PRR Diner in the house

[peteski]

My model arrived today.  This is the best MTL heavyweight tooling since the RPO, and the best two-part-mold roof tooling on any of the MTL heavyweights.  No tooling lines are visible on the roof, and a nice touch is having separate hatch lids to achieve that extra definition.  They coupler design was changed to MTL 1016, so that a quick substitute of MTL 1015 achieves closer coupling without having to drill and tap new holes.  The underframe was designed so that visual blocks are added above the trucks to eliminate the see-through riding-on-stilts effect, which is a huge improvement over the previous models.  The incorporation of the stirrups is well thought out, and the execution of the pinstripe printing over all that side relief is extremely well-done.  Nice interior, and a pleasure to see it molded in tan instead of dark maroon.  And, regarding this specific release, the service dates listed on the package match the car configuration and number.

This is a big win for MTL.

This coming from you means it is a superb model!  Can you tell if the pinstriping is Tampo printed or printed using the flatbed ink jet?

[bbussey]

Looks like it's ink jet.  But pinstripes and thin stripes in general is one area that the ink jet technology works on.  Lowell Smith's N&W special run business car sold at the NSE convention last year used the same method to print the stripes, and they look exceptionally good.  As with the N&W car, this PRR diner has the railroad name and car numbers tamped in the conventional way.

Of special note is that the diner model, as appropriate, has a thin two-tiered riveted belt rail below the windows.  And, as with the prototype, the double pinstripe is properly applied so that one stripe is centered on the upper tier of the belt rail and the other stripe is centered on the lower tier.  The pinstripe above the windows also is centered on a thin riveted belt rail.

There's really not much that must be done to enhance the model.  It definitely can be placed on the track as is and not be out of place with more intricately-detailed models.

[eric220]

Looks like it's ink jet.  But pinstripes and thin stripes in general is one area that the ink jet technology works on.  Lowell Smith's N&W special run business car sold at the NSE convention last year used the same method to print the stripes, and they look exceptionally good.  As with the N&W car, this PRR diner has the railroad name and car numbers tamped in the conventional way.

Of special note is that the diner model, as appropriate, has a thin two-tiered riveted belt rail below the windows.  And, as with the prototype, the double pinstripe is properly applied so that one stripe is centered on the upper tier of the belt rail and the other stripe is centered on the lower tier.  The pinstripe above the windows also is centered on a thin riveted belt rail.

There's really not much that must be done to enhance the model.  It definitely can be placed on the track as is and not be out of place with more intricately-detailed models.

Translation: Hawt.

[chicken45]

Looks like it's ink jet.  But pinstripes and thin stripes in general is one area that the ink jet technology works on.  Lowell Smith's N&W special run business car sold at the NSE convention last year used the same method to print the stripes, and they look exceptionally good.  As with the N&W car, this PRR diner has the railroad name and car numbers tamped in the conventional way.

Of special note is that the diner model, as appropriate, has a thin two-tiered riveted belt rail below the windows.  And, as with the prototype, the double pinstripe is properly applied so that one stripe is centered on the upper tier of the belt rail and the other stripe is centered on the lower tier.  The pinstripe above the windows also is centered on a thin riveted belt rail.

There's really not much that must be done to enhance the model.  It definitely can be placed on the track as is and not be out of place with more intricately-detailed models.

Wow. I took out a loop to check out those lines and I'm glad you brought it up so I could appreciate them.

So...I have to ask: what will you do to yours to enhance it? Table lamps?

[Bob Bufkin]

Wow. I took out a loop to check out those lines and I'm glad you brought it up so I could appreciate them.

So...I have to ask: what will you do to yours to enhance it? Table lamps?

Need a smell generator for charcoal broiled steak, PRR salad bowl with Rye Krisp and raisin pie.

[bbussey]

Wow. I took out a loop to check out those lines and I'm glad you brought it up so I could appreciate them.

So...I have to ask: what will you do to yours to enhance it? Table lamps?

Not much actually.  Steve at MTL did a really good job designing this model, and the toolmakers did a good job bringing it to life.  I would have to dig out some photos of the prototype, but off the top of my head: adding etched fan plates to the roof fans, adding free-standing antenna wire on the roof, adding ALM diaphragms, swapping in brown #1015s for closer coupling, adding steam traps.  I also want to verify if the roof vents are accurate as is, or should be replaced with the Kato-style vents.  If I were to illuminate the interior (I won't be), then major work there would be needed.  All the chairs are "pushed in" under the tables, so the interior would have to be heavily modified if people were going to be added.  I would also add some kitchen detail and paint the tablecloths white and the kitchen stainless, if lights were being added. 

[chicken45]

Speaking of diaphragms...are those still sold anywhere?

[Dave V]

Speaking of diaphragms...are those still sold anywhere?

You mean without a prescription and a fitting?   

[davefoxx]

You mean without a prescription and a fitting?   

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

[peteski]

If I were to illuminate the interior (I won't be), then major work there would be needed.  All the chairs are "pushed in" under the tables, so the interior would have to be heavily modified if people were going to be added.  I would also add some kitchen detail and paint the tablecloths white and the kitchen stainless, if lights were being added.

Sounds like perfect application for 3D printing.  Then you could sell them like you do with the White Tower buildings.

[wazzou]

You mean without a prescription and a fitting?   

LOL!

They actually custom fit those things? 

[peteski]

LOL!

They actually custom fit those things?

Sure do - how else would they be able to get a tight fit to prevent those little squiggly things from getting through, while seeking their intended target?

Now this is probably the most wildly OT diversion I have seen on TRW! 

[wazzou]

I honestly didn't know that they were still relevant to be honest.

[chicken45]

You mean without a prescription and a fitting?   

I guess I should have seen that coming (TWSS)

So are we in limbo with American Limited?

[bbussey]

You can still find the ALM diaphragms if you look around.  But yes, it appears they remain MIA from San Juan Car.