Atlas Is Going To Re-Release The Former BLMA Spine-Car Sets

pmpexpress Mar 8, 2018

  1. pmpexpress

    pmpexpress TrainBoard Member

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  2. Metro Red Line

    Metro Red Line TrainBoard Member

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    :eek::eek::eek:

    Sheesh! The 5-unit set will go for even more than the already-inflated eBay prices you can get them for right now!

    I remember when BLMA used to do their Open House events in Fullerton, CA - Craig Martyn used to open up his offices to peruse BLMA products (and upcoming products) during the Fullerton Rail Days event right across the tracks, and he'd sell BLMA overstock for dirt cheap from his garage. I snagged a 3-unit spine car set for something like $35, and a modern billboard for $10. Good times.
     
  3. pmpexpress

    pmpexpress TrainBoard Member

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    Comparing the percentage of the MSRP increase for the 3-car and 5-car sets reveals that the latter has seen an 8.5% higher rise in price.

    This revelation is based upon the following calculations:

    At $119.95, the new MSRP is approximately 29% higher than the former BLMA MSRP of $84.95 for the 3-car sets.

    At $199.95, the new MSRP is approximately 37.5% higher than the former BLMA MSRP of $124.95 for the 5-car sets.

    Wonder why the Chinese are quoting different price increases for what appear to be similar products?

    Could it be that the 5-car sets are expected to be produced in a smaller production run and that they are more time consuming or difficult to fabricate?

    Neville


    Trains N Scale™

    [​IMG]
     
  4. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    Another expensive item I won't be buying since they are not in my era. And to me one would need 4 to 6 sets to look right in a train.
     
    wpsnts likes this.
  5. Metro Red Line

    Metro Red Line TrainBoard Member

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    Nothing personal to you, but why does EVERY product thread dealing with modern trains contain a "too modern for me/not in my era" grumpy complaint? Would it pain you to just ignore the thread and read/reply about something else? What does this achieve if older-era modelers complain about trains being "too modern?" It actually adds absolutely nothing to the conversation. Whenever I see people talk about 0-6-2s and 1920s baggage cars on this forum and other forums, I don't ruin the party and post, "This is too ancient for me!" -- I just skip the conversation and move on! If a manufacturer comes out with trains that are in your era but not mine, hey, I'm happy for you! I hope that you folks can do the same.

    Now, if your complaint was, "I think Kato/Atlas/etc is concentrating too much on modern equipment and not releasing enough [name of specific older loco or rolling stock], then, okay, that IS a valid statement, but that kind of discussion should be its own thread. Because who knows, it might lead to that particular prototype being made.

    Again, nothing personal to you John, someone else could say the same thing and my response would be the same, it's just a general comment when I see these kinds of replies. I just find it kind of annoying.
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2018
    mtnbimmer, ldk59 and pmpexpress like this.
  6. wpsnts

    wpsnts TrainBoard Supporter

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    Like you and others we’re just expressing our opinion.
     
    mtntrainman likes this.
  7. Ristooch

    Ristooch TrainBoard Member

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    Perhaps the best course of action is to wait until they are in stock at some of the major online retailers. Then we can determine what the discount from MSRP might be. As a general rule, I'd never buy directly from the manufacturer anyway.
     
  8. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    A comment on the cost and the fact that I would not be springing loose with any dollars since they did not fit my era which is simply taken as what it was no more just a statement not a complaint. And about the only time I have seen these cars in a single unit was in a general freight returning empty, probably after maintenance work for a wheel or other repair. My norm for seeing these cars was in cuts of 20 or more loaded mixed with other types of container carrying cars. I have containers and container cars in my fleet, but they are the very early years of container traffic and are 20 foot containers on a forty foot car.

    I looked at containers traffic and decided to stay with the very early stuff, reason was costs of both containers and cars and space taken up by having a container traffic in a port. My container ship is a feeder class ship, much smaller, thus less space for a dock and rails much so for the train cars also. Thus my dock space and area can be used for much more.

    With the price on these, plus buying the containers for them, which I have seen are also pricey, having a decent sized train is more than my modest modeling budget is willing to support.
     
  9. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    Typically the discount by the on line retailers is about 30%. So on a 5 unit set you are looking at about $140.00. Meanwhile N Scale Kits has a five unit 53 foot spine car for about $50.00 plus $5.00 shipping. You do have to paint it and add the few details but it builds into a very nice car. With both, the trailers are extra.
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2018
  10. prbharris

    prbharris TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thank you for that kind remark. The 48' 5 car spine cars and the 53' 5 car spine cars are still available and straight forward to build. There is a TTX yellow paint spray can available from autoshops that makes painting very simple too.

    There are both newer and older spine car kits in development [one for a rather long time, I'm afraid - but now closer to market than ever before] that I am hoping they will be available at the NSE Convention in Salt Lake City in June.

    Peter

    Peter Harris
    N Scale Kits
    wwwnscalekits.com
     
  11. Metro Red Line

    Metro Red Line TrainBoard Member

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    Which one is that? That's a game changer. I've avoided your products mainly because of the painting issue (especially getting the wrong shade of paint), but if I'm able to use that then I think i just might order some well cars!
     
  12. prbharris

    prbharris TrainBoard Supporter

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    The autoshop that I am aware of is in the UK - Halfords. I am trying to find out which autoshops in the US and Canada also stock the paint. However, if anyone is going to the NSE Convention in Salt Lake City in June I will bring some over the pond. We are producing the decals now too.

    This Halfords link does not show the yellow cans but all of the pictures of TTX cars on the website use the paint. PM me - or write to peter@nscalekits.com for details

    Peter

    Peter Harris
    N Scale Kits
    www.nscalekits.com
     

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