What do think of the WBB Front Runner cars? Who has the best price? Scale size ? I am thinking about buying all four road names. Many thanks.
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1: They're not actually "Front Runners". Front Runners have single-axle trucks. AtlasO made them. Once (as far as I know). Like the prototypes, they are derailment-prone. Trains.com forum discussion (including comments from folks 'in the know')
2: What WBB is actually offering is single-unit versions of the K-Line TTTAX articulated spine cars
3: Well, at least they have roller-bearing trucks on them now 
4: There is supposedly a prototype for this configuration, but they are rare. A forum member posted a photo of a C&NW version
5: They are kinda pricey, costing almost as much as the K-Line 2-pack, if not more. WBB/Bachmann has been known to specify high MSRP's to give dealers more discounting room, but I haven't seen any significantly lower street prices on these. Not that I've looked very hard though.
---PCJ
If the WBB stuff was in the $50 range, then I would be a buyer.
I bought one because I have and like the K Line ones. The WBB is ok but definitely not worth over $55-$60.
Check TrainWorld, Mario's Trains, and Nassau Hobbies first for the best price and availability.
They are O scale sized.
The SCL had single-unit spine flat cars and they were sold to the CNW.
The Spine Flat Car were typically articulated in the 1970's and 1980's. These flat cars should be articulated as 5-unit cars.
Andrew
For the best price on a Williams items try www.trainworld.com or Mario's Trains website. The WBB website is way overpriced and don't have much selection either. I bought a Peter Witt trolley for around $100.00 at Train world compared to the Bachmann website price of $329.95.
FYI; Williams stuff is not always 100% prototypical or railroad accurate, they use a model that is close to what most larger railroads had and produce it for all railroad names. The ones they do most is the N5C caboose, and in the diesel area the GP-9 & GP-38.
Lee Fritz
This is a photo by Steve Vincent
Notice that the Santa Fe trailer is on an ATSF spine-car of a similar design, but it is a multi-unit car.
Andrew
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