There was a surprise package from Trainworx in ESM's post office box today that contained a nice addition to the N scale freight equipment roster. The yellow Trailer Train TOFCs must be ready to ship, because I have two of them in hand.
The model is painted TT yellow. The hitches, grab irons, stirrups, brake hardware and circus flaps are molded in yellow delrin-type plastic. The plastic doesn't have as much "orange" pigment as the paint, but it is only noticeable under strong light. There is full end detail around the coupler, including free-standing end grab irons. The end ramps are positionable and are of similar design to MTL TOFC ramps.
The model looks spiffy with a Trainworx payload, which snaps in similar to MTL trailers on MTL TOFCs. The hitch will take MTL trailers without modification. I didn't try Atlas, but the Athearn and CMW trailers have a smaller diameter pin.
The anti-skid paint is present on the decks. Most of the car is diecast with plastic insets for the details, with the delicate parts molded in yellow and the others painted.
The brake rod between the reservoir and crank is painted, and may be wire. Most of the coupler pocket is integrated into the metal body. Half of a standard MTL #1019 coupler box presses into the chassis. The coupler is a standard #1019. The trucks appear to be similar to BLMA's ASF roller bearing trucks, and have FVM wide-track wheels.
The Trainworx car coupled to the MTL TOFC.
Container pedestals are included and are painted in the car color.
I didn't take them for a spin yet, but the models are free-rolling and very well-weighted. An excellent model that creates some needed variety in the TOFC category.
