Annual MTL Body Style Hunt.

[Doug W]

How about these quad hoppers http://appalachianrailroadmodeling.com/protophotos/ble100thopperalbion.jpg
with the taller slope sheet. Another car would be a good 1970's Thrall high side gondola. Or a Pipe gondola http://www.kahndog.com/Photogallery/12-2007/7A-08-Neg-PLE-longcar46104G.jpg

I'd like to back up the suggestion of a 70s-era Bethlehem 100 ton quad hopper car. This is a very distinctive car, with slope sheets that run right to the top of the ends. Large numbers ran (and still run) for a wide range of railroads, in a wide range of interesting paint schemes, which even include a bicentennial scheme (see http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=361793).

This car is very important for CSX modelers and modelers of its Seaboard System, L&N and Clinchfield predecessors. It made up 44% of Clinchfield's hopper fleet in 1981, with 2000 cars in two paint schemes and three classes (see http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1457119). L&N had 5000 by 1978, and added more after that, with at least four different paint schemes, including the well-known all orange scheme (see http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1139201 ). Around 9000 ended up on the CSX roster in a range of paint schemes.

Other railroads with similar cars include ARR, B&LE, DT&I, ICG/IC, UP (which had 6000) and WC, but I’m sure that there are others, so there is plenty of opportunity for Micro-Trains paint scheme variations and runner packs.

Doug

[sirenwerks]

I'd like to add to my list a 55-ton Canton Car Co. hopper and ARA 70-ton hopper and, more importantly, a two-bay version (with the end flat panels).

GATC steel meat reefer - hinged and plug door versions
Early (50s-60s era) welded frameless tank car - jacketed and unjacketed end versions
Early 40' mechanical reefer
Early 89' channel side flat
1955-era GAEX/Evans DF sliding door box car (with overhanging roof and mid panel horizontal car-length rivet line)
That SP-prototype riveted, end brake wheel flat you had spoken about last year
Upgraded helium car
GATX boxcar
AAR 40-ish' steel gondola
Upgraded two-bay Airslide
Mid-century carbon black car

[JoeD]

Humm...what do I get out of this exercise?

A number of things.  While I many not be able to use the majority of suggestions for any number of reasons, it still gives me an idea of trend lines in the hobby.  It's pretty fluid out there and our tastes evolve as new products come to the market.  This forum is pretty focused and I get the fact that it is East Coast Focused with a few of us west coast cronics haunting the place...but it's not an insignifcant market.  We have our guidlines for doing new body styles, but I have been able to massage that a bit in the past when I see something that really stands out. I'm not opposed to a car that rarely made it west of the Mississippi...I think the latest 60' auto parts car kinda fits that bill in a way.  I get a number of leads as well...some cars may not work out but they lead me to others that may.   Model Detective work I guess.    And while I may not choose many of the body styles suggested, I also get great information on paint schemes and roads that we can do in the future.  The last thing I get out of this exercise is being able to let you guys be part of the process.  For so long, MTL was pretty cloistered about what and how it did things.  When I came on 11 years ago, I worked to open us up and move away from old paradigms.  I've tried to address concerns and give as much support as possible, and doing surveys like this gives me a better read on where I can do the most good.  And while some may get a chuckle out of the 11 pages here, and I do too sometimes  ...I really appreciate his and everyone's input and willingness to take the time and make thoughtful suggestions.   The more you ask, the more you learn.

I have to say I agree about questioning what Joe gets out of this.   Seems like few, if any, ideas presented in these threads over the years ever reach production (which is to be expected) and I don't think anything that isn't on the "Top 100" list, with a few exceptions.   There's a pretty well defined list of cars and locos that are "needed" and I assume that manufacturers have a more refined version with market data and some extrapolation from HO releases.  I mean, it's fun, but I'm not sure this is much more than a recreational poll.  I guess it might provide some reinforcement of market data and if that's the case then we should be happy to provide that feedback.

I will say that maybe the reason you don't see everyone picking the same is that we automatically filter out previous suggestions.  I know that most of the stuff that Gary H., James C., and a few others have on their lists are also things I would want but don't always request.

Also, I would say that MTL already has some tooling that could be done in multiple liveries (or more road numbers) but weirdly it seems new tooling gets more focus.

[VonRyan]

Humm...what do I get out of this exercise?

A number of things.  While I many not be able to use the majority of suggestions for any number of reasons, it still gives me an idea of trend lines in the hobby.  It's pretty fluid out there and our tastes evolve as new products come to the market.  This forum is pretty focused and I get the fact that it is East Coast Focused with a few of us west coast cronics haunting the place...but it's not an insignifcant market.  We have our guidlines for doing new body styles, but I have been able to massage that a bit in the past when I see something that really stands out. I'm not opposed to a car that rarely made it west of the Mississippi...I think the latest 60' auto parts car kinda fits that bill in a way.  I get a number of leads as well...some cars may not work out but they lead me to others that may.   Model Detective work I guess.    And while I may not choose many of the body styles suggested, I also get great information on paint schemes and roads that we can do in the future.  The last thing I get out of this exercise is being able to let you guys be part of the process.  For so long, MTL was pretty cloistered about what and how it did things.  When I came on 11 years ago, I worked to open us up and move away from old paradigms.  I've tried to address concerns and give as much support as possible, and doing surveys like this gives me a better read on where I can do the most good.  And while some may get a chuckle out of the 11 pages here, and I do too sometimes  ...I really appreciate his and everyone's input and willingness to take the time and make thoughtful suggestions.   The more you ask, the more you learn.

And this is why we appreciate Joe. 

...He realizes that East is the Best when compared to West. 



-Cody F.

[pjm20]

And this is why we appreciate Joe....He realizes that East is the Best when compared to West. 

-Cody F.

Hear, Hear! We should really make a poll out of this. 

[CBQ Fan]

Joe totally rocks in my opinion!

[lock4244]

My vote goes to this:

http://freight.railfan.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cp505762&o=cprail

[PAL_Houston]

And this is why we appreciate Joe. 

...He realizes that East is the Best when compared to West. 



-Cody F.

Actually, he did not say that. 
What he said was that you are "not insignificant".
You are, however, welcome to take that as a compliment if you so choose.   

[peteski]

Thanks for the answer Joe.

[JMaurer1]

I work for the state and I would be more than happy to be told that I'm 'not insignificant'. Joe...thanks for all you do and for trying to allow us to be 'not insignificant'.

BTW, put me down for a 2 or 6 dome tank car as well.

[VonRyan]

Actually, he did not say that. 
What he said was that you are "not insignificant".
You are, however, welcome to take that as a compliment if you so choose.   

He just is too shy to admit that he realizes it... 


-Cody F.

[towl1996]

I get the fact that it is East Coast Focused

So, you're sayin' the X23 is a lock... Here's a little background info. http://prr.railfan.net/freight/classpage.html?class=X23.  This is a perfect car for MT, unique and can be foobied to death and no one else will care because its so cool. Plus it could lead to a K7 and an NX23. I can hear the cash registers ringing now.

[Norway2112]

I agree with Brian, I would love to see some Heavyweight passenger trucks with roller bearings.  So many of these cars were converted over when modernized to extend their service life.  You don't have to make the whole car, just some trucks I can put under my kitbashed cars!  Preferably the commonwealth standard 6-wheel trucks without the outside sway stabilizers.

Phillip

[jmlaboda - RIP]

" Preferably the commonwealth standard 6-wheel trucks without the outside sway stabilizers."

That is the Type 242 trucks that I mentioned.

[JoeD]

If I did the X23 then someone on this forum would have to be in-charge of keeping Bryan locked up when I did a foobie. 

So, you're sayin' the X23 is a lock... Here's a little background info. http://prr.railfan.net/freight/classpage.html?class=X23.  This is a perfect car for MT, unique and can be foobied to death and no one else will care because its so cool. Plus it could lead to a K7 and an NX23. I can hear the cash registers ringing now.