MT CP Rail icicle breaker box car is not what it should be.

[craigolio1]

I just picked it up today and shame on me, but I didn’t go to the MT website to see a picture before ordering. On the website it states that the icicle breaking parts are laser cut wood and require assembly and painting.

The car came exactly as they described, but honestly, it’s really disappointing. The parts are as thick as popsicle sticks and even for laser cut wood they could have been done much better with just a bit of cad work.

I’m going to scratch build the parts to make it look good, but I feel like I shouldn’t have to.  I emailed MT to voice my concern but I’m just wondering if my standards are too high. The car was $38 CDN plus 13% tax. Not cheap.

From the MT site:




My car:







Craig.

[mmagliaro]

I don't know anything about these cars, but I looked up some prototype photos, and I agree with you.  The panels are way too thick, and the center of the panel is supposed to be more like an insert with a heavier border around it.  I don't think lasercut wood is a good choice for the parts anyway.  They are very vulnerable to getting broken because of their location.  This is an ideal application for Delrin, which would have the flexibility, even if it were thin, to withstand handling.

[wazzou]

Or laser cut card stock.

[craigolio1]

I don't know anything about these cars, but I looked up some prototype photos, and I agree with you.  The panels are way too thick, and the center of the panel is supposed to be more like an insert with a heavier border around it.  I don't think lasercut wood is a good choice for the parts anyway.  They are very vulnerable to getting broken because of their location.  This is an ideal application for Delrin, which would have the flexibility, even if it were thin, to withstand handling.

Agreed. Now that said MT would have had to tool new injection moulds just for those parts which would have cost $$,$$$, and would have made it impossible to sell it for a reasonable price. But if they are going to include .05c worth of popsicle stick then don’t charge $38. In the quantities they produced they probably could have included photo etch for the same price. Even if I had to paint and assemble that it would feel better.

[craigolio1]

Here’s the prototype.

[cjm413]

Notwithstanding the laser cut icicle breaking parts, the use of a PS-1 with dimensional issues instead of the correct model that is manufactured by Intermountain is a non-starter...

[peteski]

I think that photoetched phosphor bronze would have been ideal for this type of application.  No  new tooling required.

But I think they have in-house laser, while photoetchgin would have to been farmed out.  However, they do have photoetchgin contractor for some of the new parts for their boxcars.

[craigolio1]

Notwithstanding the laser cut icicle breaking parts, the use of a PS-1 with dimensional issues instead of the correct model that is manufactured by Intermountain is a non-starter...

To be honest I don’t know enough about the prototype to recognize the difference, and I’m ok with that as this was more of an impulse just because it’s a cool car. But the laser cut wood parts ruin it for me.

[craigolio1]

I think that photoetched phosphor bronze would have been ideal for this type of application.  No  new tooling required.

But I think they have in-house laser, while photoetchgin would have to been farmed out.  However, they do have photoetchgin contractor for some of the new parts for their boxcars.

Good call Pete. Photo etched would look great and would have cost very little in the quantities they needed as well.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Good call Pete. Photo etched would look great and would have cost very little in the quantities they needed as well.

But I have a feeling that photo etched would've been more difficult for people to assemble.

Frankly, I'm surprised they didn't use the same tech they used for the tie cranes, but you know what? I wouldn't ding them for trying to innovate.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Notwithstanding the laser cut icicle breaking parts, the use of a PS-1 with dimensional issues instead of the correct model that is manufactured by Intermountain is a non-starter...

So you're saying that MTL should've bought cars from IM to make these?

[cjm413]

[mark.hinds]

Notwithstanding the laser cut icicle breaking parts, the use of a PS-1 with dimensional issues instead of the correct model that is manufactured by Intermountain is a non-starter...

IIRC, the Intermountain cars are about 1 scale foot too high, so all is not well there either.  Note this thread for the 1944 AAR variant https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=40058.msg492426#msg492426, and it's the same for the other variants which I own (like 1937 AAR). 

MH

[Ed Kapuscinski]

No.  I'm saying the MTL model is 100% useless.

I'd say that's a bit harsh.

[Point353]

I'd say that's a bit harsh.

It sounds like the typical comments from members of what the LHS owner calls the railroad hysterical society.
When a new model is released in their favorite roadname, they nitpick it to death, don't buy it and then complain that nothing ever seems to get made in that roadname.