Joe, I had a small birdy fly into my backyard the other day. It was exhausted from a long flight so I gave it some bird seed and water. When it rested a bit, the birdy told me this: Joe D' at Micro-Trains is working on project to try and get some new tank cars produced! When I heard this I was amazed! Stupid me, I was in such shock over the news I forgot to ask the small birdy any questions about this news before he flew off! Well here I am, standing at the offical Z scale podium, about to ask those questions! A new Tank Car! What era of tank car would this be from? Built 50 years ago with three domes? or Built within the last 25 years with NO Domes? Damn me for not asking that small birdy, but could you please enlighten us with your wisdom here? We always appreciate everything you do to help grow Z scale, even though some don't always show their appreciation! It is in their hearts! Have a great day and Look especially forward to your reply!!! Thanks Joe D' Hobo Tim
Wow, either one of these would be great for Z. Doesn't MTL already do both of these in N as well (which of course means nothing). randy
Please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Randy, Please don't water down the questions with speculations! I want the truth and the whole truth!!! If I didn't know better, I'd say MTL's once dominate group of Transition Era buyers is now even with the Modern Era buyers. The questions were posted to find out which group of buyers would be accommodated with a long awaited new tank car release! Transition Era or Modern Era? Hobo Tim
Tim, Randy is correct, both would be great, and in a forun like this - Joe will get your message and it's not watered down. "Most" of the engines out there are 50 or more years old- F-7 on back to the Bumble Bee. Only recently has the more modern fleet engines come out. I'm sure Joe et al, has major studies of the demography of model railroaders and strive to make the best decisions on a business and marketing level. Some cars limit their potential sales due to their lenght, others by the very nature of the car-- I.E. a heavy crane car-USA. Which ever car is made it will expand Z so thatz a good thing. Best, Fred
As of this time! As of this time, nearly 100 people have read this message. The only two people who have commented on the topic have interests in both new and old Trains. Hate to hear that the majority is an either or! True, Joe needs to do his homework well to make sure he can satisfy the masses. I'd just like to interdict that today is Now, Tomorrow is the Future, and Yesterday, same as 10-20-30-40 years ago, is in the PAST! Why do I get the feeling the modern modelers are fixing to get screwed! We've had polls before in the past and heard from fellow Z scalers who had statistics on rollingstock percentages! As of present, not really much of any true Z scale modern rollingstock that are, in the large percentages of what is, operating on today's and the FUTURES railroads! 3+ bay covered hoppers, tank cars, intermodals well cars, and so on. We have $25+ well cars from MTL, $100 3 bay covered hoppers from FR, and $100 tank cars from 3R Works. Hmmmmmmmm OK Joe, your turn! Hobo Tim :zip:
I hate to say it, but my entire train budget this year is toast, thanks to the Athearn N Challengers.... That said, I'd still like to see more modern 50' tank cars. Dangit, so much cool stuff, so little money...
Tim, don't forget the lumber related cars like 62' wood chip cars, 61' centerbeam cars, and 60' bulkhead flatcars. Also the High Cube, and Waffle Side cars. What we really need si more modelers to enter Z Scale, and buy up these things so other major players like Atlas, Intermountian, LBF, and others will jump into Z with shrinks of their N Scale stuff.
I already have my 1950's era tankcar fix from Marklin/ Robert/ Jurg So I'd be willing to let the modern guys have this one, but if us old black & white guys get something I'll take it. I don't know if a 3 dome would be a good idea. I want one though, just don't think there were many. If we got a new car, making it into a 3 dome would be very easy with resin. This is N scale, the domes were cast from a Intermountain kit and the tank was shortened from the same it: Meant to be a 1915 era car.
Tank Car Hey Tim, Nothing has been decided yet. I have my list of wants and Tank Cars beyond the one we currently have are necessary and I want them big time. I can only make the pitch, as a team we have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages and an overall market plan. I think it's a pretty good bet we will do one in the near future, but until I get word from the higher ups..that's as far as I can go now. My goal is to try and make available all the major types of freight and motive power and then start filling in the gaps...And, considering the era of our motive power, and the fact we already have a single dome tank car, it makes sense to do something that operated 1950's plus. Besides it all comes down to what I want :O) Cheers Joe MTL
OK Tim, if it's an invitation to vote, as a modern era guy, I'm voting for a domeless modern tank car (if possible 60, 70 or 80' long)! Does this sound right for you (and for Joe)?:shade: Dom
well I'll still chime in so you have as much amo as you can get. I'm not a proto rail nut, I just like different things. 1, 2 or 3 camel humps doesn't matter to be but a noticeably longer tank car (guess that sorta means modern) would suit me. Just like covered autoracks. Now that's different.
You want sales? Think Ethanol unit trains (i.e. modern era). It's the way of the future. And remember that Kurt sold every one of the tank cars he made and folks were still crying for more of them. Randy
To be completely honest, I want both modern and a three dome, BUT, modern, particularly funnel flow, are hard to scratchbuild, while an older three dome would be relatively easy to kitbash from existing MTL tank cars. Randy
I'm back!!! I just got back from a weekend of Boy Scout Leader TRAINing. It is my turn to chime in here. Support! Wow! I did not expect to see so many people speak up after Joe said what he said. I can see that their are alot of active members who would prefer to see a model manufacturer come out with a modern longer tank car than what is currently available on a mass production scale! I am with you guys! My refinery module project is on hold till someone comes out with modern tank cars! They only need to be black, white, or blue with generic markings. I have ALPS and I can print! Need about 150 - 200 tank cars!!! MODERN! Hobo Tim!
