The more research I do the more things I find incorrect about the basic Bachmann engines and rolling stock...assocaited with the C & S anyway. Recently I was looking at photos of C & S boxcars circa 1899 through 1920. I noticed that the doors CLEARLY opened from left to right. Looking at my Bachmann boxcars I can say we have a problem: the doors open right to left!! So now what? I will have to figure out a way to move the doors, or just live with it I guess. Of course the door hardware really is not right either but that I can live with...for now! John
For me, I wouldn't worry about it. You could tell those who are so observant that you know all about it and are madly completing a project to change them all. I have to say, such a detail would bother me a little, but it is just such a great effort to change them all that it might go lower on my list of priorities. In my case, I am a Southern Pacific standard gauge modeler, so there are plenty of production models available. Still, there are many, many details to change to make it just right, so I just enjoy it and try to do those things that are feasible for me to accomplish.
Currently only three cars need changing...luckily. I suspect there will be quite a bit of noodling before I actually try to move the doors and any suggestions will be welcome John
Well after noodling over this problem I have to say that I am disenclined to change the cars at all. The amount of time and effort would not pay off in the end. I would change a 25.00 car to an 80.00 car that was poorly executed. SO, I am either going to find data regarding cars from other railroads that show up on the C & S (i.e., maybe with doors that open right to left) and letter the cars for that road OR I will simply live with it, plaster the decals on and call them good with a lesson learned...San Juan Car Company sells great models of these cars as does Ye Olde Huff N Puff. Yes more expensive but they are correct John
I agree. Leave them as is... Or, you could letter them for your own fictional subsidiary of the C&S... Boxcab E50
HEY...I had not thought of that!! I am running some modified HO cars from my old HO layout the Colroado and Southwestern (CSW for those who remember it). Why not? Yep...that is where I think I may go with it!! John
This is a "trick" all manufacturers use to try to sell more of a particular item. They will make a model that maybe accurate for one railroad, but only that railroad. To increase sales thay will paint/letter it for others. This can be seen clearly with manufacturers like Athearn who makes a lot of "foobies", cars painted for RRs who never had them. Its a lot easier to sell more cars that way and lower the tooling costs. Another thing that has to be watched for, if its your thing, is the numbers on the cars. They may not be accurate, even if the car is.
John, Again, this goes to: until you told us, there may not be 5 people on this planet that could call you on those things. (OK, yes a door might be pretty obvious, unless you are talking a specific road number there's a better than good chance the car was different anyway.) Obviously, if it bothers you that much then you will change them. Fretting over it does no good...there are so many things wrong with almost every model ever made that if you get the microscope out on everything you buy, you will be either (a) frequently disappointed or (b) a very busy modeler. I'm guessing you lean toward the (b) answer given your posts. (which is fine, that's the great thing about this hobby) You are correct that generally you get what pay for. The more expensive kits are usually that way for a reason. Bachmann is focusing on a specific segment of the market...there are way too many craftsmen in the larger scales that custom build, board by board, their favorite cars and locomotives. So Bachmann is just focusing on the "sweet spot" which I understand they are doing EXTREMELY well from all of the On30 modelers I've talked to.
All too true, but if I can't report my angst here...then where? I've decided to leave them as they are for now. Once I start building some San Juan Car company and/or Ye Olde Huff N Puff kits then I will re-letter them for the Colorado and Southwestern. John
