Heads up - MTL "round" roof for 3-2 Heavyweight Observation car

[Mark5]

I happened to notice when looking at these in the hobby shop that they came with a "round" roof which should be useful to those of us looking to kitbash this car into a business car (me!):



(Oddly, the roof is different than the one shown in the official MTL photos http://micro-trainsline.com/14400240)

The normal observation roof is shown loose in front of the car.

This is the "Hospital" car 14400240.

Mark

[jmlaboda]

If its allowed can you recommend a dealer?

[Mark5]

My LHS (MBK) is out of stock, but there are at least two on Ebay at the moment.

Walthers is showing it as in stock, so most hobby shops should still be able to order it:

https://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=Passenger&scale=N&manu=&item=&keywords=hospital&words=restrict&instock=Q&split=30&Submit=Search

Mark

[sirenwerks]

Wonder if MTL will sell these roofs as parts.

[Mark5]

Wonder if MTL will sell these roofs as parts.

When I asked a few weeks back they said something like "not at this time".

[jmlaboda]

When I inquired about the round roof I was told the tooling was owned by Lowell Smith... but it apparently isn't.  The problem I am already seeing is that there is a run of the earlier observation cars with the clerestory roof already out there under the same stock number so buyers need to be careful they don't buy the wrong model.

[Sokramiketes]

Interesting.  Previously the round roof had only been available on special run cars.  Is the circus car a regular MTL item?  I wonder if someone grabbed the wrong roofs for part of the run.

It was developed by MTL for Lowell Smith's business car project.  Many people would like to see it available separate. 

[EspeeGoldenState]

Wonder if MTL will sell these roofs as parts.

When I asked a few weeks back they said something like "not at this time".

I know a buddy that asked them the same question as he is trying to do the NS OCS and his answer was the same. Not at this time. Thats too bad, as I could use them for a UP cars as well.

Chris

[jmlaboda]

Its worth noting that the underbody equipment seems to be different from what was used on the Plan 3959 observation as well, more like what you might find on a business car or private car.  I am hoping to be able to secure the three I need for building some business cars soon so I will finally be closer to getting the cars done but the cost is high when combined with shipping.  Can only hope that they will produce more...

[jmlaboda]

Was watching three on eBay and was able to pull the trigger on two of them while the other sold before I got to it.  Hope to find one more so that I will have what I need for by business car models.  Hopefully more will yet be released.

[Ike the BN Freak]

I got this car, getting the 12 car set for the wife, never noticed the roof on this one is different.

[jmlaboda]

Well, MT is offering this model (with the arched roof) as a Canadian Pacific observation car, item #144 00 085, its in their May releases.  This may help some others gain the model or models that they might desire since this should help to make it fairly easy to find by stock number.  I'm good... obtained my last three earlier this month at the annual trainshow so while I am glad that they are doing this, I don't need any more.

Makes me wonder, though, if they might be offering some other roadnames with this roof?