Pennsy awesomeness I somehow missed...

[Dave V]

Pre-orders closed last week for a 4-pack of PRR Merchandise Service X29s...

http://www.micro-trains.com/cs-n-1506-prr993.php

Guess I was asleep at the switch.   

[peteski]

But were they foobs? 

[Dave V]

But were they foobs? 

Actually, no....  they're the real deal. 

http://www.protocraft.com/images/733.jpg

I have the one-off they did.

[peteski]

Actually, no....  they're the real deal. 

Ah, that's good!  Well, not good that you've missed them.     Can't you still try to get them through a dealer (like BLW or MBK)?

[Dave V]

Probably...  Much depends on whether the M1s actually arrive in May or not.  If they do, my hobby budget will be done for a while.  Chuck has them listed at a reasonable street price.  We'll see.

Usually you hear SPFs whining about how tough it is to be a Pennsy N scaler because of availability of rolling stock and locomotives.  Not any more!  Now the problem is too much stuff hitting at once.  The pre-order system means some tough choices.

[bbussey]

Actually, no....  they're the real deal. 

They are close to prototype, but the Red Caboose and Fine N Scale models are more accurate.

You'll still be able to snag a set when they are released.  MTL always makes an overage and the online dealers usually order extras.  But mark it on your calendar or set a reminder on your cell phone, because they will go quickly. 

[nkalanaga]

Or, if your dealer is good about reading emails, ask them to sell you a pair when they arrive.  That should put you near the front of the line for any extras.

[reinhardtjh]

I almost asked about them when I saw the notice on the Micro-Trains web site but I a$$umed they were foobs. 

I did read about them in George Irwin's Jan 2015 UMTRR (Unofficial Micro-Trains Release Report) and came to the conclusion they were "stand-ins" not total foobs. I use N Kalanaga's definition:

Eric: "Blatantly Inaccurate" is the way I think of it.  If the "wrong" model is close, and especially if it's sold as such, it's a "stand-in".  For many prototypes the perfect model may never be made, so a not-quite-right version is acceptable to most purchasers.  But if the car is visibly incorrect, to the average purchaser, it's a foobie.  Naturally, the dividing line depends on the individual buyer, but some models are so far off there's no doubt.

 

[bbussey]

"Stand-in" model is probably accurate.  For an X29 ... the upper door track, truck bolster placement, door tackboard, stirrups are incorrect.  The deco appears to be accurate, including all of the small markings.  But the ladder rails and rungs in the white stripe area should be the body color.

I don't remember if Red Caboose ever offered their model in the Merchandise scheme, or if the flat-end version was ever offered with corrugated doors.  So a kitbash of multiple RC models may be required to have a dead-on version of the Merchandise car.

[djconway]

M1's - F3's and these - I won't have any money left for the rest of the year

[Dave V]

I don't remember if Red Caboose ever offered their model in the Merchandise scheme, or if the flat-end version was ever offered with corrugated doors.  So a kitbash of multiple RC models may be required to have a dead-on version of the Merchandise car.

They did.  I have one of those too.

There were a total of 3 different Merchandise Service schemes...Red Caboose used the same one that MTL did, and I think that's the only scheme that was used on X29s.

[bbussey]

Looks like cars with the Creco panel doors also got the scheme, so the Red Caboose body is 100% accurate.  I didn't know RC released the scheme, might have to track one down.  Pennsy ended LCL service in 1957 and didn't repaint the cars, so I may be able to fudge having one traveling New England rails.

There's a photo in TKM #15 (10/2004) that shows an X29 with the third scheme (shadow keystone).

[bbussey]

I found a pic of the RC version.  The weight of the MERCHANDISE SERVICE lettering seems a little light.  Microscale makes decals, so I may paint/decal one for myself.  Of course, FVM probably will reissue an updated deco when they next release the model, so I could just wait.

[CodyO]

I have about 30 Red Caboose X29s in various schemes so I`m good but think I have one or two of the micro-trains cars.

But yes there`s too much hitting all at once and deciding what to get is though
Would like centipedes but then I remember I only get E3 pay

[bbussey]

You SPFs act as if that's a problem, having an overabundance of riches. 

It actually forces you to be more focused (which is a good thing), given that any modeler is only replicating a sliver of the region and era of the railroad being represented.  It also allows you to be selective, since you're not "forced" to acquire equipment outside of your region/era just to have something of the home road on the layout.  It's fantastic that so much PRR is reaching the N scale market.  As a New Haven "Northeast Corridor" modeler, I require a healthy amount of PRR equipment.  But I can be selective and acquire the specific equipment required, and still have a sizeable contingent, without having to buy everything.

In a related issue, I'm relishing the fact that Rapido is taking on a heavy New Haven influence, as they are producing models that fit the region and era that I model.  But I'm not going to buy every single New Haven item they have scheduled for release, because some of them are outside of my era.