I too grow up buying Blue Box cars and locos. I modelled HO when I was "younger" (I'm 16 now, turning on 17 soon). Back then, it was the best stuff I could afford, and it was good! They were not hard kits to build, I would always end up using too much glue on stuff that needed some but the kits turned out OK for the most, or I'd get help from my dad. My grand uncle had given me his HO layout and loved every minute I spent on it. It is still mine but it's now in storage and I plan on giving it to a kid someday so he can live what I lived. Later I got a Life-Like N scale train set and built a rather lame 2X4 layout. I then quit the hobby for a few years before coming back into it this year (modelling N scale).
I used to be a Field Service guy, and traveled 90% of the time. The first few years I was buying all kinds of ready to run stuff, but I often had to ship stuff home because there was too much after a 3 to 6 month trip somewhere. After the first few years I had tons of stuff, far more than I would ever use. I bought stuff just because I seen it, and did not have one. I had N-Trak modules at home, and they were somewhat ho-hum. Then I started doing things different. I would drive around and take polaroids of things I wanted to model, and on my trips I would bring all kinds of scratchbuilding supplies with me and build models in my hotel rooms. Since I had lots of time, I would add the extra details to make them nicer models. I started developing a real satisfaction in building kits, and this was before the era of laser kits. You had to cut the wood yourself. So I agree we are living in the golden age of model railroading, because with the advent of the computer and the laser, all those custom models that would only sell a few kits, are now feasable.
You and that laser....when are the HO Caboose kits coming out? Most of the parts you need to include with the kits are more then available out there...MDC comes to mind. Scratchbuilding is definately changing...as lasercutters become more afforable, I am sure there will be more interest in getting scale plans and software that loads into the cutter, suddenly instead of buying a single car, we will be able to buy software and build as many as we need...Just think about it... [ 09. July 2003, 00:37: Message edited by: Benny ]
Actually Benny, my neighbor and I, and a couple other ATSF modelers are starting to put together an HO caboose kit now. I had made an N Scale ATSF side door caboose, and my neighbor took it to the SFRH&MS convention in Dallas a couple weeks ago. He had a signup sheet, and 60 of the attendees signed up for the kit. It was a little shy of the amount of signups needed for the society to fund, so we have to fund the project ourselves, but the society will do the advertising and sell the kits. We are still in the early stages of the project, and I just started scaling up my drawings this afternoon. Another guy has already finished the artwork and decals. My neighbor, Jon Miller has been contacting detail manufacturers for the grabs, smokejacks, nut/bolt/washer castings etc., and we have copies of the actual blueprints on the way so the HO kit will be very accurate and well detailed. It's too early for a timeframe, but we will start with 100 kits. If it does well, there will be more, with other projects done too!
I have tried to get several athearn kits from Walthers and they are sold out. I love to build the kits and found that at Discountrainsonline you can find a large selection. I have also turned to Roundhouse and Accurail for my kits. I also found some good deals on e-bay. I e-mailed Athearn and they told me that they are not discontinuing the Blue box line. I just dont think Walthers wants to carry them anymore.
