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Post by riogrande on Jan 26, 2018 17:33:05 GMT -8
I got an email announcing ExactRail partnering with Trainlife re-releasing the depressed center flat, originally released several years back.
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Post by mrsocal on Jan 26, 2018 17:57:59 GMT -8
I have the Evolution series in Conrail scheme and still just cant get into the car to this day.
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Post by riogrande on Jan 27, 2018 4:28:53 GMT -8
Basically these don't match any real flat car and are mashup of some common types and labeled as stand_ins.
The last two ER announcements (depressed flat and hicube box car) aren't needful for me, but good for some. I'm still waiting on bulkhead versions of the 53' gsc flat card and the PC 60' box car.
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Post by notabob on Jan 27, 2018 5:52:19 GMT -8
Not really partnering. TrainLife is basically ExactRail’s retail store. Same entity.
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Post by riogrande on Jan 27, 2018 5:56:51 GMT -8
Not really partnering. TrainLife is basically ExactRail’s retail store. Same entity. Their words, not mine - from their press release: |
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Post by notabob on Jan 27, 2018 6:13:47 GMT -8
Not really partnering. TrainLife is basically ExactRail’s retail store. Same entity. Their words, not mine - from their press release: Yeah, I got that email too. Just commenting that marketing speak aside, they’re the same entity. |
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Post by riogrande on Jan 27, 2018 7:56:19 GMT -8
I'd guess most of us have been aware of the relationships between ER and TL for a couple years now. The marketing speak doesn't bother me - it's everywhere all the time.
TL seems to be a fairly successful vendor which is related to ExactRail. If you check ER models on their site, the inventory quantities mirror the ER site.
However, when I buy ExactRail trains, I still buy them from E-R's website as there is no incentive for me to buy other items most of the time. Because of where i live, shipping is more economical to order most other model train products from MBK. TL does offer some things like the recent lumber loads which are quite nice and I've ordered kits on a couple of occasions from them.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2018 9:10:47 GMT -8
Yes...While I don't communicate directly with ExactRail after Blaine's departure, I can say they make quality items. These cars are not on my wish list...and I hope ExactRail does well with them. Like Jim, I purchase from ExactRail's site. I usually have enough cars to qualify for free shipping.
I did sign up for a Train life account, as I can get other items from them in the near future...But my main go-to people now are Overland Hobbies and DCC Trains. I buy direct from Tangent as well...and I buy MoPac stuff from the MoPac Historical Society.
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Post by riogrande on Jan 27, 2018 9:36:55 GMT -8
I have corresponded with Chris a few times before Blaine left and Chris is helpful and responsive person. When the free shipping was for orders above $100, I ordered often from E-R.
Ever since the free ship went to $200 I have actually only made one $200+ order and nearly all the rest have been singles. The two hundred dollar free ship level is just too high for my budget most of the time. Unfortunately the result since then is that the quantities of ER models I buy are lower - can't be helped.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2018 9:51:21 GMT -8
Yes, I understand. I see their point of view, as well. They were basically taking a hit with the $100 free shipping thing, too.
My guess is: As UPS and USPS hike their rates, then mail order companies must too. My orders over $200 were the annual coal hopper sale.
Throughout the year, I will find cash to order more of the C&EI hoppers from them...as I have a custom decal set from Microscale to renumber them into MP with an additional 60 road numbers. This allows me to patch them with MP reporting marks as well...so I can move my hopper fleet up to the late 1970's and early to mid-1980's. I cut off at the end of 1984.
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Post by riogrande on Jan 27, 2018 10:09:45 GMT -8
It is a bigger shock to the ability to order in batches when they double the free ship option. Rather than say go from $100 to $200 a free ship increase from $100 to $150 to mitigate the 'hit' I definitely would have been making more group orders under those conditions. But I don't know if that was feasible.
Some places free ship is $400 or even higher. I imagine it's only a "one off" bulk order that anyone goes that route.
With what ExactRail has available now, I don't foresee any $200+ orders this year at all. All the Rio Grande hoppers are sold out and anything else they have I only need maybe one of this or one of that. If the bulkhead GSC 53' flat cars become a reality, that may change however.
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Post by champagnetrail on Jan 27, 2018 18:23:38 GMT -8
Basically these don't match any real flat car and are mashup of some common types and labeled as stand_ins. The last two ER announcements (depressed flat and hicube box car) aren't needful for me, but good for some. I'm still waiting on bulkhead versions of the 53' gsc flat card and the PC 60' box car. Here's what kills me. From the original announcement on the Exactrail web site years ago... "Given the rarity of all designs, ExactRail combined elements common to key prototypes to offer a Depressed Center Flat with both interesting and characteristic features. Perhaps closest in design to the Conrail (ex-Erie Lackawanna) FE42A Class Depressed Flat, ExactRail's Depressed Center Flat is a good stand-in for similar TTX/QTTX, Southern and CNW cars." So, Exactrail admits their model is something of a mash-up, for which I actually commend them. They say their car might be visually the closest to a small group of cars built for the Erie Lackawanna. So...care to guess which road name they never bothered to release??? Yep. EL. -pat |
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Post by drolsen on Jan 28, 2018 12:10:41 GMT -8
It is a bigger shock to the ability to order in batches when they double the free ship option. Rather than say go from $100 to $200 a free ship increase from $100 to $150 to mitigate the 'hit' I definitely would have been making more group orders under those conditions. But I don't know if that was feasible. The $200 minimum has really been kind of a psychological barrier for me. I think I’m just used to spreading my purchases out and am comfortable with the idea of spending around $100 at a time. I’ve probably ordered from ExactRail about a dozen times, but I haven’t placed a $200 order since they introduced the new limit (I did back when the Bethlehem quad hoppers were first released). There are definitely enough ExactRail freight cars that I’d like to have that could make up a $200 order right now, but I don’t feel like I “need” them enough to spend the $200. Each time a new model comes out that looks interesting, I just think that I’ll just order it later when they release a few more things that I really need (like if they ever produce a an eastern Beth Steel triple hopper), but I never get around to it. I know I’ve said this before, but I really hope that ExactRail is doing well. I don’t know if any other manufacturer that still has so many models in stock that they released 3 or 4 years ago. The really popular ones do sell out, but a lot of others are still around. That’s great for people like me that haven’t gotten around to ordering them, but not great for generating revenue to fund future projects. Back on topic, I seriously thought that we’d never see this model again based on the response the original release received. However, I’m all for any model that sells well and helps them fund future products, even if it’s not something that I’m personally interested in. Dave |
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Post by riogrande on Jan 28, 2018 13:18:15 GMT -8
The $200 minimum has really been kind of a psychological barrier for me. I think I’m just used to spreading my purchases out and am comfortable with the idea of spending around $100 at a time. I’ve probably ordered from ExactRail about a dozen times, but I haven’t placed a $200 order since they introduced the new limit (I did back when the Bethlehem quad hoppers were first released). There are definitely enough ExactRail freight cars that I’d like to have that could make up a $200 order right now, but I don’t feel like I “need” them enough to spend the $200. <snip> I know I’ve said this before, but I really hope that ExactRail is doing well. I don’t know if any other manufacturer that still has so many models in stock that they released 3 or 4 years ago. The really popular ones do sell out, but a lot of others are still around. That’s great for people like me that haven’t gotten around to ordering them, but not great for generating revenue to fund future projects. Back on topic, I seriously thought that we’d never see this model again based on the response the original release received. However, I’m all for any model that sells well and helps them fund future products, even if it’s not something that I’m personally interested in. Dave Dave, agreed. I hope ExactRail is doing well too. I like their products and like you, I feel concern when I see a lot of some models still in stock, even with the sales some are just slow sellers. I guess that is how model production is, some are hot and some not. I didn't follow the depressed center flat when it was first released other than it being recognized as a foobie of sorts. It has been sold out for a long time so apparently it was popular - and like you say, if it helps ER stay financially in better shape and funds future model projects, it's a good thing overall. |
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Jan 29, 2018 1:13:06 GMT -8
Exactrail admits their model is something of a mash-up, for which I actually commend them. I hope you mean the you commend them for being honest about it. What is just stupid is that instead of making a car that has exactly *one* prototype -- a rare beast -- they've made a car with *zero* prototypes. Nothing to be commended for about that. |
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Post by milgentrains on Jan 29, 2018 4:48:57 GMT -8
Exactrail admits their model is something of a mash-up, for which I actually commend them. I hope you mean the you commend them for being honest about it. What is just stupid is that instead of making a car that has exactly *one* prototype -- a rare beast -- they've made a car with *zero* prototypes. Nothing to be commended for about that. I for one is looking forward to the reintroduction of this car. Exact or not it looks good to me. |
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Post by champagnetrail on Jan 29, 2018 16:25:43 GMT -8
Exactrail admits their model is something of a mash-up, for which I actually commend them. I hope you mean the you commend them for being honest about it. What is just stupid is that instead of making a car that has exactly *one* prototype -- a rare beast -- they've made a car with *zero* prototypes. Nothing to be commended for about that. Colin...yes, I meant to say that I commend them for being honest about their freight car having no exact prototype, which I really meant as more of a back-handed compliment. However, I condemn them for failing to produce the one road name that most closely resembles their car...that being Erie Lackawanna. What a shame. -pat |
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Post by GrandeGould on Feb 11, 2018 14:58:16 GMT -8
However, I condemn them for failing to produce the one road name that most closely resembles their car...that being Erie Lackawanna. What a shame. -pat Rest assured, Exactrail's product developer wanted to do the EL scheme. The only reason why it was not done is because the only resources provided by the E-L historical society were three grainy roster shots. To accurately produce a paint scheme, clear detail shots of every single bit of lettering, down to the smallest data, including on the ends, is needed. Roster shots are useless in developing accurate lettering. Thus, if you have detail shots or closeups of the EL flats, rather than condemning them for not releasing an inaccurate paint scheme based on conjecture, email them to Trainlife or Exactrail, and the paint scheme will be replicated. |
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Post by lvrr325 on Feb 12, 2018 10:58:18 GMT -8
That's the only place they went for help?
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Post by ambluco on Feb 12, 2018 11:30:12 GMT -8
Roster shots can be used but it takes more work. Perspective correction (and further scaling) in Photoshop with some available measurements can lead to great lettering.
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Post by ddatrainman on Feb 27, 2018 17:16:32 GMT -8
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Post by edwardsutorik on Feb 27, 2018 17:33:49 GMT -8
Well, I'll tell ya. The car in the photo is a weird one: a depressed center flat AND a semi-well flat. THAT you just don't see that often. And there's more differences, if you look and compare. So, to me, it doesn't look the same. Ed |
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