What manufacturer do you use in making your military train(s)?

Tim,

     The only two manufacturers I used in assembling my military train were MTH (flatcars with Sherman tanks) and Kline (US Army Heavyweight Passenger Cars). All the rest of my train was made up using Lionel PS4 Flatcars, Atlas Trainman 52 Ft Flatcars and assorted MTH and Kline scale flatcars loaded with Sherman Tanks, M10 Tank Destroyers, Halftracks, Armored Cars, 2 1/2 Trucks etc loaded on the flats. I try to use either 1/48 or 1/50 scale armor but do have a couple of 1/43 vehicles too. Manufacturers of the armor are Corgi, Solido, Hobby Master. Here is a video:

   Good luck putting your together, I had a lot of fun with mine.

JohnB       

I have a goon number of U.S. Army/Transportation Corps trains. including about a dozen or more locomotives and a fairly significant number of Army rolling stock items.

I would estimate that about 80% of my military items are MTH; 10% Weaver; and 10% Lionel and/or K-Line.

I made two Army boxcars from Bachmann On30 boxcars with the anniversary paint job (you used to be able to get them way less than 'normal' paint scheme ones, but no longer). I made my own decals, painted the cars grey and black roofs (standard paint for pre-war military rolling stock, very few Army cars were actually painted OD green).

Sadly, I have no good photos online showing one but here's one to the right...

Mr Miller

Has there ever been a post of your military trains. I would love to see them. I know from reading previous posts your into the military trains big time and would appreciate a quick view if you ever get a chance.

I understand and accept some don't like showing off collections. Not a problem.

Tim , I didn't mean to interfere with your thread. I apologize.

Take Care

Have fun

Larry

PS I'm asking because I also hunt for the military trains  as well.

Tim,

I think that for flat cars with vehicles, the best are the ones you make yourself!

Here's a few pics of a couple of my cars:

Hobby Boss LCM 1/48 model kit:

Corgi 1/50 tanks and halftracks:

Solido 1/50 DUKW:

For troop cars, Weaver previously made some awesome Troop/Kitchen/Hospital cars.  Unfortunately, many of these cars are prone to frame warping, https://ogrforum.com/topic/weaver-troop-car .

Jim

Good point on above, as during WW2 there were almost no War Department-owned flatcars. Almost all shipments were done on normal civilian railroad cars...

Tim,

    I forgot to mention Tamiya 1/48 Plastic model kits, I have a Sherman (early productio), a M10 Tank Destroyer, and a Duce n a half 4X4 truck on my flatcars. The Tamiya kits are nice as they have a metal hull that gives the vehicle some heft. Seeing Rattlers post reminded me about Tamiya. They are pricey but have great detail.

JohnB

Tim,

   Actually I have numerous manufacturers involved in my Special Forces Train, Lionel, MTH, Atlas, Weaver, K-line and now a few Menards, the engine however is a one of a kind special made Lionel Special Forces Engine.  Here are a few pictures of some of the train.

PCRR/Dave

I have the K-Line US Army passenger car set (6 total I think) that happen to be the same style car as the K-Line 9-11 Red Cross set which I also have.  They are neat cars with people figures inside.

And Tim, I'm glad to see that you updated your avatar.  In your old one you looked like you were about to throw up.

I like the "MENARDS TANK CAR"

A lot of sounds and action from the tank. 

See demo video .....

I have purchased a number of Weaver flat cars PRR and US Army.  I've added some 1:48 tanks,trucks and jeeps to make my train. I included a couple of US Army boxcars to finish my consist.  As a youngster I remember army trains loaded with tanks,trucks,jeeps,artillery,etc.  They were always led by Pennsy power and a cabin car.  Early on there were steamers and later on diesels.  That is what I use for power.

I sure would like to add some 1:48 soldiers as guards but have not been able to find many.

Norm

What an awful looking tank, looks like a hybrid German MK VI (Tiger I) hull crossed with a Russian BMP, and a modified M-48 turret atop it...

I only collect Marine Corps cars for my military consists. currently all I have is Lionel. Im considering making some cars like the ones above to make a longer train...

I have about 80 military cars.   2 MTH flat cars with crates I just received, 2 Atlas O  flats with pipe loads and well over 70 Weaver 50 ft flat cars almost all with modern armor loads I made from 1/48 scale kits.   I even cut some up and made 60 ft flat cars and renumbered them with custom decal sets I had made.   I have other photos showing about 35 of the US Army 50 ft. Weaver flats all lined up on dining room table.    They are some where on this site.   I am really sadend by closing of Weaver.  They were always a great help to me when I called looking to buy parts, cars and paint.  I will miss them all.  It is really odd that Monday I received 3 new US Army 50 ft flat cars ( new road numbers )

M1A1 Abrams on 60 ft Weaver flat.  I spliced and extra 2 inches in to body.  If interested in how i did that contact me.

M60A1 Academy tank Kit on 60 ft weaver flat car I added 2 inches before i added US Army decals I had custom made.  

Here are more photos of my Weaver flat cars with military loads.  Construction equipment are die cast and plastic.  The tanks are kits I built except for a few that i bought built.  The ambulances are diecast resin and no longer made.   The 20 ft containers are Weaver ones I repainted.   The fleet is almost double what is shown in the photos that are from 2012.   Enjoy

Nice job, Randy! That's how military units move by rail, with several loads of the same type vehicles.

Lionel, RMT, MTH, K-Line, and some of my "originals"..... (they are mostly flats with military loads.

MTH Shermans on Flats and a few others, K-Line Heavyweight troop cars & the Red Cross set, Weaver TOFC, Lionel Army cars, several of whatever Flatcar I found with 1/48 Tamiya kits and some Army jeeps from the forum on them. Looking at the current Menards cars but haven't pulled the trigger due to finances. I'd like a few Boxcars and the new Flatcars with trucks.

Don't forget "GELLER TRAINS". He has some fantastic Military Cars!!!

Lionel, Atlas, and MTH.

A little bit of everyone:

Weaver

MTH

Geller

Lionel

KLine

The MTH 4 motored DL109-110 does a great job of pulling this heavy train.

Peter

Most of my military train uses Weaver flat cars, however here is a custom made flat car made out out angle aluminum, routed for a fish-belly look the step was made from a heavy duty staple the wood planking from Starbucks coffee stirrers. Trucks and coupler are Lionel replacements.  BTW Randy.T made the two tanks.