Loads for Autoracks - a suggestion

[nkalanaga]

With the recent proliferation of autoracks in N scale, the question arises of "What do we load them with?".  There are some nice looking vehicles in N, but most are either too early or too late for open autoracks, and those that aren't would cost a fortune for one load.

This would seem to be an opportunity for a manufacturer to follow the lead of early Wiking and Kato, making simple, cheap models, mass produced, to sell for relatively low prices.  The early Wiking vehicles, and the Kato Toyota Crowns, have only three parts:  body, chassis, and and a clear window block.  For autorack loads they wouldn't have to be painted, as the buyer could paint them to suit, meaning body and chassis could be cast in a single neutral gray. 

Following Woodland Scenics lead, don't label them as a particular model, just make them similar to a familiar vehicle, and put a date range on them, such as "early 60s", "mid 70s", "late 60s/early 70s".  I have seen a pickup very similar to WS's in eastern Washington, so it has a prototype, but have no idea who made it, and know only that it was a "late 50s" truck.  That would avoid licensing issues, making the production costs even lower.  For my 1974 railroad, I don't car if the load is 1974 Ford F150s, as long as it looks like a "mid 70s" pickup.

Sell them by the bag, with enough to do an autorack in the bag, and, depending on the number of vehicles, $10 to $25 wouldn't be unreasonable.

For those who wanted to use them as street models, one of the etched detail makers could easily do a sheet of mirrors and other add-on details, but those probably wouldn't be noticed on a moving train.

[Catt]

You might check with Rasputen for those vehicles.He is no further away than a PM.

[bbussey]

And check out RapidPro on Shapeways. He offers a ton of autorack-appropriate vehicles.

[Kisatchie]

Hmm... I ship pipe loads
in my auto racks...

[learmoia]

Hmm... I ship pipe loads
in my auto racks...

I think UP was shipping Hay Bails in some of theirs. ~Ian

[wcfn100]

Assuming the proliferation you're talking about is the one car from Athearn, then you need trucks and vans and such.  You're not going to find too many shots of sedans on a bi-level rack.


Jason

[nkalanaga]

We also have the MT tri-level, so we need all types of loads.  And Athearn is likely to make their own tri-level in the future, since the have the flatcar.

Yes, there are some very nice car models out there, but what I had in mind was quick, cheap loads, not painting and detailing projects, for those who'd rather run the trains than build model cars.  Unbag the parts, spray them the desired color, pop them together, and load the rack.  RapidPro's cars look nice, but are far from inexpensive.  The one I looked at was $18.50, illustrated with two autos, so it would take 8 packages to load a rack.  That would be $148.00 for a load.

[Missaberoad]

Anyone remember @pedro's micro-trains autorack with the minimetals load? Would love a train full of cars that looked that good!

[wcfn100]

Not wanting to start a new thread, Athearn is now showing the bi-levels in stock.  This is perfect timing for me as I'm trying to decide if I want any from the new run.


Jason

[Missaberoad]

I'm trying to decide if I want any from the new run.
Jason

The answer to that question is yes, yes you do  Mid 1966 is still in your era isn't it? (assuming we trust Athearn for a build date)

[wcfn100]

The answer to that question is yes, yes you do  Mid 1966 is still in your era isn't it?

It is, but a car like this rides the line between what I need and what would be neat to have.  Honestly I don't need any bi-level cars, but I always a sucker for different cars from connecting roads.  I'm really just wanting to see the overall quality of the car I ordered from the first run.  If it's decent I'll probably spring for the RI car too.


Jason

[asarge]

Whatever anybody does. make them LITE. Even filling them with wiking vehicles makes them quite heavy.

[wcfn100]

Whatever anybody does. make them LITE. Even filling them with wiking vehicles makes them quite heavy.

At least they aren't WOT cars. 


Jason

[Kisatchie]

Whatever anybody does. make them LITE.

Hmm... what a concept...
low calorie autoracks...

[Missaberoad]

It is, but a car like this rides the line between what I need and what would be neat to have.  Honestly I don't need any bi-level cars, but I always a sucker for different cars from connecting roads.  I'm really just wanting to see the overall quality of the car I ordered from the first run.  If it's decent I'll probably spring for the RI car too.


Jason

I'm having a similar debate, they're too modern for my one era and out of the question for my late era...
Its getting really hard to avoid the 1970s  I'm drawing up plans for Southtown yard and they'd be right at home tho...