It's Raining Bay Window Cabeese?

[Chris333]

Joe mentioned they wanted to do a bay window a year or two ago, and said it would probably be a SP type.

[TrainCat2]

Unfortunately for TrainCat, the BW window market is gonna get mighty crowded soon.

Someone who wants a Foobie versus a prototypical model is not one of my customers anyway. Besides as pointed out, almost every road had a different type of caboose. Plastic can't keep up with them all.

[asarge]

Joe mentioned they wanted to do a bay window a year or two ago, and said it would probably be a SP type

I didn't hear about that one. But at Trainfest Dave Casdorph at Atlas, said offhand that there weren't enough cabs in n scale but that that would change over the nex year or two. He wasn;t kidding.

[Robbman]

Unfortunately for TrainCat, the BW window market is gonna get mighty crowded soon.

Someone who wants a Foobie versus a prototypical model is not one of my customers anyway.

Does that mean you're coming out with a N&W CPL?

[TrainCat2]

Already did. Just because it's not on the site yet does not mean I have not done it.  ;D

[DocGeoff]

Thanks a lot Chuck! I am already listing you as an income tax deduction. Now I'll be sending your kids to camp! What has amazed me for years is why no one has made a decent SP bay window since the old Atlas. The Model Power's were not that hot and I have several if anyone is interested. So I guess I'll close this for now so I can go look for a second job to pay for all the pre-orders you already have and the anticipated bay windows.
And stop salivating!
 

[Robbman]

Already did. Just because it's not on the site yet does not mean I have not done it.  ;D

As long as it isn't the B&O one with just N&W heads....

[James Costello]

In MTL's defence, the feedback they received on Trainboard in early 2007 overwhelmingly requested an Espee style bay window caboose. It's good to see that this feedback was listened to and acted on. The 2 year turnaround is line with what insiders have said the product development cycle tends to take. Looks like some trailers I asked for at that time are also seeing a release this month too.

I know I asked for a bay window on that thread, particularly a C-50-9, and I'll pick one up... but I'll wait and see how the Athearn's look before building my fleet.

I think Athearn still has that "We'll do what we want" type of mentality, but they've probably received some suggestions for them too. They've always done one in HO, so maybe it made sense for them too...

[TiVoPrince]

My plan
is to order one MT C50-9 in a light/bright paint scheme like SP railroad police or SPSF and subject it to intense scrutiny.  If it measures up I will order more common and mundane paint schemes ASAP.  Athearn will apparently be building the earlier classes that account for over half the 1980 fleet so they will get some of my business even if the MT C50-9 passes muster.

If the Athearn C50-9 is measurably better or the MT has serious deficencies, it will meet an auction site or blender fate almost immediately...

[asarge]

I have no doubt that the Athearns will be excellent models. But I also think MTL will produce a respectable mode, just not multiple numbers over a reasonably short period of time.

[jmlaboda - RIP]

Imagine that... both Athearn and MT doing the same caboose.  So not only do we get two manufacturers doing the same caboose but also we get a more limited use caboose from the two of them than we had before either of them started on the project, since its built date is 1978 - 1980 (counting the earlier version that Athearn is suppose to be working on).

At least I won't have to worry about spending any of my money.

[asarge]

According to the MTL website,

Micro-Trains newest N scale caboose model is based on the Southern Pacific version of the B50-9 Caboose built by International Car Company (PACCAR).  This Caboose was the first of the series to be delivered without a roofwalk or side windows, other than those on the side-hung Cupolas.  The initial series was first introduced in 1970 and featured a Stanray X Panel Roof. 

Our model features the usual high standard of molding, detailed cast-metal underframe which sports a separate battery box, window inserts and body mount Magne-Matic® couplers for smooth, reliable operations.  End rails are etched stainless steel with separate brake detail for accurate scale width and appearance.  The roof has a separate smoke stack and antenna as well.

This Bay Window Caboose was a common site on many of the railroads throughout North America from the 1970's to the late 1980's.  Over 28 railroads made initial orders for these with various window combinations, and many went on to serve on short lines and industrial railroads.  The B50-9 was one of the first delivered without windows and was coined the Urban Guerrilla by many Espee Fans.

Now the question is, Was there such a thing as a B50-9 OR did they have a typo OR did they just invent a caboose?

[James Costello]

Photo's up too:



Etched stainless end-rails .... do you think the curved side grabs are a separately applied detail too, or molded on?

[Dave Schneider]

Interesting choice. Looks like a blank canvas on which one could create other models by adding windows. Wouldn't it be cool to have a model like this with pre-scribed marks on the inside of the caboose for a large number of variations. Maybe some insert pieces for the window frames, and you could put the windows wherever you need them.

Best wishes, Dave

[Walkercolt]

I'd guess the curved grabs are molded on. I think it's pretty obvious that Micro-Trains can do more than one SP prototype from what is shown. There will be "blanked-out" window versions of the troop sleepers sooner or later to be used as "magazine" cars and express cars on the dozen of roads that had them. It was planned from the get-go on those cars. I think they would plan on the same thing on a new caboose.
I hope Atlas does an International style caboose. They'd have quite a number of roads they could do, and alot more "Trainman" close-enough. I also hope Athearn doesn't end up the odd-man out. I would have thought Athearn would have done a UP style caboose to go with Challengers, Big-Boy's, probably FEF's...