Lowell Smith Executive Line Cars

[reinhardtjh]

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).

Well, rats.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

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

True, true, but I'm also lazy enough not to. 

This is one of those many models, like the SD45-2, that, if a nice one were available, I'd be interested in it, but I'm not so enthusiastic about the thing itself that I'd go through the effort to make one myself.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

If I can buy some undec bodies from Lowell, anyone else interested in a group buy?

[reinhardtjh]

If I can buy some undec bodies from Lowell, anyone else interested in a group buy?

I'd go for up to 5 bodies w/roof depending on the cost.  I have no idea what an undec would go for.

[bbussey]

I would check with Joe first to see if the purchase can be made directly from MTL.  It will be far more economical that way.  The tooling belongs to MTL, not Lowell.  MTL has final say on how the tooling is used.  They simply haven't used it for any purpose other than special run items up to this point.

Note that the model was used in the NTrak three-car tribute set for the "James Fitzgerald", so obviously Lowell does not have exclusive usage rights.

[jimmo]

I seriously doubt that Lowell has any undecorated cars since he has no facility for doing any decorating. I think what the lady at MT told John was that all the remaining decorated cars in the run were turned over to Lowell. I'm guessing that they were going to be used for replacement parts.

I could ask in my next email as I am doing some contract work for him.

[Mark5]

Hmmm, ok, maybe time to email MTL requesting that they make these or similar roofs available. They gotta have the tooling, so hopefully its not a deal where they can only be made for Lowell indefinitely.

[jdg]

Lowell replied to me saying that he would like to offer the undec cars but hasn't as of yet.  He didn't say if he had any either.  But told me to keep checking back.  We need this car so if anyone can prod anyone at MT or Lowell along it would be appreciated.

[mmagliaro]

Lowell replied to me saying that he would like to offer the undec cars but hasn't as of yet.  He didn't say if he had any either.  But told me to keep checking back.  We need this car so if anyone can prod anyone at MT or Lowell along it would be appreciated.

I can poke him at the big SP&S show coming up in February.  I can't say it will do any good, but I can poke him.

[reinhardtjh]

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?

Note that the model was used in the NTrak three-car tribute set for the "James Fitzgerald"

Paging Joe... @Shipsure ....  Any chance you can sneak in a couple dozen of these as undecorated shells w/roof when pounding out the new Baggage car?

[bbussey]

Everyone — keep in mind that this is a Micro-Trains product.  Lowell doesn't have any authority to make decisions on selling undecorated models.  A number of you will be in Springfield in two weeks.  Your best option is to speak with Eric at the MTL booth and express that you want to see undec business cars be available for sale.  Selling undecorated/unpainted cars is free money, and MTL will make the model available if there are enough requests.

[Sokramiketes]

Everyone — keep in mind that this is a Micro-Trains product.  Lowell doesn't have any authority to make decisions on selling undecorated models.  A number of you will be in Springfield in two weeks.  Your best option is to speak with Eric at the MTL booth and express that you want to see undec business cars be available for sale.  Selling undecorated/unpainted cars is free money, and MTL will make the model available if there are enough requests.

There's no exclusive agreement for the first couple of years?

[bbussey]

I don't believe so, based on discussions I've had.  Even if that were the case, it's beyond two years now.  Again, the model was used in the NTrak set last year and that set was hatched a year ago in Springfield, so any exclusivity that may have existed no longer does.

[JoeD]

We own the molds and are working on scheduling Proto versions for MTL.

Joe

[Sokramiketes]

I don't believe so, based on discussions I've had.  Even if that were the case, it's beyond two years now.  Again, the model was used in the NTrak set last year and that set was hatched a year ago in Springfield, so any exclusivity that may have existed no longer does.

I guess I just didn't put the same weight behind another special run deal versus standard MTL production.