Kit for old AHM cars?

I liked those cars so much I have a fair collection of the older AHM versions. Of course many of those had problems with broken plumbing on that hanging detail, and the type of plastic did not lend itself to repairs so readily as it was rather brittle.

Did anyone ever do some sort of kit to update some of these old cars?

Never got any replies as to

Never got any replies as to any kit(s) that might be applied to update these older cars?

Perhaps one of those 3D printer wiz guys could generate something?

And finally I ask if these might be cement carriers?

Small Version.... I think I

Small Version....

I think I have a couple of Japanese cars that look like these? Have to see if I can find them?

45' Whale Belly Tank Car

Turns out that Japanese car I was thinking of is a 45' whale belly tank car.

my kit is not totally assembled yet

AHM cars

I told you I had a few,...and I think this is only the ones that had no damage to their 'plumbing systems'
 

Kit bashing those flexi--flo

Kit bashing those flexi--flo cars, by a guy who really does things up right,...Bobby Pitts
 

https://atlasrescueforum.proboards.com/thread/2615/ahm-flexi-flo-hopper-bash

http://www.planomodelproducts.com/10930/10930.html

http://www.planomodelproducts.com/instr/10930instructions.pdf

Selective Detailing

I ordered a few of those Plano detailing kits the other day just to make sure I had at least a few on hand.

But as I got to thinking about it maybe I would only attempt to fully detail a couple of cars like Bobby Pitts did. Otherwise they get too vulnerable to multiple handling? I think I will not modify the hand stanchions on a lot of them as these can easily be broken off,...witness those on many  of our container cars. And I really don't see the need to do all that plumbing on the bottom hatches,...just good plumbing on the sides. Certainly the see-thru walkways need changing.

Naturally the trucks need changing and their mounting. And coupler pockets and kadees added.

my thoughts for now

Thank you for Plano info..

Thanks Brian,

I have had a Roco/AHM  Flexi-flo car for many years and pulled it out last month to build.

it is still on the back burner,  but does have a coat of grey paint so far,  Decals already cut to fit.

Like you,  not sure just how detailed I want to get into.

Already have over 50 cars including engines to paint and build.  I really enjoy building one of a kind units!

Not a bad price for the Plano kit,  but not sure if wanting to spend much time on unit.

Please keep me up dated on your progress.

Boudreaux,  Bayou Crest Express R.R.

Prefit or post a fit,  it's a choice!!

Available in resin

Those whalebelly are available again from Q Connection.  They are a craftsman resin kit but the new release is improved. 

Right expensive for that Q

Right expensive for that Q connection car,...$80

BTW that Japanese whale body car was a Kazan. I can't find any more info on them now. I thought I had more kits, but I don't see then now.

Looking at the old AHM

Looking at the old AHM Flexi's, it would take a lot of work and some aftermarket parts to bring them up to a decent level of appearance by todays standards.  I don't have to skills or especially the time to upgrade old models - but some enjoy that kind of thing.  One guy on the Atlas forums did exactly that, upgraded an old AHM Flexi to high detail standards. 

The Rapido Flexi, even for a single car is worth saving up for.

Another thought ...  looks like you got 11 of those old AHM Flexi's - maybe sell them for around $9 each.  That would net you almost enough to buy a couple of the Rapido's.  It would also save the cost of etched metal roofwalks and other detail parts, not to mention the time it takes to semi bring those old models up do a decent standard.

Perhaps.

The price has definitely gone up.  Last run was around 2011.  The price versus brass is still reasonable. However, it is a car that is not mass produced and is a beautiful car when finished.