garethashenden Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 So a GP60 won't fit. Not that it stopped me running a GP60 in a post 1996 paint scheme with 40 footers... There still are 40 footers on the rails today, but they're all highcube. If OP has a brewery, something like BLMA's Beer Cars would be the most appropriate for a modern layout, they're 62', so the layout may need to be stretched. That's the main problem with small modern layouts, all the cars are really long. http://www.blmamodels.com/cgi-bin/webstore/shop.cgi?ud=CQcFBAEMAAMCBxQUEBEcHAAHAQcFAQAECQkTEQAA&storeid=1&searchtext=mu&cols=1&&c=detail.htm&t=main.htm&itemid=Bx-166HO-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wollastonblue Posted October 31, 2016 Author Share Posted October 31, 2016 I haven't really thought about era. I guess as it's a small layout, 40' or 50' Boxcars are ideal for this layout, and I suppose other than the major breweries are no longer rail served. So I guess 50s and 60s period would be perfect. So how would an EMD GP35 figure? Is the Athearn or Kato model the best? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 A GP35 would good . They were built in the 60s, so would be for that period or later and you could you use 40ft or 50ft freight cars with roof walkways. The Kato model is very old but back in the day it was a fine model. I bought one second hand in 1998 and it was a very smooth runner. I sold it only last year and it fetched a good price. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garethashenden Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 On the other hand, GP35s were new in the '60s and would therefore be mostly used in mainline freight. Not to say that they were never used in switching, but it wouldn't be standard. For what you've got I would go with a GP7/9 if you want a Geep or an end cab switcher ie SW1, NW2, SW8/9/1200, S2/S4. Any of those would be typical. This sort of industry would typically be switched by the equivalent of a pick-up goods (way freight in American). The power used often depended on the distance from the larger yard, if it's a short branchline running from the yard to the brewery, an end cab switcher would be very appropriate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wollastonblue Posted October 31, 2016 Author Share Posted October 31, 2016 Something like this: http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Bachmann-HO-GP9-UP-DCC-p/bac-62807.htm That looks excellent for the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talltim Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 The Bachmann GP9 looks a lot better than some of their stuff, I can't comment on the prototype specific details. Does anyone know what they run like? You would probably want to swap out the couplers for Kadees and maybe detail the pilots (bufferbeams) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium skipepsi Posted October 31, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 31, 2016 I would suggest buying from a UK supplier the US prices look good until you add postage and a VAT charge. Secondhand American HO is available on ebay .co.uk and that is where most of my stock is from. Some of it will be going back there soon as I have bought some silly stuff... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 I would suggest buying from a UK supplier the US prices look good until you add postage and a VAT charge. ... & an appallingly bad £ - $ exchange rate at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wollastonblue Posted November 1, 2016 Author Share Posted November 1, 2016 Any suggestions for good model shops with a good American HO selection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zomboid Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 I usually buy from Modeljunction.info in Slough (they don't come up on google very easily, don't get them confused with the shop in Bury St Edmunds). They offer a facility to import stuff from the Walthers website, though that's subject to the exchange rate and you don't know for sure what the cost will be until they've imported it - but you only pay the once and they handle the import process. Gaugemaster have quite a lot listed, but much of it isn't in stock so be sure you understand their way of telling you that. Invicta have a bit listed, but I've never used them so I can't vouch for them. EBay has quite a lot too, just filter it for stuff that's in the UK, or learn how to tell what's abroad. I bought some stuff from Rails of Sheffield's eBay shop, so presumably they stock some things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Try Model Junction,Slough. Gaugemaster. The American Railroad Centre, Bodmin. Rails of Sheffield usually have a good selection of nearly new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allegheny1600 Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 (edited) Hi there, Obtaining US stock in the UK seems quite problematic now, I still get some items from Trainworld NY, http://www.trainworld.com/ Beware their website is not the easiest to navigate and if you get interested in anything, check the scale! You don't want to end up with something in crude Lionel 0 scale for example!!! (If you're hunting for H0 scale, obviously). Shipping is about as fair as it comes nowadays and of course, beware the import duty you WILL have to pay plus £8 handling fee etc, etc. Nevertheless, you can still save a lot of money over Model Junction and (especially) Gaugemasters prices. Now that the classic UK outlets are closed or retiring, the remaining 'cheap' options may well be ebay.co.uk (private sellers), swapmeets or NMRA meets. An outside chance is Ebay.de (Germany) from private sellers but shipping is usually about €17 or so. No import duties to pay though (for now.) As for a good, solid switcher, how about this; An Atlas analogue model with Kato drive (the best!), a mere £22 from Anoraks Anonymous (Sophie) a year or so ago. http://anoraksanonymous.weebly.com/ It's very heavy, short and runs like a dream! Cheers, John. PS In the interests of fairness, Geoff & Alison at Contikits also have pretty good prices and selections of secondhand: http://www.contikits.com/ Note: you will have to email them to find out what US outline they hold! Edited November 1, 2016 by Allegheny1600 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wollastonblue Posted November 1, 2016 Author Share Posted November 1, 2016 So much choice and paint schemes to choose from. I have found these: http://www.modeljunction.info/estore/product_info.php?cPath=222_223&products_id=44366 A local shop to me has one of these 2nd hand at a nice price too: http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH91726 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium skipepsi Posted November 1, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 1, 2016 Hattons sell some HO loco's and wagons and Code 83 track as well. Rails buy it now prices I always think are £10 over the top at least but make your own mind up after comparing prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zomboid Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 My GP60 is an Athearn RTR loco. On DC it runs really nicely, though I haven't used it since I bought some DCC stuff and my only comparison at that time was pancake motored junk from the 90s... Though I would happily buy some more stuff from that range. If you can get it for sensible cash from a local shop then I would suggest you do just that. Others here will have a better idea what they're worth, but my brand new Athearn RTR GP60 cost me about £80. Maybe I got a great deal, maybe I got ripped off (I felt happy enough at the time though). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wollastonblue Posted November 2, 2016 Author Share Posted November 2, 2016 I think I'm in love: http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Bachmann-HO-Alco-RS3-RI-p/bac-64209.htm Is the Bachmann model as good as the Athearn? Also, I'm looking at various wagons do other railroad companies wagon get mixed up and end up on others? So for example I could have 1 from New Haven, 1 from ATSF, and 1 from Union Pacific in a consist? Finally, when did these wagons enter service? http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Bachmann-Silver-Series-HO-Center-Flow-Hopper-Shell-p/bac-17534.htm I really appreciate all the suggestions and advice guys, thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted November 2, 2016 Share Posted November 2, 2016 (edited) In a word, yes. Most railroad cars travel all over the country. In fact, I have ATSF, New Haven and Union Pacific on my layout. Where you are placing the layout plays a key part in which railroads appear most often. TYS is set in Chicago, so most of the cars are from predominantly Chicago based railroads (CBQ, CIM, CNW etc). But, I can also run Union Pacific and New York railroads (Reading, New Haven, New York Central). Edited November 2, 2016 by Robatron86 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zomboid Posted November 2, 2016 Share Posted November 2, 2016 I can't do a comparison myself, but I would expect the Bachmann model to be less good than the Athearn, but that doesn't mean it won't be good enough. I have a Bachmann RS3 coming (Great Northern orange/green), so I'm hoping it'll be good! That Rock Island paint job is tremendous, and I (like many) have a soft spot for The Rock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wollastonblue Posted November 2, 2016 Author Share Posted November 2, 2016 I wouldn't blame you. RS3s are rather nice, and that paint scheme is very attractive. According to the text on the web page, I'd suggest 1965... Why didn't I see that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talltim Posted November 2, 2016 Share Posted November 2, 2016 (edited) Why didn't I see that? Its also says 'New 12-65' and 'BLT 2(?)-65' on the side of the model. Cars are periodically reweighed and the date of this will be added somewhere on the side so it looks like this one is in the period between being new and being reweighed. There's some more about his kind of stuff in this thread http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/82578-boxcar-markings-and-alterations/ Edited November 2, 2016 by Talltim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w124bob Posted November 2, 2016 Share Posted November 2, 2016 (edited) Thanks guys for all your advice it really appreciated. The classes I've been looking at are: Alco RS2 or RS3 EMD SW1000 EMD GP9 EM GP15 Are these all suitable for a Switching layout? As I own examples of all of these here is my twopenath. Atlas for the RS3 cheap as chips 2nd hand, one of the first locos Atlas upgraded so all blackbox models will have 8pin sockets for DCC. Nothing wrong with the early yellow box models for reliabilty just moulded on grab rails and no DCC socket. The Atlas black box GP7/9 is another good runner, weighs about 100cwt as it has a very heavy chassis, been around awhile so good 2nd hand choice. Bachmann GP7/9 and their RS3 and S2/S4 are good but lack any grab rail detail, sound equiped locos are Tsunami decoders with a few CV's disabled. Athearn for the SW1500/1000, plenty of 2nd hand choice even the old bluebox offering was good and the current RTR rates very highly(one of the best in my opinion). Bowser Stewart do a detail up grade for the bluebox model. I have 3 GP15's from Athearn Genesis and all had issues of wiring quality from the factory, loose broken wire from the bogie is common, it's an expensive model but detail is superior to the Walthers model. Walthers/Proto switchers are all good but pricey new. Everyone of these models would be seen in switching duty either from the class1 RR's, shortlines or as lease locos. Edited November 2, 2016 by w124bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wollastonblue Posted November 3, 2016 Author Share Posted November 3, 2016 More playing around with Anyrail has lead me to this: I do like the look and idea of the Carfloat by Walthers. One of the things I like about Overseas modelling is the variety of building kits available, sadly lacking in the UK market. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted November 3, 2016 Share Posted November 3, 2016 That is incredibly similar to an idea I had, I even have the car float. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talltim Posted November 3, 2016 Share Posted November 3, 2016 (edited) Then you can have as many locos as you can fit on a car float! https://goo.gl/images/PMl75v Edited November 3, 2016 by Talltim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wollastonblue Posted November 10, 2016 Author Share Posted November 10, 2016 After a bit of liaising with Mrs Wollastonblue, the Brewery switching layout would look nice set up in our bedroom apparently. I have been looking at Boxcars and Reefers, and was wondering if this was too early for a 1950s/1960s layout: http://www.ebay.com/p/MTH-R40-2-Woodside-Reefer-Car-Schott-Brewing-Company/1037220862 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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