Metal Freight Cars?

@John Lutz posted:

I'm new to O Gauge and would like to put together my first set.

Do you want to go 3-Rail SCALE, with all proper  scale size rolling stock, and Kadee O Scale couplers? Also, do you have a layout with nice big curves?

I'm planning to shoot for quality over quantity.

Better get your checkbook out then, as most all "metal" freight cars are 2-Rail SCALE, and tend to be pretty expensive.

Does anyone make metal freight cars that have nice detail?

Absolutely! The 2-Rail SCALE modelers have quite a number of fantastic brass freight car models to choose from, over the last 30 or 40 years.

Is it OK to mix and match manufacturers or do cars couple better if they are all from the same manufacturer?

Yes, as long as you use body mounted Kadee couplers.

Since you posted in 3R Scale, we have to keep in mind certain things.

1."Metal" cars. K-Line die cast hoppers are really nice and have built-in provisions for Kadee couplers. It's been my experience that Kadees will work with the larger "lobster claw" couplers, but certainly using the same brand of coupler throughout is typically best.

2 Pretty much any of the older 2R cars (usually assembled from kits) could work, I guess. It might be a question of fitting the "correct" trucks...if you plan to use Gargraves track, standard 2R trucks might work. Can't comment on other track brands.

3. Most importantly, keep us posted! 🙂

Mark in Oregon

PS: seems "Hot Water" beat me to it! 😁

Hmm,   I was thinking 3-rail.   I have some Fastrack with 060 curves.   Currently running my 1972 Marx set on it.   

So is the 2-rail more realistic?   I have been eyeing up some of the Vision Line 3-rail engines and the Whistle steam and swinging bell are very appealing.   

@John Lutz posted:

Hmm,   I was thinking 3-rail.   I have some Fastrack with 060 curves.   Currently running my 1972 Marx set on it.

Well then, you may have posted your question on the incorrect OGR Forum, since this forum, i.e. 3RS (3-Rail SCALE Trains), is more about as scale as one can get with 3-Rail track systems, with big curves, Kadee couples and fixed pilots on the diesel models. 

So is the 2-rail more realistic?

Absolutely YES!

I have been eyeing up some of the Vision Line 3-rail engines and the Whistle steam and swinging bell are very appealing.   

Sorry if I'm in the wrong place.   I was thinking Lionel "Modern" was the same as "3 rail scale".   I tried googling a definition of 3 rail scale but didn't see much other than O is 1/48 and S is smaller.   Can anyone clue me in?

May I suggest just reviewing some 3 Rail O Scale model you tube channels. Lionel Vision Line Locomotives are normally Fastrak O72 curves. If I may make some suggestions, my personal favorites for 3 Rail O Scale are Eric Trains, RJs Trains, Sids Trains, RBP Trains, JD Stucks you tube channels. O Scale either 3 Rail or 2 Rail is by definition 1/48. The O27 or Semi Scale ie less than 1/48 locomotives and cars. As for freight cars, every modeler has his or her preference of the various brands. Should you visit a hobby shop the Lionel Legacy sets recently issued Southern Freight and P L&E Freight Sets haves scale 1/48 locomotives and freight cars. The Lion Chief Starter Sets are semi scale or O27 to O31 sets. The O27 and O31 are the normal size curves these sets will operate. Hopefully this will allow you to sample part of this great hobby so you can make decisions for your appreciation.

3 Rail Scale is the latest move from 3 rail toy size trains to full O scale 1:48.    Most modelers who do this use 3 rail track, but obtain equipment that is full scale.     That way they can still use the trucks on the 3 rail cars and the proprietary control systems the 3 rail mfg produce which are quite common.

I have no idea what "moden lionel" but the terms are also used by the Trainz auction site.   I think they  use it to describe stuff that was made maybe from 1990s or later.

If you want to do scale models,  you need to pay attention to how the 3 rail mfg describe their product.    They all make a variety of products to various price points.    The cheaper stuff is generally not scale.   the most expensive is.   And there is lots in between.    It is best to know what the prototype for the model is, so  you can decide if the model is correct and to scale.

As for metal, as mentioned above there is lots of high end brass on the 2 rail market.    These are generally short run hand and jig assembled and are models of specific prototypes.     the newer stuff made in the last 20-30 years is generally very well detailed to match the prototype.    the older stuff going back the 50s and 60s Max Grey and USHobbies is more generic in many cases and not as well detailed.    If you want to use this stuff, you would most likely have to replace the wheelsets (or the trucks) so that the wheel flanges are more compatible with the coarser standards used for the 3 rail track.

the "modern" Plastic cars are quite well detailed in many cases.    many are based on real prototypes too.    Some are better models than brass ones.

Before you jump in and start buying stuff, you might want to decide if  you are a collector, or a modeler.    A collector by my definition will buy stuff ready made that he likes or fits his plans but might focus on one MFG or Brass or something.    A modeler on the other hand will buy and/or build stuff that fits his plan regardless of mfg or what it is made of.

In 2 rail, the National Model Railroad Association has standards and recommended practices that most 2-rail mfg use so the equipment is all compatible.

Lionel has released open-top hoppers that are metal. They are very heavy.

Atlas O 89' flat cars are made out of metal.

Andrew

I have moved this over to the 3-rail forum since the OP mentioned he was thinking of 3-rail instead of 3-rail or 2-rail scale.

@prrjim posted:

In 2 rail, the National Model Railroad Association has standards and recommended practices that most 2-rail mfg use so the equipment is all compatible.

The NMRA actually has standards and recommended practices for 3 rail, but they are largely ignored by all.

Some common Die-Cast freights... MTH Box cars, Lionel Ore cars and Tank cars.  They are nicely detailed and are very heavy... you certainly don't have to add any weight to them to meet NMRA standards and they track very, very nicely.