UPDATE: The weight for the model will be a brass slab nestled between the crossbars of the Micro-Trains stirrups. A etched brass faux floor will sit on top to provide relief detail as well as hide the weight and stirrup parts without adding additional non-prototypical floor height — an important consideration, given the nature of the prototype design. The preliminary artwork for the etchings has been completed.
The steel floor with the rivet detail is for the ACL version, while the wood floor is for the MEC version. As with the other railroad-specific detail parts, both floors will be included in the kit so that the modeler will be able to tailor the model for any of the railroads. While it would have been nifty to have a true laser-cut wood deck for the MEC version, the end result would be too thick for the current design, and the added cost would be unwelcome.
The deco artwork is for the most part complete as well.
It still must be arranged to fit on a 5" x 1½" sheet and have additional road numbers added for the final decal layout before being shipped off to Microscale, but the creative work is done. For the later era schemes, the ACI plates will not be included, as the blue would be an extra print hit and there are other sources for them. The consolidated stencils and the wheel inspection dots will be included if they fit on the sheet, but there are other sources for them as well if they don't fit. The layout actually is 3-up on a standard Microscale sheet, and the decals will be cut in a paper-cutter for the final component. The yield will be far greater than what will be used. But by providing digital complete artwork, the unit price is ridiculously low enough for the excess to be absorbed into the project cost.
The above graphic will be utilized in the online instructions to aid in decal placement. A template of the stamped corrugated end was used to create the artwork, regardless of what the prototype featured. A template for the flat end remains to be drawn for use in the assembly instructions.
The paper insert for the box also has been completed.
The QR barcode leads to the Made In America product page. The oval is the location guide for the Micro-Trains gold foil sticker, the presence of which allows for an additional discount off the cost of the coupler parts. The gray crosses are cut lines, while the gray vertical bars are score lines for the folds.
The inserts are printed 4-up and then cut and scored at the printing house. This process is the same for all ESM products marketed in a clear plastic box, regardless if for mass-market distribution or for limited direct-only sale.
Stages remaining:
• Rendering of rubber molds of ProJet master — in progress
• Rendering of polyurethane resin castings from rubber molds — in progress
• Procurement of OEM parts (trucks, couplers, body details, decals)
• Milling of brass floors
• Etching of the brass floor tops and brakebox
• Die-cutting of foam nests
• Printing of paper inserts
• Writing the online assembly instructions
Duration of project to date in actual time: 54 weeks
Total man-hours invested to date: 45
Total material cost expended to date: $307
Projected unit MSRP based on current material cost: $7.67
