MTL heavyweight baggage car

[thomasjmdavis]

Looks like it might be a Pullman truck retrofit with roller bearings.  I could use some of those, so maybe that is just me wishing.  Looks like MT will be bringing several new things to market for us picky modeler types vs. the mass market that would probably not know the difference.

Tom D.

[bbussey]

Most likely they simply pulled the line drawing for one of the earlier-generation passenger trucks to include in the artwork.  Note the truck-mounted couplers.  The car would need a total tool redesign to accommodate truck-mounted couplers.

[Norway2112]

Most likely they simply pulled the line drawing for one of the earlier-generation passenger trucks to include in the artwork.  Note the truck-mounted couplers.  The car would need a total tool redesign to accommodate truck-mounted couplers.

Might be the case, but that truck looks nothing like one of the earlier passenger trucks MT offered.

[bbussey]

***Renderings Shown For Representation Only***

Directly under the artwork.  There is no cause for alarm.  I can definitively state that the baggage car is being designed to utilize body-mounted #1016 couplers, same as the diner, which allows for easily swapping in #1015 couplers for closer coupling.

[thomasjmdavis]

Sorry if I caused any confusion here- my last comment was a response on the "POW_MIA" car- which does look like 2410 truck fitted with roller bearings- one assumes whatever truck it is, it will utilize the same bolsters and coupler mounting of the RPO it is based on.

But what is shown in the artwork for the baggage car sure looks like a 242 truck (or maybe the Pennsy truck from the diner?)- I note (if I understand correctly) they did a special truck for the PRR versions of the diner, but I bought mine lettered for ATSF, and it had the earlier trucks (that MT labels as PS 6-wheel- I assume a 2410) of the sleepers and RPO.  So might they not do something similar with the baggage- depending on road name?

[nkalanaga]

thomasjmdavis:  The etched doors and details sounds like a great idea.  Most people don't know how long a particular baggage car was, and probably don't care.  Even if the door spacing isn't exact it doesn't matter too much.  But the door style, especially the number and shape of the windows, makes a big difference in the car's appearance.  It wouldn't be hard to cut the cast doors out and put an etched one into the hole, and wouldn't even require careful measuring.  Cut the middle out and file to fit, being careful not to file into the door frame. 

[jmlaboda]

The etched doors and details sounds like a great idea.

Would folks like to see some sort of etching like this being produced to fit the MT and possibly the Wheels Of Time cars?  Would be nice if details could be varied, especially so on older cars that might have had a number of door types applied over their service life.  While in more recent times the single large window was used on cars still in service older cars earlier in their use would have had the smaller rectangular windows in groups of four or more.

[bbussey]

Sorry if I caused any confusion here- my last comment was a response on the "POW_MIA" car- which does look like 2410 truck fitted with roller bearings- one assumes whatever truck it is, it will utilize the same bolsters and coupler mounting of the RPO it is based on...

@thomasjmdavis — for what it's worth, the printed copy of the Micro-News shows the proper depiction of the Erie trucks and body-mounted couplers on the baggage car.

[nkalanaga]

Jerry:  I probably wouldn't buy any, as I don't need many heavyweight baggage cars.  They were scarce in 1974...  But for those who model passenger trains, as opposed to running a train across the layout occasionally, they should be good sellers.  It would be a lot easier than trying to cut new doors from styrene sheet.

One question the prospective maker would have to consider would be what to include.  Parts for one car?  Simple enough.  Two or more identical cars?  Ideal for a fleet builder, but maybe not for someone who has a varied roster.  Two or more different cars?  Even if they're from the same road, not so great, as the buyer may only have one of the cars.  I'd probably go for the one-car set, if I was making them, and then offer a variety of sets. 

A question for those who've done etched parts:  Once one has the artwork, assuming all of the sets are the same size, how hard is it to change the set being made?  As easy as changing a slide in a projector, or does it take a lot of work?  Would there have to be a minimum number wanted for a set to make it profitable, over and above the cost of the artwork itself, or could they be made in small batches, more or less "on demand"?  Would it be practical for individuals or groups to supply artwork, to specified standards, for their own favorite road's car?

[OldEastRR]

Could this car be as-is, modified, or bashed into a reasonable NH heavyweight baggage? It has the two different size doors.

[bbussey]

It's close.  But so is the WOT car.

[JoeD]

I'll be posting pics of the roof, shell and hopfully the underframe today.  Sorry I've been quiet but am busy and recuperating from all the holiday bliss.

Joe

[arbomambo]

I'll be posting pics of the roof, shell and hopefully the underframe today.  Sorry I've been quiet but am busy and recuperating from all the holiday bliss.

Joe

unless there is some other 'earth shattering' release coming in 2015...this release will be the highlight of my 'new product' buying for 2015....have SO many ATSF projects that will be based on this car, in addition to actually acquiring two in the Erie livery. I'll be using the trucks that are coming with this car, in addition to acquiring the other trucks to put under some of the other projects that will use this car.
Very Excited!
~Bruce

[JoeD]

We are tooling up the Mail Baggage at the moment and the design for the 3 door Horse Car is just about finished.  Good year for us Head End Car Enthusiasts.

Joe
MTL

[Puddington]

We are tooling up the Mail Baggage at the moment and the design for the 3 door Horse Car is just about finished.  Good year for us Head End Car Enthusiasts.

Joe
MTL

"Three door horse car Gracie.....?"

Joe; that be great news........ can't wait!