical accuracy in my rolling stock. Without spending precious time to research,time better spent in other areas,I can never really be certain when it comes to what they produce being prototypical, a close stand in,or outright foobie.That in a nutshell is what keeps me from buying their products. The kits themselves I think are good, and I don’t mind doing the upgrades,wire grabs and handrails for instance,but not on an unprototypical car.
Tom
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Post by fr8kar on Feb 19, 2020 20:24:06 GMT -8
The ROCK covered hoppers should sell pretty good. I could be tempted to buy that set.
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Post by wp8thsub on Feb 19, 2020 21:28:49 GMT -8
"We'll paint any car any color for $19.95." *
* Price an participation may vary, see store for details.
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Post by lvrr325 on Feb 19, 2020 23:50:46 GMT -8
They offered their rib side covered hopper in a Lehigh Valley scheme that was sheer fantasy. Looked like it was cribbed from an old Bev Bel or somebody on the similar Athearn car.
The only issue I have with the kits is they're fast approaching $18-$22 list price and that makes them slow to sell. Plus I have to wrap plastic around them if I want to put them out at shows, otherwise idiots dig through them because they can't even grasp they're looking at brand new things. That's how stuff gets lost.
I do have a few personally mixed in with higher end cars and they look fine. I try and look up the car they're supposed to represent and see how close they are before I pick one out.
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Feb 20, 2020 0:32:30 GMT -8
$14.25 each for the "new" Milwaukee rib-side cars through my dealer. Pretty good value, if you ask me.
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Post by brakie on Feb 20, 2020 2:16:57 GMT -8
$14.25 each for the "new" Milwaukee rib-side cars through my dealer. Pretty good value, if you ask me. Indeed.. It would be cheaper for me to backdate to the 50s using Accurail cars then to continued modeling 94/95. To be sure even NOS for the 94/95 era is creeping up in price.. |
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Post by lvrr325 on Feb 20, 2020 2:28:19 GMT -8
I take two bucks off list. More than that and it's not worth bothering with, the time and trouble involved isn't worth the maybe two bucks your guy makes off each one.
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Post by champagnetrail on Feb 20, 2020 21:10:05 GMT -8
My concern about Accurail has always been the accuracy of their paint schemes. While I’m not a rivit counter but any means,I do strive for a degree of prototypical accuracy in my rolling stock. Without spending precious time to research,time better spent in other areas,I can never really be certain when it comes to what they produce being prototypical, a close stand in,or outright foobie.That in a nutshell is what keeps me from buying their products. The kits themselves I think are good, and I don’t mind doing the upgrades,wire grabs and handrails for instance,but not on an unprototypical car. Tom Every month I go through all the new rolling stock announcements and figure out what looks prototypically accurate, what is a close stand-in, and what I think is too far removed from the prototype to be worth it for my modeling period (mid 70s). Then I match those cars up with my database of freight cars seen in the EL wheel report collection from 1972-76. I use that knowledge to guide my purchases. But, that's not for everyone, so I would never tell anyone not to spend their money on something if they like it. |
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Post by markfj on Feb 21, 2020 6:31:35 GMT -8
Champagnetrail: Do you have your data on a webpage or blog? I frequently check new car releases/paint scheme announcements against my EL & Erie color guides, but as I’m sure you know, those books don’t necessary cover all cars or schemes. Would really like to look over your findings.
Regarding Accurail, I find that when I get one of their cars, I tend to add more details. That added time and cost takes the car to a better level of detail fidelity, but it makes me wish another manufacturer would offer the car and I would just buy RTR. This was the situation I found with the recently release of the PS covered hopper cars: great kits, but I added a bunch of details and realized I could buy a Tangent car and be just as happy.
Thanks, Mark J.
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Post by riogrande on Feb 21, 2020 7:44:45 GMT -8
I'd be interested in your list champagnetrail too. I've informally looked for some of the Accurail 40' box car and found some the looked close to some for north west Railroads - from memory, NP and GN. I needed some older 40' footers to mix in for mid-late 1970's that were still in operation running out their last miles before being retired en-mass after a down turn.
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Post by champagnetrail on Feb 21, 2020 8:18:02 GMT -8
Champagnetrail: Do you have your data on a webpage or blog? I frequently check new car releases/paint scheme announcements against my EL & Erie color guides, but as I’m sure you know, those books don’t necessary cover all cars or schemes. Would really like to look over your findings. Nope. Not enough time for a webpage or blog, but I share a monthly report with other like-minded members of the Erie Lackawanna Historical Society. I've been doing it informally since 2014. I look over the new releases and match them up with my database of freight cars and trailers from the EL wheel report collection. The collection is a little over 500 wheel reports from EL freight trains from 1972-76 (and a small number of D&H), with a little over 29000 freight cars and 7500 trailers and containers.
The main thing is that I am only interested in freight cars and intermodal containers/trailers that were around during the late-EL era, which I define as roughly from the end of Dereco in 1972, to the start of Conrail. That's my modeling period. With that in mind, I'm also tossing out freight cars that were gone by 1972 and ones that were not built before C-Day. That's the thing. We all have to make our own choices. I'm not here trying to make choices for other people, just to provide some information.
If there is a way to get a private message to me with your e-mail, I can add you to my list. I've got a spreadsheet that goes back to 2014 that I can share as well. |
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Post by champagnetrail on Feb 21, 2020 8:27:36 GMT -8
I'd be interested in your list champagnetrail too. I've informally looked for some of the Accurail 40' box car and found some the looked close to some for north west Railroads - from memory, NP and GN. I needed some older 40' footers to mix in for mid-late 1970's that were still in operation running out their last miles before being retired en-mass after a down turn. riogrande...
See my message to markfj. I'm a bit of a rivet-counter, but no expert, so I try to find out what some of the big differences are between the model and the prototype to see what is mostly accurate and what is a reasonable stand-in. I also rely on the experts at the Modern Freight Cars List (MFCL). I must reiterate that I am no expert and that what I have is only an opinion. I'm just one of the crowd, but I think crowd-sourcing of information really helps me steer clear of "incorrect" models when I have a limited budget for train stuff.
I forgot to mention that I'm also matching stuff up against my 10/72 and 1/76 copies of the Official Railway Equipment Register, for what that's worth. The registers contain errors and have omissions.
I'll share if you can get a message to me with your e-mail.
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Post by grabirons on Feb 21, 2020 9:24:15 GMT -8
I just buy what I like and have a lot less to complain about than all of you.
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Post by riogrande on Feb 21, 2020 9:35:35 GMT -8
riogrande... See my message to markfj. I'm a bit of a rivet-counter, but no expert, so I try to find out what some of the big differences are between the model and the prototype to see what is mostly accurate and what is a reasonable stand-in.
I also rely on the experts at the Modern Freight Cars List (MFCL). I must reiterate that I am no expert and that what I have is only an opinion. I'm just one of the crowd, but I think crowd-sourcing of information really helps me steer clear of "incorrect" models when I have a limited budget for train stuff.
I forgot to mention that I'm also matching stuff up against my 10/72 and 1/76 copies of the Official Railway Equipment Register, for what that's worth. The registers contain errors and have omissions.
I need to get me a couple copies of the ORER for the late 70's and early 80's.
I'm of the same mind. There are enough models out on the market that with a little effort, you can steer toward those that are close to the real thing. Years ago I went through a visual vetting process with D&RGW rolling stock and created a list that I've posted in the project archive. Jim Eager reviewed the Rio Grande stuff which helped because I'm not as deep into the weeds as some. |
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Post by fr8kar on Feb 21, 2020 10:48:57 GMT -8
I just buy what I like and have a lot less to complain about than all of you. Who's complaining here? |
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Post by dti406 on Feb 21, 2020 12:07:49 GMT -8
Jim, its not even close. The prototype is a Pullman Standard PS1 Boxcar, so the Accurail car has the incorrect ends, has riveted instead of welded side sheets, the sill is entirely incorrect, but the paint scheme is good. One would need a PS1 boxcar, cutout the doors to 14' opening and acquire the proper parts from Chad Boas to detail the car properly then paint and decal using Tichy Decals which were designed by Jerry Glow for this car. Rick Jesionowski |
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Post by riogrande on Feb 21, 2020 12:15:41 GMT -8
Rick, you can edit my quoted comment to "stand-in". Maybe I'll just stick with Moloco and Tangent when I don't have time to research boxcar ends, roofs and all.
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Post by fr8kar on Feb 21, 2020 16:27:01 GMT -8
The ex-Rock Island PS 4750 hoppers relettered for CNW might not be exact replicas of the prototype, but there's enough variation in the prototype patching that each number is certainly plausible. Accurail selected CNW 752316, 752327 and 752340 in slightly different patch schemes. I couldn't find those particular numbers, but here are some neighboring numbers from the roster: rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=175898rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=920000rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=631192rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=16249rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1132907No two are the same, but the Accurail versions are consistent with the prototype practices. The model itself is not an exact match for the prototype with the main difference to me being the angle iron along the top of the middle twelve ribs. That can be easily corrected with some strip styrene and paint. The prototype paint has spent most of its life being severely worn, so an exact paint match for the angle iron isn't much of a problem in my opinion. I have several of these Accurail PS 4750 hoppers, and while they're not as nice as the Tangent model by any stretch of the imagination, they really aren't bad models for the price. |
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Feb 21, 2020 19:09:27 GMT -8
Rick, you can edit my quoted comment to "stand-in". Maybe I'll just stick with Moloco and Tangent when I don't have time to research boxcar ends, roofs and all. Or buy what you like and not worry that the proto police will get a warrant out to arrest you. |
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Post by brakie on Feb 21, 2020 19:51:13 GMT -8
Rick, you can edit my quoted comment to "stand-in". Maybe I'll just stick with Moloco and Tangent when I don't have time to research boxcar ends, roofs and all. Or buy what you like and not worry that the proto police will get a warrant out to arrest you. Karl, If I was to back date to the 50s I would not hesitate to use Accurail cars with my small collection of KD 40' boxcar.. I would surely add the West India Fruit & Steamship 40' boxcar with the car ferry logo.. |
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Post by lvrr325 on Feb 21, 2020 22:08:43 GMT -8
I know I got a few of the modernized 50-foot double door boxcar, PRR and LV. They're reasonably close, I think the ladder heights are wrong on one end, the brake wheel should still be up high on it, but the sill shape and all that looks okay. Whether the ends and roof match, who knows, I can live with them for now.
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Feb 22, 2020 7:58:48 GMT -8
Or buy what you like and not worry that the proto police will get a warrant out to arrest you. Karl, If I was to back date to the 50s I would not hesitate to use Accurail cars with my small collection of KD 40' boxcar.. I would surely add the West India Fruit & Steamship 40' boxcar with the car ferry logo.. Your right about that, Larry. That would be a nice car to own.
IN fact......
 I do... |
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Post by champagnetrail on Feb 22, 2020 8:14:01 GMT -8
Rick, you can edit my quoted comment to "stand-in". Maybe I'll just stick with Moloco and Tangent when I don't have time to research boxcar ends, roofs and all. Or buy what you like and not worry that the proto police will get a warrant out to arrest you. Agreed!
Which is why I don't make any posts to this forum suggesting that people "buy this, not that." I don't have a problem sharing factual information, but I hesitate with sharing opinions too strongly.
There's plenty of room in this hobby for everyone to do whatever makes them feel happy.
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Post by champagnetrail on Feb 22, 2020 8:18:12 GMT -8
I just buy what I like and have a lot less to complain about than all of you. And I encourage everyone to do that!
No judgment from me...
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Post by milgentrains on Feb 22, 2020 20:41:44 GMT -8
Or buy what you like and not worry that the proto police will get a warrant out to arrest you. Agreed! Which is why I don't make any posts to this forum suggesting that people "buy this, not that." I don't have a problem sharing factual information, but I hesitate with sharing opinions too strongly. There's plenty of room in this hobby for everyone to do whatever makes them feel happy.
Thank you, Sir. |
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Post by nsc39d8 on Feb 22, 2020 21:22:14 GMT -8
I like Accurail cars for filling needed voids in unit trains. Their kits build nicely and are easily upgradeable. This car was done from the Accurail 4650 hopper kit. Shortened to 4000 CF and detailed.  Now I am one that agrees with everyone purchasing what suits their needs for their modeling. |
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Post by elfan on Feb 24, 2020 18:11:35 GMT -8
Agreed! Which is why I don't make any posts to this forum suggesting that people "buy this, not that." I don't have a problem sharing factual information, but I hesitate with sharing opinions too strongly. There's plenty of room in this hobby for everyone to do whatever makes them feel happy.
Thank you, Sir. Exactly! Some are comfortable running an Acela with Thomas in the lead, others won’t run a 1940s boxcar unless it has real cotton waste in the journals! I fall somewhere in between. Lol Tom |
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Feb 26, 2020 9:11:43 GMT -8
Exactly! Some are comfortable running an Acela with Thomas in the lead, others won’t run a 1940s boxcar unless it has real cotton waste in the journals! I fall somewhere in between. Lol Tom Me too. Acela is out of my era...modeling wise. I need to put a keep alive in my Thomas...he gets cross eyed at times... |
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Post by simulatortrain on Feb 26, 2020 11:18:22 GMT -8
I like Accurail cars for filling needed voids in unit trains. Their kits build nicely and are easily upgradeable. This car was done from the Accurail 4650 hopper kit. Shortened to 4000 CF and detailed. Now I am one that agrees with everyone purchasing what suits their needs for their modeling. Just curious, was the clinic for modeling that car ever posted? |
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