The problem is that the models offered by Micro-Trains are all U.S. prototypes, and many Canadian modellers have moved beyond being satisfied with Canadian paint schemes on U.S. models which are structurally different from Canadian cars. We started to see cast resin/etched meal kits from Kaslo Shops and Briggs Models, and in recent years we have been treated to excellent RTR models of Canadian prototypes from NARC, Prairie Shadows, Rapido Trains, True-Line Trains, and even Atlas with their most recent NSC boxcar.
I cannot speak for Micro-Trains, but I would suspect that they are running out of Canadian paint schemes for their existing models. If they want to make further progress in the Canadian market, they should consider offering a model of a Canadian freight car. Given the huge success Intermountain has had with their cylindrical hopper (second highest selling freight car in N Scale), and Atlas has had with their NSC boxcar (tooling essentially paid for during first run and second run required immediately), this would be a worthy endeavour. There are many essential Canadian freight cars yet to be offered in N Scale, including the CP Minibox, the NSC eight hatch reefers, the NSC and MIL slab side hoppers, the MIL 71' bulkhead flatcars, Procor's pressure flow hoppers, to name a few.
There is also a market ready and waiting for Canadian locomotives such as the GP38-2W and GP40-2W, the M-420 and M-630/M-636 (with correct trucks!). We have seen progress in this area too with the recent release of Intermountain's SD40-2W and Rapido Train's GMD-1. I congratulate those manufacturers who have made the effort to provide Canadian modellers with accurate models of Canadian prototypes - your efforts are much appreciated and you have greatly advanced the possibilities of Canadian prototype railway modeling.
Tim
