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Post by ihphobbymike on Feb 26, 2013 1:04:36 GMT -5
Hi all,
Anyone else see the new UA TurboTrain from MTH? It's O gauge, three-piece set, in three paint schemes, and for $799 (at Nicholas Smith in Broomall, PA) it's not a bad deal.
Also, the first Walthers Metroliners were due this month...anyone see any more info on them yet?
Mike Bartel
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Post by mgwsy on Feb 26, 2013 10:29:46 GMT -5
I havent heard much about the Metroliners but I have a 4 car set on the way and once I get it expect some pictures of the models.
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Post by liengineerbob on Feb 26, 2013 18:10:15 GMT -5
As usual with all Walthers products......I waitf for 6 months to a year......and they will have them on sale for around half price.
I have yet to pay over $40 for ANY Walthers passenger cars. In the last few months, even the newer $74.98 MSRP cars have been on sale for as little as $25.98.
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Post by antoniofp45 on Mar 7, 2013 21:34:58 GMT -5
I'm looking forward to seeing the new Metroliners. Initially I stripped several 1970s-80s Bachmann Metroliner units with the intent of metalizing and repowering them. They were going to be decaled into the Penn Central scheme. Although for 1970s tooling, the Bachmann's didn't look bad, eventually what started to "bug me" a bit was that the body's fluting ribs were spaced to closely to each other, so when a shell is metalized with Alclad, the discrepancy becomes quite noticeable (at least to modelers that pay attention to surface details). Of course the Bachmann Amfleet I cars had the same issue. So lately I've been using the Bachmann shells as test shells for my metalizing work. Here's a shell I metalized a few years back:  |
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Post by backshophoss on Mar 7, 2013 22:49:50 GMT -5
How long did it take to remove the factory paint?
Had to remove multiple layers on the cab car I'm creating from a damaged 4 car set
of Bachmann Metroliners.
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Post by antoniofp45 on Mar 8, 2013 16:48:16 GMT -5
It's actually very easy. Just soak the shell in 91% Isopropyl Alcohol. The paint starts to float off in 5 minutes! Let each shell soak at least 15 minutes, then start scrubbing with a good toothbrush. The paint will come off.
How long did it take to remove the factory paint? Had to remove multiple layers on the cab car I'm creating from a damaged 4 car set of Bachmann Metroliners.
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Post by liengineerbob on Mar 8, 2013 20:22:05 GMT -5
Dang......I would say that Alclad test was successful.......that is a super looking finish there......almost chrome plated!
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Post by antoniofp45 on Mar 11, 2013 14:42:53 GMT -5
Bob, thank you. 
Actually, once you seal it with clear coat, the high shine effect tones down to a more realistic finish: Dang......I would say that Alclad test was successful.......that is a super looking finish there......almost chrome plated!
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Post by acelaphillies on Mar 11, 2013 15:57:03 GMT -5
Wow, Antonio ! You should put on the PC decals anyway, just because the SS looks so great! IIRC, you said on a different forum that you were going to Alclad and PC markings on a Walthers Metroliner when it comes out. Am I correct? |
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Post by antoniofp45 on Mar 11, 2013 17:25:12 GMT -5
Thank you. Like I stated, it may be trivial, but the incorrect fluted styling is so far off on the Bachmann units that metalizing them only makes the flaw stand out even more, which is why I stopped and now use them as test shells. Just look at the shell that I have sitting on the white automobile and then look a prototype photo.
Yes, I'd like to "Penn Centralize" them. But, the catch is.....will I be able to get one or two pairs of the new Walthers Metros? Just lamenting, as I do understand that business expenses today are burdening for manufacturers and importers, but pre-ordering and paying up front is not something I'm comfortable with. So when the time comes I have to decide.
I could take my chances and wait til they show up on ebay. However if only a few show up, then the asking prices from the sellers will likely be high. However, if ebay is "flooded" with them, then it would be a buyer's market. It's a game that sometimes frugal buyers have to play.
A good example is the Athearn U50. A beautiful unit but not many modelers want or have the track space for a "monster" unit, including some UP modelers. Quite a few have shown up on "the bay" and selling for very good prices.
Same with the "old-run" Walthers cars, which for me, has been excellent since I bid on the fluted lightweights with the least popular road names ( they'll be paint stripped anyway!), and often wind up with a decent deal. That's how I've been gradually been building up my fleet. My only complaint about them is that installing handrails on them can be a bear!
Wow, Antonio ! You should put on the PC decals anyway, just because the SS looks so great! IIRC, you said on a different forum that you were going to Alclad and PC markings on a Walthers Metroliner when it comes out. Am I correct?
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Post by liengineerbob on Mar 11, 2013 18:36:48 GMT -5
AS far as the new Walthers Metroliners go, I will do what I always do with all overpriced Walther's items........I wait 6 months to a year and they put them on sale for 1/2 price or less.
For those that are road name picky, it might not help much, but for myself, who strips and repaints just about everything, I could care less about the road names. How else could one build up a fleet of Walthers 44 seat coaches without a second mortgage?? That's right.....wait for them to be on sale for $24.98 instead of $74.98 each. They will get repainted in to Amtrak And Metro North anyway, so the road name was not important.
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Post by antoniofp45 on Mar 11, 2013 18:49:13 GMT -5
Most excellent. That's been my basic approach.
Of course you know that the manufacturers have caught on to this and now tend to produce just enough for them to clear a profit, which in some cases means that they would most likely be sold out of the units.
So for us it would be a wait and see game. Sometimes it pays off, but there are instances where it doesn't. For me, a good example was the Athearn RTR SD45 in "FRISCO" with the unique "L-shaped" windshield. I waited and to my surprise, the units sold out quickly. I've been trying to locate just one for over 2 years. Back then I had thought, "Well, it's just an SD45". But I didn't take into account that it's a unique unit in an attractive paint scheme. But I'm sure sooner or later one will turn up.
So, with this new Metroliner, things should be interesting.
I think the model that is really being anticipated and in demand is the "Cab Car", which was what was left of the Metros after Amtrak downgraded them. Those will be in demand.
AS far as the new Walthers Metroliners go, I will do what I always do with all overpriced Walther's items........I wait 6 months to a year and they put them on sale for 1/2 price or less. For those that are road name picky, it might not help much, but for myself, who strips and repaints just about everything, I could care less about the road names. How else could one build up a fleet of Walthers 44 seat coaches without a second mortgage?? That's right.....wait for them to be on sale for $24.98 instead of $74.98 each. They will get repainted in to Amtrak And Metro North anyway, so the road name was not important.
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Post by slowfreight on Mar 11, 2013 22:21:24 GMT -5
Yes, I'm awaiting the Amfleets with no committed order, but with those in hand, I would actually preorder a Michigan cab car!
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Post by acelaphillies on Mar 12, 2013 5:55:31 GMT -5
I'm awaiting the announcement of the Amfleets in the latest paint scheme. I'm planning on just seeing how it goes with the Phase III Amfleets that are being released now. Then I will know how long to wait and what price I should wait for.
I too would love a cab car for running Keystone service.
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Post by acelaphillies on Mar 12, 2013 6:01:03 GMT -5
Thank you. Like I stated, it may be trivial, but the incorrect fluted styling is so far off on the Bachmann units that metalizing them only makes the flaw stand out even more, which is why I stopped and now use them as test shells. Just look at the shell that I have sitting on the white automobile and then look a prototype photo. Yes, I'd like to "Penn Centralize" them. But, the catch is.....will I be able to get one or two pairs of the new Walthers Metros? Just lamenting, as I do understand that business expenses today are burdening for manufacturers and importers, but pre-ordering and paying up front is not something I'm comfortable with. So when the time comes I have to decide. I could take my chances and wait til they show up on ebay. However if only a few show up, then the asking prices from the sellers will likely be high. However, if ebay is "flooded" with them, then it would be a buyer's market. It's a game that sometimes frugal buyers have to play. I understand what you mean. It's great that new passenger models are being released, but at the same time who has the money for all of this?! That's why I think we are all going to be playing the waiting game. |
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