I'm very happy that this special run is turning out the way it is. I also had some mixed emotions because I thought it might be too modern for my layout. Obviously it will fit right in with my rather broad time frame 1950s-early 1970s, but the more I think about it the more I guess I really don't care what time frame any special runs might be, or even what scale. I have a little bit of everything at my house and I actually run HO and N so the two common sizes are easily worth the money. Perhaps for future runs it might make sense to offer the items in both HO and N if the ability exists or, failing that, similar items... it would increase the audience and market without limiting the market (i.e. some might by HO but not N and visa versa). Heck, some might even buy both... Another neat idea might be to create a Trainboard logo that could be incorporated onto future special runs... something that wouldn't look out of place on a transition era box car or a modern covered grain hopped. "TBX" lettering is interesting but creating a faux road name and corporate identity would really make special runs appealing to a lot of people... Thats the end of my soapbox talk. This car is going to look great on a lot of layouts, I'm glad the Staff decided to do this. Thank you again.
Wow, nice car from a railroad I seriously never heard of before, had to look it up. And like Jerry says, you had me at 'coupled to a CF7'.... I'd be ticked if I didn't jump at the chance to get one. That's one of those really interesting cars that doesn't have to be painted pink with purple polka dots to be noticeable. Excellent choice for both a runner and a collector car!
Very nice car! Now, if I can just gather the "scratch" to place an order before all 300 are spoken for!
We are at 99! As for era, the car seems to be active to the mid 70s. Too early for me-- but almost EVERY railroad has a dead line with old stuff in it.
If we could locate someone who owns an ORER collection, we would be able to learn how late some of these were still in service.
I'm on the other end of the spectrum, but a similar question: when did they first go in service? Presumably 1962, way too late for me...
Ironman63 posted this pic : http://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/m...oxcar-4209;rad when I enlarged it , the build date shows as 8-39 . If this is the same car Pullman Std box car that we are getting it could be used from 1939 up to 1970's. Not sure if the paint on the TB version implies that it was built later or not.
The car being produced for the special run is a little more modern. It has roller bearings on the trucks. The older MT 20000 series standard 40ft box car would be pretty close to the other car shown in the older paint scheme. Being the impatient person that I am, I had to quick decorate one with an undec I had on hand and some decals that I scrounged. The lettering style on the road name is not correct and the demi data is a little off but if it is running around on an NTRAK layout, not many folks would catch that.
That 250512 50' box shows up in my 1974 ORER, I'll see what else I can find. Surprise! 3390 cars listed with MI reporting marks, an entire page. I had no idea. My 2000 ORER doesn't show a single car with MI reporting marks left under Union Pacific; lots of MP though.
WElllllllllll..... If nothing else they will make nice 'shelf queens'. I have my own mixed feelings. My thought is that if I am sending $$$ to TB to help keep the site going...the car should have "Trainboard" on it. I know the purist and rivet counters cringe at that...and maybe they make up the majority of buyers...thats fine. Charlie has indicated that TB is planning on more 'fallen flag' cars. Thats fine too. Although I run more modern era stuff...I will run anything and everything on my layout. Will I buy another? probably not...unless like I say...it has "Trainboard' written on the car...not on some paper insert in a jewel case. A Special TB car should be seen as something special on the layout. Put this car in with a dozen others and it looks just like any other car. JMHO...YMMV
By the pictures posted of the proto...it looks like it has roofwalks. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2738782
That's what I'm thinking George, but they are just at enough of an angle it's tough to tell. Judging from the era, I would venture to say it does. Just curious...
Does this car ride at the proper height? Probably not unless they got MT to make the proper adjustment. I've quit buying MT products that do not ride at the proper height as so many other manufacturers are now making their cars to ride at the correct height, and I won't be buying any from Trainboard in the future if it doesn't ride at the proper height. Having said that, I have already ordered this car and I am not sorry I did. I plan to continue to support Trainboard with my contributions.
Yes, thank you... and please, keep 'em coming! We need to get to 150 quickly to make this financially much easier. This is easy; if 300 people want a TrainBoard car that is fine. I would buy one. Personally, I'm not into the fantasy stuff. I don't have a single car that is not a real car. But, apparently people like them. So, find 299 friends and it will happen. Charlie
