Micro Trains May 2022 Releases

[GonzoCRFan]

Since nobody has thrown this up yet:

https://www.nscalesupply.com/mtl/mtl-new2205.html

Intrigued by those truck frame flats, especially if they come with the appropriate equipment boxes and details.

[mu26aeh]

Somewhat related, but off track, hey @MTLJoe , here's a reference photo for a future weathered release for the CSX 4650 hopper (was looking up the SBD announced)

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2722385

[basementcalling]

Speaking of Chessie/CSX, I find it curious that CSX and predecessor roads are getting so much love from MTL while the CSX Family Tree series is running, especially the last couple months. Seems like every month lately has a family tree release (as planned) along with a couple other releases like this month's bulkhead flat, or the L&N hopper a couple months ago that could also have been in the family tree series.

It's almost enough CSX to be confusing.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I like that PC Box. Unassuming, but well done.

And depending on what the UMTRR says, that ATSF car might be tempting too.

I LOVE that they're doing the truck frames and flats for them.

Here they are getting tossed around in Reading.

[pedro]

Anyone have any insight into the earliest approximate shipping of stacked auto frames as depicted by MT here? I’m pretty sure I’ve seen pics of these in gondolas too. Might have to pick up a few of these if I could stretch the plausible date back to the early 70s or so. Thinking brown TT flats or gondola loads. Thoughts?

[thomasjmdavis]

I guess my 1955 era, passenger-heavy model railroad will have to look elsewhere for new rolling stock this month. On the bright side, I guess I can set the budget aside to pay for the atomic cannon flatcar set when it arrives at the end of the year.

 "Combine" ... or better yet... "This is not to say when I do a combine it won't be a Santa Fe proto.." ...'nuff said.

[GonzoCRFan]

Anyone have any insight into the earliest approximate shipping of stacked auto frames as depicted by MT here? I’m pretty sure I’ve seen pics of these in gondolas too. Might have to pick up a few of these if I could stretch the plausible date back to the early 70s or so. Thinking brown TT flats or gondola loads. Thoughts?

The FTTX reporting mark for dedicated vehicle-frame flats looks like it was first used in 10/1964, but they would almost certainly be on brown flats in that era.

[Cajonpassfan]

I guess my 1955 era, passenger-heavy model railroad will have to look elsewhere for new rolling stock this month. On the bright side, I guess I can set the budget aside to pay for the atomic cannon flatcar set when it arrives at the end of the year.

 "Combine" ... or better yet... "This is not to say when I do a combine it won't be a Santa Fe proto.." ...'nuff said.

You and I both, Tom @thomasjmdavis. Or we can spend our money collecting all those silly fantasy paint jobs
Otto

[JMaurer1]

Same here...model the 1950's and other than getting my pre-ordered Southern Pacific pulpwood cars, there's nothing for me here.

BTW: how about re-running the MT pulpwood loads again so we have some for the new cars?

[pedro]

The FTTX reporting mark for dedicated vehicle-frame flats looks like it was first used in 10/1964, but they would almost certainly be on brown flats in that era.

Good enough to order some loads, thanks for that info. Also after thinking about it, I think the frame loads in gondolas I remember seeing were “slant loaded,” for lack of a better term.

[Mark5]

I like that PC Box. Unassuming, but well done.

Likewise - very tempting that PC box.

Direct MTL link to May's releases: https://www.micro-trains.com/archives/mediakit/medkit2205.html

[mrp]

Anyone have any insight into the earliest approximate shipping of stacked auto frames as depicted by MT here? I’m pretty sure I’ve seen pics of these in gondolas too. Might have to pick up a few of these if I could stretch the plausible date back to the early 70s or so. Thinking brown TT flats or gondola loads. Thoughts?

Auto frames are covered briefly in Jeff Wilson’s book on the auto industry. According to this, the first use of stacked auto and truck frames on flats occurs 1963-1964, and was on 60’ flat cars with FTTX reporting marks. These were soon superseded by 89 foot cars, and by the early 1970’s the original 60’ cars had been reassigned. He doesn’t mention paint schemes, but the yellow doesn’t come in until sometime in 1970.

Finding photos for the frame cars in the red scheme has been a challenge. So far, no luck. But they will likely shake loose now.

I am in the middle of adding 9 of these cars to my layout. Six are 89’ cars and 3 are 60’ cars. They are a mix of cars with frame loads and empties (cradles only). The frames and cradles are from a Shapeways vendor named Deeper N scale. They look a lot like the MicroTrains loads.

The main challenge with the cars is rebuilding the decks and fashioning tie downs (BLMA lift rings). Expect a lot of sanding and filing if you go this route. My guess is the Micro Trains kit will include a deck of some sort, but don’t really know. Instead of chains, I used EZ line from Berkshire Junction.

Lack of photos meant I had to make some guesses as to road numbers, lettering, cradle color, etc. I would have preferred some photos to go by, but am in the midst of adding a large auto plant to the layout and just need to get on with it.

Photo below. The loaded car is a Micro Trains car. The cradles only in from N scale kits.

[tom mann]

I alway wanted auto/truck frames. I remember seeing tons of flatcars with them around the AOSmith plant in Milwaukee as a kid.

http://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/featured/reggie-jackson-reflecting-on-the-a-o-smith-backstory-with-eyes-open-to-a-community-in-need/

[Ngineer]

I like that PC Box. Unassuming, but well done.

And depending on what the UMTRR says, that ATSF car might be tempting too.

Did you already get the May 2022 issue?

   Frank