Have you ever looked back at old Model Railroader and Ralroad Model Craftsman magazines? I mean mid-80's or older. Back when kits were still made in the US by companies like Roundhouse, Front Range, and Con Cor, and when AHM was sold right alongside Athearn as a quality locomotive. Back when there was no such thing as "pre-orders", and when overseas production of models hadn't taken over our layouts.
Know what they did back then? They built it. Yes, it sounds crazy to not open the box and get a train, but they really did it. I recently saw an article in a 1984 MR where a Tyco caboose was turned into a realistic and exceptionally detailed PRR cabin car. TYCO! You know, the ones we can buy for $2 at a swap meet! In another one, a gentleman scratchbuilt a substation in HO from platsruct parts, some leftover DPM brick wall sections, 35Mm film canisters, beads, and sequins. All the better, it rivals anything you'd see in a box these days, perhaps even better.
The above car is a Berlin Mills boxcar - you guessed it, nobody makes one of these in ANY scale. They're an elusive car - many have made these up incorrectly using FMC boxcars, but the flat roof, extra rib, and different door make this a totally unique model. Yes, it took a long time to build. But this is one car that is a standout in my fleet, and I love showing it off, because I have a great sense of pride in the fact that I built it myself.
Try it out sometime - built something yourself. Even if it isn't 100% prototypical, it will still be fun, and flex the ol' modeling skills. After all, how will the next generation of model railroaders know anything about this stuff if our generation relies on a factory in China to make it for us?
