When did MTL update their ACF hoppers?

[wcfn100]

This is good news to in so far as I was hoping the new 2-bay hopper wouldn't be designed with opening hatches.


Jason

[bbussey]

While at it please make em body mounted. These are nice models and they deserve this.

They are on our list to upgrade as time allows given the current status of things...

The correct trucks as well please, now that you have them.    The ACF Centerflows are excellent models, it's past time to bring them to the next level.

[mu26aeh]

No gaps ?  I've seen quite a few cars leaving Gettysburg where the hatches don't close all the way.  It's prototypical

[cfritschle]

uncle   

Joe and Peter,

Because we are now talking about vehicles, I cannot stay out of it.   

There were only 304 1958 Cadillac Broughams built, but there were approximately 777,000 1969 Chevrolet Impalas built.  I think that helps explain the differences in price!

[peteski]

Joe and Peter,

Because we are now talking about vehicles, I cannot stay out of it.   

There were only 304 1958 Cadillac Broughams built, but there were approximately 777,000 1969 Chevrolet Impalas built.  I think that helps explain the differences in price!

True, but the point was that for quite a few years the Cadillac brand was known for being the best car make.  Kadee Micro-Trains was originally using a slogan comparing themselves to being a Cadillac of N scale.  Top quality (in all aspects of their models).  For many years they were the best brand of N scale trains.  Free rolling wheels, fine and crisply molded details, and operating features were all hallmarks of Micro-Trains models.  But here we are seeing some of those features disappearing.  I guess just as the Cadillac name is not quite held to the same regard as it used to be, Micro-Trains is not quite what it used to be in the past (compared to their contemporary competition).

[daniel_leavitt2000]

They are on our list to upgrade as time allows given the current status of things...

Joe

Joe does that mean we'll get some 100t trucks with an underslung and offset bolster that will match the offset of your 70t trucks?

I need tons of these. I know that Trainworx makes them, but they are hard to get and I don't like the idea of my MTL cars running on non MTL trucks.

They would work well in your 56' tank, 90t hoppers, covered hoppers, gondolas, auto parts boxcars. And lots of plug door FMC boxcars came with 100t trucks too. All these cars need to be lowered and all of them have offset bolsters, so I can't use BLMA or other center bolster trucks without throwing off the truck spacing.

[ai5629]

Joe does that mean we'll get some 100t trucks with an underslung and offset bolster that will match the offset of your 70t trucks?

I need tons of these. I know that Trainworx makes them, but they are hard to get and I don't like the idea of my MTL cars running on non MTL trucks.

They would work well in your 56' tank, 90t hoppers, covered hoppers, gondolas, auto parts boxcars. And lots of plug door FMC boxcars came with 100t trucks too. All these cars need to be lowered and all of them have offset bolsters, so I can't use BLMA or other center bolster trucks without throwing off the truck spacing.

Trainworx trucks, while having an offset bolster, are not underslung.  Please MTL, make underslung offset bolster 100 ton trucks.  This is very much needed for so many 100 ton cars.  Thanks.

Jeff

[JoeD]

Joe does that mean we'll get some 100t trucks with an underslung and offset bolster that will match the offset of your 70t trucks?

I need tons of these. I know that Trainworx makes them, but they are hard to get and I don't like the idea of my MTL cars running on non MTL trucks.

They would work well in your 56' tank, 90t hoppers, covered hoppers, gondolas, auto parts boxcars. And lots of plug door FMC boxcars came with 100t trucks too. All these cars need to be lowered and all of them have offset bolsters, so I can't use BLMA or other center bolster trucks without throwing off the truck spacing.

just so we are talking apples and apples...in what way underslung?  I'm assuming a depressed bolster to lower the car? I just want to be clear we are on the same page and not some new Railwirespeak

Joe

[ai5629]

just so we are talking apples and apples...in what way underslung?  I'm assuming a depressed bolster to lower the car? I just want to be clear we are on the same page and not some new Railwirespeak

Joe

Yes.  Bolster hole offset and depressed to lower car ride height without modifying underframe.  A 100 ton version would be most welcome.  They could be used to lower MTL 100 ton hoppers and excess height boxcars.  They could also be used with Atlas hoppers for the same reason.  I recall this being mentioned as being in the works years ago, but so far nothing.  I ask MTL representatives about these at train shows (remember those), and I am always told “we’re working on it.”  This is so needed in N scale.  Thanks.

Jeff

[JoeD]

Yes.  Bolster hole offset and depressed to lower car ride height without modifying underframe.  A 100 ton version would be most welcome.  They could be used to lower MTL 100 ton hoppers and excess height boxcars.  They could also be used with Atlas hoppers for the same reason.  I recall this being mentioned as being in the works years ago, but so far nothing.  I ask MTL representatives about these at train shows (remember those), and I am always told “we’re working on it.”  This is so needed in N scale.  Thanks.

Jeff

One of the issues will be maintaining coupler height.  On the 50-40' mods we reworked the underframe to allow for the draft gear box to compensate for the lowered body.  This has been on our radar for awhile, but resources are difficult to pull from ongoing tooling.  I'll bring it up at the product planning meeting and see what the schedule looks like.

Joe

[ai5629]

One of the issues will be maintaining coupler height.  On the 50-40' mods we reworked the underframe to allow for the draft gear box to compensate for the lowered body.  This has been on our radar for awhile, but resources are difficult to pull from ongoing tooling.  I'll bring it up at the product planning meeting and see what the schedule looks like.

Joe

I have used BLMA 100 ton trucks on the MTL hoppers with body mounted 1015’s.  I had to use an MTL washer (the ones that come with replacement trucks) because the BLMA trucks lowered them too much.  These trucks do not line up with the last side stake due to the centered bolster hole, so I am hoping MTL can offer something that lowers the car and lines up properly.  Also, I had to use a spacer with the 1015 body mount to lower the coupler to the proper height.  Another option would be to modify the hopper underframe tooling to sit lower with MTL’s current offset bolster 100 ton truck.  Any push Joe / @Shipsure can provide to make this happen is most appreciated.

[JoeD]

I have used BLMA 100 ton trucks on the MTL hoppers with body mounted 1015’s.  I had to use an MTL washer (the ones that come with replacement trucks) because the BLMA trucks lowered them too much.  These trucks do not line up with the last side stake due to the centered bolster hole, so I am hoping MTL can offer something that lowers the car and lines up properly.  Also, I had to use a spacer with the 1015 body mount to lower the coupler to the proper height.  Another option would be to modify the hopper underframe tooling to sit lower with MTL’s current offset bolster 100 ton truck.  Any push Joe / @Shipsure can provide to make this happen is most appreciated.

When we get to the hoppers and the tank cars, it will require re-work on the underframes to adjust the height of the couplers with lowering the car.  With the Pandemic and all the issues that were involved in keeping open and functioning, getting to what I would consider small scale projects will be lagging.  We are all on working to get the 123's out next month...its a huge project with all those parts.

Joe

[bbussey]

One of the issues will be maintaining coupler height.  On the 50-40' mods we reworked the underframe to allow for the draft gear box to compensate for the lowered body.  This has been on our radar for awhile, but resources are difficult to pull from ongoing tooling.  I'll bring it up at the product planning meeting and see what the schedule looks like.

The Centerflows are easy to upgrade.  Screw 1015's directly to the floor and swap in 100-ton trucks with an offset bolster beam.  The jack plates are such that the trucks have to be rotated 180 degrees for proper alignment if cutting the coupler pocket off existing trucks.  On this Cotton Belt, I kept the original gray couplers and coupler box by clipping them from the trucks and screwing them directly to the floor.  Then I swapped in gray-painted Trainworx 100-ton trucks (which have the same offset hole bolster beam and same bolster height as the MTL trucks).

The already-excellent models look much better with body-mounts and proper 100-ton trucks.  The Centerflow models already ride at the correct height above the rails.  If it were my decision, I would integrate the 1015 coupler box design into the floor, and use the existing 1015 couplers and lids.

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[DKS]

Meh. MTL just copied Aurora...

[Mark5]

Meh. MTL just copied Aurora...

Noyce.