Greetings Everyone, It's time for new cars. First one was announced at the N Scale Convention this weekend. Have a look and Thanks for your continued support. Best regards, Matt www.foxvalleymodels.com
Matt, Thanks for the update. And THANKS for the TXUX cars. Although on the very tail end of the era I model when it started running, I've been wanting to build this train ever since I saw the prototypes for the first time. Great stuff! I will be in for a couple of the SOO cars as well. Question about the TXUX cars though. Not to be an ingrate, but are you planning to eventually do the silver and black version as well? Doesn't have to be soon, doesn't even have to be in the next year, but I need to know they're coming eventually, because they pretty much run together with the all black cars (and always have for BNSF's tenure, from my personal observations and research*) and having one without the other would be pretty useless from my perspective. (for lack of a better term, again...not trying to be negative at all) So if--and how many--I buy of the TXUX black scheme depends heavily on the answer. *I haven't been able to figure out where the TXUX Black cars pulled duty from their build dates in 95/96 until Big Brown opened in 2000, but the consensus is they were used by SP-then-UP to supplement TXU's Monticello/Martin Lake plants with PRB coal, OR they were used to supplement the TXU captive lignite fleet at these two facilities. But regardless, once Big Brown opened at least part of them were right alongside their silver/black counterparts, from the git-go. (Or at least VERY soon after.) Again, please don't misunderstand...I'm very excited to see the TXUX cars, and I can and probably would paint my own if it comes down to it, just thought I'd ask. And finally, to be a complete pain in the arse....are the BNSF RD-4's on the way? Thanks again, Doug A.
Doug, You ungrateful (*^&*%(^:tb-wink: TXUX in silver you say.......I think I've seen those. They are on the big list, but I can't do them right next to the black ones. Hope you understand. I'm not back from the show yet, but the BNSF cars are "supposed" to be waiting for me when I get home. Hope to start shipping in a few days. Take care, Matt
The artwork for the boxcar and hopper look nice, too modern prototypes for me, though. That CMStP&P transfer caboose looks nice, I could find some uses for that: Atlas Shay, amoung others. I would have to repaint it and add some details, though to make it look a little different. Still, good bashing fodder. I would like to see that B&O wood caboose reappear....................
Ok, that's it. It's bad enough I'm lining up for a wholesale change of wheelsets to FVM, you now have 7-post FDL boxcars? I was only looking at the Rick Johnson's SLH&TS drawings last night. A thousand curses on you, sir! (and many more thanks! )
Darn Looks like I have to sell all those MDC and MT SOO cars on ebay. I thought I was done with box cars.
If I had a dime for every time I heard that... Actually, silver (aluminum) with black ends. They have some newer Trinity cars that are all aluminum (no black, at least on the sides) but they're not RD-4's. (although, probably a "candidate" anyway) Trust me, I understand. I would be in a world of hurt if you announced them back to back. Cool, can't wait!
When I saw the 7 post FDL's,,,, I was stricken,, had to have a moment of silence for my wallet,,,LOL. Are there more numbers in the future for the FDL's??? If so,, like LTC Hammes,,,,I will have to sell my MDC/MT cars,, or give them to a new home. But then again,, one can never have enough soo boxes,, just like covered hoppers. Adios, Wyatt
Stupid Internet! (_8(|) Sorry, I was going off this data from Matt Hannes' "Colorado Coal" site. TXUX 95001-95124 Aluminum Hopper 4000 Trinity 11=12-1995 TXUX 96001-96236 Aluminum Hopper 4200 Trinity 09=11-1996 TXUX 990001-991054 Aluminum Hopper 4200 Trinity 10-1999=07-2000 TXUX 050001-050700 Aluminum Hopper 4207 Trinityrail 01=05-2005 TXUX 053001-053280 Aluminum Hopper 4200 FCA 05=06-2005 TXUX 073001-073420 Aluminum Hopper 4200 FCA 12-2006=02-2007 TXUX 073421-073840 Aluminum Hopper 4200 FCA 03-2007 May be additional build dates. TXUX 073841-074120 Aluminum Hopper 4200 FCA 04=05-2007 May be additional build dates. The photo shown for the 050001-050700 series doesn't look like an RD-4 (per your "tutorial" on such) ...I just figured it was a new Trinity design without looking into it further. I presume they're FCA Autoflod IIIs as well? Regardless (and we've been through this before) it is apparent that FVM is doing some foobies and thus these would still be "candidates". I'm sure you would have people standing in line if you are planning on producing Autofloods...I'd be one of them. But until yours get done, this is all we got.
Without seeing a photo of that series, I couldn't t tell you... it's only a 700 car series though, so it's probably an RD-VI... An Autoflood III was on the table, but since most people (like yourself) don't have problems buying blatant foobies, it's been shelved for the time being.
Well, I have photos of BNSF, TXUX Black, and TXUX Aluminum/Black RD-4's from my personal collection I can show you. Not sure why you think I'm buying blatent foobies here. I can't think of a single manufacturer that hasn't done a foobie at one point. Not sure why you are holding this one to a higher standard?
You're not buying foobs, but you are recomending them... are you saying you wouldn't buy them if done (after all... they're all we got ) As for holding FVM to a higher standard... I'm just holding the standard they've set for themselves regarding prototype accuracy. If foobs were good enough, there'd be no reason for any of FVMs boxcar releases, as each one represents an accurate model of a car that others have foobed. If good enough were fine, there'd be no reason for their awesome metal wheelsets (which are the best on the market... period). Granted... I know they could slap any paint scheme on any of the models they've done and they'd sell out, but when people are praising FVM for the accurate models and pointing at the foobs... it's a two-way street.
I'm not recommending them, I'm just not getting bent out of shape because a manufacturer is trying to maximize their investment in tooling. Doesn't mean I'm necessarily gonna be in line for them though. I'm sure I buy plenty of foobie cars but I at least try to determine what level of foob they really are. Sometimes I just don't have time to check and the foob has to work until I can either make it right, or another model comes along, or whatever. At some point, people are going to hedge their bets on whether that perfect model will get produced. Looking at the Walthers RD-4's in HO, I suspect that modelers are happy to run their foobie cars given that no Autoflood cars exist...in any scale that I'm aware of. (I don't think LBF ever did theirs in HO, I may be wrong) If there were no RD-4's released and you did a Autoflood and announced them in the TXUX black scheme would I buy them? Tough call, but probably not. A lot depends on the situation...price, especially. For unit trains, price is king. I want highly detailed, accurate models, but if I'm buying 24 or more at a time that presents a challenge. This particular train is a "luxury item" from my perspective...I can easily model my era without it...I'm having to extend it a little just to make this train "legit". If I was modeling 5 years later, it would be a no brainer. (unless I was privy to an RD-4 on the way, of course.) Now, had Atlas not done coalveyors, I would probably have either foobie's or at least attempted to scratchbuild or commission them built in resin. But again, for a unit train (several actually) of these it would have cost me thousands or tens-of-thousands of dollars to have them made. I was actually considering this in the "early oughts" before the IT bubble burst. But even with that, I'm actually running a "foobie train" because the ACF cars are a fraction of the UFIX fleet. So a solid train of ACF cars is not realistic...but you know what, it looks OK and is very representative of the train. I did purchase an eBay lot including a resin mold of (supposedly) the Berwick car, the master, and a big pile of custom etched metail details with the idea of fixing that, but the model was pretty much unusable without major work. (I do still have the details though, so maybe someday) I guess my point is I'm trying to do the best I can with what is here, what is coming, and what is "on the drawing board" if I am aware of it. (so, for example, your comment is the first I've heard of ANYONE doing an Autoflood model outside of LBF) I'm learning more about freight cars every day so I'm picking up more and more spotting features and "giveways" but often I still don't get it right sometimes, or I don't have time to research effectively and rely too much on incorrect information. I guess I just don't get why its such a big deal...you and I won't buy them, and others either don't know--or care--enough that it matters to them, OR they are willing to tread water with what they can until something better comes along.
So Robbman, Got a question for you. What exactly is your deal? Sure lots of folks have expressed praise for my stuff, but whenever you pop up, it's usually to throw out the word "foob" at some point? So people like my stuff, is that offensive somehow? Not alot of folks complaining either. But their comments are sincere. Sure I try and make good stuff as accurate as possible, why not. But I don't think I've ever advertised them as "Bestest, most accurate cars ever" or "Flawless" anywhere. So you may continue to jump on me where you can, it's Ok. But for those keeping score at home, the only "foobs" so far (there will be more) are on the RD-4's. But guess which one is sold out?......the CNW. Hmmm. Now others like the BNSF will beat that, but not yet. Kind of interesting though. If you really know the market, jump in the pool and make the big boy decisions, there is plenty of room yet. Most importantly, if you don't like a car I make, I do hope you realize that you don't have to buy it. No one is trying to pull a fast one here so I'm not sure why you jump up and down about it. But continue to do as you wish, just please be fair and accurate. "If foobs were good enough, there'd be no reason for any of FVMs boxcar releases, as each one represents an accurate model of a car that others have foobed." The FMC 5283, PS 5344, RD-4 and SOO FDL car have never been done in N. Sure the FMC 5347 has been done before, but I believe they could be done better and marketed in a better way. Will I duplicate some other efforts, maybe. But there will be plenty of all new stuff to N scale as well. Buy what you like and enjoy it. That's really what this hobby is all about. Afterall, every car on your layout is a "foob" on some level. Take care, Matt PS. I did "hear" the comment on the wheels too. Thanks!
Wyatt I have a sneeky suspision (or hope) that we will see more. They left the black SOO wiht red stripe (without the colormark logo) the candy apple red CP rail ones and the speed lettering scheme. I have about 8 to 10 SOO LINE cars that I will get rid of. Probably will pick up about 5 from this run.
There will be more I'm certain. And I'm in the same boat re MDC's rendition. In fact, I was only body mounting 1015's and changing out the wheelsets on some of those Soo MDC cars Monday night when I had a quick look on TB to see Matt's announcement. Guess which little project has stopped? Matt G, I'm assuming the chassis will be similar to those used on previous boxcars. I grabbed a RI 5344 for a looksee and body mounted the couplers off the trucks and the position of the holes made it a seamless task. A quick run through with a 00-90 tap, install, and the coupler height is just about right to avoid shimming.
