Did MTL make a SW1500 shell with hood mounted handrails?

[wcfn100]

I know this is probably for @Shipsure but maybe someone here knows.  I know they are having issues with getting the drives, but did MTL ever get to the SW1500 shell with hood mounted handrails?

With Cory leaving Atlas, it's looking like I may need to make my own decals for the MNS PS-4000 hopper.  The corrected logo isn't only good for the hopper, but several MNS locomotives including the SW1500.  I'm pretty sure they never released a loco with this shell, but was it tooled? 


Jason

[Rich_S]

All of the Micro-Trains SW1500's I've seen have the side sill mounted hand rails.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

This was going to be the next body style after the SP units shipped. These were put on hold when the supply of chassis dried up. I think the tooling was either in process or complete, just never released. Joe would know on that. Maybe you can score some test shots?

[JoeD]

Everything is on hold due to the chassis issue.  We hope to restart at some point, really, really frustrating to be honest.  This is one of the reasons I preach the value of having your own manufacturing in house.  We didn't start the tooling for the other shell...if we did you'd see my fleet full of them

Joe

This was going to be the next body style after the SP units shipped. These were put on hold when the supply of chassis dried up. I think the tooling was either in process or complete, just never released. Joe would know on that. Maybe you can score some test shots?

[nscaler711]

Everything is on hold due to the chassis issue.  We hope to restart at some point, really, really frustrating to be honest.  This is one of the reasons I preach the value of having your own manufacturing in house.  We didn't start the tooling for the other shell...if we did you'd see my fleet full of them

Joe

What if you guys produced the shells anyway?
That was done in Z scale with the GP7/9s and GP35s... There are lots of LL SWs on eBay I'm sure if someone wants they could just grab that and do a shell swap... (won't be DCC ready... But it's a start.)

(that and leave it to walthers to screw the little guy...    )

[narrowminded]

... I preach the value of having your own manufacturing in house. 

Joe

So very, very, true.  Decisions are made that dramatically effect your business and you weren't even invited to the meeting.

[coosvalley]

This is one of the reasons I preach the value of having your own manufacturing in house.
Joe

Since Walthers isn't doing anything with it anyway, maybe you folks at MT could get the former Lifelike/Proto N scale tooling...At this point it is just going to waste not being used     N scale needs C424s, GP18s, GP20s,SW8s,SW9/1200s, etc...Not to mention the steamers...

Just wishing out loud, I doubt it would ever happen...But maybe planting a seed of an idea could lead to..something.....

[Missaberoad]

   N scale needs C424s

Agree with you completely that it would be amazing if the Lifelike tooling could be picked up by a new manufacturer...

...but there is an added complication with the C424, (and the CP/CN rebuilt GP9s) The tooling for these models is former Lifelike Canada and is owned by Hobbycraft Canada. Without getting a new agreement (which Walthers lacks) they are in a state of limbo and may not be produced again...