I have been pulling out lots of freight cars to populate my layout. They come from all manufacturers and from many era's. I have been amazed by the evolution of the quality and the detail of the models. Poll is to pick the top 3 manufacturers and if you would tell us, the car that impressed you..... Mine are the BLMA ATSF Beer Cars, The ExactRail Gondola cars and the Fox Valley coal cars
OMG, when I bought my BLMA beer car and looked at it, I was like, "I don't deserve this!" N scale is basically a smaller version of HO now
The BLMA intermodal cars are exquisite. And I have a Scale Trains carbon black hopper with detail I can barely see - I'd have voted for it but I haven't been able to run it yet to see if it runs as good as it looks.
Favorite, and most unusual: Overland Models Westinghouse/Schnable transformer car. Ran briefly, once, long ago! Until a short caused trouble! Couldn't see the ONE reversed truck under it, that caused the problems! Otherwise, I'd go with the Trainworx GS gons and/or the TW quad hoppers.
The BLMA Beer cars are awesome cars and 2nd on my list. I really like the 64' Trinity Modern Reefer the best so that one goes 1st.
Well when it comes to the BLMA cars it was difficult to choose because I also have their flat cars, Refer's and the Intermodal cars and their tank cars. But there was just something about the Beer cars that gave me the thrill to start this poll. I am just a little sad that BLMA sold out to Atlas. Just getting the tooling does not mean the fabrication will be as good.
IMHO it depends on what type of car. boxcars/reefers=MTL tank cars=IM hoppers=Atlas and MTL covered hoppers=Kato and Bowser flat cars=MTL and Atlas cabooses=Atlas and MTL Diesel locos (1950s era)=Atlas truck=MTL metal wheels=BLMA.
You have a point. It's hard to pick a best from the BLMA cars. Craig was one of the leaders in upping the game when it comes to rtr rolling stock. There are a lot of great manufacturers out there now and today, we are seeing some great stuff. I too hated to see Craig sell his line to Atlas but he's a smart guy and knew a good business deal when he saw it. Let's just hope Atlas keeps the quality on that line in future reruns.
FVM. But it's a coin toss between their MILW ribside bay window cabooses, and their MILW rib side box cars....
I really like my Bluford MoPac caboose. But I'm still a fan from back when of what was Alan Curtis cars, especially the DODX flats.
I believe Hansel has a point that I agree with... It depends on the car type and whether a manufacturer makes one that you would use. I know that there are some superbly modeled freight and passenger cars which I don't have because they do not fill my needs. BLMS and Exact Rail come to mind... as well as the more recent Scale Trains models. Unfortunately I don't use their current offerings so I have a problem voting for them. I tend to stick with what is being made for my consumption. Trainworx, Intermountain and Bluford have done some very nicely done model that fill my needs for freight cars. Kato, Centrailia (Intermountain), Wheels of Time and Micro-trains do the best passenger cars that fill my needs.
Could it be the coupler lift levers? Their other cars don't even have this! I don't think the situation is that dire. The trains are made in China anyway, and all that really happened was that the contract between BLMA and the overseas factory was transferred to Atlas, that's all. The tooling remains in the same factory. BLMA founder Craig Martyn has been retained as a consultant for Atlas to ensure the quality is the same, that BLMA's old products get re-released, and that future Atlas Master Line products carry same BLMA quality. The only real difference is that Atlas' prices are a little higher.
My Atlas GATX Tank Cars bought from a TB member. Great price and nice enough details to my eyes. My Bachmann BN 50' Box Cars bought from an etailer on a clearance sale. Great price and nice enough details to my eyes. I have champagne tastes and a beer pocketbook
