I've seen mention of Micro-Trains new releases and this time they've included pairs of their disconnect log car trucks. I've collected all their log cars and they make a nice drag behind my Atlas Shay on a little logging layout I put together. I wouldn't mind having a few of the trucks to pull back up the hill as empties and use as detail in the scene, but they've priced them at over $17 a pair. I'm not sure I ever paid that much for one of their complete log cars with a load. I'm also curious about the MOW wreck crane they said is Bachmann tooling. I have the original Bachmann and I put MT trucks under it. Are the new models from MTL going to have a set of their own trucks or are they going to adapt their coupler to the Bachmann truck?
I'm looking forward to learning more about that one as well. I'm assuming that at a minimum, MTL will put their own trucks and paint scheme on each car. Hopefully they'll also come up with some kind of robust packaging (careful, let's not go back to the packaging discussion).
You guys are ahead of me this month! Haven't seen the August releases at this point. Perhaps the Bachmann Crane w/MTL trucks offering is just an overage from the recent MOW train set.
Yes those disconnect log cars have been priced twice as much as they should be . I will not be thought of as a foolish spendthrift by buying even one pair . Not only that , the sombreros they are riding on , and the fact that they didn't choose to use Z 905 couplers on them is , as a great American said , being stuck on stupid . An insult to all MTL N scale buyers IMO .
The Bachmann Crane and flat have MTL Trucks and couplers on them so you are ready to roll with those. As for pricing, yes Richie we did charge more of the disconnects with loads...average price was $19.00, so $17.00 is less. Also, though I feel stupid is a crass word in this situation, it wouldn't be smart to put 905's on a N scale car considering you, me and 12 other folks actually do that conversion on our cars everyone else used N Scale...so I don't get how providing N scale standard couplers on N scale releases is insulting MTL buyers? Cheers Joe MTL
This is so small that it accentuates the over sized N scale couplers , as does the flanges . I think above that , the pricing will prove to ensure that MTL will never have a hard time keeping the store shelves stocked . I think MTL should have eaten the profit margin a bit on these for their own good . Most folks would want 10 or more given the size , but will put their own deck on an archbar truck than fork over all that long green . Sorry Joe , on this I think there was too much give me and not enough here you go on MTL's part .
What? Where did this come from? Not putting NON-standard couplers on an item is "stupid"? Do any of the major manufacturers put Z-scale couplers on their mainstream products? Joe had it right....these should have N couplers on them. Putting Z couplers on these would have been a HUGE management error.
MTL should have on these . They couple to the fat hands , and would look much better , same with the lo-pros IMO .
I'm glad a set of dissconnects were released, and I think its expected for them to have N scale couplers. The price is a little steep. Looks like we are paying the price of a car for a pair of trucks with extra couplers. Can we get them in blister packs for half the price?
UP1950, so it's your OPINION that they should have had Z-scale couplers on these. Does that make the decision to use N-scale couplers "stupid"? or ........ do you feel that perhaps it might be a time for the N-scale community to reconsider the definition of the generic "N-scale coupler"? BIG difference between these two items. Joe won't call you to the carpet on this, but that doesn't mean that other board members won't. Perhaps you should have worded this differently, like... "This product highlights the opportunity to begin offering products with Z-scale couplers. Certainly, the overall dimentions of this product would be more aesthetically pleasing with Z-scale couplers. This product will appeal to the specialist model railroader...what better opportunity to at least make a Z-scale coupler version available?"
You are correct , I apologize to all that are offended by my wording . Your rewording of my thoughts was a great improvement . Thank you for your thoughtful way of conveying my feelings in a kinder way . Sorry Joe , and all .
Kewl. I'd probably be a Z-scale coupler conversion guy, but there are just not enough versions available for me. I do alot of european engines and cars and there are few options there. It is a struggle to make the N-scale parts work. I also enjoy the aesthetic feel of Z-scale, but this might just have to be an alternate coupler type like Rapido and Unimate currently are.
MTL on Bachmann Am I to assume that those are MT trucks with couplers on Bachmann crane? Did you get Bachmann to grind those goofy bolsters down or did you guys drill holes in MT trucks to fit over the Bachmann bolster?
I don't see why Z scale couplers and fine flange wheels shouldn't have been used on the log trucks, the oversized ones stand out even more on something so small, the same way the couplers stick out like a sore thumb on the scale test cars, the one thing that detracts from their appearance IMHO. Z scale couplers will couple with N scale ones so those that use them aren't excluded from buying the cars if they have Z scale couplers. I wouldn't say using N couplers on these cars is a stupid idea but using Z couplers would be a GOOD one and all good ideas have to start somewhere. Once mainstream N scalers see how good Z scale couplers look and operate, who knows, they might catch on.
Well ,I try to stay away from peoples grips about manufactures but I think manufactures don't change things because of cost. For the most part they know they can't please everyone.No they will not amit that and I don't blame them at all.Most people don't want the truth. If you change one item to please someone then others don't like the change so in other words it is a double edge sword ,dam if you do ,dam if you don't. So do what I do ,if I don't like the way something is I change it to suit ME or I don't buy it and don't complain because I know someone else likes it that way.To each there own. I was told ,if you don't like something,change it and quit complaining because it is your own fault if you didn't make that change. So quit blaming manufactures for not making changes to suit your only needs. Trust me on this ,if MT changes to lo-pro wheels sets then people who like the pizza cutters are going to complain. If they put both sets of wheels and there is a price increase then there is more complaining.Again dam if you do ,dam if you don't. I'm going to quit now because I'm starting to compain to much and getting my pantes in a bunch for no reason at all. Rick
I like this thread, damned if you do, damned if you don't, how true, but since we are on the subject of change, if we didn't change we still be having those gaping holes in the ends of locomotives with truck mounted couplers, tinplate style track and flanges. railings as thick as the HO counterparts, operational characteristics of a F22 at full throttle. The smoothness of the drive train, like a mouse on drugs. We could do this all day, but I won't. There are changes that are needed to be incorporated into N scale. I imagine in a few years we might see grab irons installed on locomotives, (not just the handrails on the f units) Lowering body height would do wonders for tracking and appearance. Yes I would welcome the change to z scale couplers, and finer flanges, as long as they kept the NMRA profile. Rob
