MTL Conrail weathered 3-pack

[crencs]

Hey Ed,
Did you see Micro-trains November weathered releases - nothing like getting an X-mas gift early for yourself! 

https://micro-trains.com/index.php?route=product/product&search=weather2211&description=true&product_id=4671

[GonzoCRFan]

Sadly, since MTL decided to include the reflective "moron markings" on these, they are not era appropriate for anyone modeling Conrail.

[Point353]

Sadly, since MTL decided to include the reflective "moron markings" on these, they are not era appropriate for anyone modeling Conrail.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5112889
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4084162
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5799138

[eja]

Guess there really is a prototype for everything!

[garethashenden]

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5112889
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4084162
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5799138

But those pictures are recent. The oldest one is 2012. Conrail was split in 1999. So if you're modeling CSX or Norfolk Southern post 2004 these cars are great. But if you're modeling Conrail in the '80s (or even in the '90s) they're not particularly useful.

[GonzoCRFan]

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5112889
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4084162
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=5799138

And...

Conrail (as most of us know and model it) ceased to exist in 1999. The "moron markings" were not mandated by law until 2005. All 3 of those pics were taken 1-2 decades after CR was split up, and well after the new owners had to comply with the new FRA regulation.

[Point353]

But those pictures are recent. The oldest one is 2012. Conrail was split in 1999. So if you're modeling CSX or Norfolk Southern post 2004 these cars are great. But if you're modeling Conrail in the '80s (or even in the '90s) they're not particularly useful.

And...

Conrail (as most of us know and model it) ceased to exist in 1999. The "moron markings" were not mandated by law until 2005. All 3 of those pics were taken 1-2 decades after CR was split up, and well after the new owners had to comply with the new FRA regulation.

So, given the presence of the conspicuity striping, which places the cars in a certain era, should MTL be more correctly identifying this set of cars as either for NS or CSX - even though they are decorated for Conrail?

[Dave V]

So, given the presence of the conspicuity striping, which places the cars in a certain era, should MTL be more correctly identifying this set of cars as either for NS or CSX - even though they are decorated for Conrail?

Yes.

[ljudice]

Yes.

Given CR is the NS mark they are:   "NS cars with CR reporting marks"

[peteski]

I guess MTL should have produced these with out the reflective stripes.   After all it is much easier to add those using decals than remove the factory printed ones.

[dem34]

I guess MTL should have produced these with out the reflective stripes.   After all it is much easier to add those using decals than remove the factory printed ones.

While true. I do see on a lot younger leaning communities its always a major sticking point when manufacturers exclude them.

[peteski]

While true. I do see on a lot younger leaning communities its always a major sticking point when manufacturers exclude them.

I guess then it is a no-win situation.  Youtz want RTR trains. Who wants to spend time adding things on. 

[dem34]

I guess then it is a no-win situation.  Youtz want RTR trains. Who wants to spend time adding things on. 

Eh if its what the market wants. Thats how it'll be. My personal preference would be if it came without the stripes and the box included a decal sheet.

[peteski]

Eh if its what the market wants. Thats how it'll be. My personal preference would be if it came without the stripes and the box included a decal sheet.

I think, as it happens often in online forums, we are all speculating.  We don't really know what was the real reason MTL decided to model those with the stripes.

[learmoia]

They could release a non weathered (no quality logo) Conrail version and a weathered NS version..  Like they did with the Wood side reefer 8 pack.

~Ian