InterMountain Reannouncement of Some Newly Tooled Tri-Level Autoracks

[pmpexpress]

Reannounced on October 31, 2024, with multiple road numbers, a die-cast metal underframe, etched metal side panels, 28” metal wheelsets, Micro-Trains Line knuckle couplers, and an MSRP of $69.95 each, InterMountain Railway Co. is still taking reservations on some newly tooled N-Scale Tri-Level Auto Rack Cars.


InterMountain 182101 Southern - Brown (Artwork)

InterMountain 182102 CSX with Yellow Lettering (Artwork)

InterMountain 182103 Missouri Pacific Lines - Buzzsaw (Artwork)

InterMountain 182104 Cotton Belt (Artwork)

InterMountain 182105 Conrail - Yellow (Artwork)

InterMountain 182106 Burlington Northern (Artwork)

InterMountain 182107 Chicago and Northwestern (Artwork)

InterMountain 182108 Union Pacific – Building America (Artwork)

[chessie system fan]

Since I've never owned these before, do these cars have body mounted or truck mounted couplers?  If it's truck mounted, I hope the 28" wheels bit is a copy/paste error from an HO ad.

[Ike the BN Freak]

Tri-levels are new tooling, the former Red Caboose cars are bi-levels.  And these look like the ones that were announced at least 2 years ago, looks like its just a reannouncement

[pmpexpress]

Tri-levels are new tooling, the former Red Caboose cars are bi-levels.  And these look like the ones that were announced at least 2 years ago, looks like its just a reannouncement

Thanks...

Was wondering why some of the cars had ETTX tri-level markings.

Unaware that InterMountain was releasing its own line of newly tooled Tri-Level autorack cars, I have gone ahead and edited the post.

[lock4244]

Definitely some schemes of interest there, but that price says a few samples but no fleet.

[jwaldo]

Definitely some schemes of interest there, but that price says a few samples but no fleet.

Agreed. The Red Caboose cars were (and still are) some of the nicest autoracks in N scale, but even given the amount of etched metal involved the new price seems ridiculous. Unless the 'new tooling'  involves fully detailed automobile loads I can't imagine paying that much for ANY freight car, much less something like an autorack that's usually seen by the dozen.

[lock4244]

Agreed. The Red Caboose cars were (and still are) some of the nicest autoracks in N scale, but even given the amount of etched metal involved the new price seems ridiculous. Unless the 'new tooling'  involves fully detailed automobile loads I can't imagine paying that much for ANY freight car, much less something like an autorack that's usually seen by the dozen.

I'm so glad I stocked up when the RC racks were going for $28-30 a car.

That said, the MP, Southern, and Cotton Belt are pretty hot.

[Peter Amling]

Is there a place to pre order these? My regular places don't have them listed.

[pmpexpress]

Is there a place to pre order these? My regular places don't have them listed.

Using their PreOrders/Special Order page, Lombard Hobbies.

[Rivet Miscounter]

Price notwithstanding, I'm happy to see the BN on a Trailer Train flat. (vs TTX)  Been looking for one since getting back into N a few years ago.  Found a few MTL and RC but they were TTX.   And I do love the Red Caboose autorack lineage.   I know some argue they're *too* see-thru, but a micrometer less and then the argument would be "you can't really see through it and it's a waste of money to have the intricate panels like that".   I prefer it erring on the edge of Hollywood theatrics, personally.

Fortunately, the BN line I model wasn't heavy on Autoracks. (at least in the late 80s anyway)    BN would tack on one or two to their piggyback trains or have a string mixed into a manifest...both pretty rare occasions.  So I ordered one and that might be the only autorack I own in N. 

And thus the price isn't such a deterrent for me, but yeah I'd hate to be building a unit train of these things.  (I am building a unit train in Z, and they're not cheap either, and for what compares to Con-Cor tooling.)  I remember when the RC cars came out and it was similar sticker shock then.  I bought a few, then a guy was selling a lot for a cheap price and I split it with @Rossford Yard so we both had a nice collection back then.   

[Rio Grandeous]

Wondering what kind of end doors they have?  Guessing the "open door" feature is not happening anymore? 
  Glad to see 'em though! 
Scale Trains and Intermountain are out to obliterate my savings!    I'm ok with that, certain N scale trains are earning better value and return on my money than my 401k, 

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Anyone know where to pre-order?

[GaryHinshaw]

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=58736.msg809045#msg809045

[JoeD]

Just to note here.  The price of photo etched stainless and or brass per sheet has doubled in the past 5 years.  The initial art process has also doubled.  I guess you can go offshore but the price of it there is likely to increase drastically if reports are correct. 

[Chris333]

Etch artwork should be made similar to how Tampo plates are made.