ExactRail Review from the A-Board

[tom mann]

Lots of good photos:

http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=51884

[DKS]

I'd ordered four pairs of trucks, which I've just received. Hand-signed note and all. Except... I only received two pairs (the invoice had everything checked off, with no backorders indicated). Ah, well, still a few bugs in their order fulfillment system, it seems.

The trucks are really nice, though (even if the roller bearing ends don't rotate).

EDIT: They're not sprung, but they are equalized. However, one truck's bolster is cocked on an odd angle; not sure if the mass of a car would be enough to square it off. Made in China; perhaps a QC issue.

[tom mann]

I'd ordered four pairs of trucks, which I've just received. Hand-signed note and all. Except... I only received two pairs (the invoice had everything checked off, with no backorders indicated). Ah, well, still a few bugs in their order fulfillment system, it seems.

The trucks are really nice, though (even if the roller bearing ends don't rotate).

EDIT: They're not sprung, but they are equalized. However, one truck's bolster is cocked on an odd angle; not sure if the mass of a car would be enough to square it off. Made in China; perhaps a QC issue.

Wait, why are you ordering HO scale modern trucks?

Sadly, I still do not have my order 

[3rdrail]

I'd ordered four pairs of trucks, which I've just received. Hand-signed note and all. Except... I only received two pairs (the invoice had everything checked off, with no backorders indicated). Ah, well, still a few bugs in their order fulfillment system, it seems.

Ahh, the packer worked in a clothing warehouse! A "pair of pants" is only one garment, right? Even though it has two legs. Well a truck has two axles and two sideframes, so, to someone who shipped pairs of pants, one truck would be a "pair of trucks", would it not?  You got four didn't you?  ;D ;D ;D

[DKS]

Wait, why are you ordering HO scale modern trucks?

I have a few pieces of HO rolling stock I'm messing around with, along with some Sergent couplers. Just for giggles.

[tom mann]

I have a few pieces of HO rolling stock I'm messing around with, along with some Sergent couplers. Just for giggles.

I know you had some transitional pieces of equipment, but not anything that would work with ExactRail's trucks.

[Mark5]

Nice pix. Interesting about the flimsy stirrups.

[tom mann]

Nice pix. Interesting about the flimsy stirrups.

In HO scale, this is the norm.  No one uses the type of impact resistant plastic that MT uses for their stirrups.

[DKS]

I have a few pieces of HO rolling stock I'm messing around with, along with some Sergent couplers. Just for giggles.

I know you had some transitional pieces of equipment, but not anything that would work with ExactRail's trucks.

Yeah, I have a more modern covered hopper, and I might get something else.

[DKS]

Hmmm... been a week since I contacted ExactRail about my botched order. No answer. This does not bode well.

[tom mann]

Try 'em again.  The got back to me in a few days about my missing order (which did arrive).

[DKS]

They finally responded, just as I was about to write a third time. They must be busier than one-armed paper hangers.

[tom mann]

They finally responded, just as I was about to write a third time. They must be busier than one-armed paper hangers.

I think so.  Check the threads at Atlas.  More than a few folks are ordering all numbers of each car, etc.

[Mark5]

Try 'em again.  The got back to me in a few days about my missing order (which did arrive).

So what d'ya think of them?

Apparently the Verts are coming in N so I'm interested in anyone's and everyone's impressions.

Mark

[tom mann]

Try 'em again.  The got back to me in a few days about my missing order (which did arrive).

So what d'ya think of them?

Apparently the Verts are coming in N so I'm interested in anyone's and everyone's impressions.

Mark

I am impressed, but I was expected to be because of the $25 price point.  The boxcars have separate door guides (instead of molded on guides), which I haven't seen before.  Printing is great.  Considering these are their first offerings, they did an outstanding job.  I really do believe that the shipping delays were caused by just unexpected volume.