MTL Bay Window Cab. On time but Two roadnames to start.

[Dave V]

Joe,

Welcome aboard!

I've found the guys here at Railwire to be pretty tough customers, which is EXACTLY why this has become my primary modeling forum.  They have challenged me and pushed me farther than I ever would have gotten on my own or in the more general forums.  I've been told, point blank, when my modeling doesn't hold up, and have learned much from it.  It's humbling to me that they even tolerate me here, considering the depth of talent and expertise around here.  Some days I feel like a hack compared to some of these guys.

...which is why when they have criticism, I listen.  They have earned their credibility (most of 'em, anyway) through some of the best and most accurate model railroading you'll see anywhere, and especially in N scale.  Like all true artisans, the folks here often have strong opinions on the craft, and are not ashamed or afraid to share it.

As for me, I've taken a few pot-shots at MTL from time to time, but I also like to give props when due.  I'm disappointed about the bay and roof for the CR cabin as you have read.  I did end up ordering one, though, because Micro Trains does excellent modeling and printing work (even if the body style doesn't always match or if the car is an oddball).  So even if the car is wrong, it always looks really nice!

To the props...  Joe, you did a very GOOD thing by doing the early yellow Trailer Train TOFC runner pack!  So good that I was on the phone with my LHS within the hour to pre-order them.  I hope to see them in Trailer Train brown some day!  And, sneaking that killer Penn Central X78 in this month...  Whoo-hoo!!!  Ordered one of them too.

So, you'll hit some and miss others for the very reason you state.  I think deep down we ALL know that it's a balancing act; we tend to be less forthcoming with the attayboys when you score but tend to heap on the criticism when you have made a compromise not in our particular favor.  And for each of us that sweet spot is different.

I'm hoping that your presence here allows you to bounce ideas off of some pretty knowledgeable souls.  This is usually the first place I go with questions, and it's where I get the best answers.  Hopefully in return we give you feedback in both columns, positive as well as negative.

[wm3798]

Dave is the Railwire's Secretary of State.  Robb's chairman of the Joint Chiefs...

Me?  I work in the kitchen. ;D

Lee

[Bob Bufkin]

Yeah, Lee washes the dishes.  Welcome Joe.  I'm one of the older members and enjoy modeling the transition era.  All these Conrail nuts here have kind of gotten to me.  As far as modeling goes, I'm a rank amature compared to the members here. 

Hope you keep us informed on upcoming releases.  Still waiting for your heavyweight passenger cars.

Bob

[asarge]

Actually Joe this thread is pretty tame. For the most part everybody had their say and it didn;t get personal.

Watching Robbman and Skibbe go at it on the TLT thread was actualy somewhat entertaining. Glad this one was more boring.

[JoeD]

Thanks Dave,

I'm here to learn

Joe

Joe,

Welcome aboard!

I've found the guys here at Railwire to be pretty tough customers, which is EXACTLY why this has become my primary modeling forum.  They have challenged me and pushed me farther than I ever would have gotten on my own or in the more general forums.  I've been told, point blank, when my modeling doesn't hold up, and have learned much from it.  It's humbling to me that they even tolerate me here, considering the depth of talent and expertise around here.  Some days I feel like a hack compared to some of these guys.

...which is why when they have criticism, I listen.  They have earned their credibility (most of 'em, anyway) through some of the best and most accurate model railroading you'll see anywhere, and especially in N scale.  Like all true artisans, the folks here often have strong opinions on the craft, and are not ashamed or afraid to share it.

As for me, I've taken a few pot-shots at MTL from time to time, but I also like to give props when due.  I'm disappointed about the bay and roof for the CR cabin as you have read.  I did end up ordering one, though, because Micro Trains does excellent modeling and printing work (even if the body style doesn't always match or if the car is an oddball).  So even if the car is wrong, it always looks really nice!

To the props...  Joe, you did a very GOOD thing by doing the early yellow Trailer Train TOFC runner pack!  So good that I was on the phone with my LHS within the hour to pre-order them.  I hope to see them in Trailer Train brown some day!  And, sneaking that killer Penn Central X78 in this month...  Whoo-hoo!!!  Ordered one of them too.

So, you'll hit some and miss others for the very reason you state.  I think deep down we ALL know that it's a balancing act; we tend to be less forthcoming with the attayboys when you score but tend to heap on the criticism when you have made a compromise not in our particular favor.  And for each of us that sweet spot is different.

I'm hoping that your presence here allows you to bounce ideas off of some pretty knowledgeable souls.  This is usually the first place I go with questions, and it's where I get the best answers.  Hopefully in return we give you feedback in both columns, positive as well as negative.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This is true!

Nobody said anything about anyone wearing panties... you don't wear ladies undergarments, do you?

[Robbman]

Watching Robbman and Skibbe go at it on the TLT thread was actualy somewhat entertaining.

You haven't been around long enough to really watch me and Skibbe go at it... wait till something worse like turbocharged cars comes up...

[GaryHinshaw]

Welcome to the funny farm Joe!  It is great of you to chime in here.  If you feel like sticking around, you should share some of your SP modeling on the Weekend Update. From what I've seen of it, it's very fine.

-Gary

P.S. Don't mention hockey.

[JoeD]

Once in college and that didn't go very well   ;D

This is true!

Nobody said anything about anyone wearing panties... you don't wear ladies undergarments, do you?

[Nato]

  Yes welcome to the forum Joe. Just a quickie foot note. Yes Great Northern did own two Bay Window cars very similar to the model in the photo for use on Iron Ore trains to clear the loaders at the mine. I know this group can be critical of MT sometimes,but MT has really contributed alot to the hobby and N scale in particular over the years even if some of us do not like fantisy paint schemes over real ones.      Nate Goodman (Nato). Salt Lake, Utah.

[Chris333]

They have challenged me and pushed me farther than I ever would have gotten on my own or in the more general forums.

Just a good quote.

Please keep in mind that Joe is not the only person working at MTL, just the only one freely sharing his own modeling.

[SirTainly]

Hi Joe,

The Conrail Queens are a tough crowd , but this SP modeller thanks you for doing a bay window caboose!

Simon

[ljudice]

First of all, a lot of us would never have been in N-scale if it were not for MTL pioneering quality models - decades ago...   So if we ever seem upset - it's only because a lot of us would love to see ALL of your efforts directed in the prototype vein. Of course that's not possible - and I understand that!

I think my issues are twofold:

   - A lot of compromises were made in some models - for example the
     gondolas which are too short, the ride height and the vertical dimensions
     of the ribside boxcars and bulkhead flats.  Why not re-tool these
     and release as better models?


   - Existance of "perfect matches" for prototypes that never get made or
     re-run. For example, we would buy 20 packs of the 90 ton triple hopper
     in NS, NW or CR schemes. It's such a better model than the Atlas
     car - it's just a shame it's never available!


Thanks for listening!

[asarge]

You haven't been around long enough to really watch me and Skibbe go at it... wait till something worse like turbocharged cars comes up...

That would be about the only entertainment I've had lately! Course, it would be at yuz guyz expense ;D

All in all the N scale community has grown up around MTL. There are now multiple players who quite frankly tend to produce better models than MTL. No matter how much you guys bash them though, their rolling stock sales have remained remakablyu steady....even in the current economic environment. Some are collectors, but most are runners so even Micro-Trains buyers have changed over the last few years.....at least in our neck of the woods.

[John]

Watching Robbman and Skibbe go at it on the TLT thread was actualy somewhat entertaining.

You haven't been around long enough to really watch me and Skibbe go at it... wait till something worse like turbocharged cars comes up...

Yea .. but I usually have to send you both to the corner for a couple of weeks