I have certainly done my nit-picking about S products. However, I would feel guilty to criticize the AM boxcar too much. As Uncle Edward points out, we were all excited and thankful when AM first came out with the 40 foot boxcar, even when they were only available as kits. Their boxcars were "respectable" in quality and appearance and have been available in a lot of roadnames. This has been extremely important to the growth of S gauge, especially after AM rolling stock became available in scale or high rail. And the price was reasonable. Compare the price and quality of the AM boxcars to the Flyonel boxcars. If AM had not come along with its freight cars and its wonderful FP7 locos when it did, the S world would be a lot smaller than it is today. - Earl Henry, Nashville In a message dated 6/10/2012 3:40:05 P.M. Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:
Gents... At the time the AM box car was first announced, the S planet shouted with joy because it was the only steel boxcar made with injection-molded plastic that was authentic looking. The only alternative was a craftsman kit made from wood where multiple layers of sanding sealer or shellac had to be applied to cover the grain. Or, if that did not float your boat, you could always start with an AF box car and grind off the roofwalk and other details and replace them with stripwood and wire grab irons. Oh what fun the goode olde daze were..... My theory is that if you do not like a product, then go buy something else. But what is to be gained by ceaseless nit-picking of reasonably decent products even if they do not meet your personal criteria for perfection? Wondering.....Ed L.
