Past MTL N & Z runner packs out there

[OldEastRR]

Do these things get snatched up and very rarely resold? I was browsing  around the Bay and checked on both the N & Z sets to see if any past ones were out there but there aren't many listed. I'm wondering if they've reached collector status and if you miss a set you're pure out of luck. Maybe I should pay attention to these things.

[Denver Road Doug]

The collector market for such things has declined significantly, but I'm sure there are still hoarders out there.

I think if you have some patience you'll eventually find what you are looking for, and at a good price.   I'm sure there are exceptions but generally I think you'll find what you want unless you aren't willing to wait.

[Dave V]

FWIW, I render mine worthless by weathering them, so I contribute overall to the "rarity" of the remaining sets.  Thus far I've purchased three of them, to wit:

4-pack of TTX 89' TOFCs (perfect for my circa 1980 Conrail roaster)
4-pack of PRR Merchandise Service X29 boxcars
8-pack of PRR H31 2-bay hoppers

There have been other Pennsy runner packs but none that met my roster need.  Arguably the 8-pack of H31s was frivolous, as they were vastly outnumbered by the GLas (and yet on my layout the ratio is reversed), but to my eye they look right in a coal drag and they operate with the usual MTL reliability.

I never understood the collector mindset, but to each his own.

[bbussey]

I never understood the collector mindset, but to each his own.

The majority of the MTL consumer base is still the collector wing of the hobby.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

The runner packs are really great. They do fill out a roster fast and the cost is actually pretty decent considering. I have the RBOX and ABOX runner packs along with the Trailer Train 89' flats (rebuilt, stenciled and retrucked to RTTX "Triple 28s"). My favorites have been the centerbeams in TT and the PW weathered coal hoppers.

[Dave V]

The majority of the MTL consumer base is still the collector wing of the hobby.

I know that, even if I can't relate.

[OldEastRR]

So I guess they are hard to  find. And if found, may cost quite a bit. However, I can see why collectors like them, they come in a neat box that keeps them all together.Like I said ... I better start keeping an eye on these things. Especially if a NH heavyweight passenger set comes out.
That said, MTL could release "train sets" in sections like KATO did for a while. 3 car sets, like an RPO, 12-1, and coach. And another with 10-1-2, Diner, and Observation. 2 coaches and a 28-1 parlor. Mix and match with a mail-baggage, express boxcar, and horse car, or a coach 3-pack. Or 12-1 3-pack. Or buy them all. The possibilities are endless, with the option of making a train as long or short as you want.
Having a complete train in a few same-sized boxes is also great for storing and transporting the whole train easily.

[Blazeman]

The majority of the MTL consumer base is still the collector wing of the hobby.

That group at this time may be the extent of their marketing focus for that "product." From comments here, there could be a couple of other avenues to consider, or maybe they have and found that overall they feel they make more with modelers' current buying habits

[bbussey]

I know that, even if I can't relate.

And, it's by a very large margin.

[bbussey]

The runner packs are really great. They do fill out a roster fast and the cost is actually pretty decent considering. I have the RBOX and ABOX runner packs along with the Trailer Train 89' flats (rebuilt, stenciled and retrucked to RTTX "Triple 28s"). My favorites have been the centerbeams in TT and the PW weathered coal hoppers.

It's not as if multiple reporting-marked product is not available from other manufacturers. Unless it's your home road, diversity is more prototypical anyway. As an example, Atlas has released at least a dozen TT numbers on their ACF 89' TOFC model. I can see the advantage with coal hoppers, but both Atlas and Bluford do it regularly and have been for years. Other manufacturers as well on Coal Porters, Top Gons, and Silversides.

[peteski]

The majority of the MTL consumer base is still the collector wing of the hobby.

Yup - count me in on the collector (accumulator) side.    Their weathered/graffiti series was a brilliant move: what started as a smart way of recycling their slow-selling models evolved into a plethora of prototypical and realistic looking weathered cars.  Plus the cost of those cars is not all that much higher when compared to their unweathered cars. Who would have imagined MT collectors buying weathered cars!! 

I especially like their prototype-based graffiti.  I'm not a fan of their fancy ink jet printer replacing the Tampo printing and painting/masking, but that same printer is ideal for producing realistic weathering and graffiti.

[ztrack]

We have a few Z scale runner packs and a number of the weathered cars available in our Resale shop. These include new sets and some that are used. Here is the link:

http://www.ztrackresale.com

BTW if you are a Ztrack Magazine subscriber, you will get 10% off your Resale order this month and next. See page 4 of the new issue of Ztrack for your voucher code.

I am in agreement about the weathered cars. The prototypical cars are amazing. They have quickly become some of my favorite cars in the collection.

BUT my biggest pet peeve... why patch over the road numbers? Come on MTL save the road numbers! Even in real life, the taggers know not to touch that road numbers. That is a sure what to get your crappy graffiti painted over. So why do it on our scale models?

Rob

[Dave V]

I think they do that so as to make it less obvious that it's the same road number on all of them.

[Paradise275]

Check here.

Silver Creek Collectables ‎[sales@silvercreekcollectables.com]

[peteski]

Rob, there are plenty of graffiti examples where the (not too swift) taggers paint over the road numbers. I'm sure they get quickly repainted but they do exist.  Some MT weathered cars feature re-stenciled road numbers too.

Also, since the weathered cars have become such a big business, many of the more recent offerings are decorated from scratch (not repainted slow-sellers).  Actually, many of new MT releases have sides fully done with the ink jet (no Tampo printing). I still haven't accepted that. I don't lke the dithered colors made of CYMK inks and the fuzziness of the smaller lettering. Spray painting and Tampo printing gave much sharper results.  Plus the texture of the ink jet printed ink bugs me.  Like I mentioned earlier, it is perfect for graffiti and weathering, but not as good for fully decorating a unweathered car.