fredo
New Member
Posts: 36
|
Post by fredo on Apr 24, 2016 12:35:11 GMT -8
I picked up one of these SP bulkhead Flats at the local hobby shop yesterday and they have done a great job on it. The deck is molded on but they leave the ends off so you can model it with all the busted boards, missing boards, or no boards left on the the ends by using strips of your own stripwood. The included ends are one piece painted and printed parts ready to install. Kadee scale couplers. A welcome car for all the Rio Grande and SP modelers on this forum.
|
|
|
Post by TBird1958 on Apr 24, 2016 12:49:19 GMT -8
Pics, pretty please!
|
|
|
Post by edwardsutorik on Apr 24, 2016 13:09:11 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by TBird1958 on Apr 24, 2016 13:12:45 GMT -8
Thank you!
Gotta have!
|
|
|
Post by riogrande on Apr 25, 2016 4:13:26 GMT -8
Those are on my want list too and perfect my time frame.
|
|
|
Post by cannon on Apr 25, 2016 9:29:30 GMT -8
The Wheels of Time SP Bulkhead and Plain F-70-43 flat cars showed up yesterday. Initial inspection of the bulkhead version looks pretty impressive. They listened and did not attach the boards to the bulkhead but package them separate. A lot of nice under deck detailing (that you can't see). Both the deck and bulkheads are painted a brownish/olive drab color that should lend its self nicely to weathering. The trucks are molded (?) in a similar color. Weight is 4.0 oz.
|
|
|
Post by TBird1958 on Apr 25, 2016 9:31:54 GMT -8
Okay Dave, now I'm just jealous!
|
|
|
Post by drolsen on Apr 25, 2016 13:33:53 GMT -8
Those look great! I'll definitely have to get one. Good flat car models are few and far between. Cool that they produced both a early and later scheme in this first run. I hope we'll see the "clean" GWS scheme in the next run, like this one that Patrick Harris shot on my birthday in 1998, my modeling year! www.railgoat.railfan.net/photos/sp/gvsr/gvsr443033_patrick_harris.jpgDave
|
|
|
Post by fr8kar on Apr 25, 2016 16:27:50 GMT -8
These look fantastic. I could easily put a couple to work.
|
|
|
Post by jbilbrey on Apr 25, 2016 17:42:03 GMT -8
Looks good. I bought one of the "Hippie Models" flats years ago from Bruce's Hobby Shop (since closed) years ago while out there on travel. And, the photos show that these cars look significantly better. I will have to try and pick some up.
James Bilbrey LaVergne, TN
|
|
|
Post by stottman on Apr 25, 2016 22:30:00 GMT -8
Looks good. I bought one of the "Hippie Models" flats years ago from Bruce's Hobby Shop (since closed) years ago while out there on travel. And, the photos show that these cars look significantly better. I will have to try and pick some up. James Bilbrey LaVergne, TN The good news is that the "Mainline models" resin cars are NOT the same class/type that Wheels of time did.
|
|
|
Post by riogrande on Apr 26, 2016 3:30:08 GMT -8
Which were the Mainline resin cars?
|
|
|
Post by stottman on Apr 26, 2016 5:25:42 GMT -8
They are cars that were sold by Bruce's.
All of the ones I bought (most direct from Bruce's, others 2nd hand) have "Mainline Models" on the white box.
The paperwork inside says the cars represent:
SP #509400-509599 SSW 86500-86699
The number series is a little off (from Railgoat's website), but that makes them F-70-50s, which are the 60' Greenville cars. Biggest difference is the shape of the bulkhead.
That ignores any size inaccuracy.
|
|
|
Post by jbilbrey on Apr 28, 2016 16:27:12 GMT -8
Looks good. I bought one of the "Hippie Models" flats years ago from Bruce's Hobby Shop (since closed) years ago while out there on travel. And, the photos show that these cars look significantly better. I will have to try and pick some up. James Bilbrey LaVergne, TN The good news is that the "Mainline models" resin cars are NOT the same class/type that Wheels of time did. Stottman, Thanks for the correction/information. Mine came in a plain cardboard box with only "GF-01B SSW" and the price on one end. My car is numbered for a SSW F-70-52 flat, but there are couple errors. First, the number of stake pockets on the sides are incorrect, and the car measures a little longer than 53'-6". Since I could not find a class that exactly matched the model, I ignored the errors and finished the car as-is. James Bilbrey LaVergne, TN
|
|
|
Post by stottman on Apr 28, 2016 22:31:24 GMT -8
Yes, they are a few stakes short (but who really notices that unless you check specifically), and mine, the IL between the bulkheads is about 9 scale inches short.. Should be 57', but its 56 and some change..
But the way I look at it, there are neat looking cars, and I doubt I could do better scratchbuilding from a photo, so they stay.
|
|
|
Post by 12bridge on Apr 29, 2016 12:51:14 GMT -8
Sold out at MB Klein in a flick of the wrist..
|
|
|
Post by riogrande on Apr 29, 2016 13:40:13 GMT -8
Sold out at MB Klein in a flick of the wrist.. I have been checking MBK's site frequently for the past couple weeks and today I saw them about one hour after MBK's email notification landed in my mailbox. At that time six of the numbers were sold out already so I ordered 5 of the remaining Bulkhead flat car numbers and a plain flat car and was thankful I checked when I did. It appears all of the bulkhead flat cars were gone within about 2 hours of putting them up. I've been looking forward to these since they were announced!
|
|
|
Post by scl1234 on Apr 29, 2016 13:55:12 GMT -8
Sold out at MB Klein in a flick of the wrist.. Part of the reason for that is the on-line exposure of the store (they probably only received 2-3 of each road number), the other part is that assembled bulkhead flats sell out quick (Tangent's 60' version sold pretty briskly as well).
|
|
|
Post by eh49 on Apr 29, 2016 15:04:35 GMT -8
I managed to grab 2 from MBK. Another thing that sold out quickly this week was the Proto SD9 for DM&IR.
|
|
|
Post by riogrande on Apr 29, 2016 19:03:52 GMT -8
Part of the reason for that is the on-line exposure of the store (they probably only received 2-3 of each road number), the other part is that assembled bulkhead flats sell out quick (Tangent's 60' version sold pretty briskly as well). It appears MBK received 4 of each based on the highest quantity I could see but I'm not sure. The Tangent did sell briskly but I've recalled seeing a lot more of the SP bulkheads in D&RGW trains mixed in with Thralls and others and being a big SP fan too these were really signature cars. I was surprised Tangent didn't paint their GN car for BN green; I recall David saying some were repainted into BN green. I'd be interested in 1 or 2 in that paint too.
|
|
|
Post by drolsen on Apr 29, 2016 19:11:44 GMT -8
Jim, he's gotta save something for the second run!
I have a feeling Klein's will restock these in a week or two. If they're still available from the manufacturer, they seem to order more when the models sell out this quickly.
Dave
|
|
|
Post by riogrande on Apr 29, 2016 20:01:09 GMT -8
Dave - probably so with Tangent. Plus spreads out the cost a little more over time. I've been really craving some good 1970's bulkhead flat cars for a long time so finally between Tangent and WOT, we are getting some excellent models!
MBK often does restock if they can. I have no idea how fast they are going from the manufacturer.
Jim
|
|
|
Post by loophog on Apr 29, 2016 21:27:06 GMT -8
I caught them in time on MBK this morning and picked up a 3 pack of bulkheads and 2 flats. Got lucky with the timing, they went fast as I knew they would but I think they'll get a restock.
|
|
|
Post by airbrake on May 19, 2016 13:16:15 GMT -8
Hi Everyone,
I received the 12 pack of HO bulkhead flats that I purchased from MB Klein yesterday. The 12 pack comes wrapped in cellophane from the factory. I had a duplicate of a car number, 509071, and the 509103 was missing. Called Klein and they said they were out of the 509103 but they would accommodate me in some form that met my satisfaction which is great customer service on MB Klein's part.
I sent an email to Wheels of Time (they do not list a phone number on their website, only FAX) explaining the problem and got a reply from a Matthew Young stating they were sorry for the duplicate numbers and they were out of the 103's and I should see about getting a refund for the car(s). Anybody who bought the 12 or 3 packs of these cars should check and see if you got duplicates and/or were shorted one of the car numbers. Probably the last time I'll purchase Wheels of Time products. Cars are very nice but I paid a premium for 12 different numbers only to have the manufacturer pass the problem of the duplicate and shorted number off to the dealer who is not at fault in any way and letting them handle it. I am getting fed-up with the poor customer service we sometimes get out of these so called "companies" especially when we pay $350.00+ for their products and then get nothing but lip service when a problem comes up. Wheels of time should also hire a proof reader for the wording on their boxes also - just take a look at one on the HO bulkhead and flat car boxes.
|
|
|
Post by riogrande on May 19, 2016 14:11:26 GMT -8
airbrake, you must have gotten that last 12 pack they had.
I found basically all five of my WOT Bulkhead flat cars I received had curved bulkheads at the top; if you looked down on them from above the top chord, rather than straight, was a shallow crescent with the ends pointing toward the center of the cars. I bought them from MBK and sent 3 back and they only had 2 in-stock to replace them - so I should get a refund on the 5th. The two I kept had slightly curved bulkheads too but maybe if I glue the end pieces on it will straighten them out better. Hopefully the two replacements will be a bit better.
I emailed Matthew about the curve/warped bulkhead but haven't heard anything back. Maybe I'll try again.
Other than the curved bulkheads they are lovely cars.
|
|
|
Post by upcsx on May 19, 2016 15:42:00 GMT -8
Saw them at the LHS last Saturday in the box glad I did not get that Golden West MOW thanks Jim and airbrake.
|
|
|
Post by loophog on May 19, 2016 17:37:35 GMT -8
I bought a 3 pack for MBK, all were different numbers but one had a slightly warped bulkhead. The 3 cars were wrapped in cellophane from the factory with a 3 pack skew label, It seems the factory just packages up any random 3 cars for the 3 pack. I thought about purchasing another 3 pack when they got a restock last week but who knows if I'd get any duplicate numbers. I ultimately decided I didn't need more at this time.
|
|
|
Post by airbrake on May 19, 2016 18:11:25 GMT -8
airbrake, you must have gotten that last 12 pack they had. I found basically all five of my WOT Bulkhead flat cars I received had curved bulkheads at the top; if you looked down on them from above the top chord, rather than straight, was a shallow crescent with the ends pointing toward the center of the cars. I bought them from MBK and sent 3 back and they only had 2 in-stock to replace them - so I should get a refund on the 5th. The two I kept had slightly curved bulkheads too but maybe if I glue the end pieces on it will straighten them out better. Hopefully the two replacements will be a bit better. I emailed Matthew about the curve/warped bulkhead but haven't heard anything back. Maybe I'll try again. Other than the curved bulkheads they are lovely cars. Thanks Jim. I took a good look at the bulkhead cars tonight and ALL the bulkheads are warped and ALL the ladders have been applied crooked. Additionally, almost all the bulkheads are assembled improperly and the wooden sections will not line-up correctly (square) when I tried to fit a few up due to the assembly of the bulkheads. I will be sending the whole 12 back for a refund. They do look nice but upon a closer look they do not come up to Bachmann or Tyco quality as far as assembly goes. The flat cars are fine as far as I can tell. I see what WOT was trying to do with the bulkheads and if assembled here they would probably have been O.K. but the C. H. Ina Company QA is basically a crap shoot sometimes. Jim C
|
|
|
Post by MONSTERRAILROAD on May 19, 2016 20:15:44 GMT -8
I am doing a Monster Review of the two I bought a few days ago for $33 each at AAHobbies in Warwick, RI! Look out for it.
|
|
|
Post by riogrande on May 20, 2016 4:42:03 GMT -8
Jim C,
I was wondering if I was the only one since no one had mentioned the curled/warped bulkhead tops so far. Only one of my cars had a crooked ladder. However, out of 5 bulkhead flat cars, 9 of the 10 bulkheads were curved rather than straight. It's a shame because otherwise they are gorgeous flat cars. I can only guess that when the glue dried, something shrank or pulled the top chord of the bulkheads into a slight crescent shape.
Since the F-70-43 SP bulkhead flat cars were iconic during the 1970's, they are must-have's for SP modelers or modelers with Pacific northwest lumber traffic but QAQC issues seem to have struck again in this case. Ideally I'd like to have a bunch but with the warped/curled bulkheads I may just settle for a few of those with the least issues for now. I have heard some customers got lucky received bulkheads which were not warped too.
You might be right; if they would have glued the board assembly on at the factory, the issue may have been avoided because that likely would have held everything true and square but I understand so many of the cars ran with the boards missing why they left them off. I hope WOT can get the QAQC issue on the bulkheads corrected for any future runs they do because I would like multiples of them.
|
|