MTL September 2021 releases

[greenwizard88]

The PRR flatcar with machine load looks nice. I'll take one.

[bbussey]

I remain hopeful that there really is a closed end obs coming- and if it turns out to be a parlor or parlor lounge so much the better, I could use a couple.

I doubt it.  The template for the artwork is the 10-1-2 and they've identified the model with the 141 bodystyle.  They aren't going to tool a model of a one-off prototype.  Most likely the 141 body was the closest in window arrangement.

This still will be a nice-looking set.  The Con-Cor "Alton" version from decades ago was one of the best-looking sets they did.

[CBQ Fan]

I will buy the GM&O set either way. Now to figure out what motive power to pull it with?

[thomasjmdavis]

I doubt it.  The template for the artwork is the 10-1-2 and they've identified the model with the 141 bodystyle.  They aren't going to tool a model of a one-off prototype.  Most likely the 141 body was the closest in window arrangement.

This still will be a nice-looking set.  The Con-Cor "Alton" version from decades ago was one of the best-looking sets they did.

It is definitely a nice-looking set.  I never expected them to do an accurate model of that particular car, but there have been conversations about doing a solarium obs, like the 3-1-lounge  or 10sec-lounge or parlor-lounge cars that Pullman rebuilt with "solarium" enclosed observation ends in the late 30s, and were used through the 1940s and into the 50s on a number of name trains.  And given the couple of business car variations they've done on the observation chassis in addition to the 3-2, there must be some profit to be made in tail end varnish.

[mu26aeh]

Can't wait to see this years Halloween graffiti car(s)

[OldEastRR]

I will buy the GM&O set either way. Now to figure out what motive power to pull it with?

A DL109. Walthers made one in GM&O paint. There may have been an E7 made by somebody in GM&0 paint.

[learmoia]

Lifelike made a PA/PB set for GMO too.

[CBQ Fan]

I was eyeing the Broadway Limited 4-6-2, not sure if they actually pulled passenger cars in this scheme.

[Missaberoad]

Curious about the diner as it's sub-lettered for the Chicago, St Paul, Milwaukee and Omaha but there is no mention of it in the description.  The Omaha didn't merge into the CNW until the 70's being leased by the CNW prior to that.
Jason

Was it a similar situation to the Soo/Wisconsin Central where they were separate entities but had integrated operations and freely mixed equipment?

Fwiw there's a 1954 picture of 543 in Council Bluffs in Vol 1 of the Morning Sun guide...

[Missaberoad]

I was eyeing the Broadway Limited 4-6-2, not sure if they actually pulled passenger cars in this scheme.

Steam definitely coexisted with that scheme...

https://www.american-rails.com/images/35096889408282081530030.jpg

[CBQ Fan]

Steam definitely coexisted with that scheme...

https://www.american-rails.com/images/35096889408282081530030.jpg

Boy did it ever!  Wow, that is a RED tender.

[JoeD]

Howdy.

Maybe you can help us out.  I have searched high and low, attempted to contact the GM&O historical society with no luck and exhausted all my resources.  Do you or anyone have a picture of a standard heavyweight observation/business car in the two tone red scheme?   All I can find are the green ones. Did those run with the red cars or where they later?  Any help would be appreciated.

Joe

The model shown in the ads lettered as the "Chicago" and labeled as "observation car with enclosed platform" is the artwork for the 10-1-2 sleeper that MTL makes ( https://micro-trains.com/image/data/product/2021/2109/2109-141XXXXX-GMO.jpg the 141 near the end there is the 141 carbody- ie the 10-1-2)- so clearly there is some sort of error here. Either (a- and I think most likely), the wrong artwork is shown and the car included is an obs with enclosed platform, (b) the artwork is correct and they used that carbody because they decided the window pattern was closer to Chicago's than the MTL parlor and labeled it as an obs with enclosed end because the real car "Chicago" was rebuilt from an obs by enclosing the end, or (c) it is the wrong artwork and is supposed to be the MTL parlor car.  Hopefully, we will get some clarification before the pre-order deadline.

IIRC, the first site we had of the single window coach was one included in a set - but it was pretty clearly a single window coach as shown in the artwork. 

I remain hopeful that there really is a closed end obs coming- and if it turns out to be a parlor or parlor lounge so much the better, I could use a couple.
Even though I don't model C&NW, I sure remember those trains from my early years.  I think this is great marketing, because these are the ideal additions for those who have recently picked up C&NW bilevels and E units from Kato, or the CNW shorties from Atlas.

[bbussey]

What did Con-Cor use in their set?  Granted it was decades ago and may have been a foob.  But maybe not since technically it was a RivaRossi release in Europe before it was released as the limited edition set under CC in the States.

[bbussey]

No luck on the RivaRossi front. This is from their 1979 catalog. The observation has no markings of any kind.

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CORRECTION — the catalog photo must have been a pre-production sample.  RR used "Chicago" on the obs.

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[nickelplate759]

Wikipedia (of all places) has this to say:

...
By 1905, it provided regular, daily service with six new cars strikingly decorated in three shades of maroon, with gold stenciling, which led to the nickname, "The Red Train." The six-car consist included a RPO car, a combine car, a coach, a diner, and two Pullman parlor cars, one of which was the observation car.[1] The cars were richly appointed, and the Alton Limited was advertised as "The Only Way" and as "The Most Beautiful Train In America!"[2]

The last ten Brooks/ALCO class P-5 Pacific engines were delivered to the C&A in 1913. Two six-car train sets were re-equipped in 1924 at a cost of a million dollars. The "Chicago" observation parlor car included a Japanese tea room and a library, and was 90' long. With its blended red color scheme, it was then billed, "The Handsomest Train In The World."

Gulf, Mobile & Ohio
The Pacific-pulled heavyweight consists were still in operation as late as 1947, though C&A was acquired that year by the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad (GM&O). The GM&O replaced the Pacific engines with diesel-electric engines, and replaced the heavyweight consist with lightweight, streamlined cars from American Car and Foundry. GM&O adopted a variation of the Alton Limited's maroon and red livery for its own streamliners.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alton_Limited