It's so nice when manufacturers like Micro-Trains take note of proper ride height. A number of other producers overlook this and their cars look ridiculous.
Just two simple questions: When and what roads? (hoping for very soon and Southern Pacific in all of the colors that SP did them in)
At the National N Scale Convention, MTL CEO Eric Smith told me that pre-orders will begin next month. He didn't disclose any roadnames or whether there would be single items or packs.
I don't care about the road names. If I like it (the car and/or the logo), it runs on my railroad! I'm accurately modelling a railroad owned by a very rich, eccentric owner. He travels the country in search of cool rolling stock to run on his railroad, profits be damned! He has a preference for Santa Fe locomotives (not yet including Big New Santa Fe), but beyond that, anything goes that strikes his fancy. Actually I think he might be developing a fondness for Frisco too. He's like that, acting on his whims... Fun keeping up with him!
Big question is whether the price will be over or under the $40.00 level. With all the recent price increases we have seen thus far I don't think an MSRP of $40.00 or more is out of the realm of possibility.
No fully functional hand brake mechanism so that's a deal breaker for me. Oh, wait, wrong discussion venue.
Late chiming in here. At the N scale convention, Eric Smith did a clinic on how M/T produces a train car. The PS-2 is what he used as an example. He said this is one of the more complex cars that they have done and it has lots of parts. Was very interesting. During the clinic and again at the Sunday morning Manufacture's breakfast Eric Smith did mention a road name for the first production run of the PS-2 hoppers. It was a little funny as he said it both times and just kept going like he had said nothing so I'm guessing it's not top secret info here. If memory serves, this is how he phrased it - "Here's a hint, it's Pennsy". So, I guess we will find out if Eric Smith was just having a little fun with us or not very soon.
MTL is really upping their game. I could see myself getting in for a runner pack of UP. Weathered even better.
The July Micro-News is available on the MTL website... if you know where to look.* First two roadnames are Great Northern and Western Pacific, one release per month from October 2022 through January 2023 (GN first number and second number, then WP first number and second number). MSRP for both is $45.95 per car. Pre-orders until July 31. *That would be the "Dealer Info" selection in the main menu, then select "July 2022."