Lowell Smith Executive Line Cars

[jdg]

I notice on the Lowell Smith Executive Line observation cars, that they are smooth side.  Does anyone know if MicroTrains sells them individually or if they are even available?  I am interested in the Western Pacific and SP&S car.  If I can't find the actual cars I could probably paint them up.  Thanks.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I'm interested in the business car. I think MTL has blanks for cat sides and can die/laser cut windows for special runs. They really should consider running OCS schemes as the Rapido cars seemed to sell very well.

[Nick Lorusso]

Jdg,
I have the WP car that I'd be interested in parting with. Just drop me a PM & we can talk.

[bbussey]

The decorated cars released to date are exclusive to Lowell Smith.  You probably can purchase undecorated parts directly from MTL.

[Sokramiketes]

I'm interested in the business car. I think MTL has blanks for cat sides and can die/laser cut windows for special runs. They really should consider running OCS schemes as the Rapido cars seemed to sell very well.

What leads you to believe they are cutting the window's out of a blank side?  If that was the case, each NS business car would be closer to a prototype I would think, and so far each car released has the same window arrangement.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Mike, I could  be wrong but I thought we covered this when they first came out. As I recall we were trying to determine if the roof was cast resin or styrene.

The NS prototypes are the former CR cars right?

[bbussey]

The entire car is injection-molded plastic, same construction/design as the other heavyweights.  It utilizes most of the components of the standard observation.  The roofs and bodies of both models can be mixed and matched.

It is true that there is very little detail on the business car roof, which can lead one to mistakenly believe that it is a resin casting.  But no, it is injection-molded plastic.

[Spades]

I tried the the search feature, but no love.  I believe Joe/Shipsure posted the a picture here on the Railwire of the business car and mention it was for a third party.  The only variations I can see on the Lowell Cars are paint and choice of roof.

G   

[up1950s]

Not all in that Exective Line are smooth sided http://lowellsmith.net/product-category/n-scale/the-executive-line/

[Sokramiketes]

Not all in that Exective Line are smooth sided http://lowellsmith.net/product-category/n-scale/the-executive-line/

Right...  some are the standard MTL observation.

There are 4 parts that can be mixed and matched:
1) Standard MTL heavyweight observation car body with rivets
2) Lowell Smith exclusive smooth side business car body, welded with thermopane windows
3) Standard MTL heavyweight roof
4) Lowell Smith exclusive semi-streamlined smooth roof. 

Mixing these parts gives the appearance of a complicated line... but there are only two bodies and two roofs.

[bbussey]

I don't have any business car bodies on hand, but I have some roofs.  Here are comparison pics between the standard obs roof and what MTL calls the "full radius" roof that is used for the business cars.  On the "common" areas of the two roofs, the relief is similar but not exact.  There are no vents on top of the business car roof.  On the added areas of the new roof, there is no relief, just smooth surface.  One other difference between the two parts is that the porch overhang on the obs end is slightly different, so the porch roof inset pieces are different as well.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I wish he'd do this:
http://thecrhs.org/Images/CR-4-Horseshoe-Curve-PA-5281978

I don't have an interest in the full OCS. But, a single car? That's a horse of a different color (blue, instead of green).

[bbussey]

You're more than talented enough to paint/decal that on your own, at far less cost to your wallet.

[jdg]

Talked to MicroTrains today and the lady told me that all of the parts have been turned over to Lowell and they do not keep any in stock (bodies or roofs).

[Nick Lorusso]

JDG,
Did you get my email?