ESM XML14 final proofs (pic)

[bbussey]

The final proofs for X58 release III arrived moments ago.  For those of you unable to attend the Springfield show this weekend, here is a quick cellphone pic of the two Burlington XML14 stand-ins that will be on display.



The placards are .005" etched brass for extra thinness and durability.  One car has an ACI plate that accurately corresponds to the reporting marks.  This will be the first appearance of the modernized X58 body tooling (lowered ladders and brakewheel).

To make the model 100% accurate to the prototype, the lower sill must be extended.  The paint color matches Tru-Color's CB&Q Chinese Red exactly.

Late February ship date, hopefully on the shelves in late March.

[6axlepwr]

Very nice Bryan!

So from what I read. If we wanted to make the car 100% accurate for CB&Q and extend the sill down, we only need to buy some True Color paint, mask above the extended sill and paint the addition to match?

Great job using a paint available to modelers to match.

[sizemore]

B-man,
Anyway in the advertisements/product listings we could get the build dates of the particular released models going forward? For guys like me it would aid in decision factor on purchasing a car.

Humbly Submitted,
The S.

[Puddington]

Waiter; two please, ... and a JD rocks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bbussey]

So from what I read. If we wanted to make the car 100% accurate for CB&Q and extend the sill down, we only need to buy some True Color paint, mask above the extended sill and paint the addition to match?
Great job using a paint available to modelers to match.

Thank Skibbe for that.  I tapped his knowledge to get the best Chinese Red representation available.

Any way in the advertisements/product listings we could get the build dates of the particular released models going forward? For guys like me it would aid in decision factor on purchasing a car.

Build dates are important.  But with a prototype that lasted 50 years in particular, the service dates hold greater value.  All ESM products have the service dates listed on the box and on the individual item listings on the website.  Both of these are August 1967, even though one is wearing an ACI.  So even service dates are not infallible.

The service dates haven't been in the ads, but they have been listed on the flyers that go to the distributors (along with the routing when-empty instructions).  InterMountain uses that flyer to announce ESM products in their monthly web news, so the information also can be obtained there.



 

[garethashenden]

Build dates are important.  But with a prototype that lasted 50 years in particular, the service dates hold greater value.  All ESM products have the service dates listed on the box and on the individual item listings on the website.  Both of these are August 1967, even though one is wearing an ACI.  So even service dates are not infallible.

The service dates haven't been in the ads, but they have been listed on the flyers that go to the distributors (along with the routing when-empty instructions).  InterMountain uses that flyer to announce ESM products in their monthly web news, so the information also can be obtained there.

This is something I've been wondering about recently. How long do cars go between servicing? I realize there is no definitive answer to that, but just a general idea? Would a '67 service date be appropriate for 1970? 1980? 1990?

[wcfn100]

This is something I've been wondering about recently. How long do cars go between servicing? I realize there is no definitive answer to that, but just a general idea? Would a '67 service date be appropriate for 1970? 1980? 1990?

There were 'rules' but I don't know how well they were adhered to and they seem to be different depending on era and type of car.

I'd have to double check the ORER, but in the 60's I think box cars were supposed to be re-weighed at least every 4 years, which may or may not result in a new shop date.   Of course there were other reasons a new date could be applied before that.

Jason

Jason

[sizemore]

Thank Skibbe for that.  I tapped his knowledge to get the best Chinese Red representation available.

Build dates are important.  But with a prototype that lasted 50 years in particular, the service dates hold greater value.  All ESM products have the service dates listed on the box and on the individual item listings on the website.  Both of these are August 1967, even though one is wearing an ACI.  So even service dates are not infallible.

The service dates haven't been in the ads, but they have been listed on the flyers that go to the distributors (along with the routing when-empty instructions).  InterMountain uses that flyer to announce ESM products in their monthly web news, so the information also can be obtained there.

Thanks B! Didnt know they were on the website. You da man. I definitely want one in CBQ Red!

The S.

[bbussey]

So from what I read. If we wanted to make the car 100% accurate for CB&Q and extend the sill down, we only need to buy some True Color paint, mask above the extended sill and paint the addition to match? ...

Technically, there shouldn't be any roofwalk supports either, as the prototype was built without roofwalk.  The end-flap supports can be removed easily, but the main supports will be tough to get rid of without leaving a trace.

If the XML-14/16 was good for more than two roads, I definitely would have considered tooling a new roof and sides.  But it's tough to justify under the circumstances.  That's the reason why the DSI X65 will not have the w/roofwalk variation — only the P&LE cars had them.  The NYC/PC/LV cars were built new with low brakewheels, and the P&LE cars were modified in a relatively short period of time.  The "as-built" P&LE cars in the first X65 run actually will be shopped cars in the original scheme but with lowered brakewheels.

[Denver Road Doug]

That is simply a beautiful boxcar.  If that doesn't sell, there is something seriously wrong with the world.

[lock4244]

That is simply a beautiful boxcar.  If that doesn't sell, there is something seriously wrong with the world.

+1.

But don't blame me, I'm shelling out for a few 

[CBQ Fan]

Can't wait for mine to arrive!

[Ike the BN Freak]

I gotta get me some of these...and BN ones whenever they are released.

[nkalanaga]

Very nice!  I have both reserved,, and will add a label to the second car.  After all, if it made it to BN without repainting (unknown), it got one.

Also, ACI labels could be added without changing the service dates, so there's nothing wrong with a label on a a 1967-serviced car.   One might want to limit that car to 1969 or later, though, just to be safe.  Trivia, for those who don't remember and haven't researched ACI:  The labels were all on metal plates, not painted or decaled on the car.  That way they could be replaced if needed without going to a shop.  The color bars usually were stick-on, and a new label could be made by any road with the materials.

In undated photos I often use the ACI label to see if the car can be used in 1974.  If the paint scheme is earlier, but the car has a label, it's at least possible that it was running then. 

[SD452XR]

I just bummed that only two road numbers will be available.