I think a car would be really cool. You know us Proto-lancers are free to run anything we want! A little harder to wear to the shows than a forum pin but I'll figure something out. I like the idea of a decal set too, the possibilities are endless. Maybe make it available as a file for the biggest scale guys (I'd love to see an old wooden box on Paul Templar's layout! ).
I think Balou brings up an interesting idea, that of making a decal set as a digital image which the rest of us could resize as necessary and then either print or have printed. The plus to this would be that everybody, from Z to the live steamers, could use it. The minus would probably be that there's probably a good percentage of folks who would rather get it ready to run. Thoughts/opinions?
I like the idea of a decal set, which can be multi-scale. However, I have no ability to re-size, so it will have to be a complete (N scale) product for moi to be of any use. If we make a decal set, we'd need to make an assumption about car color. White lettering won't look good on a grey car, for instance...
Many people do not have the equipment to print their own decals. I also think that bad decals are worse than none at all, so my vote is for a good quality commercially produced set. One sheet should be able to contain all the necessary stuff in both N and HO scales.
You can sell 300 of a well done special run car w/o too much trouble. Further, if done well, the collectors will buy some and augment the modelers that won't buy non-proto cars. Plus if you have a relationship with a manufacturer they will in many cases do smaller runs for an incremental price that is not substantially higher. I have done special runs in the past and speak from experience here. Selling 300 decal sets is another thing and far more difficult. Ask the guy who contracted for 300 sets of the BNSF business car decals. As much as the 'Modelers' out there might like decals the 'modelers' will buy more RTR cars. Ok, I'll don my flame resistant suit now.
This seems like a very good idea. I will offer a few suggestions. Take them for what they are worth: 1. Freelance cars seem to sell better/get more interest if the model is one many era's can utilize. Mid-Era Covered hoppers, Coal Hoppers (a personal preference, obviously), 40 ft Boxcars and Cabeece would all be good choices. A TrainBoard Caboose might be a good choice. Pick the right design, and it can cover from the 40's/50's all the way through today (special use for modern guys, of course.) 2. Freelance cars also seem to do better with realistic schemes. The Atlas car, IMO, fails in that is so flashy and sticks out more than any other car I have ever seen (except maybe the Southern's MT Boxcar that looks like it's from the Bahamas, LOL!) Regardless of what car type you all select, I would suggest you attempt to make the car look REAL, as opposed to looking Special, if you get my meaning. But then again, some like these kind of cars to "stick out"......but you may lose a few "proto-only" folks who might have been tempted with a relaistic, toned down car. 3. Decals are a good choice too, but you will lose some (many?) of the RTR and/or Casual Trainboarder crowd, the ones who would be interested but not if work is involved. Microscale requires larger orders, and therefore more initial cost. I tend to use smaller Decal makers, like Rail Graphics or Great Decals, when I need custum VARR/IS/W&OD decals done. They offer smaller runs and competative (cheaper) prices. 4. Get someone else to pay (lol, sorry Toxie! Toxie deserves EVERY LAST OUNCE of credit for the VARR hoppers, which I agree came out great! He is, simply put, the man!) But seriously, I would limit those involved with the creation (both graphical and mangement of the order) to make the project manageable. Too many railfans in the Caboose does not lead to better work, just infighting and bad feelings. GOOD LUCK with this project guys! I look forward too seeing the finshed product!
Well, since someone earlier asked me to give a sample graphic idea, I decided to do one up just now, right quick. It is yours my friends, to do with as you will! Enjoy (I hope, LOL!)
VARR makes some good points, and he obviously speaks from experience. If George is right, then it sounds like a car is the better way to go. Maybe if George is that confident, he'll underwrite the 300 unit order? I also agree with VARR's point about the need to have a scheme that kinda looks prototypical, as his coal hoppers do. I bought the hoppers but not the Atlas car, for the very reason he spelled out. We could also number the cars (serial #, not road#) which will help any collectors value they may have. I'll cast my cote for a covered hopper, to go with Jeremiah's. A tanker will be an innovative way to go, too. As for era, if all else fails you could put the tanker to good use on any layout as follows: (Taken at Chinese Camp, CA, just outside Yosemite)
I agree with VARR - a car that is going to get run every day shouldn't be flashy. The Atlas Forum Car was designed to be totally flashy, a special car you put in your case and only run once in a while. The VARR hoppers, though, look like a prototypical car/scheme and would look just fine running around most layouts. I have four going into my coal train. This is the frustrating thing about minimum runs - this might be a better project for say 100 or 150 cars - 300 is a LOT! 300 cars is a lot for someone to take on - its a lot of money and a lot of time to sell them. I like seeing all of these custom cars, they are totally unique and fun to run!
Ted: I like it! I'm not sure what the MGM stands for, but I would suggest that we use Johnny Trains' initials as the reporting marks. What do you think?
The original Atlas forum car was purposefully flashy and brightly colored so it would stand out in a photograph. What has not been mentioned here is that there is a thread on the Atlas forum that contains photographs taken on each participants' layout of the car. The car was painted in such a manner so it would really stand out in a train or on a siding. It was not intended to be realistic, just plausible. So, y'all had best decide on what the purpose of the Trainboard car will be before you decide on a color scheme. Just my 2ยข. It was intended to put the completed Atlas photo thread in a website somewhere and possibly do a print version. I sure hope somebody has saved it off that forum somewhere.
Eagle2, I took a digital photo of Atlas #30771 and superimposed a version of the TrainBoard logo. The original printing in that area is: MENDOTA AGRI-PRODUCTS, INC., so I suppose MGM somehow represents that company. Using Johnny Trains' initials would be a nice memorial.
