Ennui...

[3rdrail]

Tomorrow is the last day of August and not a single comment about forthcoming monthly releases. Guess since Atlas issued a quarterly catalog everone's satiated. I do notice, thanks to George at Wig-Wag, that those hollering for a reissue of the Micro-Trains 89 ft. flatcar should be happy as a CP Rail container version is forthcoming.

Anyone care to comment?

[John]

Anyone care to comment?

Not me ..

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Hmm, TTX, there were SO many of them. CP rail? Not nearly as many, but, whatever, it's probably pretty.

[bobcat]

A $28 street price makes a CP Rail 89' container flat rather unlikely. :-\

[amato1969]

I'm interested if this means some undec 89' cars will be available again!

[Chulvis]

The 89' Flat comes with two cans on board...un-lettered but still two cans. 

[wcfn100]

What is supposed to be the prototype for the MT 89' flat?  I know it's a flush deck, but is there anything else.  I've never seen a picture of anything that looked very close.  I'm not trying to start the worn out bashing of MT, I like their product, I've just always wondered where they got this particular car.

Jason

[Chulvis]

[ljudice]

I always thought they were the typical Bethlehem flush deck cars...

Did CP really own any (and paint them red???)

[wm3798]

Someone's going to have to fill this void.  These cars (or cars much like them) are sorely missing in N scale.  The Alan Curtis ones are nice, but they go for a premium coin, especially for the ones that are decorated.
I'd like to build up a fleet of at least a dozen to 15 cars, which means adding to the three I bought back in the late 80's when MT offered a three pack as a kit for about $29.  $29 for one car is too steep for me.  I'm not ready to spend that kind of money for something that isn't a primary part of my operation.  (I need them to flesh out my latter day Alpha Jets).

Lee

[James Costello]

I always thought they were the typical Bethlehem flush deck cars...

Did CP really own any (and paint them red???)

The MTL 89' flat is based on an ACF (mid-seventies) all purpose flat, like Trailer Train's later ASH20A classes. FEC, TM and SP also had these same versions, which surprise surprise, have been overlooked by MTL in favour of Pepsi etc and now CP.

See Scott Chatfield's excellent article in the March 1992 Railmodel Journal.

CP does have red container flats, but not this particular type AFAIK.

Oh I've longed for the day that MTL would release their 89' flat in Espee with a 45' Golden Pig Fruehauf Trailer along for the ride.....

[wm3798]

TTX trailer flats are as synonymous with 70's and 80's railroading as wood boxcars are to pre-war.

It's not just inconvenient, it's downright stupid that a good, basic model of these things can't be had for $15-$18 a piece.  I don't need brake lines and ultra detailed sides, I need cars to run on my layout that look decent enough to be there.  We need something between MT and those totally crap ConCor cars in terms of quality, and at a decent price.

With the introduction of the Atlas Pines trailer, I'm hopeful that they have something in the works.

Lee

[Chulvis]

We need something between MT and those totally crap ConCor cars in terms of quality, and at a decent price.
Lee

You're right, Lee. There is room for someone to sneak in there at that price point. Fox Vally should have a look at this project.

[ljudice]

I have that  article from RMJ filed away here! Thanks for jogging my memory!!!

Another question - will the CSX 3 bay hopper have the SAME MISTAKE from the previous run - blue printing???

[bobcat]

Another question - will the CSX 3 bay hopper have the SAME MISTAKE from the previous run - blue printing???

Being a reprint, I would bet so.

Chuck, I realize that the CP flat comes with 2 containers, but at least give us dimi data. It looks like it is masquerading as a holiday car. : Let's put a bow on it.