September 19 ESMC Boxcar Arrival

[Tom L]

Geeee, the jewel box is too large.  I'll make a note to the factory that the jewel boxes need retooling. 

Don’t forget to make the doors appear to open. You should be tempted to try to open it with your fingernail. WTF?

Tom L.

[Missaberoad]

Better make those wheel flanges bigger also to cope with his (assumed) crappy track work.

They are needed to survive the "Pinky Test"

[bbussey]

Better make those wheel flanges bigger also to cope with his (assumed) crappy track work.

He always can swap in MTL plastic pizza-cutters.  The trucks will take any wheelset with a .504" axle. 

[learmoia]

Geeee, the jewel box is too large.  I'll make a note to the factory that the jewel boxes need retooling. 

They must prefer the Walthers version of the car...

[wazzou]

They must prefer the Walthers version of the car...

Or Life-Like/Bev-Bel or...oh never mind.

[peteski]

Geeee, the jewel box is too large.  I'll make a note to the factory that the jewel boxes need retooling. 

LOL, that is funny!
I suppose the train of thought here is that large box better protects the model during its long trip from the Orient to America.    Or maybe there is only one size box tooled up for all sizes of cars?

But to be perfectly honest, I also prefer compact jewel boxes (but I doubt I would ever complain in a public forum about it).  The more compact the box is, the less storage space the model will use (so I can buy more cars to fit in the same space).    In some extreme examples, I have been known to repackage small cars in large Jewel boxes into small MTL boxes. I trim the original large nests to fit the small box. I know, it is crazy, but that's Peteski for you.

[peteski]

Sigh... This reviewer is what's wrong with N scale... 

@bbussey I enjoy all of my ESM models and hope to get more. Despite the clearly inferior jewel box design 
Don't you know that's what matters, not that true to prototype crap that most people don't know or care about... 

While I agree with some of the statements made in that post/review , the box thing seems a bit strange.  ESM has been using this type of box for quite some time, right?  Hey, if I wrote the review I would have likely commented if the lid was tight and difficult to open.

As for the flanges, as an NTRAK guy, he prefers deeper flanges. I guess we can't fault him for that.

To be honest, taking that review as someone's opinion, I really don't think there is all that much wrong with it. <ducks>

[learmoia]

There used to be this thing called 'modeling' where you could modify your model to suit your specific needs... change couplers, wheels, ect...

~Ian

[learmoia]

Or Life-Like/Bev-Bel or...oh never mind.

I was referring to the prominence that Walthers placed on Jewel Cases as a model feature.

I dont think Walthers released the X72 (if they did I think Walthers used the same Jewel case design as ESM)..

But I'll be curious to see their review of Atlas's $35 release of the same model based on 30 year old tooling I can purchase at train shows for $3 each..

~Ian

[wazzou]

I was referring to the prominence that Walthers placed on Jewel Cases as a model feature.

I dont think Walthers released the X72 (if they did I think Walthers used the same Jewel case design as ESM)..

But I'll be curious to see their review of Atlas's $35 release of the same model based on 30 year old tooling I can purchase at train shows for $3 each..

~Ian

I think most of the Walthers cars I bought with the exception of the Log Flats came in way too large, flimsy cardboard boxes with a clear acetate window.

[bbussey]

LOL, that is funny!
I suppose the train of thought here is that large box better protects the model during its long trip from the Orient to America.    Or maybe there is only one size box tooled up for all sizes of cars?

But to be perfectly honest, I also prefer compact jewel boxes (but I doubt I would ever complain in a public forum about it).  The more compact the box is, the less storage space the model will use (so I can buy more cars to fit in the same space).    In some extreme examples, I have been known to repackage small cars in large Jewel boxes into small MTL boxes. I trim the original large nests to fit the small box. I know, it is crazy, but that's Peteski for you.

Personally, I like the smaller boxes also. But all of those smaller boxes are based on the 50-year-old design that doesn’t fit cars longer than 50’ — or with extended draft gear.

The 6” jewel boxes are stock parts from the contractor. They have an 8” box also, which we use for the mill gondolas. While they are larger, I do like them, and they are perfect for the Made In America kits.

[Chris333]

Heck even if you need a hammer to open them, what does that have to do with the product?

His Atlas code 55 track review: The track was nice, but I found the lack of a center 3rd rail a bit off. 

[peteski]

Heck even if you need a hammer to open them, what does that have to do with the product?

His Atlas code 55 track review: The track was nice, but I found the lack of a center 3rd rail a bit off. 

I think you guys are being unfair to the review and the reviewer.  Remember when I did my technical review of Arnold SW1?  I not only commented the box, I even commented on the instruction sheet.  Nobody complained.  But then again, my comments were mostly positive. I wonder if I strongly disliked something about the box or instructions, would I have been chastised?  I made some positive and negative comments about the design of the model, and again, I was not raked over the coals for it.

Why is Jenna's (George's) review different, and deserving of all these attacks?  When less then stellar comments are made, justifications for them is also presented.  Go figure.  The lynching mob is out full force.  Ease up guys. 

[Chris333]

It just seemed like he made a big deal about the case and not just a mention. Weather or not his other issues were real or not at least they were about the product.

I have a BLI PRR covered hopper that came in a cardboard sleeve and didn't like that. But it's real problem is that it looks like a FVM hopper that was put in a microwave.

[learmoia]

It reads like a bad Amazon review for a product because Amazon didnt ship it to the person fast enough... or the box was dented...

It has nothing to do with the product quality itself ..unless the model arrived damaged due to poor packaging (which I have seen)...

Maybe we should assemble our pitchforks and torches and jump on Trainboard and heckle him.. 

~Ian