BLMA & ExactRail 64' Reefer Box Car?

[Craig Martyn]

Simply put...

This project has already been HUGE for BLMA.  We have taken orders through our dealer network, seven distributors and the orders are still coming.  I have no worries our loyal following, especially in N Scale, will make the project a huge success.  We planned from the start to announce the reefer at the National Train Show and did just that - right on our schedule.  The fact is, ER was NOT planning to make this announcement any time soon, but apparently couldn't resist...hence the reason they're taking pre-orders which doesn't match their business model.

We pay attention, play fairly, and ultimately are here to serve the demands of modelers.  That said, we have yet another N Scale project to announce in the next month or two that is completely tooled, painted, and ready-to-show pre-production samples upon announcement.  It is NOT about who hits the market first - that is completely false.  Rather, who establishes the brand loyalty, dealer network, top-of-mind status and holds value with the modeling population.  We are in business to serve exactly those needs; it's not about worrying who does what or when.

There are a LOT of comments thrown around that are mere assumptions.  Without being in the situation, knowing the numbers, knowing the players, etc., many comments are not even close to the truth.  I ask that you all take everything with a grain of salt...life goes on.  

[tom mann]

 That said, we have yet another N Scale project to announce in the next month or two that is completely tooled, painted, and ready-to-show pre-production samples upon announcement.  

Southern Waffle-side?

 ;D ;D

[GaryHinshaw]

Southern Waffle-side?

 ;D ;D

Nah, he's moving up to the big leagues: a proper BNSF Dash-9 in HII.

[Atlanticflier]

Guys, I am pretty sure that Blaine's accusation was actually that someone saw the next run of Evans hopper cars and leaked the roadnames to Curt who in turn leaked them to the A-board.

bingo - that was the issue commented on, nothing to do with the 64' reefers.  Re-read the A-board post..

[Craig Martyn]

Guys, I am pretty sure that Blaine's accusation was actually that someone saw the next run of Evans hopper cars and leaked the roadnames to Curt who in turn leaked them to the A-board.

bingo - that was the issue commented on, nothing to do with the 64' reefers.  Re-read the A-board post..

Got it.  Unbelievable assumption on his part... 

[cv_acr]

Blaine is just being Blaine... keep in mind this guy posted on a public forum that he had a picture of a car (in regards to ERs latest run of HO NS P-S waffle sides) that proved that there was a prototype instance where the same car number and reporting mark was in two separate schemes concurrently ... yet never posted the picture. nor bothered to respond when called out on that numerous times

I've got a couple pictures of half and half railboxes, where one half of the car has been repainted and the other not.

[Robbman]

Blaine is just being Blaine... keep in mind this guy posted on a public forum that he had a picture of a car (in regards to ERs latest run of HO NS P-S waffle sides) that proved that there was a prototype instance where the same car number and reporting mark was in two separate schemes concurrently ... yet never posted the picture. nor bothered to respond when called out on that numerous times

I've got a couple pictures of half and half railboxes, where one half of the car has been repainted and the other not.

That still ONE car... he was implying there were two separate cars concurrently

[Hyperion]

Blaine is just being Blaine... keep in mind this guy posted on a public forum that he had a picture of a car (in regards to ERs latest run of HO NS P-S waffle sides) that proved that there was a prototype instance where the same car number and reporting mark was in two separate schemes concurrently ... yet never posted the picture. nor bothered to respond when called out on that numerous times

I've got a couple pictures of half and half railboxes, where one half of the car has been repainted and the other not.

That still ONE car... he was implying there were two separate cars concurrently

I'm sure I don't have to tell you that would be an operational impossibility... at least beyond about 1970 with UMLER.  It would take all of about 48 hours for a yardmaster to notice the problem and get it fixed.  There'd be cars on trains that wouldn't be within the system because there were removed and warped across the country (virtually) because it's clone crossed an AEI somewhere else and the system did an inventory correction, yanking it from one train and putting it into another. 

[Robbman]

Blaine is just being Blaine... keep in mind this guy posted on a public forum that he had a picture of a car (in regards to ERs latest run of HO NS P-S waffle sides) that proved that there was a prototype instance where the same car number and reporting mark was in two separate schemes concurrently ... yet never posted the picture. nor bothered to respond when called out on that numerous times

I've got a couple pictures of half and half railboxes, where one half of the car has been repainted and the other not.

That still ONE car... he was implying there were two separate cars concurrently

I'm sure I don't have to tell you that would be an operational impossibility... at least beyond about 1970 with UMLER.  It would take all of about 48 hours for a yardmaster to notice the problem and get it fixed.  There'd be cars on trains that wouldn't be within the system because there were removed and warped across the country (virtually) because it's clone crossed an AEI somewhere else and the system did an inventory correction, yanking it from one train and putting it into another. 

Oh I know... that's what makes it so funny... rather than admit that ER messed up on a road number, he tried to pass that story off.

[ednadolski]

Unbelievable assumption on his part

Well, you know what they say about assuming....

Ed

[havingfuntoo]

My observation was 'ER taking pre-orders', that has not been their style, why change now? Very interestink!!   

[asarge]

EXR has a habit of screwing up numbers. Like the first release of the Waffle Boxes in HO and the latest release of the NS waffle Box w/Sou reporting marks and that's aftera couple of friends of mine actually sent them the correct number series.

That said, I think it's VERY unprofessional for manufacturer's employee's or associates to openly argue with or dish competitors products. They have plenty to worry about with their own company than to start flame wars with competitors. Craig is handling this just right, stating the facts only as it applies to his company.

I also have to wonder why EXR feels they have to rush to be first to have the product. I wonder if they jumbled the new announcements just to get this one out first. With the PS400's we actually sold more EXR models than BLMA's, but I believe the only reason for that is the roadname mix as it applied to our particular customers. Either way Exactrail reminds me of a bunch of kids who haven't gotten past the frathouse stage.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I say BLMA should prove they are honest and let us know their next two years worth anouncments  ;D

Oh well.... lets put it this way, I own 3 cars from ER. I own 2 from BLMA, but have 12 on order. BLMA gets the N scale modeler. ER... not so much.

[bigford]

WOW $25.00 a car is a bit to rich for me,seeing how i would want all 24 :'(

[Denver Road Doug]

I would gladly pay $25/car for the BNSF version.  I'm not sure why the UP was a more attractive market than the BNSF one.

I would say that "obviously the UP is more attractive" since both manufacturers chose this car, but I have a feeling that wasn't just unfortunate coincidence.  I'm sorry, but I don't buy all this "we didn't know" crap.  This is clearly starting to develop into a big pi$$ing contest that may ruin one or both of these great n-scale manufacturers.   How many more dupes are we gonna see from this?  It's kinda getting ridiculous.

There are too many great freight cars available out there that we need, guys.  Get over it.