N Gauge Forum

Last night at club we were discussing whether people were doing modelling any more and preferred RTR Rolling Stock. I'll re-ask this question for buildings in a moment.

I'll be honest and say that I am asking this to gauge where to spend my time and money in the future. I do feel that the majority are not necessarily interested in kits and prefer RTR / RTP.

I do not want this to descend it to a debate or wish list, please keep it general.

:NGaugersRule:

I think it very depends on what era is being modelled, Richard :hmmm:
There is a plethora of MK1 onwards but for anyone modelling earlier years that just isn't so.
However, it depends on whether you want a decent sales volume, I guess ???
I'm sure if you came out with some GWR clerestories............... ;)

I think it's clear from the lack of posts in the OMWB thread here, as compared the RTR reviews etc that the majority do not kitbuild.

Which is a shame.

Cheers,
Alan

I have just ordered my first 6 kits from the NGS shop i have decided to try some in my opinion it will be good to see some stock i have built running i'm not sure what other manufacturers there are but i'm sure i'll do more.

RTRs are easy to buy if you have the cash but maybe more kits of non RTR models should be made i'm sure there's a hardcore of modelers who prefer to build stock.

Dave

Have to say I enjoy building kits most but if the RTR is going to be cheaper (and easier to source) then I will go that route.
However the greater availability of 3D printed stuff confuses the issue somewhat.
You know what I have purchased from you and the stuff I would purchase is all in a similar vein.

Quote from: Dr Al on January 03, 2013, 07:23:10 PM
I think it's clear from the lack of posts in the OMWB thread here, as compared the RTR reviews etc that the majority do not kitbuild.

Which is a shame.

Cheers,
Alan

This is partly what prompted me to ask these questions, a lot of RTR reviews and none or very few on kits.

Quote from: Dr Al on January 03, 2013, 07:23:10 PM
I think it's clear from the lack of posts in the OMWB thread here, as compared the RTR reviews etc that the majority do not kitbuild.

Which is a shame.

Cheers,
Alan

Or perhaps they just don't post their efforts on here?  We often hear that you are making your own stock, but we never see pictures... so maybe other do the same.  ??? 

Rest assured i'll be posting my efforts

Dave

I have some Kit-built Rolling Stock in the pipeline

Pics to follow when finished  :camera:

dave  :thumbsup:

Personally I'm very keen to kit and scratch build (wanting to do earlier GWR than is available RTR).  This had drawn me towards 2mm finescale.  I suspect that many of the people who are so inclined have gravitated that way in the past, leaving the N community with a deficiency in scratch and kit building skills and hence a general lack of interest in it.

However, with developments like 3D printing and Wayne Kinney's fiNescale track (search on the forum if you haven't already), it seems like times may be changing.  I certainly intend to do my scratchbuilding in N and not 2mm now, as the gap in the quality of what can be achieved has got much smaller and it means I won't have to modify all my N locos.

RTR only here.

Could be cat-among-the-pigeons time here, and I don't mean the 3D printed ones either :D

I personally have yet to see a kit-built piece of stock, especially a loco or coach, that comes up to the standard of off-the-shelf items. To many I can understand that the satisfaction of having something more unusual running on their layout would offset this, but to me it would always be 'inferior' and the slightest imperfection in fit or finish would be glaring at me, taunting me even. I don't have the patience to try to get a kit up to this high standard, so no point in trying ;)

Upshot is if it isn't available RTR, then I'll wait until it is or find a workaround :)


Paul

I was a RTR man but since my dabble with Electra sides then a TPM conversion kit I'm starting to think about taking on some kits, I am due to restart my NGS membership soon and I will be at very least attempting a pair of sharks,,,,

And I shall probably make a OMWB thread at that point currently I just make those updates on my main layout thread,,,,,,

converted a few carriages and locos with Electra transfers, then vinyls, but must admit that when it came to major repaints, or millions of bits of plastic strip for custom builds, I chickened out and employed OLD Warren TMD  :smiley-laughing:

The majority of my stock is RTR but I am slowly adding some kits to cover more unusual stock. Like many modellers I find the lack of pre-nationalisation coaches a drawback so some kit-building is necessary. I find some of the simpler conversions such as the TPM etched sides to be very good quality and a good introduction to kit building.

I can understand the difficulty of trying to match the finish of RTR stock. My models are not good enough to be mistaken for RTR yet but each one is a little better and they are good enough for me to feel satisfied running. When part of a moving train at normal viewing distance, they look pretty decent.

Which reminds me, I have had some parts for a Collett H38 restaurant composite on my workbench since before Christmas. Time I did something with them!  :NGaugersRule:

Quote from: Tank on January 03, 2013, 08:22:24 PM
Or perhaps they just don't post their efforts on here?  We often hear that you are making your own stock, but we never see pictures... so maybe other do the same.  ???

Guilty!

To be honest the reason is simple - I posted before a lot on RMWeb for a while, and didn't really get much interested response. So it ended up seeming more effort that it was worth, and I've never therefore felt much motivation to since.

Cheers,
Alan

I really do enjoy putting kits together, but basically if it's available RTR at a reasonable price then i will buy. I have a rather varied collection though, and have some obscure stuff, BHE kits, i have a 121, 123, 128 and a WYPTE 155. repaint jobs, I have an 08, 47, 87, Test Car 1 and the Stourton Saloon. I also have quite a few of Electra's superb vinyls. Other kits, I have that really good Optical Car and I have a Masterclass 76 that i can't source a chassis for >:(

All in all, whatever I want in my collection, will be obtained somehow!!!

A year ago, I was firmly in the RTR camp; since then, I've found someone who does the coach rolling-stock I want (in another scale  :sorrysign:), and have made the brass kits up for the first pair and am working on the next grouping for the train.  Never done brass before, and am finding it reasonably straight-forward (once I was given some master-classes  :smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing:).

Not got the nerve up for engine kits yet; I keep getting to the point of ordering one but then bottle out  ::)  I think I'd better complete these carriages first !

Mike

I use what ever format gives me the required model. In the early days of my modeling it was pretty well all kits or modified 2nd hand RTR as there was little 1930's GWR  available. I now also model 1950 WR and the availability of suitable stock is much better so RTR is more prevelent, Ironically the 1930's stock has also improved at the same time during the  last 10 years or so.

The new Dapol pannier is a case in point, as 25 years ago the only route to a pannier was a white  metal body kit on a Farrish GP chassis. Pity Dapol selected the 67xx pannier all of which were steam brake only so cannot pull a passenger set and the body is post 1940's as it has top feed and bunker steps. At some point I am going to have to mod the body to bring it back to original condition for 1930's use. If my memory is correct Farrish fell into the same trap when they introduced a 57xx a while back.

The only problem I have with RTR is weathering a pristine model as the as bought paint job is better than anything I manage. So overall I prefere 2nd hand mod or a kit so every thing is at the same level of finish.

The same applies to buildings, a modified kit can result in a new smaller station building that is more appropriate in size to the model under construction. Simple buildings can be fabricated from plastic stone, brick or slate finish sheets at consideratly lower cost and of course no one else has a model of your hand made effort.

Hope this helps

Regards

Frank

BUMP please vote

Unfortunately age takes its toll of both your dexterity and eyesight and if you haven't already learnt the neccessary skills to kit build to a good standard, RTR/P may be your only realistic option.

In my case it certainly is, however, it doesn't stop me trying now and then but I am never happy with the results although I enjoy the challange, but for how long?

Ray

My main enjoyment of the hobby is building rolling stock. I very rarely spend any time watching the trains go by so what's the point of spending a fair few quid just to leave it in its box? That said my main interest is pre grouping and therefore if you want it you have to build it. I don't tend to post much as I don't have that much spare time so use it to build things rather than create blogs etc. When I do document a bilud it is usually for the NGS Journal.
Gareth

Hi

I used to show my builds on Fotopic but when it disappeared I never bothered photographing my work or uploading it anywhere.

I'm firmly in the I'll use whatever method best suits what I am trying to build be it RTR, Kit or Scratchbuilding.

Cheers

Paul

Hello All.

Even if a particular rolling stock item was available RTR I would still buy the kit (assuming it wasn't double the cost of the RTR item) because I enjoy building kits.

I always stock up on kits before going on summer holiday - I hate the beach !

Best regards,


Joe Cassidy

Bump and thank you to those who have taken part so far.

:NGaugersRule:

bump :thankyousign: