In an astonishing business move...

[Sokramiketes]

MTL gets into laser cut wood structures?



Someone must be trying to justify the need for an in house laser cutter.  But why?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

"Sponsored by Micro-Trains".

I'm betting a prolific z scaler is actually behind that...

[Sokramiketes]

"Sponsored by Micro-Trains".

I'm betting a prolific z scaler is actually behind that...

Coffee Break from Ztrack is sponsored by MTL this month.  So, it doesn't have anything to do with sponsoring the loading dock.

Sounds like The N Scale Architect was asked to design a Z loading dock for MTL.  MTL decided that his cost was too high, and went and cut it on their own.  Sneaky, sneaky.  N Arch went ahead and released his own anyway.  I'm trying to find a photo of the N Arch version to compare... wouldn't it be funny if they were the exact same?

Other than to make money... I don't understand why MTL would step out of their niche like this. 

[Chris333]

Who knows why? But it is a nice kit. Sorry for them I already joined 3 Blair Line Z scale loading ramps together so i don't need it now.



That will be what, 3 different Z scale loading docks? Blair Line, MT, and N Arch.

[FrankCampagna]

That will be what, 3 different Z scale loading docks? Blair Line, MT, and N Arch.

You want all your loading docks to look alike? Frank

[Sokramiketes]

I think Fox Valley Models cuts theirs in Z too.

[Sokramiketes]

That will be what, 3 different Z scale loading docks? Blair Line, MT, and N Arch.

You want all your loading docks to look alike? Frank

Nope, so it would be nice if one of the four companies would make a concrete or dirt filled timber one, eh?  All the wood ones look alike.

[David K. Smith]

That will be what, 3 different Z scale loading docks? Blair Line, MT, and N Arch.

You want all your loading docks to look alike? Frank

Nope, so it would be nice if one of the four companies would make a concrete or dirt filled timber one, eh?  All the wood ones look alike.

Randy Brown is not one of the four, but he does make a Z scale concrete loading ramp:

http://cgi.ebay.com/CONCRETE-LOADING-RAMP-TOFC-Z-Scale-Z-431-Low-S-H_W0QQitemZ160142814732QQihZ006QQcategoryZ7276QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

If you were looking for N scale, Monroe Models makes them (and it's possible they'll add them to their growing Z scale line):

http://monroemodels.us/9105.htm

[Ian MacMillan]

Nice haha! I'll talk to Russ and see if he can get me shots of his.

[Pray59]

That loading ramp kit is one of mine. Joe wanted to start doing a line of craftsman kits, and invited me in the bidding. I must have lowballed the other guys or something, as I got the deal. ;D

The good thing about it is I only had to ship one box to one destination, and MTL takes over with their marketing and distribution channels. Saves me lots of time.

-Robert

[Sokramiketes]

That loading ramp kit is one of mine. Joe wanted to start doing a line of craftsman kits, and invited me in the bidding. I must have lowballed the other guys or something, as I got the deal. ;D

The good thing about it is I only had to ship one box to one destination, and MTL takes over with their marketing and distribution channels. Saves me lots of time.

-Robert

Cool, works out well for everyone.  Did you design this, or did MTL provide you artwork?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ah hah!

I knew it!

I is so smart, s m r t!

[Pray59]

What Joe did was give me the scale dimensions of what they were looking for, and I drew it up. I looked through pictures and diagrams of small loading ramps and team track ramps, and found one that looks like this one. I think all the model manufacturers design the same ramp.

I wanted to include nail holes, and make it a simple peel and stick construction, so you don't need any glue. Takes 10 minutes to assemble using tweezers and an exacto knife, then I like to spray the underside with Floquil Roof Brown so it looks creosote treated, hiding any visible transfer adhesive.

Anyways, I cranked the design out in a couple hours, including instructions, then sent a finished one along with a couple in kit form as proposal samples.

So I made a few more with different lengths, and one with a track bumper end for a larger platform, for my own trade fodder.

-Robert

[Sokramiketes]

What Joe did was give me the scale dimensions of what they were looking for, and I drew it up. I looked through pictures and diagrams of small loading ramps and team track ramps, and found one that looks like this one. I think all the model manufacturers design the same ramp.

I wanted to include nail holes, and make it a simple peel and stick construction, so you don't need any glue. Takes 10 minutes to assemble using tweezers and an exacto knife, then I like to spray the underside with Floquil Roof Brown so it looks creosote treated, hiding any visible transfer adhesive.

Anyways, I cranked the design out in a couple hours, including instructions, then sent a finished one along with a couple in kit form as proposal samples.

So I made a few more with different lengths, and one with a track bumper end for a larger platform, for my own trade fodder.

-Robert

Well that answers that question.  It's certainly not as sinister as I was led to believe.   

[Chris333]

But it says "More kits to come" so...


What else do you know about Robert?  ;D