New Micro Trains 60' Double Plug Door Box Car...

[wcfn100]

My guess would be that it was tooled without body mounts and retrofitted. 

I can picture the production meeting where it's decided to only modify the floor to lower the car, use an existing underslung coupler to clear the body and then manufacture a shim to get the coupler back to the right height.

I'm probably wrong, but it was a fun manufacturing flash back.

Jason

[Sokramiketes]

My guess would be that it was tooled without body mounts and retrofitted. 

I can picture the production meeting where it's decided to only modify the floor to lower the car, use an existing underslung coupler to clear the body and then manufacture a shim to get the coupler back to the right height.

I'm probably wrong, but it was a fun manufacturing flash back.

Jason

When you see it in person you'll probably realize it's just plain crazy.  It's a large "shim" probably half the height of a coupler box.  No way they *had* to use an underslung coupler on this one...

[wcfn100]

When you see it in person you'll probably realize it's just plain crazy.  It's a large "shim" probably half the height of a coupler box.  No way they *had* to use an underslung coupler on this one...

I'm sure you're right, and again I'm just having some fun with the topic.  I've sat in my share of 'retrofit' meetings and this seems like a classic example.

Another way this could go is that someone thought they had to offset the shank the same amount that the floor was dropped not realizing that when the coupler is body mounted, it's at the right height and didn't need the adjustment.  So instead of wasting a major quantity of couplers, they had to make a shim.



Jason

[bbussey]

Except that the coupler appears to be their standard #2001 with the extended pocket - basically the coupler/box part of the #1019 used on the TOFCs and auto racks.

Sounds as if it was over-engineered, when all that was needed was a hole for the coupler box pin (since they have stopped using screws) for a #1016 coupler box.  Perhaps, when the model is disassembled, it will prove easy to file the coupler pad down and re-drill/tap the hole.  Of course, I'm tempted to mount a brass-channel coupler box or attempt an adaptation of the X58 coupler box when a scheme is released that is appropriate for my region.

[wcfn100]

Except that the coupler appears to be their standard #2001 with the extended pocket - basically the coupler/box part of the #1019 used on the TOFCs and auto racks.

I wasn't saying that I think they tooled a new coupler but I see how it may read that way.  If fact that would be the last thing Id' expect.   But even stock couplers require time (=money) to prep for production - like I need to tell you these things. 

Maybe this a a prototype for what future retrofits on older box cars would look like and MTL is just testing the waters.  Basically I can see how this could be a model caught in the middle and I'm not going to get too excited.  I doubt this car looks much worse than an Atlas Master Box car converted to body mounts.


Jason

[Sokramiketes]

I doubt this car looks much worse than an Atlas Master Box car converted to body mounts.

Jason

I can't wait for you to see one in person. 

[bbussey]

... Maybe this a a prototype for what future retrofits on older box cars would look like and MTL is just testing the waters...

Ugh, I hope not.  Actually, it's academic since a #2001 coupler box low-mounted to have the coupler head at the correct height never would clear the outer axle if done similar to this 60' car.  A #1015 barely does because the box is so thick.  The easiest way to reconfigure existing MTL cars to sit at the correct height and have correct coupler height is to retool the floor so that half of the coupler box is integrated, and it doesn't matter which half.  It's also less labor-intensive than the method used on this new car.  Apparently though, they are looking at another solution.

[Chris333]

Does Micro Trains sell coupler conversions for Micro Trains cars? 

[Kisatchie]

Does Micro Trains sell coupler conversions for Micro Trains cars? 

They sell #1027 body-mount couplers, which fit on their boxcars, 33' open hoppers, reefers, 40' tank cars, 50' gondolas, 50' flat cars, stock cars, and probably others.


Hmm... I can't think of
anything to say...

[Chris333]

Hmm... I can't think of
anything to say...

Kiz I read your post and then went back to the main page.

Realized I didn't read what Dee had said so I went back to see what was on her mind. Sorry it made me laugh. 

[Robbman]

All this talk about the doors and nobody thinks the body mounted couplers are straight whack?

There is a notch in the car end to clear... nothing.  There is a giant coupler mounting pad like .060" thick to get an offset shank coupler to mount at the proper height.  It looks ridiculous. 

I never got pass the 'we obviously didn't look at a picture of the proto when we tooled the doors' to even notice the other imagineering at work.

[Sokramiketes]

[Mark5]

I thought the couplers looked funny when I saw them in person, but wow the W T F photos really make ya wonder.

MTL really is gonna have to fix this.

Mark

[chessie system fan]

Wow! Never seen that before!   On a positive note, are those 36" wheels? 

And we might as well see a good pic of the doors, so we can scrutinize them too.

[Sokramiketes]

I thought the couplers looked funny when I saw them in person, but wow the W T F photos really make ya wonder.

MTL really is gonna have to fix this.

Mark

When they fix the coupler mounting pad hopefully they can cut a boss into the mold to keep the now coupler-less truck from swinging completely around too.