[LateStarter]

JWD loads
(for flats, gons, & hoppers).

The best in the hobby. I have dozens of their pipe and beam loads, and even more of their EasyFit coal loads (they have a realistic sparkle).
Other superb hopper and gondola loads include limestone, gravel, etc.
They're resin molded, and can easily be filed-to-fit for most brands not listed.

They have a nice website.
Wayne is excellent with customer service, answers emails, returns calls, and is eager to help.

Flatcar loads are hand made and hand painted. Excellent craftsmanship.
Caveat:
The flatcar loads are made in an 'on-order' basis.
Delivery takes awhile.

EasyFit hopper & gon loads are mostly in stock.

 

[LateStarter]

New product
PT Trains (Portugal).

20' & 40' containers.
Functioning doors. Painted interiors.
Three video reviews I've seen are not in English, so I can only surmise that there may be mating issues with other brands (not sure). They're a top hole/bottom pin config, a'la Athearn and most others.
Lettering is razor sharp.
Fully assembled, with fifteen or more separate parts.
Bottoms are removable.

MSRP is in the $18 range.
So far they're available singly, in only one number per livery.

 

[LateStarter]

Westerfield kits
Fairly easy, and super-detailed.

Pre-war and depression era cars.
Superb cast resin (unpainted) bodies, with formed wire grabs and fine-detail plastic parts.
Trucks & couplers are not included, but inexpensive Accurail trucks will work out fine.

The most difficult (tedious) part is drilling holes for the many wire grabs & rails. Starter holes are provided.

There's more detail here than you probably want, but if you want it it's there.

On the difficulty scale, they're a notch or two above beginner level... tweezer dexterity, hole-drilling, and painting are the most stringent requirements. A steady hand is essential. Instructions are C+... about average for virtually any kit.
Parts attach easily if you're steady with tweezers.
The resin body should be primed before painting... especially if acrylics are used.

Accurate prototype decals are included, but with MicroScale or Tichy decals you could paint & letter into anything you want. Many of these cars were on most major rails.

MSRP is ~ $43 to $50.
If you can afford it -- buy one.
These kits are a complete project from start to finish, but enjoyable to build and very rewarding.

#1: USRA/ACF 40' auto boxcar (unfinished).
#2: MW crew car

 

[LateStarter]

Genesis GP9

Soundtraxx Tsunami2.
Superb detail. Complete lighting (backlit number boards). Smooth running. Excellent sound (volume was defaulted to a sane level).
It actually has the same scale top speed as the prototype.

Decoder load sensing -- BackEMF automatically sets the engine rpm-sound to the correct notch per load... e.g., engine sounds notch up when going up a grade, then level off and decrease when descending.

When not used as a switcher, I run this in consist with an RS11.

 

[LateStarter]

I've added "Scratch-building materials/parts" to the list.

 

[LateStarter]

Badger Stynylrez Primer:
I recently had to find a substitute for my favorite primer... ModelMaster enamel.
Testors is discontinuing much of the ModelMaster line.
I found just the ticket.
Badger Stynylrez primer is as good or better.

PRO'S: Acrylic urethane. Sprays like a dream. Dries very smooth. Available in 18 colors; and in sizes of 2 to 32oz bottles.
Adheres well to all surfaces. Good finish-coat retention. Superb coverage. Extremely durable. It's also brushable. Excellent primer. My new favorite.
CON'S: Minimum 20psi. Needs to be thinned for 0.5mm nozzles or less. Mostly only available at online outlets. I've mostly seen only 2oz Gray and Black on LHS shelves, which is fine with me... I use gray primer on almost every project. Must be kept at room-ambient temperatures.
ALERTS:
1.) It's loaded with pigment... Mix well!
2.) Useless once it freezes. Don't order in wintertime.

I get it mostly from LHS shelves at about $1.40 an ounce for 2 & 4oz bottles. Online prices are about $2.10 per ounce. If you do a lot of priming, the 4oz bottle is usually the most economically priced. Quart bottles (32oz) are about $48 LHS price.
Good online suppliers are SprayGunner and AirBrushSupply.

[Note - update]:
Badger Stynylrez primer is being re-branded as "One Shot Primer" by AMMO of MiG, and "Ultimate Primer" by Ultimate Modelling Products in the UK. This product will still be the same Stynylrez primer, but in different packaging.
However, until current inventories dry up, you can still find it as 'Badger Stynylrez' both online and on LHS shelves.

The photo sequence of an ExactRail WagonTop bash illustrates its one-coat hiding power, and how smoothly it dries.

 

[LateStarter]

Figures
Can't find Preisers you want?

There's no question or dispute that Preiser figures are the best.

But Walthers and Bachmann figures are very close to Preiser in quality.
I've found them on LHS shelves at attractive prices, and I've bought a few 6-pack sets.
Noch are also fairly nice.

Walthers:

Bachmann:

 

[LateStarter]

Added "Glues & Adhesives" to the list.

 

[LateStarter]

Re/Primers:
Badger Stynylrez primer is being re-branded as "One Shot Primer" by AMMO of MiG, and "Ultimate Primer" by Ultimate Modelling Products in the UK.
It'll still be the same great product.

 

[LateStarter]

Moloco
Stunning detail.

I rank them #3 behind Arrowhead and Rapido.

Good weight. Excellent rollers.
MSRP is $40 to $56.
LHS price is generally in the $32 to $45 range respectively.
These N&W cars were a 3-pack set in 2019, but I don't see Moloco cars advertised that way anymore.

 

[LateStarter]

I added Trees & foliage to the list.

 

[LateStarter]

Added "Ballast, gravel, talus, etc" to the list.