July MTL releases

[peteski]

Oh no. I'm afraid of the day that MTL realizes they can make way now money making PPE than model trains and Life-Like's us.

Neah, Lifoam Industries (parent of Life-Like) was making Styrofoam coolers and other products years before they got into model trains.  I believe they still do.

As for MTL, it was a very smart move for them to get into a sideline of making PPE items. That likely allowed them to stay open when other non-esential business were ordered to close.

[Maletrain]

Glad to see the single window coach in Erie paint!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Neah, Lifoam Industries (parent of Life-Like) was making Styrofoam coolers and other products years before they got into model trains.  I believe they still do.

As for MTL, it was a very smart move for them to get into a sideline of making PPE items. That likely allowed them to stay open when other non-esential business were ordered to close.

Incorrect. Lifoam came about after a Life-Like company party where they saw guys using upside foam tunnels as makeshift coolers.

[bman]

Just as I was scouring the web for leftover PRR or PC covered hoppers to purchase, strip and paint CR Microtrains announces one. Procrastination pays off. I haven't seen this particular car listed on the undec page on Microtrains web page. Wonder why? Might as well try the ear savers too. Masks and my awsome untamed chin locks are a challenge and my ears pay the price.

[davefoxx]

Incorrect. Lifoam came about after a Life-Like company party where they saw guys using upside foam tunnels as makeshift coolers.

I don't know if this is accurate or not, but it's damn funny!

DFF

[Point353]

Just as I was scouring the web for leftover PRR or PC covered hoppers to purchase, strip and paint CR Microtrains announces one. Procrastination pays off. I haven't seen this particular car listed on the undec page on Microtrains web page. Wonder why?

It was released in undec close to 25 years ago.
There is one listed for sale here: http://nelsonsnscale.com/ItemsForSale.htm

[peteski]

Incorrect. Lifoam came about after a Life-Like company party where they saw guys using upside foam tunnels as makeshift coolers.

Looks like I did get it backwards. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life-Like quote:
The Kramer brothers sold tunnels for toy train layouts as part of their Life-Like line. The original supplier was making the tunnels from papier mache, but was unable to deliver on a consistent basis. At the same time, they learned about a German manufacturing process to mold expanded polystyrene foam into shapes that could later be painted and decorated. They imported the technology and began making tunnels out of the polystyrene foam. According to son Jay Kramer, workers at the factory discovered the insulating properties of the foam tunnels could be used to keep their lunches hot or cold. Soon after, the company began producing foam ice chest coolers under the Lifoam name in 1954.
. . .
The Kramer family sold the business to private interests in 2000. Lou Kramer passed away in 2003, followed by his brother Sol in 2013. In 2005, the parent company Lifoam Industries, LLC, chose to concentrate on its core manufacturing business and sold the model railroad division to Walthers.

[Englewood]

Whew, nothing for me. Everyone else is going to make July very expensive for me. But MT will get my boxcar money in August.

[MetroRedLine]

TBOX's in August! 

AAAAAGH, I've been waiting for these all year! Was hoping to see these this month, but at least we know when they'll finally be out.

[keeper]

The Christmas train is funny.

[John]

I'm seriously thinking of ordering customized face shields for my dental office!  So cool they're doing this.  Face shields have been hard to come by.

I received my ear savers .. they look good .. 

[John]

http://play.lifoam.com/lifoam/


1950's
Lifoam begins as a part of Life-Like Products, founded in Hunt Valley, MD, In 1954.
1953
Color television is broadcast for the first time, giving Americans a whole new way to experience their favorite television programs.
1954
The first Newport Jazz Festival, one of America’s many classic summertime outdoor events, is held in Newport, Rhode Island.
1955
The American fast food staple, McDonald's, is started by Ray Kroc.
1960's
The world’s first EPS foam cooler is invented and sold by Life-Like Products under the Lifoam trademark.
1964
The Beatles craze begins when the band comes to the United States for the first time.
1964
The cassette tape is introduced to the United States, giving music lovers a new way to experience their favorite songs.
1969
The famous first Woodstock Music & Art Fair is held in Bethel, New York.
1970's
Life-Like Products purchases Varney, Inc. and begins producing and selling their model train line.
1971
Outdoor fun reaches a new level for Americans as Disney World opens.
1977
Stars Wars opens in theaters and its long-standing popularity begins.
1979
Sony releases The Walkman, making music portable so it can be brought to the park, the beach, or around the block.
1980's
Lifoam is moved from Keller, TX to one of its current locations in Waxahachie, TX.
1980
Pac-Man is released and arcades are in their golden age.
1982
Disney opens EPCOT, giving America yet another way to enjoy outdoor fun.
1989
The Nintendo Game Boy portable video game system is released, making all the fun of video games portable enough to bring with you on any trip or vacation.
1990's
Like-Like Products begins selling Wacky Noodles, amping up pool fun.
1990
Tim Berners-Lee invents the World Wide Web, connecting us all like never before.
1991
The first Lollapalooza is held as a touring festival.
1999
Napster is created, connecting music lovers in a new way.
Early 2000's
2005,
Life-Like Products officially becomes Lifoam Industries, LLC and decides to focus on selling temperature-control solutions and therefore sells their model train operations to Wm. K. Wathers.
The commitment the company had always had to providing temperature-control solutions became even stronger, as did the passion to play a big part in facilitating American outdoor fun.
The first round cooler is invented. Three men, Mike K., Ike N. and Buddy L., were fishing in south Texas. They were using a square cooler to hold the minnows they were using for bait, but the minnows kept beating their heads against the walls because they only swim in circles. One of the men, Mike K., had an idea. He put a styrofoam lining in a round glass jug. And the round cooler was born.
2004
Google is introduced to the public, transforming the Information Age.
2006
The first Pitchfork Music Festival is held in Chicago, Illinois, continuing the tradition of American outdoor fun.
2007
The first iPhone is released, connecting people in a fresh way.
2010 to Today
2010
Lifoam develops and sells its first line of soft-sided coolers.
2012
Lifoam becomes a division of Jarden Corporation.
2012
Siri functionality becomes standard on the iPhone, helping people get answers to all their questions faster.
2015
Riot Fest celebrates 10 years, showing how festivals are integral to American outdoor fun.
2015
Water is discovered on Mars, causing us all to look to the future with wonder.
2016
Lifoam becomes part of Newell Brands, and remains committed to temperature-control solutions and outdoor fun.

[RockGp40]

Curious that they chose to do the ROCX 90 ton hopper. There were very few of those cars AND Atlas did this car years ago. They occasionally show up on an auction website.

Stoked for the TBOXs though.

Edit. Yup, Atlas Trainman #50 000 321 #15100 released February 2010. Pick a different number @Shipsure other than this one or #15249. Please!

[wazzou]

Neah, Lifoam Industries (parent of Life-Like) was making Styrofoam coolers and other products years before they got into model trains.  I believe they still do.

I’ve been in public restrooms and noticed the name Life-Like on bathroom partitions and wondered if they were one in the same.

[Mark5]

Erie and N&W coaches, two roads people here have been asking for.  Nice.

Good news for me, for one.