Micro Trains N February 2022 Releases

[bbussey]

That's all true, but those don't come in those sexy paint schemes. And they have re-tooled the 50' boxcars with better underframes and etched crossover platforms, so I am going to continue to hold out hope.

Better underframes and etched platforms on all the PS-1 models, yes.  Retooled the body to correct the proportions?  No.

It was becoming untenable to continue to have truck-mounted couplers and exaggerated ride height, which forced the underframe decision.  Same with the see-through roofwalks and etched brakewheel platforms.  There hasn't been blowback on the body proportions to the point where they would need to be retooled.  So your best bet is to redecorate the properly-proportioned FVM bodies.  Interestingly, there have been 99 schemes (not counting multiple road numbers) released on the MTL FMC 50' sliding door boxcar over the past 41(!) years (FVM has released 24 schemes in roughly 10 years) and 30 schemes on the FMC 50' double-door boxcar (FVM has released at least 15 schemes) — so FVM has been more prolific on average with the their two models than MTL has been.

Also interestingly, the 40' boxcar model is now riding at the same height as the original models from 50 years ago.  So somewhere along the line during one of the retoolings over the past 50 years, the ride height got raised.  I bought the latest Model Railroader commemorative car in the fall, which is decorated in tribute to the original Kadee special run car from 1973, and they both stand at the same height.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Anyone else having issues with their website? If there a PDF of the announcements available?

[wcfn100]

http://www.micro-trains.com/publicfiles/monthly/MN2202.pdf

Jason

[GonzoCRFan]

so FVM has been more prolific on average with the their two models than MTL has been.

But honestly, what's going on at FVM lately? Being prolific seems like a moot point when they haven't done a boxcar release in what, 5 years?

[Angus Shops]

I’m happy that MT can make a few bucks with it, but prohibition era F units?

[dem34]

But honestly, what's going on at FVM lately? Being prolific seems like a moot point when they haven't done a boxcar release in what, 5 years?

Factory issues similar to that of Intermountain. But it seems that both companies (or atleast the implication I got from the Intermountain booth at Springfield) is that they are probably going to continue partnering up on releases in the near future.

[nkalanaga]

Yes, before they basically stopped releasing anything, FVM announced MILW horizontal ribbed double-door 50 ft cars.  I was hoping to get a few.

[OldEastRR]

[nickelplate759]

By the way, Micro-trains now has photos of the PRR mail train up.  It looks like the baggage cars do indeed have the truck mounting  point moved inward from the ends as they should be - which suggests that they made a new bolster insert for the floor mold.

Link to their photo:

[Maletrain]

By the way, Micro-trains now has photos of the PRR mail train up.  It looks like the baggage cars do indeed have the truck mounting  point moved inward from the ends as they should be - which suggests that they made a new bolster insert for the floor mold.

Link to their photo:

As I have posted before, I would buy a set like this in B&O (provided they put the "Baltimore and Ohio" in the proper place on the letterboards).

But, what I really want is that paired-window baggage coach combine.  The B&O seems to have put one of some sort on just about every through passenger train.

[peteski]

I'd love to buy FVM or Athearn PS-1 50's. Too bad they don't make them any more. Aw, hell, N scale is just a fad, anyway .... put all their production into HO.

Some have been saying this since N scale first appeared back in the '60s, and over half a century later N is still going strong (and no signs of fading, just the opposite).  That sure is a long lasting fad if you ask me. 

I sure hope you wrote your comment in jest.  BTW, is FVM pumping out fresh new products in H0?  I have not really been following FVM (in any scale).

I'm still hoping for another run of their N scale metal wheelsets.  Not only the low-profile wheels were nice, they produced the largest selection of wheel sizes and axle lengths.  Nobody else has done that.

[bbussey]

I'd love to buy FVM or Athearn PS-1 50's. Too bad they don't make them any more. Aw, hell, N scale is just a fad, anyway .... put all their production into HO.

Athearn still produces their PS-1 50’ boxcars. The last sliding door release was in 2020 and the last plug door release was in 2018. The models remain available at multiple dealers, so your comment regarding Athearn is inaccurate.

FVM had been inactive in both scales due to family issues. Production has begun to resume and will become more robust as time progresses.

[OldEastRR]

[bbussey]

I found stock in the first three places I looked. If there’s something you want badly enough, then you need to start searching. However, the point was that there is product available, which refutes your initial statement.

I think you just get pleasure in trolling for some reason, rather than engaging in good faith.

[bbunge]

I can't claim be a fan of car series... but this weekend I did notice some Constellation cars at a show.  As a lifelong amateur astronomer, I found them interesting (but not enough to buy).  Following the link above, I end up on the series page for these cars and realize instead of making a car for each of the 88 constellations, they are doing just the "12" Zodiac constellations.  Having spent decades explaining to people the difference between an astronomer and an astrologer, I say in pure jest that I'm disappointed they don't have a car for the constellation Ophiuchus, which these days is in the zodiac due to something called the Earth's axial precession. 

Bob