Just an fyi, autoracks don’t actually load at the plant itself. Automobiles are transported by truck to a storage lot. Sometimes adjacent to the plant, sometimes a few miles away. It is there that the autoracks are loaded. There are different types of storage lots as well. A lots, B lots, C lots, etc. Not all lots have loaders. Some lots are for company owned vehicles (J lot IIRC). Some lots are for storing export models only, etc. A storage would make a pretty neat background image with a loader obstructing the 90 degree edge.
In this case they did. There was a large lot right next to the plant, and they would drive the vehicles out and into that lot for loading. What you say is true in some cases, especially for brand like Subaru, but for domestic car makers they very often load at the plant itself, especially "back in the day."
The storage and loading areas for the Toyota assembly plant south of San Antonio is immediately adjacent to the main facility. For Teslas, the gigafactory is in far southeast Austin while the transload facility is miles away between Hutto and Taylor.
Nice un-box video, thanks much. I change out the Walthers Proto-Max couplers on these same auto racks with a long center-set Kadee coupler like the # 26. The Proto-Max couplers are ok, however for switching ops, I find them sticky and hard to add/ cut from consist. I use the Proto=Max on cars that aren't switched like unit train cars as the coupler isn't half bad, just not good for a switching layout. Also the long couplers make life easy with your cocktail stirrers & are more prototypical for cars in excess of 60' -
Maybe the new cars should look like new cars just purchased on the layout and the older cars look weathered because of their years of service. That gold loco has the same coloring as a brass model. Nice purchase.
I've always been fond of the gold GP40-2. Had to have it. I like your idea, except I feel the call of the weathering bug on that Soutern Pacific car... I'll have to give it some more thought.
Just went and looked, and the very first images of BN autoracks I found had the modern TTX logo. Walthers does (did?) offer the BN bi-level with the older Trailer Train logo, so I suspect you simply ended up with the modern variant.
BN came into being in 1970, Trailer Train officially changed their name to TTX in 1991. I'm guessing BN had some Autoracks in the intervening 21 years. 😉 But yes, I'm sure Walthers just picked a design and went with it.
Nice review and auto racks….like the comparison to the old to show how model making has improved…really like the cars but they don’t fit with my layout unless they’re on a run through freight
Hi Joe, I agree bud, those Walthers new run racks are very nice, and worth the money. Even if I was wealthy I wouldn't spend $100 for a freight car. I'm getting ready to dump off a big lot of older freight cars soon, and I have one older Walthers rack that'll be in it. It's sad but, times change and space is limited. ;) Take Care, - Dave B.
running the newer better looking cars with the older "less than" cars... i had that issue to... i tried it and couldn't do it, as i kept buying newer more detailed equipment and ended up flushing out the older stuff it just didn't eyeball right so the older stuff turned into my weathering test equipment
I'm hoping I can turn a blind eye (but realistically, I'm probably just fooling myself). Although less expensive than the Intermountain cars, at $50 a pop, it's not a cheap option to outfit a fleet.
In both cases 33” wheels for the bi-levels. (Tri-levels use 28” wheels.) I’m sure I used Kadee #5s at the time. I only started using the whisker couplers (which I love) within the last few years.
On the 90's kits, Walthers was notorious for putting steam era ribbed back 33 inch wheels on virtually everything, necessitating replacement even if you wanted to run with the plastic wheels.
Hi Joe, seriously, $52 for just 2 cars? Or a piece each? Ouch. On a "small" layout (US vs Euro, it's just what's considered small) I'd rather run short 2 wheel material (Hornby mostly) to achieve a higher scale sense 😁 Needs a lot less track 😉 Have a great day.
Just an fyi, autoracks don’t actually load at the plant itself. Automobiles are transported by truck to a storage lot. Sometimes adjacent to the plant, sometimes a few miles away. It is there that the autoracks are loaded. There are different types of storage lots as well. A lots, B lots, C lots, etc. Not all lots have loaders. Some lots are for company owned vehicles (J lot IIRC). Some lots are for storing export models only, etc.
A storage would make a pretty neat background image with a loader obstructing the 90 degree edge.
In this case they did. There was a large lot right next to the plant, and they would drive the vehicles out and into that lot for loading. What you say is true in some cases, especially for brand like Subaru, but for domestic car makers they very often load at the plant itself, especially "back in the day."
The storage and loading areas for the Toyota assembly plant south of San Antonio is immediately adjacent to the main facility. For Teslas, the gigafactory is in far southeast Austin while the transload facility is miles away between Hutto and Taylor.
I load them direct from the plant here in IL.
Amazing rolling stock. Thanks for sharing. Dave
Good review! As a train newbie these are informational as well as enjoyable
Thanks! I'm glad they are helpful to you. Any suggestions for topics you'd like to see?
Wow nice. I didnt know they upgraded them. I thought they were just the kits put together. Great review!!
Thanks!
Nice un-box video, thanks much. I change out the Walthers Proto-Max couplers on these same auto racks with a long center-set Kadee coupler like the # 26. The Proto-Max couplers are ok, however for switching ops, I find them sticky and hard to add/ cut from consist. I use the Proto=Max on cars that aren't switched like unit train cars as the coupler isn't half bad, just not good for a switching layout. Also the long couplers make life easy with your cocktail stirrers & are more prototypical for cars in excess of 60' -
Maybe the new cars should look like new cars just purchased on the layout and the older cars look weathered because of their years of service. That gold loco has the same coloring as a brass model. Nice purchase.
I've always been fond of the gold GP40-2. Had to have it. I like your idea, except I feel the call of the weathering bug on that Soutern Pacific car... I'll have to give it some more thought.
Just went and looked, and the very first images of BN autoracks I found had the modern TTX logo. Walthers does (did?) offer the BN bi-level with the older Trailer Train logo, so I suspect you simply ended up with the modern variant.
BN came into being in 1970, Trailer Train officially changed their name to TTX in 1991. I'm guessing BN had some Autoracks in the intervening 21 years. 😉 But yes, I'm sure Walthers just picked a design and went with it.
Nice review and auto racks….like the comparison to the old to show how model making has improved…really like the cars but they don’t fit with my layout unless they’re on a run through freight
Maybe it’s time for an assembly plant? 🤣
@@ThePixelDepotLLC 😂😊 no space for it
Hi Joe, I agree bud, those Walthers new run racks are very nice, and worth the money. Even if I was wealthy I wouldn't spend $100 for a freight car. I'm getting ready to dump off a big lot of older freight cars soon, and I have one older Walthers rack that'll be in it. It's sad but, times change and space is limited. ;) Take Care, - Dave B.
I'm with you, although at one time I said I'd never pay $100 for a locomotive and well...
If you want a buyer for that Walthers rack, DM me.
Why is there no grab irons on the one side of the newer run lol ?
They are definitely dropping in price...that's nice to see...
The new run has definitely put a crimp in the ridiculously inflated eBay prices, that's for sure.
running the newer better looking cars with the older "less than" cars... i had that issue to... i tried it and couldn't do it, as i kept buying newer more detailed equipment and ended up flushing out the older stuff it just didn't eyeball right so the older stuff turned into my weathering test equipment
I'm hoping I can turn a blind eye (but realistically, I'm probably just fooling myself). Although less expensive than the Intermountain cars, at $50 a pop, it's not a cheap option to outfit a fleet.
@@ThePixelDepotLLCthe high prices of the hobby are making me choke
what size wheels are on the new and old auto racks? what couplers did you use in the old run? i am putting in 148 whiskers from kadee.
In both cases 33” wheels for the bi-levels. (Tri-levels use 28” wheels.) I’m sure I used Kadee #5s at the time. I only started using the whisker couplers (which I love) within the last few years.
On the 90's kits, Walthers was notorious for putting steam era ribbed back 33 inch wheels on virtually everything, necessitating replacement even if you wanted to run with the plastic wheels.
Sp new missing a lader on end car
Hi Joe, seriously, $52 for just 2 cars? Or a piece each? Ouch.
On a "small" layout (US vs Euro, it's just what's considered small) I'd rather run short 2 wheel material (Hornby mostly) to achieve a higher scale sense 😁
Needs a lot less track 😉
Have a great day.
That was each, unfortunately. Still pricey no question , but cheaper than the Intermountain alternative.
@@ThePixelDepotLLC So when are you're going to take out the third mortgage on your house? Joe, I just don't believe these prices.
@@robot7759 Luckily I still have a decent number of the 1990s-era kits, so I shouldn't have to break the bank just yet.