Some praise for Micro-Trains

[3rdrail]

It had been a while since I bought a Micro-Trains 20000-series boxcar, but received my Atlanta & West Point car from Chuck today. I noticed two major improvements. First, it has a much more detailed underframe, with stand alone rodding and piping. But what really impressed me was that it not only had end reporting marks, but the tiny lettering on the ends with the draft gear specs.

Some decals sets include this, and Atlas has begun including it on its latest steam era cars, so I am glad to see Micro-Trains including it as well. IMHO, the model has been tweaked enough to once again be considered a cutting edge model, despite its age. 

[CoalPorter]

Man, I'd say it has been along time..I mean, these changes
were done about 10 years ago. I agree that the MT cars are
a work of art. Better underframe detail began with the 36' truss
rod reefer and then MT began improoving the UF on more cars.
The 20000 series also had the roof walk lowered, but I think they
redid the whole body to make it easier to mold in colored plastic.
But, have you noticed how some rivit lines have
been omitted on the roof ? Compare an older roof from about 10
years ago to a newer roof and observe the rivit lines at the edges of the older roof that are no longer there.

Then there are the "rides way too high" people.
I'm sure they will be along any minute. : ;D

[tom mann]

Then there are the "rides way too high" people.
I'm sure they will be along any minute. : ;D

A short time ago, this forum was "rides too high" people.  We generated tons of great ideas on how to lower MT cars.  I remember when Pedro blew everyone away with his lowered MT autorack.  Oh well...

[ljudice]

You know, MTL could make money by offering a series of its trucks with
a modified bolster area to lower the cars with no mods to the cars at all...

Ie.  MTL "Proto-ride" series...

Just an idea...

[3rdrail]

Coalporter, the underframe may have been added some time back, but this is absolutely the first MTL car I have seen with the draft gear data on the ends, and I guess it's been about 18 months since I bought a "house car" type from MTL.