https://www.micro-trains.com/index.php?route=product/search&tag=single-window coach First roadnames: New York Central (yellow lettering/commuter scheme) and Pennsylvania ("spartan" scheme with keystones only) I see discussion of this body style (MTL's 135th in N Scale) going back to at least 2016 on this board. I was trying to confirm that the prototype car is from the New York Central; I dimly remember that being mentioned, somewhere. This will be the "lead story" in the February 2020 UMTRR-- which I guess I'd better start writing! (Did I mention... four-wheel passenger trucks on the NYC version...)
George, On the N scale Varnish site we have been discussing this car for several years. Conversations that both the late Jerry Laboda and I had with Micro-trains personnel indicated that it is indeed the NYC prototype. I am not sure of the specific number series. I believe it is the same car that has been done in HO by Branchline (IIRC). It certainly has the lines and window arrangement of the NYC standard coaches. The car is also similar (in some cases virtually identical) to several other roads. From the MT 2019 product guide: "Of all the heavyweight passenger cars built, the single window coach was one of the most common and versatile cars ever produced. Based on a NYC prototype, our new single window coach will feature fine surface details, correct interior, body mounted Magne-Matic couplers and an all-new 4-wheel passenger car truck common on local trains. " I have 2 on order, due in about 2 weeks, so will let you all know what I think when they arrive. Tom D
The same info also appeared in the 2018 product guide ... and the 2017 product guide. Also, there was this poster displayed at a train show in mid-2018:
Good news for those of you in the market. I had been accumulating all of the MT CB&Q heavyweights, but decided to let them go in a recent downsizing. It would be nice if they could come up with a better alternative for close coupling (the tru-scale's don't work on anything less that about a 10 foot radius and the Z scales do work, but can be problematic due to the body mounting on bad track). More for the rest of you!
Yes, it is an NYC prototype, thanks Tom. I confirmed with MTL on this... you know what happens when you assume. Jerry's website still points to an undated photo of NYC 2347, which is the road number MTL selected. Here's the direct link: http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/nyc2347.jpg
