Deluxe Innovations Well Cars - A post 4 years in the making.

[Glenn Poole]

I just got 2 sets including the BNSF set.  I do not know what the correct color is on the real one, but I can tell you that this Deluxe set is red (caboose red) not box car red (brown)  as I see most of BNSF well cars are.  Doesn't mean that BNSF did not paint at least this one real red.

These are superb cars.

[jereising]

Got mine on the layout (see weekend update).  Four BNSF, four TTX.  Each of the end cars on the TTX needed an extra washer to keep the wheels from rubbing - but the BNSFs were just fine.  Had one with a low coupler pin and there was some stiffness in the articulating joint on a few.  I always make sure there's plenty of play in all the trucks before they hit the layout.

I love 'em - specially the coupler cut levers!  Dave said they'd be worth waiting for, and he was right.  I could frankly care less if the color is dead on.

[kiwi_bnsf]

Each of the end cars on the TTX needed an extra washer to keep the wheels from rubbing - but the BNSFs were just fine.  Had one with a low coupler pin and there was some stiffness in the articulating joint on a few.  I always make sure there's plenty of play in all the trucks before they hit the layout.

I love 'em - specially the coupler cut levers!  Dave said they'd be worth waiting for, and he was right.  I could frankly care less if the color is dead on.

Hi Jim, my TTX Deluxe Innovations all have the same issue with wheels rubbing on the end platforms - is there a special source for tiny truck-sized washers of a certain thickness? Otherwise I guess I could grab a hole punch and hack up some thin acetate sheet…

In other news, my one BNSF set will not be staying on my layout, as it is bright red like the BN Maxi III sets, which is not anything like the BNSF mineral red (which is much browner). Hopefully Deluxe do some more BNSF sets in the correct color in the future.

Otherwise, I'm excited to have some more detailed Maxi IVs that are much more accurate than the Kato cars for my 1999 era.

Cheers

Tim

[nscaler711]

Isn't it possible that they could just be restenciled ATSF or BN wells?
Both Santa Fe and BN had bright red well cars in the 90's it could be possible that during the merger that they were too cheap to repaint entire consists at the time. It is far easier and cheaper to just slap a couple stencils on and be done with it.
Just a thought.

[kiwi_bnsf]

Isn't it possible that they could just be restenciled ATSF or BN wells?
Both Santa Fe and BN had bright red well cars in the 90's it could be possible that during the merger that they were too cheap to repaint entire consists at the time. It is far easier and cheaper to just slap a couple stencils on and be done with it.
Just a thought.

Unfortunately not. The Maxi IV is a 53' well car, and was purchased new by BNSF from July 1999 onwards. They were never in service with BN.

There were BN Maxi III 5-car 48' well cars that were re-stencilled to BNSF and stayed in red. Deluxe made these as well - I have some.

I think that this is simply a case of the model being produced in the wrong color for BNSF reporting marks.

[Denver Road Doug]

I think that this is simply a case of the model being produced in the wrong color for BNSF reporting marks.

And unfortunately I don't think that is going to change moving forward.   I got a reply from Dave and he says his "BNSF Expert" advised him on the color.   He said it was "slightly more red" than they intended but it was close photos they have of "as delivered" cars and that the darker photos "everyone was talking about" (there's your sign) are after unusually quick weathering these cars experienced.    Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.  He did say they will probably do those "weathered" cars at some point.   Fascinating.

I truly think they have some pictures of a swoosh repaint.  Some of those were REALLY red.  Still not anything like the DI Maxi-IV's, but I could see if you started there and then screwed up *a little* then you could end up where they did.

Anyway, I won't argue with him about that, I'm just moving on.   If he fixes it fine, if not I'll eventually pick up a AOK set and redecal it.

[jereising]

Hi Jim, my TTX Deluxe Innovations all have the same issue with wheels rubbing on the end platforms - is there a special source for tiny truck-sized washers of a certain thickness? Otherwise I guess I could grab a hole punch and hack up some thin acetate sheet…
Cheers
Tim

Tim, I was lucky enough to have some old MT passenger truck adapter washers which proved to be about right - in any event, they did the job.  When a problem happens, check out the old junk box!  Or the hole punch would work also...  Glad I wasn't the only one...and hope Dave is checking this thread...

[kiwi_bnsf]

I wouldn't consider myself a "BNSF expert", but it doesn't take much research on the web to confirm that the BNSF MAXI IV cars were mineral red (i.e. brown) when delivered.

Here is a link to the Trainpix archive showing a prototype set less than a week after it hit the rails (unweathered):

http://www.trainpix.com/BNSF/RAILCARS/STACKCAR/211094.HTM

The DI BNSF MAXI IV cars are simply the wrong color.

[cfritschle]

Hi Jim, my TTX Deluxe Innovations all have the same issue with wheels rubbing on the end platforms - is there a special source for tiny truck-sized washers of a certain thickness? Otherwise I guess I could grab a hole punch and hack up some thin acetate sheet…

In other news, my one BNSF set will not be staying on my layout, as it is bright red like the BN Maxi III sets, which is not anything like the BNSF mineral red (which is much browner). Hopefully Deluxe do some more BNSF sets in the correct color in the future.

Otherwise, I'm excited to have some more detailed Maxi IVs that are much more accurate than the Kato cars for my 1999 era.

Cheers

Tim

Another option is to replace the "stock" end trucks with Micro-Trains roller bearing trucks without couplers.  I had a package labeled 1031, which was probably about 20 years old.  However, I think the current nomenclature for the truck is #003 02 030.   http://www.micro-trains.com/trucksRollerBearing.php

These trucks have a slightly shorter wheelbase than the ones that come with the Maxi IV, and the bolster is offset so the axles can be positioned closer to the ends of the car/platform.  And, even with the pizza cutter flanges the wheels don't rub on the frame.

The Barber roller bearing trucks would probably work as well, but I did not have any around without couplers to give them a try.

Carter

[Dave Ferrari]

Here's the scoop on the Maxi-IV Fix-Kit. The first batch worked, sort of. First, the etcher didn't interpret our file properly and the sprues between washers were full-thickness resulting in two rather large burrs on the side of the larger washer, even with my brand new etched metal cutters. Second, the washers did not etch as expected and were all too big. After filing the burrs off, the large washers could be installed but believe me, filing a tiny brass washer is no fun at all. The smaller washers have to be threaded onto the truck screw to work and some did not fit. The screw did not seat correctly with the washers (each needs 2)  threaded onto it and enlarging the hole with a needle file was almost impossible. I surely wouldn't ask our customers to do that tedious filing so we went back to the drawing board. We ironed out all of the problems with the etcher and ordered another batch. I have not received an expected shipping date yet but they should be here during the first half of July.

Dave Ferrari

[jereising]

Ain't it great to be a business owner?

Thanks for the update, Dave!  And thanks for the great cars!  Hey, I usually tweak every car and loco that goes on the layout, and it's whatever works.