railking rugged rails freight cars, how do you like them ?

I operate mostly postwar-MPC-Kughn era lionel (all conventional) but have almost by accident accumulated quite a few Rugged Rail (MTH 33- series cars) because they were available and affordable.  Upon closer inspection I found them to be well-made, realistic enough for what I run (0-27,fastrack), and matched up well with the engines and other rolling stock I have.

PLUS :

Die-cast trucks, metal wheels/axles.....these things pull easily and track great with the extra weight down low like that, and have a great "clickity-clack" sound over switches and crossovers.

real metal springs in couplers....they work all the time, not just til the elasticity leaves as in plastic sprung couplers

Since my engines are conventional (not scale or anatomicly perfect) these cars look just fine in any consist I choose to run.

Price range (ebay) 10 to 40 dollars asked, most sell in the range you paid, or slightly less if no box, used, visible wear, etc.

MINUS :

Unless your an avid collector/investor, or a true scale fan, I really don't see any negatives.

steam rules

"a country boy can survive"

The tank cars from oil companies in the Rugged Rails style are often chrome plated and flashy, and if that is what you like (I do), they match up well with the MPC tank cars, like the Lifesavers car and other plated tank cars. The other car styles have roadnames that are not sometimes available in the Railking or Premier line. The Rugged Rails cars also look good with "traditional" postwar and MPC locos, and work well on a small layout with tight curves and switches.

Hello guys and gals.........

I must agree with him (steam rules) for rugged rail cars being "well made" as i have one of the rugged rails boxcar and just gotten another one, an covered hopper and i spend some time looking them over to see how well made they are and indeed they are good buy for the price given.  The rugged rails covered hopper (3 bay) is really nice piece and well painted.

the woman who loves toy trains

Tiffany

I picked up several from a fellow forum member at a very good price.  They are well made and fit in nicely with the other traditional size items I have.  The stock cars and box cars are both about the same size as a 6464 boxcar.  The only drawbacks I have noticed is the steps are fragile and the stock car doors won't stay closed.  Otherwise very nice. 

I have a number of them, they're indeed pretty well made for the cheap price point.  I bought all mine used, typically for around $10/ea.

I'm not going to reply, I don't want the competion on eBay.

hello trainsbob..........

is it possible to do a side by side photo of a lionel 6464 boxcar and railking rugged rails boxcar ? I think it would be very interesting to compare the 2 ?

the woman who loves toy trains

Tiffany

I'm afraid that comment makes absolutely no sense.

I like them because they are small, all plastic bodies, and usually cheap (at least often enough at swap meets that I get all I want), have good trucks and wheels and connectors, and give few problems even when I buy them used. 

The slightly smaller size of RR boxcars, hoppers and tank cars, even compared to some other "traditional" rolling stock, makes them perfect for my use: I cut up a section out of the center to shorten them to about 8-9 inches overall -- the length of a BEEP, and run them on my "BEEPworld" loop.  Being a bit small otherwise, they look like they "belong" with BEEPS and dockside switchers, etc., when shortened by 2-2.5 inches.

I like them! As I like to run unit trains I have a 14 car CNW Rugged Rails stock car train and a BNSF tank car train. The Williams and RailKing locomotives look great pulling them. For the value $9.00 to $19.00 they are a great value.

Tiffany,

I'll try to post some pictures this weekend.

hello trainsbob...........

great !!!!!!!!! i am sure many folks in this forums would be interesting in seeing the photos and to get the idea of just how small or bigger they really are.  I am looking forward to seeing the photos too SMILE.

the woman who loves toy trains

Tiffany

If you run scale equipment you’re not going to be happy with them.  Personally, I like them, they are quality traditional sized items. Along with Atlas O Industrial Rail they make a nice addition to traditional and post war layouts. The Rugged Rails covered hopper is close to a Pennsylvania RR H30, although a bit undersized. The Caboose is pretty close to scale. I also like the new releases from Aristo-RMT, but their list prices are a bit high.