MT's recent SP bay window caboose

[tom mann]

I tried to order a few of these, but was told that they had sold out quickly.  However, MT announced another run in October.  This begs the question:  why not strike while the iron is hot and get another run out ASAP?  Why wait until Athearn releases their version in August?  Yes, I'm aware of schedules; but in this economy, it seems like you would want to sell as much product as possible.

[Sokramiketes]

Des Plaines still had 3-4 in stock last night...

[TiVoPrince]

Economy
may be responsible for the short run.  Perhaps MT was unaware that everyones wallets were actually so fat...

[JoeD]

Tom,

It comes down to schedules.  We produced more than the trends were showing...but it obviously wasn't enough.  We are on such a short lead that to re run them right now would make it difficult to get next month's production done on time.  Trust me we tried all sorts of scenarios to get more out, but there's no way...without overtime and then you start loosing money on the deal.   Heck I even gave up my order so a few more would be available.  If you want to do an SP, I can send you the photo etched roof details for a repaint...Micro Scale makes the decals.

Joe
MTL

[SirTainly]

on the plus side, it's a second road number my cup runneth over!

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I wonder how well the Conrail cars are doing. I have one on order.

[JoeD]

Still have a few in stock, but not many.  We try on most things to have enough left over from standing orders and first day stuff to be able to stock for a set period of time.  Orders generally continue through the month at a steady pace...no where near first of the month rush though :-\

Joe
MTL

[James Costello]

Joe, how is demand for the TTX 89' flat runner set?

[pedro]

I am surprised at the DIY nature of the SP antenna/signal light package. (unpainted brass photo-etch on the fret) Not that it bothers me personally, but I bet a lot of people are going to be wondering why it wasn't mentioned as a DIY proposition in the ads. (As far as I could see, anyway) A lot of people are going to make a mess of their roofs with CA glue (and paint) trying to put it on.

The PE end railings are a nice touch. It'll look really nice with everything installed and a treatment of lo-pros, lowering, weathering and z scale couplers.

Pete

[SkipGear]

I am surprised at the DIY nature of the SP antenna/signal light package. (unpainted brass photo-etch on the fret) Not that it bothers me personally, but I bet a lot of people are going to be wondering why it wasn't mentioned as a DIY proposition in the ads. (As far as I could see, anyway) A lot of people are going to make a mess of their roofs with CA glue (and paint) trying to put it on.

The PE end railings are a nice touch. It'll look really nice with everything installed and a treatment of lo-pros, lowering, weathering and z scale couplers.

Pete

I doubt they are coming DIY. I believe Joe was offering Tom the SP details in the raw so that he could pick up a Conrail version and repaint it to SP.

[pedro]

Uh, no. I picked up one off the shelf and the antenna details are in the box, on the fret in unpainted brass photo-etch. I don't want to make it sound like I'm complaining, I was just expressing surprise. It seems out of the norm for M-T, that's all.

And the battery box needs to be glued on. It's a friction-fit that doesn't stay in place very well.

Pete

[SkipGear]

Uh, no. I picked up one off the shelf and the antenna details are in the box, on the fret in unpainted brass photo-etch. I don't want to make it sound like I'm complaining, I was just expressing surprise. It seems out of the norm for M-T, that's all.

And the battery box needs to be glued on. It's a friction-fit that doesn't stay in place very well.

Pete

You got me, ours haven't arrived yet so I had not seen that. It is odd that the detail parts are seprate and unpainted. Then again, the C&O flat with the load from a month or so ago came with an unassembled load. You had to build and paint the mine shovel load for the car.

[3rdrail]

Uh, no. I picked up one off the shelf and the antenna details are in the box, on the fret in unpainted brass photo-etch. I don't want to make it sound like I'm complaining, I was just expressing surprise. It seems out of the norm for M-T, that's all.

And the battery box needs to be glued on. It's a friction-fit that doesn't stay in place very well.

Pete

I don't know why this should be that surprising as all the reefers and the standard tank cars have come with additional unpainted parts for years. The hatch latches for the reefers and the placard boards for the tankers.

[SirTainly]

I don't know why this should be that surprising as all the reefers and the standard tank cars have come with additional unpainted parts for years. The hatch latches for the reefers and the placard boards for the tankers.

But not etched parts (at least not the tankers - I don't have any reefers), still this is a nice development.

[pedro]

I don't know why this should be that surprising as all the reefers and the standard tank cars have come with additional unpainted parts for years. The hatch latches for the reefers and the placard boards for the tankers.
[/quote]

But if memory serves, the ice hatch latches and tank car placard boards are injection-molded in the car color, or at least black. Cut them off the sprue and put them in place in the pre-drilled holes. Same with the flat car side stakes, right? Easy.  Unpainted brass photo-etch is another thing altogether. No pre-drilled holes, just an out-of-scale drawing that shows the mounting locations. Especially odd when it's such a signature element of the car. 

I know the esteemed, accomplished modelers of Railwire ;D will not have a problem installing it, but I bet a lot of people will have "naked" SP cabooses running around and/or f'd up roofs. Will be interesting to see if they're installed on the Athearns.

Pete