Does anyone still make centerbeams for HO scale? I saw that Atlas and Walthers discontinued their ones.
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HO centerbeams
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Athearn,via the Roundhouse brand,might do a run of the former MDC Centerbeam Flats.
The Land of Enchantment is not Flyover country!
https://exactrail.com/collections/thral ... m-flat-car" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
There's also plenty of discontinued Atlas and Walthers ones on eBay http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=&_ ... cat=122572" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
There's also plenty of discontinued Atlas and Walthers ones on eBay http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=&_ ... cat=122572" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Tim David
Thanks!!
I'll take a look at both
PS are any of you having trouble w/ the exactrail website?
I'll take a look at both
PS are any of you having trouble w/ the exactrail website?
No trouble opening that page,they did a price cut,and are claiming "Low stock".
E(vil)-Bay might give you "Heartburn" price wise,the "speculators" are at work!
E(vil)-Bay might give you "Heartburn" price wise,the "speculators" are at work!
The Land of Enchantment is not Flyover country!
There's also the Atlas one http://www.atlasrr.com/HOFreight/ho73ce ... 2KEYKKvNUk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, however that 2013 run was cancelled and the one before that was 2011
Tim David
Backshophoss wrote:No trouble opening that page,they did a price cut,and are claiming "Low stock".Yes, I'd not really looked at the prices but they do seem generally excessive.
E(vil)-Bay might give you "Heartburn" price wise,the "speculators" are at work!
Tim David
If dates matter, that may narrow things down a bit.
The Exactrail / Front Range/ McKean 63' Centerbeam was first produced in 1977.
https://exactrail.com/collections/thral ... m-flat-car" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Walthers 73' Centerbeams were first produced in 1987
https://www.walthers.com/search/mode/li ... Centerbeam" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Atlas Center partition (Centerbeam)
http://www.atlasrr.com/HOFreight/ho73ce ... ition1.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Since I lean toward the 1970's and early 1980's, I prefer the 63' Centerbeams and added the very nice ExactRail cars (BN, UP, MILW & WP) to my roster. Only MILW & WP are left in stock but worth getting and very nice. I don't know if ER will ever produce them again.
Probably the most economical of the lot are the Walthers - which can be had for as little as $20 if you hunt around - but more go in the $30 and higher range.
The Atlas and ExactRail are pricier - but more detailed. Again, shopping around can help minimize cost. Ebay has some nutty prices that should not be rewarded just because items are harder to find, people ask 2x the MRSP. Be patient and watch for the better deals, visit train shows etc.
If you are on a budget, Front Range & McKean kits can be had for cheap; the trade off is they are a bit of a challenge to build - you'll have to do some filing and work on the parts to get them to fit well, but results can be a decent model. I have a Front Range WP car I built from a kit but have replaced it with the ExactRail version - the body is assembled but some parts need to be glued on as well as decals applied. It came painted dark blue but in reality the cars were black so I airbrushed mine black.
The Exactrail / Front Range/ McKean 63' Centerbeam was first produced in 1977.
https://exactrail.com/collections/thral ... m-flat-car" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Walthers 73' Centerbeams were first produced in 1987
https://www.walthers.com/search/mode/li ... Centerbeam" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Atlas Center partition (Centerbeam)
http://www.atlasrr.com/HOFreight/ho73ce ... ition1.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Since I lean toward the 1970's and early 1980's, I prefer the 63' Centerbeams and added the very nice ExactRail cars (BN, UP, MILW & WP) to my roster. Only MILW & WP are left in stock but worth getting and very nice. I don't know if ER will ever produce them again.
Probably the most economical of the lot are the Walthers - which can be had for as little as $20 if you hunt around - but more go in the $30 and higher range.
The Atlas and ExactRail are pricier - but more detailed. Again, shopping around can help minimize cost. Ebay has some nutty prices that should not be rewarded just because items are harder to find, people ask 2x the MRSP. Be patient and watch for the better deals, visit train shows etc.
If you are on a budget, Front Range & McKean kits can be had for cheap; the trade off is they are a bit of a challenge to build - you'll have to do some filing and work on the parts to get them to fit well, but results can be a decent model. I have a Front Range WP car I built from a kit but have replaced it with the ExactRail version - the body is assembled but some parts need to be glued on as well as decals applied. It came painted dark blue but in reality the cars were black so I airbrushed mine black.
Thank you all!
I'm going to hunt around on eBay and see what I can find. Also, atlas seems to be restarting production of their cars; their site has them on backorder. Anyone know more about this?
I'm going to hunt around on eBay and see what I can find. Also, atlas seems to be restarting production of their cars; their site has them on backorder. Anyone know more about this?