NCS 17-post well cars from JTC Models

[pmpexpress]

Lombard now has them online - posting this because my order was confirmed

Thanks for the heads up.

Lest they disappear in a matter of days, just placed a hedged order for these models and received a confirmation from Lombard.

[spookshow]

Mark, you will learn to trust JTC.  I don't need photos.

It's not a matter of trust - I just need a picture for my encyclopedia entry 

-Mark

[cfritschle]

MB Klein has them available to order.  https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/search?search_query_adv#/filter:custom_scale:N/sort:sortable_date_created:desc/filter:brand:Jacksonville$2520Terminal$2520Company

[Scottl]

Thanks, seem to be lots in stock for now.  Snagged a two-pack of TTX.

[jereising]

MB Klein has them available to order.

Huh!  Six bucks more each and MBK's takes forever shipping vs Lombard's low price and super fast shipping? 

(Pricing is usually a lot closer than that...a new trend?)

[samusi01]

Huh!  Six bucks more each and MBK's takes forever shipping

I can't speak to the price difference but I've found that paying for the faster shipping times results in next day shipping from MBK... a spendy way to reduce their five day pause but for the impatient (like yours truly) it helps a bit.

That said, Lombard got my order. As is usual for an early morning order, had my tracking number in hand before end of day. I do like the customer service there - they've gone above and beyond for me before.

[Englewood]

Even my brick and mortar local hobby shop has a bigger discount than MBK on these cars!

[GaryHinshaw]

I have a question about the 9-post cars that probably applies to these 17-post cars as well, so I'll post it here.  Has anyone successfully removed the outer etched platform, either to replace one of the bent ones, or to service the couplers?  I'm looking to replace the couplers with LEZ's, but I notice a few of my cars shipped with loose coupler pocket screws which allow the factory pocket to swivel.  There is no way to tighten the screw without removing the walkway, and they seem to be clipped in pretty tightly.

Thanks. That's really my only complaint about these cars, which are otherwise outstanding.

[MetroRedLine]

I just bought one from MBK (they had some other items I needed in stock that other retailers didn't). I only needed one to review, I already own a couple of the 9-post NSCs and have a bunch of the Atlas 53' single wells, since I assumed at the time that's all N scalers would ever get in terms of single 53' wells. I REALLY need some 3-unit NSC well car sets; I'm hoping JTC comes out with those at some point.

[jereising]

I have a question about the 9-post cars that probably applies to these 17-post cars as well, so I'll post it here.  Has anyone successfully removed the outer etched platform, either to replace one of the bent ones, or to service the couplers?  I'm looking to replace the couplers with LEZ's, but I notice a few of my cars shipped with loose coupler pocket screws which allow the factory pocket to swivel.  There is no way to tighten the screw without removing the walkway, and they seem to be clipped in pretty tightly.

Thanks. That's really my only complaint about these cars, which are otherwise outstanding.

Gary, they are rather snug.  I needed to do some coupler work on them and gently - ever so gently - pried until they came out.  When you think about it, it's a genius method of mounting.  I'll not worry about the glue letting loose as has happened with almost all the other cars I've had.  It's doable.

Received the 17s late this afternoon - packaging much improved and only one coupler will likely need replacing, looks a little wonky.  Exquisite cars, a real addition to the fleet - BUT: at this price point I expect metal wheels, and they've remained with plastic.  Replaced with Tangent 36".  Tried Intermountain but they were too tight.  REALLY wish FVM would get with the program again... 

[GaryHinshaw]

Thanks Jim.  You must be more patient than me.  I just went for it and for the life of me, I couldn't get one to budge without bending it beyond the point of repair.  (Fortunately I have some spares.)  So, I agree that the etch design is indeed clever, but the decision to screw the coupler box in from above (under the captive etch) is less so.  Basically you can't do any routine service on the couplers without risking unrepairable damage to the etches.   

I'm not sure what I'm going to do about converting these to LEZ's.  I'm going to shelve that project for now and get back to the Kato Maxi-IV conversion. 

[jagged ben]

Well, it figures, I only ordered TTX earlier this week and today I saw this.   



Two numbers off from the one they produced.   

[ednadolski]

Was the prototype of this car ever built as drawbar-connected units?

Ed

[GaryHinshaw]

Yes.  Search for DTTX number series in the range 620xxx and/or RR class NWG30.

[arbomambo]

Just received mine…
They’re beautiful!