I noticed the prices on everything in MTH and Lionel's new catalog seem priced higher than before, and also, nothing truly new, except paint/decoration or new road names. Hearing or reading some complaints on price, I offer the following review.
I just purchased 3 cars from Walter Matuch of RMT trains by Aristocrat. Two advertising reefers, and one tank car. I know these are reworks of older K-Line tooling. Despite this, I found very nice NEW details on the cars, and better wheels than the old K-Line style. The paint jobs were exceptional, as good as the best from any other company. Extensive lettering on the boxcar ends too. Brake line hoses at the couplers, and a perhaps a slightly different truck style than a K-Line car. These cars are ONLY O-27 in size, but do not lack details! The tank car was very nicely decorated. Again, equal to any of the scale offerings from MTH and Lionel. Doors open on the reefers, tank top opens on the tanker, and all 3 included one train "citizen."
I think I found a mechanical design flaw on all 3 cars, that I will recheck on. Let me rephrase. The cars are difficult to manually uncouple when they are on the track, as your finger has to reach under the truck (awkward when on the track) to uncouple a pair of cars.
Despite this, I found all 3 cars (2 advertising reefers and 1 tank car) with excellent finish/paint, assembly, and details at a very modest $33.33 per car thereabouts.
So if you think the big 4 manufacturers are too expensive, try a car or two from RMT trains by AristO craft. I do not think anyone of you will be disappointed.
My only real con is the wheels sets/axles are TOO LOOSE on all 3 of the cars. RMT needs to address this shortcoming to get to the next level.
I may come back and post some pictures.
