New NSE Special Runs - MTL Cars

[Sokramiketes]

I've only been paying attention to graffiti recently, with a project that is waaaaay more modern than usual for me.  So I'm no expert. Someone that has been studying the history will probably be able to share notes.  But when I look at proto photos for inspiration, it seems like keeping it low and putting some weathering over the top is the way to not make it stand out...  The BlairLine laser cut decals seem to be the nicest to work with so far. 

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I still say collectors will buy 75% models or 90% models, but proto guys will buy 90%.  So keep your market larger! 

[dcr1793]

NSE does all of their own artwork.  I suspect in this case that they simply submitted finished Photoshop files to MTL.  This effort isn't horrible, but I agree that MTL set a lofty standard after years of fine-tuning the process.  These offerings still will be popular with the NSE membership.

Correct, artwork was done by the NSE team. While the artwork is fantasy, some of the graffiti is based on prototypes we have photographed. These cars don't have the extra rust and other elements added that you are used to one the later MTL releases. Personally they stand in quite well for the prototype and blend well with the standard MTL weathered released.

Other thing to note is these are done overtop of completed "clean" MTL cars, using extras that were left over.

[dcr1793]

KCS holiday cabooses are still in the plan to produce. As for the bicentennial SD45-2s, unfortunately still waiting on IMRC.

[robertjohndavis]

KCS holiday cabooses are still in the plan to produce. As for the bicentennial SD45-2s, unfortunately still waiting on IMRC.

@dcr1793 Hogtrainz has the SD45-2’s in question back at the top of the reservations page. Does this mean there is an ETA on arrival?

[dcr1793]

I will check and let you know!

[JoeD]

Yeah, these look cheesy compared to previous MTL graffitied models.

I wonder if Atlas let go of very skilled MTL's gaphic artists who could at first duplicate prototype graffiti, superb printed weathering, and later even whip up their own realistic looking graffiti and that these were designed by someone else?

This is special run artwork provided by the client for the NSE.

Joe

[peteski]

This is special run artwork provided by the client for the NSE.

Joe

That confirms the speculations and it makes sense.  Thanks Joe.