Anyone bsides me taken the MT Consumer Survey

[Dave V]

The "theme cars" are a major money maker for MT. No R&D, no new dies, just the extra cost of the special printing and the "design work".

So if they can make a lot of money on offering a car that will sell a lot without any new dies or much R&D, why won't they throw a bone to all the people who have been screaming for 89' TTX flatcars for the past decade and a half?

What HE said.

[wm3798]

I'll third that.

Lee

[3rdrail]

Model railroad manufacturers seem to have memories like elephants when it comes to slow selling items. I seem to vaguely recall that 30-odd years ago, when Kadee (it wasn't Micro-Trains yet), came out with the TTX flatcar, there was a big hoopla and many begged for a multi-car version of same. At the time, Kadee was selling five packs of some equipment, especially tankcars and hoppers. Well, a three pack of kits came out, and again, it was a very long time ago, at least a quarter century, but IIRC, it took a number of years to sell off the inventory.  The common complaint was "That's too much money for three kits."  Folks, a manufacturer is not going to produce at a loss to make y'all happy...remember by the time you go through the supply chain, the OEM is getting maybe 1/4 of the MSRP.

[Dave V]

Gregg,

I'm 34.  I wasn't in N scale at age 4.  Many of us who are shouting the loudest for 89' TOFCs are younger guys who were either not in the hobby or not doing modern N scale when the TTX 3-packs were first offered.

But aparently we are to suffer for the apathy of our forefathers

And that also doesn't explain the DODX four-pack of the same just recently offered.  I'm considering buying them up and repainting/decaling them.

[GaryHinshaw]

I'm considering buying them up and repainting/decaling them.

The undecs still seem to be available from N Scale Supply:

http://www.nscalesupply.com/MTL/MTL-71000Undec.html

I picked some up last fall (and the deck is gray, despite the picture).

[Robbman]

Folks, a manufacturer is not going to produce at a loss to make y'all happy...remember by the time you go through the supply chain, the OEM is getting maybe 1/4 of the MSRP.

A little higher than 1/4, but definately less than 1/2.

[Robbman]

I seem to vaguely recall that 30-odd years ago, when Kadee (it wasn't Micro-Trains yet), came out with the TTX flatcar, there was a big hoopla and many begged for a multi-car version of same.

Kade made an 89' flatcar 30-odd years ago???  Makes it even more mysterious why MT didn't put their's out till 1991...

[3rdrail]

I seem to vaguely recall that 30-odd years ago, when Kadee (it wasn't Micro-Trains yet), came out with the TTX flatcar, there was a big hoopla and many begged for a multi-car version of same.

Kade made an 89' flatcar 30-odd years ago???  Makes it even more mysterious why MT didn't put their's out till 1991...

Thirty-odd, twenty-odd, it was a  l - o - n - g  time ago. And Dave, that's why I referred to elephantine memories.

[Atlanticflier]

I requested Southeastern Woodchip gondolas (ie GReenvilles, etc)..........

[Mark5]

I requested Southeastern Woodchip gondolas (ie GReenvilles, etc)..........

Good idea!

[wm3798]

The MT TTX 3 pack of kits came out around 1989.  I picked up a set, and eagerly started saving up to get three or four more, but they disappeared almost as quickly as they appeared.  They were a tad expensive, around $25 for the three pack, but that was a bargain compared to the individual built up cars that sold for nearly the same price, but included a trailer.

I think you're confusing the built up cars with the kits in terms of longevity of shelf life.  In 20 years, I've never seen the kits available after the first run, but the original built ups still turn up from time to time, still over priced, and maybe more so due to the thirst of buyers to get them.

If I'm not mistaken, this was the last model MT ever offered in kit form.  Maybe because they sold too fast, and our friends in Oregon may have decided they weren't going to leave that kind of money on the table again!

Lee

[lock4244]

Model railroad manufacturers seem to have memories like elephants when it comes to slow selling items. I seem to vaguely recall that 30-odd years ago, when Kadee (it wasn't Micro-Trains yet), came out with the TTX flatcar, there was a big hoopla and many begged for a multi-car version of same. At the time, Kadee was selling five packs of some equipment, especially tankcars and hoppers. Well, a three pack of kits came out, and again, it was a very long time ago, at least a quarter century, but IIRC, it took a number of years to sell off the inventory.  The common complaint was "That's too much money for three kits."  Folks, a manufacturer is not going to produce at a loss to make y'all happy...remember by the time you go through the supply chain, the OEM is getting maybe 1/4 of the MSRP.

I remember those. I bought two or three kits, then like Lee said, they disappeared. Seemed like a real winner... too much money on the table, haha  ;D

[Denver Road Doug]

I predict a four pack of TTX in the fall, at the height of the recession, for $175 MSRP.  They will sell out, but not immediately, with some sitting on shelves for 3 and even FOUR weeks in some cases.  They will be considered a failure and Micro-Trains will immediately release a "Beatles" 89-foot flat with four containers (decorated for guess who) to try and recoup their "losses".

[davefoxx]

I predict a four pack of TTX in the fall, at the height of the recession, for $175 MSRP.  They will sell out, but not immediately, with some sitting on shelves for 3 and even FOUR weeks in some cases.  They will be considered a failure and Micro-Trains will immediately release a "Beatles" 89-foot flat with four containers (decorated for guess who) to try and recoup their "losses".

Geez, that fifth Beatle gets left out again!   ;D

Dave

[Denver Road Doug]

No, the N-Scale Collector will release that one!