Ok everyone...I'm working on 08 design and production and need some input on what types of body styles you'd like to see. Remember I need subjects that meet these requirements: 1. Not currently produced by another MFG in the past 10 years or so...if it's seen it's better days, say like the Bachmann 40' Hycube, then it can be considered for re-make. 2. Must have seen service on more than just your favorite short line ) I need cars that served on major roads that offer lots of numbers and some color. 3. A car I like ) kidding. You get the idea, wierd off the wall one off's won't work, so put your thinking caps on and give a guy a hand here!! Thanks Joe MTL
MTL needs to put out some Pullman Heavyweights.. Pennsy or at least undecorated. Where can I order them, and when can I get them? :shade:
Ventilated boxcars! These: Known in the South as "watermelon cars", these were used by the ACL , SAL, Cof G, and others into the 1960's. They were used by many railroads until the 1940's - even the PRR had a fleet to move vegetables from the Delmarva peninsula to New York and Philadelphia markets. The ACL-SAL Historical Society has a great deal of information on the cars used by those two railroads. In addition to the two doors for one opening on each side, the cars had two louvered openings in the ends. I'd buy a bunch! :shade: :shade:
Erie (as opposed to E-L) cabooses to go with all the Kato Mikados, and first generation diesels that have been issued.
I would like you to consider making a replacement plastic underframe part that has the "hydro-cushion" detail, to replace the standard non cushioned detail piece. I would also ask you to consider making 100 ton trucks with 36 inch wheels or just the 36 inch wheels themselves. Mark
I really like that ventilated box car. That would be my 2nd choice. MTL also needs to produce a wider array of caboose models,like the NE6, bay windows, etc. But my #1 is I would like to see any of the higher end rolling stock producers offer heavyweights. All we have available is the old ones from 10 plus years ago on ebay.. Even though not prototypical, I think MTL should make some shorties like the old Bachmann version of years ago.
How about the rebuilt twin bay composite hoppers that had their wood sides replaced with steel after WWII ended?
I vote the UP Business Fleet.... With all those challengers out there im sure there would be a good market for them. I would buy the complete set! Second on the Heavy weights!
I'll bang the drum once more...89' flats. I would also love to see Pullman Heavyweights as well. I'm partial to the older Ski Train ones myself!! Chuck
I guess that stricture #2 precludes suggesting waggontop cabooses, boxcars or covered hoppers. How about a wood center-cupola caboose? HW passenger cars, although given MT's current twenty dollar freight cars, I wonder how many would pay thirty-to-forty dollars per passenger car.
Hey Joe, I agree with the 89' TOFC's & the H/W passenger cars. I'd like to add to the mix, "Comet passenger cars". 1's,-5's. :thumbs_up: NJT,MBTA,MARC & Amtrak(Horizons,same car,differt name), all use them. Probobly more.
In order to avoid the double request, but i am voting with the Comet Passenger Cars. There are quite a few railroads that due use them and would open up a large area of the hobby. Now if we can get some one to produce a few Electric loco's besides The B-Person
Double the suggestion on the NE5 cabooses. Life Like's are not good enough to compete with a quality M-T release, plus they aren't being made anymore as far as I can tell. I'd replace all of mine with M-T's if produced. Not flashy but how about a deep well flat car? Could be outfitted with a 'dish' load (large tank end) and be pretty impressive. Don't know anyone making these. The Reading had a few. Undoubtedly other roads had their versions. Also not flashy and pretty limited to some east coast roads were 46' USRA 70 ton straight side 13 panel gondolas. Had pivoting brake shafts and drop ends. Westerfield has done them in HO. Boring, I know, but a workhorse into the 1960's and 1970's. Some were built or rebuilt with containers, also an interesting item not yet done in N scale as far as I know.
How about a 40' steel drop-bottom gondola? No one makes these. There were plenty of roads that used these in large quantities so these could fit into the "Runner" packs quite nicely. Another possibility would be a 3-dome tankcar - again plenty of possibilities and also no quality model exists. A third thought is an overhead ice-bunker (8-hatch) reefer. Peter
All good answers. I'll second requests for the following: Heavyweights (Start with revenue cars, RPO and Full Baggage) *I'm not sure the collector marketing scheme is quite right for this one though. Many people will want lot's or roads available and will get frustrated when they are sold out in the first few days of release. Steel rebuilt 2 bay hoppers. Ventilated Box I would be very happy with runner packs of B&O (small ampersand) 2 bay hoppers. Any version would be welcome, but offset has the strongest need.
Joe I think it's great you've come to the forums to ask the "hoards" for input,only positive things can come from this! My input would be for more '89 tofc's but with the "Verti-Pac" (easy to do resin casting) add on body style or the other type of body they designed for the cadilac's etc ....?.? Also what about all your typical styles of (edit) "N scale" trucks,roller bearing,betendorf etc etc but fitted with Z scale couplers? One more would be to re-do the old MT-1042 (cant think of the others)style of add on pilot with MT coupler for steam loco's?
