What lower cost kits have replaced the old Athern "Blue Box"?

[Pacodutaco]

My nephew has come to me and wants help building an HO railroad of his own. He is 11. It has been years since I modeled in HO and I don't know which kits would be good for him to build (and afford). Has anything replaced the old Athern "Blue Box" kits I built as a kid?

 

[Espeefan]

Accurail has a nice line that is similar in price point and detaile nicely

 

[Hank4014]

You can also hit the local train shows, lots of dealers have "new old stock" Athearn kits. This has been a great source of rolling stock for my kid and I; he's nine; a little messy with the glue, but getting better.

 

[NH Mike]

Branchline, now owned by Atlas, also has reasonably priced kits. A little more involved than the old Athearns but not beyond the skills of a young man that age who has built a few plastic models. Bowser is still offering kits priced at or slightly above the Branchlines.

 

[Pacodutaco]

I had forgotten all about Bowser. I used to build them myself. Great info guys. Thanks!

 

[bigB]

Accurail's hopper kits are a lot of fun to build, not hard, and yield nice looking cars. I built three Bowser 53' trailers yesterday and they were simple and look outstanding. As I was building them I remember thinking 'A 10 year old could easily build these.' So either of these would be great for an 11 year old...

 

[Mark R.]

There's always Ebay .... you could buy blue-box Athearn cars till your heart's content !


Mark.