Model manufacturers prototype errors

[tootnkumin]

What got me interested in the Heritage cars was the fact that they could fit into 2 time frames and apart from someone like me who does like a bit of prototypical accuracy, but not to an extreme, there would be few in Aussie that would actually realise the difference. (we do have a exclusively UP club here).

If it hadn't been for the fact that Walthers had released (according to them) only the 48 seater diner which has a kitchen, I went looking for the possibility of a dome diner with kitchen and eventually found it, but they had wrongly named it.(an opportunity for more sales missed possibly)

If any of you have been in the house building game you will know what happens when a buyer finds a flaw in the finish when doing a takeover inspection, they then go looking for more (and usually find them).

Before I took the plunge and ordered more of the domes and 44 seat cars etc, I had both emailed and skyped Walthers sales dept to see if they were going to release other named cars in the future but the replies were that they had no knowledge of any intention to do so.

It doesn't look hopeful.

[Hergy]

Tootinkumin, here's a site that perhaps you are aware of, but if you are into any aspect of UP this is the goto place:

http://utahrails.net/pass/heritage-f...pp-numbers.php

Don Strack is a noted UP historian and has had a bunch of books and articles published. The link is for the Heritage fleet but you can snoop around the entire site from there. You'll notice that a number of the fleet have changed names more than once. The City of San Francisco was once a coach, now it's a dome lounge.

Lake Forest and Lake Bluff started life as coaches and now they are sleepers. The fleet is a fast moving target, indeed. Here's another site with pictures of the domes:

http://trainweb.org/web_lurker/UP/index.html

If you were confused before, this should put you even more so.

[tootnkumin]

Thanks for those 2 Hergy, I can see some more hours spent in front of the monitor.

Love those old publicity pics of the crews and how the travelling public were supposed to dress. And the furniture!!!!

[tootnkumin]

Bummer!! You've gone and upset me now Hergy. Didn't know there were any super domes in the fleet until I saw it in the pic (ex C&NW) and where I've ordered from had 2 listed for under $40, unfortunately the order's already been posted. Postage kills single item orders and I'm way past budget now. If only the inspection car on the end of that train was available as a model (even in it's also C&NW colours). Budget considerations would be out the door!

At least we now know where the real "Fox River" came from.

[Hergy]

Be careful what you wish for. That inspection car was modeled by Overland Models a while back (and UP colors). I saw one at Caboose Hobbies in Denver and if I recall correctly it was over $600. Beautiful car, but not at that price. Caboose has been my pusher of choice for 50+ years. We have vacationed in Colorado for many years plus I have kids that live there. Quite a sight to see several thousand pieces of brass in one spot.

The "Superdomes" were a staple on Milwaukee Road, UP's second partner bringing the Streamliners from Chicago to Omaha. These domes usually did not go west of Omaha but it did happen. Even though I live in Omaha, I didn't get to view many of the Streamliners as they hit here late at night.

If you want to have a Superdome in a later years' consist, pick up a Milwaukee Road dome. Consists in the waning years of passenger service had some very interesting makeups. (aka City of Everywhere etc.)

Dick

[tootnkumin]

Haha, thanks Dick, I needed a reality check. Actually I've never really liked the appearance of the superdomes, a bit bulbous so I've gone cold on that one. So it looks like the best thing to do is create, as City of everywhere's owner has done, is a personal tribute to the trains and not be too concerned with accuracy.

One of the members over on trainboard.com is doing a kitbash on a dinnerbell car (converting it into a "theatre car") http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/...rkbench/page42 Post # 416 by Flashwave.

Not a bad concept.

[HF1]

Originally Posted by tootnkumin

I'm in full agreement about the lack of detail for the price, although my experience with Rapido has not been particularly satisfactory either.

Nor have I...The Rapido cars are just as generic - if not more so -and most are based on Canadian Specification Builds, if I'm not mistaken. The other thing i do not like about the Rapido cars are that the plastic is translucent so if they're lighted, so are your car sides - too toy like for my tastes.
Walthers kept some of these cars 'generic' to appeal to more potential buyers -more sales -more profit.

I have the City cars and don't really have an issue with them not being 100% accurate - its the overall affect that is what is appealing to most modelers anyway.
I alos have the Overland Brass Business Train with several add-on Domes -those are the best for the modern train.

[spookyac47]

Originally Posted by Hergy

. . . Rapido cars, for example, have shades installed, much nicer diaphragms AND lighting is included. Also, they are loaded with underbody detail. . . . .

When the HO scale Rapido passenger cars were released decorated for the Pennsylvania Railroad, I looked at them, briefly. None of the cars are even close to what they claim to represent for the PRR . . .

Don
Lower Arizona

[Hector Gonzales]

Originally Posted by Motley

I model the UP city series also.

I think your backdrop needs work. The wrinkles are distracting to an otherwise Ok layout.

[diburning]

Every manufacturer that throws a modern paint scheme on a loco and doesn't retool them to have specific details such as ditch lights, SP light package, nose headlights, etc.