MT SP Caboose Photo

[tom mann]

Heck, the "second release" will be sold out by the time this thread ends

Lol, I just spit out my drink

Wait, isn't that the "bad" drawing that people are talking about?

So the drawing is wrong?  Hypothetically speaking, if you wanted to make a "correct" model, what would you use?

I still stand by my comparison:  I believe that MT got the dimensions of the body somewhat correct, but they got the ride height very wrong and messed up the dimensions of the toolbox.

[oakcreekco]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=220429161982

Sorry about the mess Tom :-[

Here's what the "free world" thinks that the SP is worth............stock!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

PT Barnum was right.

Don't discount the non-serious modelers in the scale. Ever.

[oakcreekco]

"No discount" at all...........charge them "double" ;D

[Dave V]

Holy freakin' a$$crackers...  I wish I'd bought a few!  I could finance my next locomotive purchase that way...

[wes_sutton]

Saw one as 'Buy it Now' for $90 on the Bay - or was this the same one?

It's the same story as the FVT Milwaukee box cars - everyone's a whineing and moaning and the thread is  longer than this one and they too are appear to be all sold out ;D

[Sokramiketes]

Wait, isn't that the "bad" drawing that people are talking about?

So the drawing is wrong?  Hypothetically speaking, if you wanted to make a "correct" model, what would you use?

Lots of railroad drawings exist, you'd be surprised.  And not just of the construction of the prototype, but also heralds, lettering fonts and placement, painting diagrams, etc.  Of course, you need an R&D budget greater than $5.50 per model...

[oakcreekco]

http://cgi.ebay.com/130-00-010-SOUTHERN-PACIFIC-CABOOSE-4759-MTL_W0QQitemZ370213195190QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item56326d0db6

FREE SHIPPING..................what more could we want.

[Robbman]

Hypothetically speaking, if you wanted to make a "correct" model, what would you use?

Drawings from any real source, i.e, builder, railroad (which unless they were built by that railroad, will invariably also be builders drawings), any of the various subvendors that supplied parts (i.e, Standard Railway Equipment provided the roof or end for X car).  Or you go and measure the prototype (which even if you have all the drawings for a car, you should be doing anyway...)

[Craig Martyn]

Hypothetically speaking, if you wanted to make a "correct" model, what would you use?

How about dimensions taken from the actual PROTOTYPE.  There is an old SP Bay Window Caboose about 20 minutes from me in storage...not sure if it's the exact MT prototype class, but it's probably close (if not dead-on).  They're out there, you just have to dig a little deeper...

[asarge]

Don't discount the non-serious modelers in the scale. Ever.

Maybe non-serious modeller isn't the correct term. More like absolute moron's.

 I would hate to think that MTL would become a poart of pop-culture where everybody has to have the first car just to say they have one........but then again I remember what the first state car went for on ebay. I know I sold mine on ebay for $129 and I knew that was insane and then some were hitting them for $300. Can't blame MTL for doing things that make them money...or me money on that car. But then maybe they discovered long ago that there is a sucker born every minute and we're the idiots for demanding prototypical accuracy like it actually means something in the whole scheme of things.

Maybe the meaning of life isn't he who dies with the most toys wins, but he who sells the most toys to moron's with money wins.

Anyway it's late and the post operating session Waffle House food is causing these terrible thoughts.

[bbussey]

Saw one as 'Buy it Now' for $90 on the Bay - or was this the same one?

It's the same story as the FVT Milwaukee box cars - everyone's a whineing and moaning and the thread is  longer than this one and they too are appear to be all sold out ;D

Yeah, but the whining about the FVM boxcar revolves around the end relief, of which the manufacturer posted prototypical photos to back up the model.  They aren't complaining about the car being selectively compressed or stretched, and the car easily can be lowered to a more prototypical height over the rails.

[bbussey]

Don't discount the non-serious modelers in the scale. Ever.

.... Can't blame MTL for doing things that make them money...

That's true.  But doesn't the company stand to make more money if the model is an accurate representation of the prototype?

[SirTainly]

That's true.  But doesn't the company stand to make more money if the model is an accurate representation of the prototype?

Not necessarily, it depends how many more you sell when it's right, vs near enough. Additional costs of going out an measuring or whatever need to be amortised over the whole run, and if you won't sell significantly more by being more prototypical it's wasted time and money,both of which could be used to make the next model.

[asarge]

That's true.  But doesn't the company stand to make more money if the model is an accurate representation of the prototype?

Not necessarily, it depends how many more you sell when it's right, vs near enough. Additional costs of going out an measuring or whatever need to be amortised over the whole run, and if you won't sell significantly more by being more prototypical it's wasted time and money,both of which could be used to make the next model.

By whose standard would we apply "accurate representation". Both are good points but the fact is MTL is laughing all the way to the bank and it would seem that no matter what we say, they keep selling their cars.

This would bring one to the logical conclusion that all the people who criticize and point out issues on the forums are a very vocxal minority who for all their rants, pretty much do no good except ruffle their own feathers. If you want to effect change do what Ed did and send the manufacturers emails. You stand a far better chance of making a difference than posting on a forum.