MTL Mail Baggage Test shot

[Sokramiketes]

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

"Why do you hate Micro-Trains?"   

Seriously, this conversation really does feel like the 2009 conversation about the RPO.  I think the next excuse was about paint masks.  Then deformed plastic parts when pushed into interference fit holes.  Then I think Joe offered to revisit it on the next tooling for RPO sides, but we haven't seen other RPO variations issued since the first one. 

I wonder if the two mail hooks will at least be pointed in the same direction?  On the RPO one is forward, one backward, no matter which way you run the car.

[bbussey]

The added assembly cost argument is rendered moot by decades of flatcar stakes and tankcar hazard placards and reefer latches being tossed in the bottom of the jewel box. The mail hooks (and safety bars) could have been part of the stirrups/brakewheel runner and thrown in the bottom of the box without adding any significant production run cost. Kato has done it for decades ... along with roof vents, antenna stanchions, etcetera.

[thomasjmdavis]

Given the number of packages of MT and Kato parts I have purchased over the decades, I daresay the individual parts sprues would pay for themselves in the long run in any case.  I would also think that from a production standpoint, if anything is going to get stuck in the mold, it will be the mail hook.  Thinking of which, if that does happen, I'd be happy to take several of the resultant rejects off their hands- I'm sure I could come up with some interesting "cut and paste" kitbashes from the baggage ends of the mail-baggage cars or "rebuild" RPO cars into baggage or MoW.

[jmlaboda]

..."rebuild" RPO cars into baggage or MoW.

You mean like these???

Random Thoughts about Micro-Trains Mail Car

[thomasjmdavis]

Jerry,
That was one of your best projects.  I recall you posting those a while back.  Very inspirational.  Like you, I have an interest in C&EI, and they rebuilt a number of RPOs (the two that were prototypes for your conversions, and several others that were similar) into 60' baggage cars.  At some point, I intend to follow your example, and have set aside some parts from the 2 MT cars that are serving as "cores" for heavyweight ATSF RPO sides from M&R.

[JoeD]

So Mike, what's the point in throwing up old quotes about a past project?   This your idea of humor or just another attempt to take passive aggressive shots at me?  Get over it.   With luck I'll get moderated and won't have to waste time dialoging just to have it used against me in the future.

Joe
not representing MTl at the moment.


 

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*

[arbomambo]

So Mike, what's the point in throwing up old quotes about a past project?   This your idea of humor or just another attempt to take passive aggressive shots at me?  Get over it.   With luck I'll get moderated and won't have to waste time dialoging just to have it used against me in the future.

Joe
not representing MTl at the moment.


 

I agree...
wth?...if you don't like it, don't buy it, or fix it the way you want...
Bruce

[Puddington]

Joe, consider the source and move on.... really.....

Think happy thoughts... Horse Express.......

[peteski]

So Mike, what's the point in throwing up old quotes about a past project?   This your idea of humor or just another attempt to take passive aggressive shots at me?  Get over it.   With luck I'll get moderated and won't have to waste time dialoging just to have it used against me in the future.

Joe
not representing MTl at the moment.

All these speculations and comments and you still haven't told us if it will be a separate part or part of the body.   You're killin' us!   

BTW, I can relate to the way Skibbe feels when I see how many new models are being made vs. how much better they could have been made with just minimal cost or effort (or no cost at all).

[Chris333]

A single window coach would make me forget about the mail hook. Just sayin'! 

[thomasjmdavis]

I don't know Chris, I suspect the real reason nobody has yet made a single window coach is that they cannot come up with a mold that will make an 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 window side and still work for an ATSF 3050 with side sill, and everyone will be upset except for the 7 people who get the one they want.  And they will have to face the complaints from everyone who thinks it should never (whichever prototype they choose) be painted PRR, and how come they didn't make a P70 even if it does have paired windows? 

Other than trying to paint and decal one, where the mail hook was a pain, truth be told, the other RPOs I bought had their sides cut off to become cores for M&R sides- so the mail hook became kinda academic.  Wonder if I could get Roberto or some other side manufacturer to do the ATSF 60' fishbelly mail storage car or NYC 60' baggage express.  Then I could buy up the RPOs from those that hate them, and make them into 60' baggage cars (just like the real railroads did).

When all is said and done, if MT produces the baggage mail with the hook molded on, I will buy 1 or 2.  If they produce it with the hook as a separate part, I will probably buy 1 or 2 more.  But that is just me.  If they think they sell more by molding it in, that's ok.  All I can do is tell them what I think, and they can make their decisions.  The investors in the company have put their money where their mouths are.  Any time I think I can do better, I can buy injection molding equipment, hire tooling designers, and make a baggage mail any which way I want to.

[Chris333]

Joe already said they are doing a single window coach, just pulling his leg.

[JoeD]

ouch!!     the single window coach is on the short list.

Joe

[Chris333]

Just squeeze out 5-6 good bodies and send them to me. I'll buy paired windows and swap the bodies. Deal? 

[Puddington]

Just squeeze out 5-6 good bodies and send them to me. I'll buy paired windows and swap the bodies. Deal? 

Step away from the single window gems hombre....nice and slow like........