Don, Chesterfield Hobbies near Richmond, Virginia, used to stock some Sunshine kits, mostly Southern stuff. I haven't noticed lately if they still have any or not. Martin doesn't offer much, if any,

All interested; Forgive me for asking a question about another gon in this midst of this, but for those familiar with it, what roads do you know of that rostered the 52'6" IL equal-length 13-rib G31

Hey Group, does anyone know of a hobby shop that would have "in-stock" the Sunshine kits? I'm needing a couple of their Central of Georgia 40' gons. I've been told that it would take at least 6 months

List, I'm looking to purchase (or trade, if you'd like ) a Sunshine Northern Pacific "War Emergency" boxcar kit. I believe the kit numbers were #31.24 or 31.25. These cars are now "closeout" from

Jim The Detail Associates door & tack boards details set includes a very nice door handle. http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/229-6213

The door handle/latching mechanism is a separate, etched metal part, in the Pocahontas Models N&W boxcar kits (as are many other details) Jim Brewer Glenwood MD Pocahontas Models

Shawn, Even if Sunshine has done a superior AAR gondola, Accurail is not aiming at the same market. IMHO, they make a high quality product for the niche they have chosen to serve, even if it isn't

I've been replacing those with wire for about 40 years. I was very disappointed to see that even Kadee molds them in place. Filing the outer surface of the wire flat represents the prototype

Dear Tim, This analysis is so interesting and relevant to my modelling efforts. Thank you Richard White

Yes, Jim, this has been an area of wonderment to me, also. Actually, using wire may not be that much of an improvement to the molded on part because the real handle is a stamped piece of metal (sort

No idea why my computer decided I needed to send my previous message. Tired of receiving and not sending I guess. Anyhow, sorry. Mike Brock

And I have "some" of the Sunshine Greenville kits, and I also have four of the Life-Like cars. It will be quite some time before I get to assembling the Sunshines . . .and I have the Life-Likes

I was looking at a Sunshine boxcar door tonight and wondering -- Why is everyone, or almost everyone, satisfied with the molded handle on box car doors? I've never noticed one trimmed off and replaced

Bruce Ahem, the price disparity may not be as great as that. The Accurail gondolas R-T-R probably will retail for about $10 less than one of the SUNSHINE resin 40' gondola kits. I agree you save 5

[Note to moderator: This is *not* meant as a political statement] Bruce, remember that when Reagan and the US Navy had the goal in terms of the US Navy and the 500 (and later more) ship Navy. The

Shawn, Given the <G>, I'm sure that you didn't mean to offend, but you're starting to sound like my local NMRA vesties... ("if it ain't scratchbuilt, it ain't modeling") As you say at the end, to

An besides, what would you practice weathering on, not a Sunshine kit. I much prefer to develop techniques on less expensive models.

Richard,I couldn't agree with you more.However there are other things to consider.Time is an asset.Many hobbiest do not have the time as well as the skill to build a reasonable sized roster without

Shawn wrote: I would say that it comes down to pricing, preferences, and skills. There are a lot of model railroaders who enjoy scenery and kitbashing structures over building accurate freight car