rainman571
Wednesday, December 28, 2005 5:16:05 PM
I want to start this off and I'm hoping others will add to this. I don't know if a good FAQ exists on the net anywhere.

The scale.

I think its safe to say that most of us model in 1/87 or HO scale. This is the most popular model railroading scale right now and has the most kits and other parts available. You can model in other scales but will be mostly limited to scratchbuilding everything.

Research.

There is a ton of information to be had right here in this forum. Also, Matt has a page set up here www.carnivalwarehouse.com/models/models.asp 
There is also the ridemodelers group at groups.yahoo.com/groups/ridemodelers

Get lots of pictures. Pictures are the most valuable resource in modeling anything. Most of my carnival pics are taken with modeling in mind. I really don't need a shot of every Octopus I come across but I do need detail shots of different angles. I also "borrow" a bunch of pics from other online photo albums. Chris Hurley's albums are a valuable resource.

Materials

Models can really be made from anything you can get your hands on. Most of us that scratchbuild prefer working with styrene plastic. Its easy to work and glue. It holds paint well and comes in a ton of different shapes and sizes. Evergreen and Plastruct are the two big manufacturers. www.evergreenscalemodels.com  www.plastruct.com 

Peripheral equipment like trucks and trailers can be had from Boley, Herpa, Promotex and Walthers. There are a ton of truck manufacturers out there that produce one or two models in cast metal or resin. www.dept187.com  www.herpa.de  www.promotex.ca  www.walthers.com 

www.1-87vehicles.org  is a good place to start for truck modeling. www.truckstopmodels.com  is a good place to buy from. Remember that they rides have to move down the road somehow.

Ebay.

What more can I say? This is _*THE*_ place to find out of production models. New models can also be had. Make sure you don't get price gouged though. If you set up some searches and check in often you can get most of your models here. This includes the trucks and trailers as well.

Ride manufacturers (current)

Faller. German company that makes rides in 1/87 scale from injection molded plastic. This is the best going in kit form. They are even operational if a little finicky. They are European prototypes so the rides are big and flashy. www.faller.de 

International Hobby Corp (IHC). US company that makes plastic injection molded ride kits. They are of dubious quality and some are even knock offs of Cummons rides. They can be good for starters and kitbashing. Most will operate. www.ihc-hobby.com 

Reynaulds Midway Miniatures. Warren builds mostly in 1/87 scale but will build some rides in other scales. These are not kit form. Great quality but not motorized. I think you could get them to work with some tinkering. www.rmmridemodels.com 

RAH Models. Kit models from vacuum formed plastic and cast plastic. They require some work but can turn out pretty good. Non-motorized but with some tinkering could get to work. www.rahmodels.com 

Amusement Graffix International. Mostly scenery packs to change the Faller models to be more Americanized. I think they are going to offer a ride or two in the future but nothing firm. www.amusementgraffixintl.com 

Cummons Scale Amusements. Prebuilt rides. Fully operational. Made mostly from cast metals. Pewter I think. Really good quality and highly sought after. webpages.charter.net/csai

Other modelers. There are some modelers that will build rides. This is not a steady resource but could provide a unique ride or two.

Food and Game Manufacturers

Faller makes some euro style games. They aren't really suitable for modeling US midways though. Same with their food trailers.

International Hobby Corp has some kits that are closer to US prototypes but may be out of production now.

RAH Models makes a few stick joints and some food trailers.

Ridemodelers group on Yahoo. Downloadable paper models. Print, cut, fold and glue. They are based on US prototypes.

Raymond
Mr. Fixit
Wednesday, December 28, 2005 5:31:44 PM
Good luck on this... definitely deserving of a Sticky! [:D]
CAUTION, Administrator at work. This is a troll-free zone.

"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." - Charles Darwin
Matt C.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005 6:02:27 PM
With some new code for MCW underway, I hope to be able to expand the model section with the input of materials from mcw members. It will be pretty sweet when its done!

Thanks for the good topic rainman.
Matt Cook
Matt's Carnival Warehouse / Matt's Web Design
http://www.carnivalwarehouse.com 
http://www.mwdwebdesign.com 
DrNickRiviera995
Wednesday, December 28, 2005 6:03:21 PM
Great idea, I don't know if you wanted to add these or not, but under the scale for O scale we could mention CoasterDynamix's Inverted coaster sets and Lionels line of flat rides.

Also Model Tech Studios could be added as a manufacturer as well as Sholz over in Germany if you wanted to include that one.
TopSpinJay
Wednesday, December 28, 2005 8:39:22 PM
I can say that AGI is also manufacturing select Cummons Models, and were real close with haven the fireball ready...its just a matter of drive system now. were at 90% to were we want it...if the new prototype drives hold up when they come back from the cummons shop we'll be almost ready after some testing.

were also coming with a few more funhouse fronts soon
You'll miss us when were gone....
Skywheelrider
Wednesday, December 28, 2005 9:10:04 PM
Excellent topic Raymond! And Jay, as I said before, I'd be happy to pay for a Fireball model, so as long as it's static (I'm not into motorized models, too much trouble to me). Looking forward to seeing the fun house fronts!
"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first." -- Mark Twain
BSA Mike
Wednesday, December 28, 2005 9:14:21 PM
TopSpinJay
Wednesday, December 28, 2005 10:44:53 PM
chris...check your PM's
You'll miss us when were gone....
rainman571
Thursday, December 29, 2005 6:38:03 AM
Everyone please add to this. It is by no means complete.

Raymond
Ridee-O
Thursday, December 29, 2005 1:47:15 PM
[:)]A great source for those that like to work with wood is Northeastern Scale Models, many different sizes and shapes to choose from. www.nesm.com 
Matt C.
Friday, December 30, 2005 8:27:03 AM
Quote:

quote:


Originally posted by SilverCometJay

I can say that AGI is also manufacturing select Cummons Models



You mean, assembling, right? [;)] [}:)] lol just messing with you.

Looking forward to seeing more of your fun house fronts, Jay. Your great with the graphics!
Matt Cook
Matt's Carnival Warehouse / Matt's Web Design
http://www.carnivalwarehouse.com 
http://www.mwdwebdesign.com 
BSA Mike
Friday, December 30, 2005 8:50:57 AM
Quote:

quote:


Originally posted by Matt C.

Quote:

quote:


Originally posted by SilverCometJay

I can say that AGI is also manufacturing select Cummons Models



You mean, assembling, right? [;)] [}:)] lol just messing with you.

Looking forward to seeing more of your fun house fronts, Jay. Your great with the graphics!



Why you bashing the man?
Matt C.
Friday, December 30, 2005 9:13:51 AM
Quote:

quote:


Originally posted by BSA Mike
Why you bashing the man?



nooo... it wasnt intended to be a bash to him, was just joking around. He does a good job at what he does and I always enjoy seeing his work. [:)]
Matt Cook
Matt's Carnival Warehouse / Matt's Web Design
http://www.carnivalwarehouse.com 
http://www.mwdwebdesign.com 
Matt C.
Friday, December 30, 2005 9:17:14 AM
An addition to the topic, if you want some nice carnival fencing, Priser Barriers (590-25175) work real well. They are VERY brittle and sort of expensive, but look great on any HO scale midway. Price is around $13.00 for around 15-16 sections.

http://walthers.com/exec/productinfo/590-25175 
Matt Cook
Matt's Carnival Warehouse / Matt's Web Design
http://www.carnivalwarehouse.com 
http://www.mwdwebdesign.com 
Matthew
Saturday, December 31, 2005 11:24:39 PM
Though they don't make that much in the way of rides, Vollmer has a couple that are nice.