VIDEO — The Making of the Micro-Trains TBOX

[nscalbitz]

I drove up... the in car pickup .. they are some nice looking ..

WOnder whether this will pass into folklore euphemism territory any time soon...
 

[mu26aeh]

Our shop had some ordered from MT, they never arrived with our last order. Hoping it was just a situation where they came available days after our order shipped.

My LHS hasn't gotten their order in yet either, from MT or Walthers

[ek2000]

Video documenting the research, design and production of the Micro-Trains NSC 60' Outside Post Double Plug Door Hi-Cube Boxcar model.

Thanks for posting this awesome video. I marvelled at the craftsmanship of the work and the workers, then the fact that it is designed and produced all in the USA 🇺🇸 and to top it all, the competitive price they are able to offer, rivalling imported products. A salute to MTL and its incredible team.

[James Costello]

My LHS hasn't gotten their order in yet either, from MT or Walthers

They've definitely been produced and shipped in batches.... we were told ours would be ready at November's end.

[sundowner]

MBK got a restock 11 left as of this post.

[tehachapifan]

MBK got a restock 11 left as of this post.

And, they're gone.

[SkipGear]

Our shop received an e-mail from Micro-Trains today explaining that they are still producing these cars. Rather than hold up the release another few weeks, they shipped what they had to the shops with standing orders for the month. Remaining pre-orders are being finished now and will ship out as they are completed or with your next order.

[John]

Thats good to know Tony.. I think they get a pass considering all the drama in Oregon this year .

Hope the employees are getting their lives straightened out as well

[sundowner]

Micro Trains send this email out to those on there mailing list. Kind of sad they had to do this but its the way the world is this day.

Dear Customer,
Following the recent release of the ‘TBOX’ TTX v.1 3-Pack, we have heard from multiple customers that dealers are telling them two things, both of which we want to officially address.
1.      The dealer doesn’t have any in stock because Micro-Trains significantly underestimated the demand for this product.

2.      That Micro-Trains deliberately produces below demand to create artificial shortages.

Regarding the first statement; we produced this 3-Pack based on pre-orders received. Pre-orders are the best measure of demand and without pre-orders we would over or underestimate demand by even greater amounts. If there is low participation in pre-orders by dealers and customers, then there will be a significantly greater chance that supply will not adequately meet demand. We realize some dealers and customers do not want to place pre-orders, which is fine, but they have to accept that there may not be enough available. Participating in pre-orders benefits the manufacturer, the dealer and the customer.

The second statement made by some dealers is really unfortunate. It is a careless and totally unfounded response from dealers that is completely false. It’s true that we occasionally experience quick sellouts on products, but that is simply because demand exceeds what we anticipated. Producing below what we believe demand will be would not benefit Micro-Trains in any way. It would result in less revenue, less of our product in customer’s hands and frustrated and disappointed customers and dealers. The idea that we produce below demand on purpose is just not true. If you hear this from dealers or others in the hobby, we appreciate your help in setting the record straight.

Sincerely,

Micro-Trains

[tehachapifan]

Really unfortunate that this is what people are saying, especially on the heels of what MT just went thru. I was seeing this release as quite an accomplishment so soon after all of that.

[basementcalling]

I'm frankly amazed they have kept a production schedule. I keep expecting to hear that they will have to miss am month.

Even though artificial shortages are popping from the partial shipments of the TBOXes I think that was a good call to go ahead and sell what they had already been able to make before the fires disrupted operations.

Finally got my set today and they are gorgeous cars, quite possibly the best car MT has ever made, depending on how they roll and track once I let the Oregon collector's air out of the boxes.

[GaryHinshaw]

The TBOX model is the most excited I've been about an MTL release since Kadee released their first 40' boxcar back in ~1972.  A grand slam.

3 of the 5 cars* on my most recent top-5 wish list have now been produced, and they have all sold out quickly: the ExactRail bulkhead flat, the JTC/NSC well car, and the MTL/TBOX.  Therefore manufacturers should listen to me.   (Time for a new list too.)

*A 4th car was announced years ago (the IM 3281 2-bay hopper), but I fear it is in grave danger of becoming vapourware.

[muktown128]

3 of the 5 cars* on my most recent top-5 wish list have now been produced, and they have all sold out quickly: the ExactRail bulkhead flat, the JTC/NSC well car, and the MTL/TBOX.  Therefore manufacturers should listen to me.   (Time for a new list too.)

Everyone send your wish lists to Gary.  Maybe we should start calling him Santa Claus?

[GaryHinshaw]

[MK]

Everyone send your wish lists to Gary.  Maybe we should start calling him Santa Claus?

Quick!  Someone change his avatar to white hair!