Ok... who's going to get an eclipse car?

[u18b]

I've never bought a fun car from MT before....

but I may break down for this one.   For the grandkids.   

https://www.micro-trains.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=5223

[C855B]

Ha! I absolutely need to get one of these. I hosted a small eclipse gathering at our studio (layout building), with lawn chairs setup out on the parking pad, glasses in hand to enjoy the 3:30 of totality we experienced. A longtime (50 years!) railfan friend came to visit expressly for the eclipse knowing we were in the path.

Yep, it may well be one of those silly commemorative cars MTL does for the collectors, but in my case at least it really commemorates something personally experienced, and in my layout setting as well!

[bbussey]

I'll pass, but I hope it sells well.  Anything that helps MTL continue to issue prototypical releases works for me.

[chessie system fan]

To be prototypical for my area, the graphics need to be completely covered by clouds. 

[peteski]

Wait, the Sun's corona doesn't  glow? That's a bummer.  I wonder if MTL will ever make more of those cars with built-in illumination?
I'm of course just having some fun here.

[up1950s]

Reminds me of this  N Scale Micro-Trains MTL 74020 CP Rail "Mandarin Orange Express" Box Car #35893 https://www.ebay.com/itm/335358849113

[u18b]

Wait, the Sun's corona doesn't  glow? That's a bummer.  I wonder if MTL will ever make more of those cars with built-in illumination?
I'm of course just having some fun here.

Actually, I thought the same thing.

[DirtyD79]

I'd get an HO version if they made one. Yeah, I know it's not prototypical. Who cares, it's fun.  You can't be super cereal all your life.

[altohorn25]

Sorry to be the downer in the group, but I'll say no to this......and the rest of their fantasy cars........

I wish MT would put as much effort into releasing their prototype cars as they do into stuff like this (for example - the backlog of items Lowell Smith has on order for them to do that just keeps getting pushed down the line.....but hey, let's release an eclipse car instead.......).  Very disappointing......

[peteski]

I wish MT would put as much effort into releasing their prototype cars as they do into stuff like this (for example - the backlog of items Lowell Smith has on order for them to do that just keeps getting pushed down the line.....but hey, let's release an eclipse car instead.......).  Very disappointing......

I suspect their product scheduling is directly related to their profits  (just like with any other for-profit business).  I doubt the MTL planners have a production schedule meeting and say "Hey that solar eclipse was a really cool event - lets put aside Lowell Smith's run and make a batch of the eclipse cars). They probably had it designed and scheduled for some time.   

If we can wait years for announced releases (I waited several years for Rapido's Turbo Train, or just look at the Intermountain schedule), we have to be patient.  Custom decorated Lowell Smith cars don't just grow on trees.   

[C855B]

...They probably had it designed and scheduled for some time. ...

I don't think so. From the flyer:

...The images on this commemorative boxcar were taken in Cleveland, Ohio by MTL Graphic Artist Brandon T, and represent a progression of the eclipse over 2.5 hours, showing solar prominences and coronal streamers.

I suspect it was a moment of inspiration that was quickly okayed by the bosses as an opportunity to move more product. Was anything bumped? I doubt it.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I really need to make some "hands" decals...

[Missaberoad]

I really need to make some "hands" decals...

Our generation has the strangest nostalgia

[POVC]

They did a similar Eclipse car back in 2017, and as I recall it sold out very quickly.  My memory is the 2017 car was released as part of the September releases without advanced notice (no pre-orders), and as a result demand greatly exceeded supply.

Tim

[C855B]

They did a similar Eclipse car back in 2017...

Darn. I didn't know that. We were there for that one, too. (Hint: We live in southern Illinois, ground zero for where the eclipse paths crossed.)

I'm not going to fight the collectors for it, however.