Next MTL Freight Car - 60' Flat Car ???

[cv_acr]

Era 1965+

[wcfn100]

Era 1965+

Do you know what the prototype is?  Soo Line had Thrall built flats as early as 8-63 (I've updated my previous post).

The only dates I can try and pin down is that it's probably '68 or older because of the brake wheel.

Jason

[Rivet Miscounter]

Guilty as charged.

But then again, as you said, they release a variety of models monthly. Every month there's a chance something might show up. And there's an even better chance that whatever they announce actually WILL show up. That's an amazing feat in 2023, honestly.

I hope nobody took my comment too seriously.  It was tongue-in-cheek mostly, although a tinge of truth to it.   I can just see a flyer posted on MTL's cork bulletin board...."Yay, we suck slightly less than Intermountain now!!!!"    

I will give MTL all due credit as they do seem to be more consistent with bringing relevant product in N, and their weathered stuff in N is really really nice.

[basementcalling]

I'm not overly excited about this new car, but I will hope that MT sales don't resemble the body style: flat.

In some ways as N scale has grown, and the most popular prototypes have been made at least once, bringing a new model to market becomes an increasingly risky proposition. Most styles that are locks to sell well have been offered, though I claim no expertise to have exhausted the popular prototype backlog. Certainly though, this car is an example of one that would never have crossed a production manager's desk 30 years ago.

[bbussey]

Guilty as charged.

But then again, as you said, they release a variety of models monthly. Every month there's a chance something might show up. And there's an even better chance that whatever they announce actually WILL show up. That's an amazing feat in 2023, honestly.

You would be surprised at what hasn’t appeared in years. Some have yet to debut in this century.  Others have appeared but in fantasy schemes only.  So even with monthly releases, models people wish to see aren’t always available.

Many of the InterMountain models are available as parts, just have to contact them directly.

[mu26aeh]

Many of the InterMountain models are available as parts, just have to contact them directly.

Good luck getting any response from them.  I questioned availability of undec 5161 hoppers on their Facebook page, thru my LHS and a direct email to them from myself.  Absolute crickets on all 3 fronts

[squirrelhunter]

I don't think IM sells parts anymore, I think they only do replacements for damaged/lost parts.

[Rivet Miscounter]

I hope nobody took my comment too seriously.  It was tongue-in-cheek mostly, although a tinge of truth to it.   I can just see a flyer posted on MTL's cork bulletin board...."Yay, we suck slightly less than Intermountain now!!!!"    

I will give MTL all due credit as they do seem to be more consistent with bringing relevant product in N, and their weathered stuff in N is really really nice.

Why the downvotes?    I thought I emoji'ed up enough to indicate that it was in jest?

[nkalanaga]

"

I think that their mostly in-house, Made in USA production model has a lot to do with this.

The "in-house" part is definitely a factor.  They can control everything except raw material availability, so have a very good idea of what the can do, and when it can be done.  Most other companies have to rely on their manufacturers, where they may not be the top priority.

[peteski]

Why the downvotes?    I thought I emoji'ed up enough to indicate that it was in jest?

I guess I'm not the only one questioning what takes place on TRW from time to time.  Some people are just "trigger happy" or don't understand the post.  Of course the excuse given by admins is "accidental votes".  I very rarely use the voting system, and 99.9% is up-votes.  The rare down-vote I would give if someone's post was really, really, really caustic or demeaning.  This doesn't happen here often.

Again, the voting anonymity is part of the problem (as is anonymity on the Internet in general - as currently discussed in the crew Lounge). If names of the voters were visible, a lot of these shenanigans would likely not happen.

I also up-vote where I think the negatives are not warranted, but I could only nullify one down-vote.

[learmoia]

I find it a bit frustrating that the next two MTL body styles are an Athearn 65' Mill Gon and an Intermountain 60' Chain Flat..

Now if they came up with a way to give the 65' gon a distressed body to weather upon then you've got something cool.

The 60' flat makes sense given the new market of military stuff.

But the TPDX 89' flat would make alot of sense too.


Making the height corrections to the existing 89' flat would be good too.

But, I assume MTL knows their market and has an idea what everyone else is (and isn't) doing behind the scenes...

~Ian

[CBQ Fan]

I guess I'm not the only one questioning what takes place on TRW from time to time.  Some people are just "trigger happy" or don't understand the post.  Of course the excuse given by admins is "accidental votes".  I very rarely use the voting system, and 99.9% is up-votes.  The rare down-vote I would give if someone's post was really, really, really caustic or demeaning.  This doesn't happen here often.

Again, the voting anonymity is part of the problem (as is anonymity on the Internet in general - as currently discussed in the crew Lounge). If names of the voters were visible, a lot of these shenanigans would likely not happen.

I also up-vote where I think the negatives are not warranted, but I could only nullify one down-vote.

I do think there are some people who post unpleasant things and throw in a funny emoji as plausible deniability. 

[Rivet Miscounter]

I do think there are some people who post unpleasant things and throw in a funny emoji as plausible deniability.

So what exactly offended you by my post?   What did I do that was unpleasant?  What exactly am I supposed to be denying here?  Geez.

So to explain humor...
1. That whole exchange was a good-humored shot at TRW, not really railing on MTL, and nothing directed solely to Ed, if that is your concern.   
2. Yes, some bit of shade toward MTL and IMRC, both of which have notable (and measurable, this isn't just an opinion) difficulties with underutilized tooling.
3. If anyone should be upset by anything I said, it would be Ed if he thought I was singling him out.  And if Ed is mad then I will apologize to him.   End of apology list.

[CBQ Fan]

So what exactly offended you by my post?   What did I do that was unpleasant?  What exactly am I supposed to be denying here?  Geez.

So to explain humor...
1. That whole exchange was a good-humored shot at TRW, not really railing on MTL, and nothing directed solely to Ed, if that is your concern.   
2. Yes, some bit of shade toward MTL and IMRC, both of which have notable (and measurable, this isn't just an opinion) difficulties with underutilized tooling.
3. If anyone should be upset by anything I said, it would be Ed if he thought I was singling him out.  And if Ed is mad then I will apologize to him.   End of apology list.

I was simply making a general statement on things I have observed.  Trying to provide you an answer to why some might take offense to it.  I said nothing specific to your post.  If I have a problem with you or your post I will tell you directly.

[peteski]

Someone also didn't like my totally non-offensive post.