MTL Mail Baggage Test shot

[eric220]

I should be able to use it as a decent stand-in for this (the Hellsgate BM70 would also be a decent starting place):

http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/norfolksouthern/full/ns2045.jpeg

Now if they come out with an N&W, I definitely have room for one of those.

[jmlaboda]

http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/norfolksouthern/full/ns2045.jpeg

The new model would be a reasonable starting point to build a baggage - mail like this... removing the MT rivets and applying hundreds of Archer rivets would take the model more towards an appropriate model of the N&W car... though would any really want to do so much work (aside from me, that is)???

[Cumbo2000]

Joe,

This will be another nice addition to HW fleets.

I am curious as why you choose to add the RPO section to the end with the wider baggage door rather the narrower one? It seems that the RPO section combined with the narrower baggage door would be closer to more prototypes. 

Bob Witt

[Mark5]

http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/norfolksouthern/full/ns2045.jpeg

The new model would be a reasonable starting point to build a baggage - mail like this... removing the MT rivets and applying hundreds of Archer rivets would take the model more towards an appropriate model of the N&W car... though would any really want to do so much work (aside from me, that is)???

Too much work for me!

[H Lee]

Joe,

This will be another nice addition to HW fleets.

I am curious as why you choose to add the RPO section to the end with the wider baggage door rather the narrower one? It seems that the RPO section combined with the narrower baggage door would be closer to more prototypes. 

Bob Witt

What picture are you looking at??? If you go back and look at the one Joe posted when he started this thread the RPO section and wide baggage doors are at opposite ends!!!!

[High Hood]

Too much work for me!

Same here, looks good enough for me!  Hopefully MTL will offer N&W as a RTR model.  Also, the MTL baggage could be a good BEg with some changes.  Maybe with the next MTL heavyweight we'll get another car to help round out the N&W heavyweight roster

[Sokramiketes]

Looks a little late, but it would be better to leave off the mail hook if you can't do it separately. The hook is directional, and on the RPO is really tedious to carve off cleanly.

[thomasjmdavis]

it would be better to leave off the mail hook if you can't do it separately.

+1 - My vote too.  Much better option for those of us who would like to paint or detail the cars.  Also, a separate part, whether plastic or brass, just looks better.

[Chris333]

Looks a little late, but it would be better to leave off the mail hook if you can't do it separately. The hook is directional, and on the RPO is really tedious to carve off cleanly.

You should have told them back when they did the RPO, oh wait, you did. 

[pjm20]

This model is also pretty close to a Reading MBL class and a N&W Bmf class baggage mail car.

[Sokramiketes]

You should have told them back when they did the RPO, oh wait, you did. 

I think it went something like this:

"The hook would be better as a separate part"

"We can't afford to make it a separate part, they cost money"

"Then it would be better to leave it off"

"We don't want to leave it off, it's an important part"

"But you didn't have any problem leaving the bar off the other door"

"You just hate Micro-Trains"

*bang head*

[Chris333]

It would be just as separate as the brake wheel or stirrups.

[Sokramiketes]

It would be just as separate as the brake wheel or stirrups.

"Sure you could gang mold the parts, but we like to limit the number of parts per mold in case the mold is damaged.  You're also not considering the assembly cost of an additional part."

[thomasjmdavis]

Even with a molded mail hook, it will make a good core for M&R sides.

[nkalanaga]

Assembly cost?  Packaging, maybe, but the purchaser could assemble it, and have it facing whichever way they want.