MTL February

[nkalanaga]

Bryan:  Very similar!  It looks like the main difference is the available tools.  I don't have anything other than a nearly 50 year old Dremel for grinding, so it's easier for me to take a razor saw and cut the entire end off the underframe.  The missing piece of centersill can be replaced with styrene.  If one has the appropriate power tools, your way is probably a lot quicker.

[RockGp40]

A 50' hi cube LRS/GATX car is coming from Exactrail...

Good to know, thanks!

[Bill H]

FWIW I jumped in on the B&O concrete two car set. First thing for B&O transition era modelers in a long time...

[JMaurer1]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a jewel case is just the plastic box that most of the cars come in...right? No real JEWELS on them? Either the paper box with foam or the jewel case for $4 per car more? No, I must be wrong here...

[bbussey]

Materials and labor.  It's not just the box, and blister, and paper insert.

[thomasjmdavis]

Well, you could save the $4 per box for MTL boxes, and buy your boxes from Kato-

942994
   Clear Plastic Jewel Case & Lid with Blue Kato Logo (Bulk Packed, no Inserts, may have minor scratches or imperfections.), 1 ea N-Scale /                     $7.00

oh...wait, maybe that isn't such a good idea....

[wazzou]

Or just buy a case of boxes from MT. 
I used to do that all the time, but it's been a while.
I think you got 12 boxes with lids in case.

[peteski]

Or just buy a case of boxes from MT. 
I used to do that all the time, but it's been a while.
I think you got 12 boxes with lids in case.

Empty nests are also available from MTL (you have to call them to get those since you have to tell them for which body style you need them.  So the only thing you can't get is the paper insert.  I used to buy these items in the past for less than $4 for a box and a nest. I'm sure the prices went up since then.

[mu26aeh]

Jewel cases are currently unavailable from MT, that's part of reason the foam inserts became reality

[JoeD]

Empty nests are also available from MTL (you have to call them to get those since you have to tell them for which body style you need them.  So the only thing you can't get is the paper insert.  I used to buy these items in the past for less than $4 for a box and a nest. I'm sure the prices went up since then.

$3.75 for a small box and lid and about $1.50 for the nest....

Joe

[Bill H]

FWIW I jumped in on the B&O concrete two car set. First thing for B&O transition era modelers in a long time...

Received my two cars today, and wanted to note that in some sense of the old phrase, some assembly is required. Seriously nothing hard to do, really, but given the trend that some modelers want everything pre chewed, maybe some persons might be a bit disappointed.

MT does clearly note at the bottom of their description "Multimedia hatches, chutes and vents come unassembled" so I guess everyone who reads the full description on the MT website should be aware.

Really pleased with the cars. Hope MT considers doing more unique cars. Especially transition era...

Kind regards,
Bill

[peteski]

$3.75 for a small box and lid and about $1.50 for the nest....
Joe

  Wow, those are "Bachmann prices" !!   

We have come a long way from a buck per small box. 

[thomasjmdavis]

We have come a long way from a buck per small box. 

I'm older than you are....

We've come a long way from the days when $3.75 got you a box with a MTL car inside.  And a buck got you a nice lunch at the place next door to the hobby shop.

[peteski]

I'm older than you are....

We've come a long way from the days when $3.75 got you a box with a MTL car inside.  And a buck got you a nice lunch at the place next door to the hobby shop.

True, but I was talking about a buck for an empty jewel box.  You took things way farther back. 

[JMaurer1]

I guess its been awhile since I bought any MT boxes. Like Peteski said, I remember them being $1 ea or a box of 10 for $10. I used to use them for ANY car I bought that didn't have a box so I have at least a couple hundred of them...but its been awhile and I've cut way back on buying rolling stock, especially rolling stock without a box.