MT's recent SP bay window caboose

[TiVoPrince]

While we're talking 89'ers Joe (sorry to hi-jack this thread), how about an Espee version with a Golden Pig trailer? It'd be real nice if we could buy the trailer separately too...

James, MT recently released a Golden Pig trailer.

But remember it was an oddball time constrained paint scheme.

Absolutely
the pine straw I bought from one of these trailers at Home Depot on 2007 was a mirage.  The logos were showing/rusting under poorly spray bomb painted coverage but the original SP conspicuity striping  was still prominent.  My cell phone picture was not worth saving, although I thought so at the time...

[SirTainly]

Tivo, the issue was the Olympic rings on the trailer putting it in the 1995/6 era. I think it would have been better to do the version without, since it's easier to add that as a decal than remove it.

[TiVoPrince]

Olympics
in Los Angeles were 1984.  Although the SD40R was repainted/wrecked soon after the games I saw those trailers in quantity all over LA with dirty but original paint as late as 1992...

[James Costello]

All I want is a few (dozen) of these...





Not sure where I got these photos from... so I'll take them down in a few days.
It shows the Golden Pig on a 45' Fruehauf trailer quite well.

[SirTainly]

damn, you're right Tivo, thanks for the pictures James..for some reason I got it in my head that logo was the Atlanta games

Right in my era too.

Anyone know somewhere has them that will ship internationally ?

[tom mann]

Looks like HO has what you need:

http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH73373

[SirTainly]

Looks like HO has what you need:

http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH73373

Too bad my entire house is only 15' x 20'...otherwise I might do HO.

[DocGeoff]

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

I wonder what "trends" MTL was looking at? From all the begging, pleading, requesting for a SP bay window over the recent past, not to mention all the time since Atlas produced the only half-way decent SP bay window years ago it seems someone would have gotten the message. Doesn't anyone at MLT look at the forums? When MLT asked for suggestions as to what we wanted it appears they ignored the results.
I find Joe's response somewhat hard to swallow.  There is more to this short sided offering then is being revealed. I can't believe this was a mistake on MLT's part. They are too good at what they do.

[3rdrail]

"Don't they read the forums?" Yes, of course they do, but if you think the internet forums represent typical model railroaders you're dead wrong. Those participating in forums mainly are much more intense modelers, with a greater knowledge of the prototype. Just look how many published authors and part time manufacturers post here. We're vocal, but we're barely a rounding error in the total market.

[Dave V]

"Don't they read the forums?" Yes, of course they do, but if you think the internet forums represent typical model railroaders you're dead wrong. Those participating in forums mainly are much more intense modelers, with a greater knowledge of the prototype. Just look how many published authors and part time manufacturers post here. We're vocal, but we're barely a rounding error in the total market.

Depends on the forum...  Some are riddled with dabblers.  I won't name names ( ;D) but if they frequent the "Dream It, Plan It, Buy It" forums they'd get the impression that no matter what they make, some folks will buy dozens.

Hopefully the ones that want to get it right are here at RW and A-board (though we all know how that sometimes pans out!)...

[TiVoPrince]

Reality
is that we are indeed a very small subset.  Then again we also tend to sell ourselves short.  We are a lot like the writers/editors/readers of Car and Driver magazine.  An extremely vocal group who are passionate about a subject the are knowledgable of and dermined to 'raise the bar' in general. 

Ford, Mazda and others seek the opinons and appoval of this group because they lead and influence the larger 'silent majority' of automobile drivers.  Manufacturers need to temper the opinions of this core group otherwise only Ferrari and Lamborgini would be building cars.  Only the extreme end of the bell curve wants and buys 'supercars' but they influence all cars in some way, be it safety or styling it all trickles down.

The mass market is generally satisfied with something new on the shelf at a fair price with minor improvements over last years trains.  These buyers are not lookng for extreme detailing but appreciate improvements at a fair price.  We the 'lunatic fringe' drive the market because we are willing to puah that envelope for better models...

[SirTainly]

This is really one for Joe, but are the bay windows going to be available as a separate part at all ? My C-50-10 project stalled because I wasn't able to make a set that I was happy with so if I could buy some that would be a massive help.

Simon

[JoeD]

Contact me at Joe@micro-trains.com and I'll see what the schedule is.

Joe
MTL

This is really one for Joe, but are the bay windows going to be available as a separate part at all ? My C-50-10 project stalled because I wasn't able to make a set that I was happy with so if I could buy some that would be a massive help.

Simon

[Chris333]

You know I think every time Joe recommends a SP scheme he has a hard time convincing them that it isn't just for him.

[James Costello]

You know I think every time Joe recommends a SP scheme he has a hard time convincing them that it isn't just for him.

hahaha....

It's fun pitching ideas to another Espee fan though.