MT SP Caboose Photo

[TiVoPrince]

Models
are fine with an out of the box tolerance that will allow them to work well on 'any' layout.  Some of us insist on a higher standard so we modify those 'perfectly good' models to be more accurate.  This model is a solid 7/10 in my book.  Losing 1/10th for each problem ride height, coupler draft gear and 5% dimensional variance.  There is a pending half point deduction based on the missing bay window screens although I do expect the etching community to fill that void with an aftermarket part sometime soon.  Mr. Wallet is standing ready to place that order.

Ride height is fixable with a file and only a little time invested.  Coupler/draft gear is a dilemma that is unlikely to have a more accurate resoluion anytime soon, I will live with the available options and hope for a more accurate replacement part in the future.  Five-ish percent errors in the dimensions are close (+/-) to the width of a line on the drawing and the dimensional errors still leave the overall impression of the prototype without costing a 'brass' price.  Not that this is 'forgiving' MT nor am I becoming a fanboy, but this does represent a worthwhile model even if the Athern mode is somewhat 'better'.

I need a fleet of SP cabooses so a little work for a 6:1 ratio of models on the layout makes a load of sense to me...

[ljudice]

Have you seen this photo:

http://www.nscalesupply.com/ath/ATH-RS-Bay-Window-Caboose.html

The Athearn model completely, totally blows the MTL out of the water - including price....

[tom mann]

The Athearn model completely, totally blows the MTL out of the water - including price....

Except that construction is a little shoddy in the photo!

[TiVoPrince]

Actually
the seperate details kind of work for me as the 'bug eye' markers quickly faded to be replaced by a single marker above the end door.  Not installing vs. removing is usually my preference.  With the popular internet 'other photo' of the Athearn caboose that is missing one of the screens I am concerned about the long term durability and security of the glue holding this part.  Since all we have seen from Athearn is pre production I'm hoping for the best from them and that this issue has been notes and resolved before the actual production runs.  I'm also hoping that an aftermarket part would appear and have a finer mesh...

[ljudice]

A lot less shoddy than what I could do with the sprue-o-brass MTL supplied....

[John]

So Lou .. how long have you had this hatred for MT

[tom mann]

Nice work Tom. Amazing that in 2009 off the shelf models need this much manipulation.

Mark

Thanks, Amazing that in 2009 I still have the energy and time to do this. ;D

[oakcreekco]

Well, that photo doesn't overwhelm me.......at this point in time. Maybe painted, it would make me "look" harder.

Another "high" angle for the pic............................doesn't really show me if the ride height is "better" than MTL's

I'm looking forward to seeing one when they hit the streets.

[asarge]

I tjhink I'll wait for the actual model to co e from Athearn before I go proclaiming the second coming........after the GEVO ;D

I do believe that Athearn's will be superior. The sooner they do L&N the better.

[ljudice]

I love MT!  Some of their models are my favorites!

The caboose is nice - I just think the Athearn one is going to be better...

MT should focus on oddball, one off type models - ie. things Overland used to do - like cranes and spreaders and (uh oh, cabeese). Or cryogenic tank cars. Or DODX tank carrier flats. Or nuke flats. They will get the collectors right off the bat - the models will be beautiful, but you'll only have to fix ONE of them, not a whole fleet.

[TiVoPrince]

Another "high" angle for the pic............................doesn't really show me if the ride height is "better" than MTL's

Judging
by the coupler being a centre shank and not underslung like the MT its probably lower overall.  Still I would expect that lowering it may be in the cards.  I'm hoping that Athearn has a good weight and can get some sort of electrical pickup for lighting/transponding.  Matters not to me as I'm already signed up for every one Athearn makes.  Not to say I won't pick up another MT from the next run...

[Puddington]

Why does Athearn get a pass from the collected critics on their pizza cutters and triang-esque coupler..? I mean if were going to be fair and clobber everything, let's get with the program gents....... ;D

Or we could wait and see............nah, that's no fun at all; then all'd we have to do is guess about GEVO's.....

[TiVoPrince]

Why does Athearn get a pass from the collected critics on their pizza cutters and triang-esque coupler..? I mean if were going to be fair and clobber everything, let's get with the program gents....... ;D

Or we could wait and see............nah, that's no fun at all; then all'd we have to do is guess about GEVO's.....

Because
pizza cutters are a wash (both models will need lo-pros) and couplers are likely getting changed on both (for me anyway) so complaining about these items is useless...

[asarge]

Athearn get a pass? Now that's funny!

[oakcreekco]

Hope the Athearn doesn't have "Groucho Marx" glasses for windows. I don't want to fix ugly