Deluxe Innovations Well Cars - A post 4 years in the making.

[iais509]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post here, however I've been a long time reader.  I received my DI Iowa Interstate well cars Friday evening and I am quite impressed.  Even though it felt at times as if these cars were never going to be released, all in all the wait was well worth it.  The cars feel solid, nicely weighted and the level of fine detail is incredible although extremely delicate.  I haven't had a chance to test how well they track yet as my test loop is stored away due to lack of space at the moment.  I've attached a few pics here.  I do worry about their durability as some of my cars arrived damaged but I'm in contact with my dealer and Dave at DI and am confident that all will get resolved. Overall, I'm quite happy with these cars and can't wait to see them behind my IAIS engines on my Blue Island Sub layout. 

Chris

[Scottl]

Thanks for posting the images. I have an order in for a set and look forward to seeing them.  The detail looks great- is that a printed label on the brake air tank? 

I like the look of the coupling already, especially as it seems they can be broken down into individual cars for storage.  It looks more like the Walthers type rather than the Kato version, the latter of which is a bit awkward.

[iais509]

I really like the coupling method between the units.  I didn't snap it in completely as I put them back into their cases but it appears to be pretty simple.  I don't own any Kato well cars to compare them to but I have read that the Kato method can be a pain to deal with.  As for the air tank, it is a printed label.  At first glance I thought it was a nick in the paint!   

[Scottl]

Yep, I think those cars are worthy of the "awesome" label.  Can't wait to get mine along with some more blank containers to do up.

[jagged ben]

Thanks for the pics.  Seemingly the package includes space for containers, which is nice.

Personally I'm deliberating here.  The walkways look nicer than I was expecting (better than the Maxi-III) and along with the trucks, wheels, and general better level of detail I'm strongly considering.

Downsides are that the ride height looks like it needs to be adjusted on the middle trucks (I saw this in previous pics).  And those rejection pin marks.  Those are really disappointing.  They were a lot more hidden on the old Interail models.

What would be really nice would be if Dave would make the etched walkways available to those of us who would like to upgrade our Kato cars.  They are actually a different prototype, so I hope that's not seen as too much of a conflict of interest. 

[James Costello]

And those rejection pin marks.  Those are really disappointing.  They were a lot more hidden on the old Interail models.

What do you mean? Can you elaborate?

[Scottl]

I can't see anything, but the photos are not large.

[jagged ben]

What do you mean? Can you elaborate?

The circles you see on the surface below the etched walkways.  They are an artifact of the molding process and are not prototypical.

[Scottl]

If people can look past code 80 rail, couplers with bits of wire sticking out of them and 4" diameter handrails on locomotives, I'm calling this one a win. 

[nkalanaga]

Not being a modern intermodal fan, I just thought that the prototype was made that way, instead of using flat sheets,

[u18b]

These kinds of cars (various well intermodal) have been made with thick plastic walkways (I think I have a MDC or Con Cor car like that somewhere).

But etched metal is really the only way to go.  Anything else just doesn't look right.

These cars look great.
Good job DI.

[Denver Road Doug]

OK, so first off, I agree that the cars themselves look ABSOLUTELY AWESOME from a tooling perspective.

But....anybody else think the BNSF color is completely wrong?  If you look at MBK's site, tell me if the BNSF or AOK looks more like this:
http://archive.trainpix.com/BNSF/RAILCARS/STACKCAR/211063.HTM

Anyway, to each his own, certainly.  But I have declined the cars from my pusher, and I NEVER do that.  Ever.

OK Kindergarteners, which one of the following don't belong in the group? 
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

I did contact Dave and asked if there was an easy way to remove the lettering from the AOK car without damaging the paint. (like Athearn's Microsol on the TP trick)  If there is, I'll be happy to decal the thing myself.

[Scottl]

No opinion on the BNSF, but is the AOK  color A-OK?  I bought a set, 'cause I wanted something a little different from TTX and I think I have seen AOK occasionally in Canada.

[Mark5]

OK, so first off, I agree that the cars themselves look ABSOLUTELY AWESOME from a tooling perspective.

But....anybody else think the BNSF color is completely wrong?  If you look at MBK's site, tell me if the BNSF or AOK looks more like this:



I did contact Dave and asked if there was an easy way to remove the lettering from the AOK car without damaging the paint. (like Athearn's Microsol on the TP trick)  If there is, I'll be happy to decal the thing myself.

FWIW the color rendering in photos on the MBK site are not always correct.

[Denver Road Doug]

FWIW the color rendering in photos on the MBK site are not always correct.

Yes, that is a good point.   I'm basing my opinion on several sources, all of which show a color that is way off.

As far as the AOK, I *think* it's right but I have not researched that in depth.  I thought the BNSF, AOK, and IAIS were all the same color, not by accident.   (actually I think the IAIS is patched)

You can look at some of the newer (swoosh-era) cars and see that they indeed seem to have more of a red component, and I think that is probably what happened here.   Anyway, it looks like the AOK lettering is almost identical to the BNSF other than the reporting marks and "logo" so I am hopeful I can make them work.   Only downside of that is that there always still seems to be ghosting where the logos are removed.  Typically covered up by weathering but these are virtually new cars in my timeframe.  Nothing a little photoshop won't fix I guess.   Just sucks...I was so looking forward to these cars being....Deluxe!   They normally do a good job of such things.