Can't hardly believe it but...

[JoeD]

I think it's a fantastic idea...Bryan also suggested using the underframe as the lid for a coupler.  That would work for body mounted apps, but right now company policy requires truck mounts except for Cabeese and the up comming Heavyweight Passenger cars.  Also, you run into problems with production and assembly...new fixtures, handling painted and assembled parts and a list of others.  The hill I have to climb is convincing the Managers that it's ok to loose a bunch of the bottoms of the ends of the cars to get truck mounts enough swing to operate on all types of track. So there's always some sort of trade off that will leave a bad taste.   Body mounts are a good solution but on longer cars you restrict the turning radius so much that only large corners can be negotiated.  That makes it difficult for mainstream modelers to use on much of the snap and road bed track that's available.  Not every one has the room for sweeping curves.  Someplace in the middle is the answer, hopefully seeing what's happening here and other places will offer up a good solution....but I  like the idea of snap in bolsters a lot.

Joe

[sirenwerks]

Joe, Just invite said managers for a few rounds here, on the forum. They will understand soon enough that there is a part of the market they're missing out on and probably get some great suggestions, though hastily worded.

[sizemore]

I think it's a fantastic idea...Bryan also suggested using the underframe as the lid for a coupler.  That would work for body mounted apps, but right now company policy requires truck mounts except for Cabeese and the up comming Heavyweight Passenger cars.  Also, you run into problems with production and assembly...new fixtures, handling painted and assembled parts and a list of others.  The hill I have to climb is convincing the Managers that it's ok to loose a bunch of the bottoms of the ends of the cars to get truck mounts enough swing to operate on all types of track. So there's always some sort of trade off that will leave a bad taste.   Body mounts are a good solution but on longer cars you restrict the turning radius so much that only large corners can be negotiated.  That makes it difficult for mainstream modelers to use on much of the snap and road bed track that's available.  Not every one has the room for sweeping curves.  Someplace in the middle is the answer, hopefully seeing what's happening here and other places will offer up a good solution....but I  like the idea of snap in bolsters a lot.

Joe

It worked well on the IM Flat cars that bolted in a 1015. I think that maybe you could lobby for an updated 1015 replacement as well with a much more scale coupler head. Take the look of the McHenry and shrink it to Z scale, put it in a 1015 coupler pocket. I think it would turn N Scale on its head.

Just a thought,
The S

[JoeD]

I have a number of prototype couplers I've been working on the past few months in N and Z.  Getting test tooling done takes time and $$$ and with a small tool room, you have to wait your turn.  So while I have shots, they are far from what will work in production...but baby steps.  Also we have new wheels on the way, we are showing the first gen 36" NMRA Spec on the RPO in Portland.  Others to follow.  So, I've listened, just be paitient...unlike other manufacturers we don't have half of South East Asia doing our tooling and production which would really help with schedules  ;D

[sizemore]

I have a number of prototype couplers I've been working on the past few months in N and Z.  Getting test tooling done takes time and $$$ and with a small tool room, you have to wait your turn.  So while I have shots, they are far from what will work in production...but baby steps.  Also we have new wheels on the way, we are showing the first gen 36" NMRA Spec on the RPO in Portland.  Others to follow.  So, I've listened, just be paitient...unlike other manufacturers we don't have half of South East Asia doing our tooling and production which would really help with schedules  ;D

So you're holding out on us! Joe, maybe the MTL website should have a developers blog much like that of software companies. You could highlight the stuff that's "in-testing" such as the cars, couplers and wheels. It being a blog would allow commentary from us nay-sayyers and stone throwwers  ;D, it could only serve to improve the relations between communities, and ultimately an MTL product.

The S

[Bob Bufkin]

O.K. Joe, since your showing the new RPO, how about posting some photos for us.

[Mark5]

Since this thread has been thoroughly hi-jacked, I just picked up one of the new FVM MILW boxes.

It comes with MT trucks that look like they've been waxed and polished for hours on end by servants at some billionaire's mansion. The local detailers (automotive) would be put to shame but the sheen.

Joe, is there anything that can be done about that on the manufacturing end?

Mark

[JoeD]

not really, they have to come out of the mold without applying mold release...smoother the part the easier it is to break surface tension.  Last year I messed with using styrene to form the trucks and wheels...with the idea that the modeler could paint and weather them.  They didn't enjoy the ride out of the hot half of the tool.  Something to keep kicking down the road though.  Being engineering plastic I don't know of anything that could etch the surface after the fact...maybe some media blasting?  Could also try tumbling them in media...will give that a shot next week.   

Joe

[JoeD]

O.K. Joe, since your showing the new RPO, how about posting some photos for us.

[Bob Bufkin]

Thanks for the photo Joe.  Looks good.  Do you know what road names your are going to do.

[Denver Road Doug]

Snarling Poodles....classic.   ;D

I can't figure out what's worse...being called snarling poodle or a rounding error.

Rounding Poodle?    

EDIT: That's IT!  I'm copyrighting that--ummm--puppy.

rounding poodle (noun) - a member of a statistically insignificant group of model railroaders that possess an almost statistically impossible volume level of growling in their quest for "perfect" model railroad products.

[soo]

simply awesome Doug! simply awesome!!!!

wyt

[JoeD]

 Or...Snarling Error (transitive verb)  To talk out of one's hindquarters with excessive force.  ;D 

You can copyright that too!

Joe

Snarling Poodles....classic.   ;D

I can't figure out what's worse...being called snarling poodle or a rounding error.

Rounding Poodle?    

EDIT: That's IT!  I'm copyrighting that--ummm--puppy.

rounding poodle (noun) - a member of a statistically insignificant group of model railroaders that possess an almost statistically impossible volume level of growling in their quest for "perfect" model railroad products.

[oakcreekco]

Joe, my "hats off" to you guys for controling your own destiny, and not letting "Chinese production" control it.

Not many companies can say that, and some folks may not agree with me. No real, long term advantages going that route anymore IMO.

[Denver Road Doug]

Or...Snarling Error (transitive verb)  To talk out of one's hindquarters with excessive force.  ;D  

You can copyright that too!

Joe

Snarling Poodles....classic.   ;D

I can't figure out what's worse...being called snarling poodle or a rounding error.

Rounding Poodle?    

EDIT: That's IT!  I'm copyrighting that--ummm--puppy.

rounding poodle (noun) - a member of a statistically insignificant group of model railroaders that possess an almost statistically impossible volume level of growling in their quest for "perfect" model railroad products.

Joe, that's awesome!  LOL

I am a proud Rounding Poodle that commits Snarling Errors on a daily basis.