rbreslow wrote:Hmmm are they really that expensive?
Yes, because no SEPTA model is easily obtainable. the Atlas AEM7s and the occaisional trolley are the most common SEPTA models.
Depending on your luck, the SEPTA AEM7 can be had for ~$50 to as much as $150, depending on who and where its being sold. Typically, they are sold close to MSRP, now that most hobby shops have eliminated their extra stock of them. because of the lack of coaches, SEPTA AEM7s were run again, and they probably won't be.
Walthers produced a SEPTA push-pull set of Comet II coaches and cab cars in the early 1990s, but did not get SEPTA licensing so they were discontinued. The best place to find them is at Train shows. I typically spot them at greenberg shows, but thats been my luck. Ebay is your next best bet, though their you're liable to get caught in a bidding war that drives the prices up exponentially. I've seen them go for ~$60. At train shows you can generally get a better deal, close to $30 a car.
IHP produced Comet III coaches and cabs, but they are also out of production, and the decal sets for the walthers cars are similarly gone.
IMW also makes the full range of Comet cars and their decals, but depending on the "age" of the model, some of IMW's products are better than others.
There are no good Silverliner IIs available. Gem brass produced a set of PRR Silverliner IIs, and IMW makes a resin kit. The GEMs are correctly shaped buyt are typically sold for obscene prices (considering what you get). At the same time, IMW makes a "cheaper" product but it does not look very much like a Silverliner II.
IHP is the only one to produce Silverliner IIIs. They are an EXCELLENT kit, and are easy to put together, but are scarce and vary in price. I got a pair of Silverliner III kits for only $35. I got another one apporaching $100. The original MSRP was $165, so you can expect some people want to get back their investment!
IHP and IMW both offer Silverliner IVs. the IHP one is sold RTR with some basic decoration that can be easily removed and replaced with better decals. There are no photos of the IMW silverliner IV, but generally, IHP models beat IMW in terms of detail. That said, if the IMW silverliner IVs are like the IMW Arrow IIIs, they may be Competitive models.
That said, IHP's tend to cost more as they are RTR, but you have to consider that all of IMW's models take work. if you're not much of a resin kit builder, then the extra cost of the IHP models might be worth it. Besides, and unpowered Single Silverliner IV by IHP is still cheaper than the IMW Silverliner IV.
IMW is currently king of decals though. Almost any possible SEPTA paint scheme can be achieved with the IMW decals, and they are well done. The only complaint i've seen is that ONE SEPTA logo is oriented facing the wrong way, but this is almost a nonissue, because all you need is a good exacto blade and a straight edge to "cut and paste" the logo on the model the right way.
IHP is the only one making Silverliner V MUs. IMW appears to be seeking interest, but the IHPs are already done.
Availability wise, IMWs can be had at almost any time, if they are acceptable to you. IHP on the other hand produces short runs, and they tend to sell out fast. If you live close enough to philly that you can reach the SEPTA store (a short walk from down Market Street from the Reading Terminal building, now the Convention center), then keep an eye out for Mike from IHP's updates. He usually posts here when his models are approaching delivery time and so you know to get down there as soon as possible or make reservations. They tend to sell out in DAYS, not weeks.
Here are photos of some of the available SEPTA stuff you can get
GEM Silverliner II
IHP Silverliner III
IHP Silverliner III Kit components
IHP Express Kit/SEPTA Store Silverliner IV
Atlas AEM7
Walthers Comet II Coach & Cabs
Elite Juice Jack Modeler.