Exactrail Thrall 3564 (3267) now shipping

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Any idea which schemes were seen in the 90's?

[Chulvis]

Anybody get one of these yet?

Any clue how Exactrail decides what gets metal wheels or not?  I thought maybe they would become standard after the 4000's but the gon has plastic wheels.  They don't appear to have a "Signature/Platinum/Evolution" series in N like the do in HO.

Doug: It seems to me that Exactrail's decision to include metal wheels on the 4000cf hopper was a direct attempt to compete with BLMA's forthcoming version of the same. I would not count on seeing metal wheels on anything they produce unless they are going head to head with another manufacturer offering the same product.

N Scale Train Wars! It's On!!

BLMA's 4000cf hopper will be awesome. I'm very sure of this. Craig has established standards that go beyond the average manufacturer. BLMA's may be coming later, but I bet they will be a superior model.  

[stuntman]

That's why I ordered the BLMA's! 

[ljudice]

It's odd, but some people got their BLMA 4000's several weeks ago:

http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=118047&highlight=blma

[Chulvis]

It's odd, but some people got their BLMA 4000's several weeks ago:

http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=118047&highlight=blma

Lou: If you read the thread you'll see that Craig sent a select few people some pre-production samples in advance of the actual model being released.
The rest of us are still waiting.

[Craig Martyn]

As Chuck said, we shipped out a few orders from production cars we had air mailed here a few weeks back; the rest of the cars are due here this Friday, putting them in dealer hands around the first part of March.

A few pictures of our production cars:






More photos here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/BLMA-Models/147660362291?ref=search&sid=812309417.768965440..1#!/album.php?aid=145090&id=147660362291

OK...now let's get back on topic!   

[GaryHinshaw]

Hmm, 2 days ago, their web page, e.g.:

http://www.exactrail.com/index.php/products/thrall-3564-gondola-nokl.html

stated 36" CNC machined wheels, even though the wheels in the pictures were clearly plastic.  Today it specifies 36" plastic wheels.   I think Chuck's explanation makes sense.  [It also shows that 3 of the 6 schemes are already sold out.]

-Gary

Edit - nice pics Craig!

[sundowner]

I wonder how they are going to fix the add in the new NSR that clearly said CNC metal wheels are included with all new cars, Not that it matters to me since I going to put FVM wheels on mine since the ER are wheels look toy like.

[asarge]

The EXR 4000's are nice cars, no doubt about it. Plus they did a couple of roadnames that modellers in our area wanted. The Southern and ICG especially.

I have very high expectations with the BLMA 4000's with hopefully more roads coming sooner rather than later. C&O would be most welcome.

BLMA has and will get almost all of our orders as I don't have to jump thru hoops and hope and pray that I get what I ordered.

[ljudice]

Just a dumb question - "CNC" machined wheels - it seems like a very slow and expensive way to make zillions of anything...  What gives?

[Denver Road Doug]

I e-mailed Exactrail about the wheels so we'll see what they have to say. (maybe)

[Mark5]

The EXR 4000's are nice cars, no doubt about it. Plus they did a couple of roadnames that modellers in our area wanted. The Southern and ICG especially.

I bought one. Mainly cuz they did N&W. They almost got the lettering right.

I have a Burlington on order from BLMA.

Mark

[Chulvis]

I wonder how they are going to fix the add in the new NSR that clearly said CNC metal wheels are included with all new cars, Not that it matters to me since I going to put FVM wheels on mine since the ER are wheels look toy like.

I am wondering it ExactRail uses a template for their ads and website for the HO and N Scale products and the part about the wheels was overlooked when they made the ad. Agree, the ER metal wheels are toy like in appearance. Reminiscent of the metal wheels Bachmann used to put on their N Scale cars years ago.

[Craig Martyn]

Just a dumb question - "CNC" machined wheels - it seems like a very slow and expensive way to make zillions of anything...  What gives?

You're right - it's not the fastest process and inherently drives up the price; however, this is probably the only way to get a TRUE round wheel 100% of the time.  Keep in mind that our wheels feature front and backside profile; each wheel must go through the cutting process twice!  Pretty crazy stuff when you think of the volume coming from the factory...

[Chris333]

CNC wheels. Well yeah how else could you make them?  Plated brass castings, but would they be round then?

I was working on a small air powered steam engine (not a locomotive) and wanted a spoked flywheel for it. The flywheel is only 3/4" tall and about 3/16" thick. Here it is being built:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2KrukXzCx0

Anyways I e-mailed the guy and he sent me one, but you see how long it takes to make one.