Why no reasonably priced diecast vehicles in 1-48 scale?
There are some very nicely detailed diecast vehicles available on the market in 1-24th scale. It would seem that these manufacturers could easily scale these models to exact 1-48th scale as well. Why not?
The attached photos show a Johnny Lighting model that sold for about $15. This one was purchased at Walmart. It is a diecast model which is beautifully detailed.
Note: JL also sells vehicles in 1/64th scale.
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Simply because the O gauge hobby has said "good enough" and continues to buy 1:43 vehicles that diminish the relative size of their locos. The gawd-awful thing is when people put 1:43 vehicles next to "railking" type stuff that is way too small themselves.
This is a low-quality hobby where the hobbyists have low expectations. I suggest moving to HO if you want stuff to scale with each other at reasonable prices.
I would say it's due to the location of most manufactures. Plus, 1:43 is the standard in Europe. It takes years but one can accumulate a reasonable variety of 1:48. These years total more than any one person would want to dedicate to the search. My obnoxious children put my entire collection into storage with my train sets. So now, I'm contacting as many of my older friends to buy more......Dang Kids!
1/43 has long been a standard car size for die cast collectors and toymakers. With most cars sold for 0-scale railroading being rebadged versions of such items, it's unlikely that toymakers are going to start making alot of vehicles in a slightly smaller scale.
Luckily, 1/48 and 1/50 are the more common sizes for affordable die cast trucks. The New Ray Brand has a fairly wide selection.
1/43 has long been a standard car size for die cast collectors and toymakers. With most cars sold for 0-scale railroading being rebadged versions of such items, it's unlikely that toymakers are going to start making alot of vehicles in a slightly smaller scale.
Luckily, 1/48 and 1/50 are the more common sizes for affordable die cast trucks. The New Ray Brand has a fairly wide selection.
Where is that icon "beating a dead horse"? The 1/48 scale (O gauge) market is very small, so unless someone agrees to invest huge $ for molds and tooling, it won't happen. Some plastic 1/48 were made a few years ago, but that too, is gone. Besides, not all O gauge is accurate, nor are the 1/43 cars. They may be modified to fit . 
The 1:43 model car market is much larger than just the O scale market.
Rusty
What scale are the cars, trucks, vans, etc. (NOT military tanks) supplied by Lionel, MTH, etc. with their flat cars?
Alex
MTH uses 1/43. I think Lionel may have started to use this size also. The older, plastic, really bad looking cars Lionel used seemed to be a very odd size.
I second what EscapeRocks said
What scale are the cars, trucks, vans, etc. (NOT military tanks) supplied by Lionel, MTH, etc. with their flat cars?
Alex
1:43.
There are some 1:48 cars made by Nu Ray/New Ray. They are top-down convertibles that are as cheap as they look (about $6.). They are labeled "1:43", but are really 1:48.
About 6 years ago, Atlas trains had plans to make 1:48 cars. After much research, they found they would have to charge $35. each to make a profit...so, end of project.
Although larger scale model cars are more popular in the U.S., 1:43 is HUGE in other parts of the world. Of all the model car collectors in the world, I seriously doubt that more than 5% of them have a train layout.
1:43 scale auto production is the same problem as O Scale 5 foot gauge: momentum.
1/43 has been accepted by most and it's not likely to change anytime soon. Way back in the old days 70s maybe 80s 
one of the car kit company's made a few plastic 1/48 models but not enough variety or detail to fill a layout.
Are there diecast vehicles that are 1/50? I bought some plastic ones with lights in them off Ebay that look pretty good but all they sell are Mercedes, BMW, and Audi versions with no trucks or American cars.
What scale are the cars, trucks, vans, etc. (NOT military tanks) supplied by Lionel, MTH, etc. with their flat cars?
Alex
1:43.
There are some 1:48 cars made by Nu Ray/New Ray. They are top-down convertibles that are as cheap as they look (about $6.). They are labeled "1:43", but are really 1:48.
About 6 years ago, Atlas trains had plans to make 1:48 cars. After much research, they found they would have to charge $35. each to make a profit...so, end of project.
Although larger scale model cars are more popular in the U.S., 1:43 is HUGE in other parts of the world. Of all the model car collectors in the world, I seriously doubt that more than 5% of them have a train layout.
Alot of "1/43" die cast cars are box scale, so you'll end up with mostly 1/43, but some cars are larger or smaller scale because the toys are made to fit a certain size box or blister pack. As an example I bought a bunch of Bburago "1/43" die-cast when they were at Dollar General a year or so for $2.50. They were all packed in the same size box. Most look pretty good for 1/43, but the F150 Sport was probably closer to 1/48 or 1/50 and the Mini was clearly in the neighborhood of 1/40 or larger.
Are there diecast vehicles that are 1/50? I bought some plastic ones with lights in them off Ebay that look pretty good but all they sell are Mercedes, BMW, and Audi versions with no trucks or American cars.
I think I've seen corgi toys in 1/50 I think they were military looking, but there's probably some civilian vehicles also.
First, why would anyone expect anything in this O-hobby to be "reasonably priced"?
Second, why don't we have a wide selection of plastic 1:4x vehicles, of realistic types (more sedans and station wagons, fewer convertibles and other such statistical oddballs), maybe sold in a bag, requiring some minimal assembly/paint, maybe 3/bag for $20.00? Simple, cheap, correct, but basic.
Oh, that's right - we'd have to be "model railroaders" for that.
A lot of the pickup trucks are closer to 1/48 than 1/43. I try to park my pickups closer to the tracks and the 1/43 cars farther away so as to minimize the out-of-proportion appearance.
First, why would anyone expect anything in this O-hobby to be "reasonably priced"?
Second, why don't we have a wide selection of plastic 1:4x vehicles, of realistic types (more sedans and station wagons, fewer convertibles and other such statistical oddballs), maybe sold in a bag, requiring some minimal assembly/paint, maybe 3/bag for $20.00? Simple, cheap, correct, but basic.
Oh, that's right - we'd have to be "model railroaders" for that.
I do all my hobbies "reasonably priced" It takes a bit of looking, but I've been able to locate a fair number of "regular" vehicles. Ebay is great for this. It still skews a bit towards luxury cars, but I've got a good number of regular'ish cars.
Rignt now Toys R us has a 3 car fast-lane pack for $8 that gives you an M3, and a Pugeot Hatchback. Also, a 911, but for $8 bucks...
I've done pretty well on Ebay. There's a Toyota SUV that seems pretty common, though I don't recall the make. Also, the wheels are cheezy, but the BBurago line has Charger, 300, Magnum and a few others.
I just got in a book on this subject, thanks to a recommendation from a forumite:
"GM in Miniature". It told me a few model cars I would have liked access to were sold
in very low numbers, 50-100, and priced as much or more than $300! I don't understand why there are $20.00 models in very good detail in much larger scales,
1/32, 1/25, and larger, and an approximate O scale (since they are made for model
auto collectors, who outnumber us greatly, forget about getting away from 1/43)
model is ten times the price. I have seen some unusual autos modeled in these large scales, that I would have loved to plunk down on one of my streets, such as a 1930 Peerless sedan. Somebody needs to crowd fund a company to produce
some affordable American models. Rextoys were made in France and sold for $30,
not dime store, but not $300. Brooklin prices keep inching up. Ten Brooklin vehicles
on your layout will buy you a 3rd Rail steam loco. This subject keeps coming up, so
that, at least, means there is a lot of concern about it. Maybe squeaky wheels will get
some grease?
This subject comes up very often and has been beaten to death. The market is 1/43 and the 1/48 people will just have to live with it.
I have a few 1/48 vehicles and would like more but I just can't put a 1/43 car near the trains or buildings without being dissatisfied with the way they look.
Maybe some day some 1/48 vehicles will be produced and I will buy some.
Douglas
A point boldly made! 
Sorry, couldn't resist.
1/43 is about 10% to big. Personally I think they look fine along with a scale 5 foot gauge and pizza cutter flanges, not to mention the giant couplers.
I realize some modelers are looking for more accurate scale items, but generally 3 railers are more laid back and I doubt if the marketplace warrants the investment.
Are there diecast vehicles that are 1/50? I bought some plastic ones with lights in them off Ebay that look pretty good but all they sell are Mercedes, BMW, and Audi versions with no trucks or American cars.
The Greyhound "Silversides" and railroad co. GM PD-3781 buses that MTH sells are 1:50. But they are specific to 1947-8, which may not meet your modelingneeds. I believe it's been previously pointed out that they are actually Corgi models.
Tomlinson Run Railroad
I realize some modelers are looking for more accurate scale items, but generally 3 railers are more laid back and I doubt if the marketplace warrants the investment.
Well stated Richard. I've noticed the price point most preferred is far, far below the cost of a more true to scale piece. So, the manufactures create more cheap toys at the preferred price.
Most 1:43, 1:48 & 1:50 diecast is liberally scaled. Manufactuerers of diecast claim something is 1:43 when it actually scales out to 1:50. Most of the old high-end Matchbox Collectibles are 1:43. Corgi is pretty close to 1:50, except their Mack Aerialscope replica, which is closer to 1:43. Just because it's stamped a certain scale doesn't mean it's exactly that scale.
A few years ago Atlas O planned to make 1:48 vehicles. Jim Weaver had a prototype at the York Meet but the project was scrapped because of not enough orders.
Are there diecast vehicles that are 1/50? I bought some plastic ones with lights in them off Ebay that look pretty good but all they sell are Mercedes, BMW, and Audi versions with no trucks or American cars.
The Greyhound "Silversides" and railroad co. GM PD-3781 buses that MTH sells are 1:50. But they are specific to 1947-8, which may not meet your modelingneeds. I believe it's been previously pointed out that they are actually Corgi models.
Tomlinson Run Railroad
Silverside buses were produced from 1941 to 1951 although most were post war. Sivversides were exclusivity sold to Greyhound and their affiliates. GM built similar buses for other companies. Many regional bus companies purchased them second hand and were common into the 1960s
Fortunately for me the third rail in the middle of my track gives me permission to see what I want to on my layout and I've arranged things so that they look real enough to me. 43 and 48 are not all that different when I view the operation as a whole.
Thanks,
Naveen Rajan
Are there diecast vehicles that are 1/50? I bought some plastic ones with lights in them off Ebay that look pretty good but all they sell are Mercedes, BMW, and Audi versions with no trucks or American cars.
Thats a big block Chevy in that 32 Ford at the start, it needs bigger rear tires.
More of my 1:50 scale vehicles. There are American prototypes available but they cost the same if not more than some of my train models, like $40 for vans, $150 for a single truck (without trailer or load), $500 for cranes, etc.
These are just my opinion,
Thanks,
Naveen Rajan
1/43 is about 10% to big. Personally I think they look fine along with a scale 5 foot gauge and pizza cutter flanges, not to mention the giant couplers.
I realize some modelers are looking for more accurate scale items, but generally 3 railers are more laid back and I doubt if the marketplace warrants the investment.
I agree and think the 1/43 scale cars look fine with my traditional size trains. Along with the pizza cutter flanges and giant couplers there's that third rail down the center of the track that reminds me this is not 2 rail scale and keeps the rivet counters away.
Here are 3 pictures of a 1/43 car with an O scale figure. Looks good to my eyes.
Are there diecast vehicles that are 1/50? I bought some plastic ones with lights in them off Ebay that look pretty good but all they sell are Mercedes, BMW, and Audi versions with no trucks or American cars.
The Greyhound "Silversides" and railroad co. GM PD-3781 buses that MTH sells are 1:50. But they are specific to 1947-8, which may not meet your modelingneeds. I believe it's been previously pointed out that they are actually Corgi models.
Tomlinson Run Railroad
Silverside buses were produced from 1941 to 1951 although most were post war. Sivversides were exclusivity sold to Greyhound and their affiliates. GM built similar buses for other companies. Many regional bus companies purchased them second hand and were common into the 1960s
I was referring to the specific two years of production that the MTH model represents based in its features, not how long silversides were produced nor in service. If I remember correctly, the telltale features in my dating analysis were the lights. One of the things that I enjoy about the handful of 1/43+ vehicles I have is researching the production years and new or modified features of a given bus, truck, or car model's prototype. It's fun searching the web for pictures of restorations, old ads, and the like. It's a great way to extend the enjoyment of the hobby, and I like historical accuracy but am not fanatical about it. To my surprise, I'm finding Wikipedia to be a good source for pinpointing truck and car model years with great precision. (I don't know why I'm surprised, I'm a Wikipedia editor myself, but my expertise is elsewhere. :-)
Tomlinson Run Railroad
How come I never hear wailing about our "O" track being 1:45?
How come I never hear wailing about our "O" track being 1:45?
You've obviously never attended a Proto 48 prayer meeting, 
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