Athearn bay windows in hand....

[bbussey]

The more I look at the two, I'll stand by my original statement. Both examples in the photo can be "nit picked" in various areas.

"Issues" with both models, but it's nice to have a choice.

Two or three scale feet too tall is more than a "nit pick."  That is the one and only noticeable anomaly when the train is moving, and it's noticeable no matter how far away you're standing.

You can find issues with any N scale model when you examine it under a lupe.

[chuck geiger]

Chuck thanks for holding one back for me (SP)

[bobdobbs]

Thanks for posting the comparison Tony.  I wouldn't say it was a toss-up either, but the paint work on the Athearn seems a bit iffy (e.g. the silver window frames and the white railings).    Also - to me, at least - this is a case where the slightly oversize free-standing corner rails are not hands down better than the MT molded-on ones (there, I said it). 

If I needed an SP caboose - I would choose Athearn, but I've learned to be happy with DPUs at the end of a train instead of a caboose now. 

The MT end rails are etched brass....

[Dave V]

I'm headed out to my LHS today to pick one up.  Thankfully the roads are clear of snow; they spread salt solution on the roads last night.

[bobdobbs]

Hi

Here are some comparisons of the MT with an Overland C 50-9, I will try and do a 3-way when I get my Athearn's.  See guys, there are 3 choices in bay window SP cabs- the market is saturated!!!!





Dobbs

[Dave V]

Bob,

Is that some sort of photo artifact, or is the roof on your MTL caboose really that warped on the left?

[ljudice]

Got 1 SP today - really nice!

Amazingly 3 had sold before me this morning - and this is in NJ...

Lots of CR and Chessies left...

[bobdobbs]

Bob,

Is that some sort of photo artifact, or is the roof on your MTL caboose really that warped on the left?

No, bad picture, the caboose roof is straight. 

Dobbs

[bbussey]

The MTL car sits too high AND the body is too tall.  Look at the end shot in the Conrail comparison photos for a no-doubt-about-it view.

[Dave V]

Okay, I now have both.  On the left is a slightly weathered, detail-painted, partially lowered MTL cabin with replacement FVM wheelsets.  On the right is the unmodified straight-from-the-box Athearn.

Athearn win.  MTL fail.



Let's look at the Athearn car up close.  Not only are the end rails already painted white (something I did myself for the MTL car), but note how the can opener goes all the way to the end of the car body.  MTL chose not to do that probably because of the molded-on grab iron.  Overall, the detail and lettering are better rendered on the Athearn car.  Also, the obvious lower ride height (in spite of my having filed the bolsters down on the MTL car) and the height of the side walls makes the Athearn car a clear winner.  In the not-so-good column thus far I'm finding the McHenry couplers seemed not to mate reliably with the Accumates on my other Atlas CR cabin cars.



And then the MTL car...  I may be posting this one on eBay too!  Note the un-Conrail depiction of the can opener, not reaching to the end wall as all CR cabin logos did.

[Ian MacMillan]

I like the Athearn car, but it appears that I will need to take an Xacto to the end rails to clean up the spruces or replace with brass rod.

[central.vermont]

.....................note how the can opener goes all the way to the end of the car body.  MTL chose not to do that probably because of the molded-on grab iron.  

I've always loved the can opener on this car!!!!! Yes it does go allllllllllllll the way to the end!!  ;D ;D

Jon

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cr/cr21108arb.jpg

[Chris333]

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cr/cr21108arb.jpg
Ex. Erie.

[central.vermont]

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cr/cr21108arb.jpg
Ex. Erie.

Chris,

Tell me about those trucks under it. What are they and were they from something else that they may have retired.

Jon

[Chris333]

They are from express reefers:
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/frt/erie6655bdb.jpg