MTL single window coach looks like a winner

[learmoia]

Yes, I did get to fondle that model and (while I'm not expert on heavyweight cars, or their accuracy) it looked really good.  Same quality as the other MTL heavyweight cars.

The 4-wheel trucks are also new item. Those looked a bit featureless and the surface, but that is probably prototypical, and I also didn't care for their shiny black surface.  If MTL were to sandblast the mold to get a nice satin finish (or whatever needs to be done to get rid of the glossy finish), those trucks IMO would look much better. Actually that goes for all the MTL trucks which have very shiny finish. Before someone mentions it, painting the slipper plastic is not a good solution (paint will rub off rather easily).  Besides, it would be good not to have to do anything to them.

Has anyone tried air erasing a Micro-Trains truck for a similar effect?

[Lemosteam]

Has anyone tried air erasing a Micro-Trains truck for a similar effect?

Was thinking same- if for no other reason than to have a surface for paint to adhere.

[Gozer the Gozerian]

Yes, I did get to fondle that model and (while I'm not expert on heavyweight cars, or their accuracy) it looked really good.  Same quality as the other MTL heavyweight cars.

The 4-wheel trucks are also new item. Those looked a bit featureless and the surface, but that is probably prototypical, and I also didn't care for their shiny black surface.  If MTL were to sandblast the mold to get a nice satin finish (or whatever needs to be done to get rid of the glossy finish), those trucks IMO would look much better. Actually that goes for all the MTL trucks which have very shiny finish. Before someone mentions it, painting the slipper plastic is not a good solution (paint will rub off rather easily).  Besides, it would be good not to have to do anything to them.

one of the first things I looked at was roughing up the surface of the trucks.  I even tried to produce them in styrene or ABS, but because of the detail and having pebbled or matte surfaces makes ejecting them impossible.  You can have a flat surface as long as it is at or near the horizontal plan of the shot...on the sides it causes it to stick.   Bead blasting afterwards is not economically feasible. 

[mmagliaro]

Woo hoo... SP&S #270 - #276, built in 1915, and survived into the early 1950s !  (actually went later than that, but some were modified, or turned into X-xxx cars.)  I could put 6-wheel trucks on the undec and reletter.   Or.. here's to hoping that Lowell Smith takes the ball and runs with these to make SP&S versions.

[Lemosteam]

one of the first things I looked at was roughing up the surface of the trucks.  I even tried to produce them in styrene or ABS, but because of the detail and having pebbled or matte surfaces makes ejecting them impossible.  You can have a flat surface as long as it is at or near the horizontal plan of the shot...on the sides it causes it to stick.   Bead blasting afterwards is not economically feasible.

@Shipsure , did you end up tooling two holes in each end for the 2 vs. 3 axle trucks?

[Point353]

The 4-wheel trucks are also new item. Those looked a bit featureless and the surface, but that is probably prototypical, and I also didn't care for their shiny black surface.  If MTL were to sandblast the mold to get a nice satin finish (or whatever needs to be done to get rid of the glossy finish), those trucks IMO would look much better. Actually that goes for all the MTL trucks which have very shiny finish. Before someone mentions it, painting the slipper plastic is not a good solution (paint will rub off rather easily).  Besides, it would be good not to have to do anything to them.

This outfit sells a fountain pen in matte black Delrin: http://karaskustoms.com/signature-pens/decograph-delrin-black-std.html
Wonder if the plastic material is matte black or if the finish is the result of some operation after molding?

[dougnelson]

That's why never say never, however for it to be correct you will need to model PRR Lines West between early 1960s and 1968, give or take until PC repainted the car.

[thomasjmdavis]

That's why never say never, however for it to be correct you will need to model PRR Lines West between early 1960s and 1968, give or take until PC repainted the car.

Yes, but then, the time frame was determined by the lettering scheme.  It is to MT credit that they found a similar prototype for the car (or I assume 2 or more similar prototypes, as theirs is numbered 1301 and the photo is 1300). 

And I personally want to thank @Missaberoad  for posting that photo before I put my foot in my mouth with an "authoritative" statement that PRR never owned such a thing.  And I am hoping I never said there was no such thing as a PAIRED window NYC coach- because there were, actually, quite a few (even without counting converted parlor cars).

Does anyone know the history of these cars and how they came to be in PRR paint? 

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Yes, I did get to fondle that model and (while I'm not expert on heavyweight cars, or their accuracy) it looked really good.  Same quality as the other MTL heavyweight cars.

The 4-wheel trucks are also new item. Those looked a bit featureless and the surface, but that is probably prototypical, and I also didn't care for their shiny black surface.  If MTL were to sandblast the mold to get a nice satin finish (or whatever needs to be done to get rid of the glossy finish), those trucks IMO would look much better. Actually that goes for all the MTL trucks which have very shiny finish. Before someone mentions it, painting the slipper plastic is not a good solution (paint will rub off rather easily).  Besides, it would be good not to have to do anything to them.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007UAXJQ
Dupli-Color Adhesion Promoter
Clears to a dull flat surface in most conditions. Won't crack or rub off easily. Use it by itself, or as a base coat for further weathering.

[Mark5]

I *think* 1300 is a former N&W car.

N&W PG Class, probably N&W #1650, which was sold to PRR January 28, 1964.

Need MTL to release the N&W PG schemes on this car (they have the info). 

Mark

[dougnelson]

Yes, credit to MTL for finding a prototype photo on which to base their car.  In no way am I criticizing MTL regarding this car.  Only providing information so people can be informed.  Although this is not a foob, I completely support Thomas Kincade, Halloween, dead presidents, and other assorted foob cars as they support the company and allows them to provide the prototypically correct stuff we crave. 

[garethashenden]

This outfit sells a fountain pen in matte black Delrin: http://karaskustoms.com/signature-pens/decograph-delrin-black-std.html
Wonder if the plastic material is matte black or if the finish is the result of some operation after molding?

Pretty sure that’s machined from rod, rather than molded.

[thomasjmdavis]

Yes, credit to MTL for finding a prototype photo on which to base their car.  In no way am I criticizing MTL regarding this car.  Only providing information so people can be informed.  Although this is not a foob, I completely support Thomas Kincade, Halloween, dead presidents, and other assorted foob cars as they support the company and allows them to provide the prototypically correct stuff we crave.

Doug, I did not mean my previous comment to be critical of what you said, just wanted to point out that, given the late PRR paint scheme that MT has been using on several offerings recently.  I should have worded my comment better.

I've started using the term "representation" for situations like this PRR car where a manufacturer markets a car that is "close"- that is, the product is not an accurate model of the N&W/PRR prototype, but one where the manufacturer has used an accurate paint scheme on the closest available model in their product line.  As is the case of many of the MT cars, while not 100% accurate, it is likely only noticeable to a few people with relatively high degree of expertise on the cars of a particular railroad.  Anyway, most of the MT choices are a big step up from "foobies"- even when not 100% accurate.

For myself, I will use the car for Erie and L&N consists, and may even do one for Grand Trunk Western (in the early 50s, GTW bought several single window coaches from C&O)- which reminds me I need to search through my collection of Semaphores (the magazine) to find the article on those cars. 

[peteski]

one of the first things I looked at was roughing up the surface of the trucks.  I even tried to produce them in styrene or ABS, but because of the detail and having pebbled or matte surfaces makes ejecting them impossible.  You can have a flat surface as long as it is at or near the horizontal plan of the shot...on the sides it causes it to stick.   Bead blasting afterwards is not economically feasible.

Interesting.  Thanks for the explanation.  However I have observed many examples of N scale trucks (likely in multiple types of plastic) which have much duller looking surfaces than what MTL tricks look like.  Obviously I don't know how they accomplish that, but is seems to be quite possible.  They are not totally satin finish, but also not mirror-smooth like MTL trucks.  They are sort of in-between.  Anybody who owns models from several manufacturers can easily observe the difference in the glossiness.



Daniel, the adhesion promoter coating might help on POM plastic (Delrin, Celcon, etc.)  a bit, but I really don't see it being anywhere as good as sandblasting the surface before painting. POM is very, very slick.

As I understand, adhesion promoter is mainly used in the automotive industry for painting urethane body parts (bumpers and such).  In that application it really makes a difference.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Grab the NYC instead of the Pennsy, since it’s prototypically accurate.

NEVER! lol This is a Pennsy household.