Micro Trains BN SW1500s

[daniel_leavitt2000]

[wazzou]

Thank you Daniel.  It does look nice.  I'll need to wait for the Flexicoil truck side frames so I can wedge a GN unit into the collection.

[tom mann]

Did MT also fix the hood width?  I could have sworn that the samples that Joe posted a long time ago showed the hood much wider and almost beneath the front side windows.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Tom, I think it was just a bad photograph angle. The model really is close to scale width... maybe only 3" off at most. I'm really impressed that MTL was able to make a shell so thin.

I am looking forward to completing the model in CR Quality. I will also be getting new shells as the various phases come out. I too am looking forward to the flexcoil trucks, and I will have to get the SP unit just because they are so damn unique.

One would hope that MTL will put out a short line collector's series rather than their fictional schemes.

[wcfn100]

Tom, I think it was just a bad photograph angle. The model really is close to scale width... maybe only 3" off at most.

How about you measure it. 

Jason

[peteski]

How about you measure it. 

Jason

Yeah, what he said!   

But I do agree that the detailing (and the fine engraving of the details) looks very impressive.

[Sokramiketes]

But I do agree that the detailing (and the fine engraving of the details) looks very impressive.

I was going to comment that the tooling on that LL SW shell is pretty impressive.  Look at the louvers behind the grill mesh!  Now that's fine engraving.  MTL looks a little shallow in comparison.

[JoeD]

I can spray some decal stock and send a few sheets out and let you guys share it.  I can't send out a sample for everyone due to the cost and time...but would be willing to send it to a "rep" who can deal with it.

Joe

Here's an idea for Joe.   After every, say, 5-10 releases or perhaps once a year....create a decal set with color-matched panels for the previous x-number of releases, so that we can easily "paint over" the windows that aren't legit for the particular locomotive we're trying to make.

[peteski]

I can spray some decal stock and send a few sheets out and let you guys share it.  I can't send out a sample for everyone due to the cost and time...but would be willing to send it to a "rep" who can deal with it.

Joe

Nice Joe!  It is great to see manufacturers willing to provide this kind of service to the modeling community.

Speaking of paint, model manufacturers seem to use paint which is superior to any of the available hobby paints available to the general public.  Especially when it comes to the durability and the sheen of finish

Would it be possible for you to reveal more details about what type/brand of paint is used by MT? Maybe the paint manufacturer/distributor would be willing to sell that paint in less than gallon (or whatever the minimum is) quantity.

It would be ideal to see manufacturers of N scale models offering a lime of paints matching their models (for touch-ups or for custom painting other models to match their models.  But the hassle of having to stock all those little bottles plus probably having to adhere to all sorts of hazardous material handlign regulations make such offering a non-starter. 

Seems that a sheet of decal paper painted with an exact matching color is probably the best overall solution.

[Rich_S]

Nice Joe!  It is great to see manufacturers willing to provide this kind of service to the modeling community.

Speaking of paint, model manufacturers seem to use paint which is superior to any of the available hobby paints available to the general public.  Especially when it comes to the durability and the sheen of finish

Would it be possible for you to reveal more details about what type/brand of paint is used by MT? Maybe the paint manufacturer/distributor would be willing to sell that paint in less than gallon (or whatever the minimum is) quantity.

It would be ideal to see manufacturers of N scale models offering a lime of paints matching their models (for touch-ups or for custom painting other models to match their models.  But the hassle of having to stock all those little bottles plus probably having to adhere to all sorts of hazardous material handling regulations make such offering a non-starter. 

Seems that a sheet of decal paper painted with an exact matching color is probably the best overall solution.

Peteski, I've seen your question asked before and yes you are correct the standard answer is, the paint being used is not available to the general public because of safety regulations.

In the long run an idea that might be better than providing colored decal paper, provide a custom mixing chart using available model paints. Just an idea?

[tehachapifan]

Ok pics....

The shell is very thin. Probably the thinnest in N scale right now. The detail is really good. Like the tread on the walkways is near scale. It looks like 1500 grit sandpaper!....


The tabs on the rear of the frame must be cut off and the rear of the frame boxed out and shortened by about 1/2mm. I did this at work with a nail file and some EMT scissors.

Note I have not added any of the details including stacks, MU housing, windows, bell, tank and horn.

I picked up an undecorated shell too and was pleased to see that a fuel tank and the contact strips are also included with the shell along with the replacement truck sideframes, MT couplers and several misc. parts. Shell is nicely done as Daniel said.

Daniel, I was able to put the shell straight onto a LL SW9/1200 chassis without any modifications and the nubs popped right into place. Mine has the "T" type protrusions on the rear of the chassis too but there was spot for those to go inside the shell. Was there more than one LL SW chassis produced?