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Post by lvrr325 on Jan 19, 2020 22:42:43 GMT -8
Atlas in March last year announced these cars in four roadnames with a list of $99.95, at the time never before offered in HO.
Now I see ScaleTrains is doing a Gundersen Multi-Max, offering the ones without the details for $43 and with for $75? The same cars? Some of the same roadnames too. Complete with a "retail" price that doesn't mean anything because they, the maker, are selling them for less than that, so that actual selling price is the true retail price.
Am I correct, models of the same cars?
It almost has to be, that would be why Atlas pushed their production up, if they get theirs out in February the ST ones aren't due until June, so maybe you have a prayer of selling the Atlas before the ST show up.
Gee thanks guys, as if I didn't have enough reasons to hate on you already.
#1 because it's almost surely going to cut potential sales on the Atlas cars, and
#2 people already seem to think I pull prices out of a hat, they don't need to see companies posting phony retail prices on this stuff.
The only saving grace is since they're too good for most normal distribution channels I may still be able to get some impulse buyers. I don't really care if they have some beef where they want to go after Atlas but there's no reason to try to cost dealers and shops money too. Maybe they forget that a dealer is also often a customer - and a person other customers go to for advice. Right now my advice would be to not own anything from this company if they paid you to take it.
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Jan 20, 2020 1:30:13 GMT -8
The word on the street is that ScaleTrains had these a long way into development when Atlas announced theirs, and decided to continue on with them anyway. Can't blame then for wanting to recoup their costs.
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Post by fr8kar on Jan 20, 2020 1:39:03 GMT -8
Just so I understand correctly, you are pissed off at Scale Trains because they designed a model and found a way to manufacture it cheaper than Atlas, or am I not understanding what you've written?
Projects like this are developed in relative secret, so two or more companies could be developing models of the same prototype in tandem and not be aware of the other's progress, unique design features or sales goals and the accompanying price point needed to make the project a success. It's been said many places, including this forum, that these projects take a long time (typically years) and the companies involved in this example are usually well into the final tooling stage by the time any of us read the first rumor or see the first announcement.
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Jan 20, 2020 2:23:58 GMT -8
I do understand "lvrr325"'s predicament though, Ryan. He's a hobby shop owner trying to sell products that he's ordered from Atlas. And now a competitor comes with an identical product at a cheaper price and he'll be stuck with the Atlas cars. ScaleTrains doesn't sell through very many dealers.
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Post by fr8kar on Jan 20, 2020 3:18:35 GMT -8
I do understand "lvrr325"'s predicament though, Ryan. He's a hobby shop owner trying to sell products that he's ordered from Atlas. And now a competitor comes with an identical product at a cheaper price and he'll be stuck with the Atlas cars. ScaleTrains doesn't sell through very many dealers. I get that, but it's not Scale Trains' fault for his situation. He speculated that he could buy Atlas autoracks at a dealer discount to resell at a profit. And now he's unhappy because it looks like he guessed wrong. Or maybe the Atlas cars are superior and he wins in the end. But instead of taking ownership of making what looks to be a bad bet, lvrr325 is implying that Scale Trains' business plan is taking down their competitors by undercutting them because of some perceived beef. Or is their plan to destroy the dealer network of their competition? Or are these just facets of their plan for world domination? Since lvrr325 advises "to not own anything from this company if they paid you to take it," it looks like his only choice if he wants to sell Gunderson autoracks is to buy the Atlas models, which he apparently did. Sounds like sour grapes to me. |
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Post by railmodeltroy14 on Jan 20, 2020 4:18:47 GMT -8
I am buying both models.
According to the Atlas website, all of their Gundersen auto racks are sold out.
I pre-ordered mine from Train Heaven the day they were announced at $75.00 each and it looks they are on the water?
I also pre-ordered the Scale Trains version the day they were announced at $79.00 each.
The Scale Trains model has "see-thru" metal side panels and the Atlas version comes with plastic simulated "see-thru" side panels so we will see how many both companies sell.
Contemporary HO modelers will have many options to choose from for auto rack trains.
Me personally...I currently have 8 sets of the Genesis/Athearn RTR Auto Max units, 8 sets of the Atlas Thrall Articulated units, a several of the Walthers Proto auto racks and countless Walthers kit auto racks which makes for a 45 car train that requires a 50 foot side track on the layout.
The Scale Trains and Atlas versions of the Multi-Max will outclass the other auto racks in my possession but they are 20 years newer which we would all expect.
The Genesis AutoMax, Atlas Articulated and Proto auto racks are still great models.
It is all good and I may just run a long modern auto rack train with the Scale Trains and Atlas Multi-Max's pulled by a pair of Scale Trains ET44AH locomotives to keep the level of detail consistent.
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Post by markfj on Jan 20, 2020 5:05:25 GMT -8
I see both sides of the situation here; lvrr325 can’t be competitive with his pricing and make a profit, but we really can’t fault Scale Trains for offering the same car at a lower price. I would caulk chalk this one up to the inherent risk of running a business. You simple never know for certainty what the market conditions will be or what competing companies will do next. This is why I take all that financial forecasting I hear on the tv with a big grain of salt.
Sorry for your dilemma lvrr325, I wish you good luck.
Thanks, Mark J.
Reading, PA
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Post by csx3305 on Jan 20, 2020 5:51:01 GMT -8
Scaletrains > Atlas.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2020 5:54:38 GMT -8
I would caulk this one up to the inherent risk of running a business. Thanks, Mark J. Reading, PA Are you sure that’s the right adhesive for this situation? 😝 |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2020 5:57:40 GMT -8
Shades of BLMA and ExactRail doing the same 64’ Trincool Reefer?
I highly doubt you’ll have an issue selling the Atlas racks. The ScaleTrains racks have been in project status since 2016, at least that’s when they started gathering field data. I don’t know about how long Atlas has been pursuing them. Regardless, it’s not their fault that they both had the same products coming in similar time frames.
If only there was a 3rd party mediator/advisor who had the hobby’s best interest in mind...
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Post by markfj on Jan 20, 2020 6:02:04 GMT -8
I would caulk this one up to the inherent risk of running a business. Thanks, Mark J. Reading, PA Are you sure that’s the right adhesive for this situation? 😝 Aw man… “chalk” …  Hey, it was early when I wrote that. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2020 6:04:52 GMT -8
Are you sure that’s the right adhesive for this situation? 😝 Aw man… “chalk” … Hey, it was early when I wrote that. Ha! I won’t hold it against you...wouldn’t want your fingers to get stuck together! |
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Post by middledivision on Jan 20, 2020 8:03:04 GMT -8
I cancelled the Atlas racks and ordered ST when they were announced. Better value for the $'s.
It does suck if you have a shop and are stuck with the Atlas cars but I've had dealers sell cars that I had preordered to guys that walked in with cash when the cars arrived, so I only have so much compassion for dealers.
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Post by TBird1958 on Jan 20, 2020 8:30:17 GMT -8
No dog in the fight, but this sort of duplication does seem to happen with Scale Trains often. I like the items they've produced that fit my needs but I wish they'd be more observant of other manufacturers, i.e. Tangent and Intermountain.
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Post by drolsen on Jan 20, 2020 8:30:28 GMT -8
The Scale Trains model has "see-thru" metal side panels and the Atlas version comes with plastic simulated "see-thru" side panels so we will see how many both companies sell. I don't have a dog in this fight because the prototype is too new for my modeling era, but while the ST side panels are see through, it appears that the car body is not. If you zoom in on the product photos, you can see the body color (yellow, orange, etc.) through the holes in the etched side panels. A solid car body behind the panels seems to defeat the purpose of see through panels, in my opinion, although I know you'll get a partial effect. I'm kind of wondering how many people will be disappointed in that when their models arrive. I feel like that's not a good surprise for customers who make a certain assumption when they read "see through etched metal side panels" in the product description. While Intermountain had some issues with forming the etched side panels on their bi-level autoracks, the overall effect looks great. Anyway, this issue of duplication should come as no surprise to anyone. We've had quite a few cases like this in recent years. Ones that come to mind include (near simultaneous announcement or release): - Atlas and Intermountain ACF 4650 covered hoppers - BLMA and ExactRail Trinity reefers - Athearn and LBF Trinity 5161 covered hoppers - ScaleTrains and Tangent Airslide covered hoppers - Walthers and ExactRail Evans 4780 covered hoppers - Atlas and ExactRail Thrall 2743 gondolas (a couple years apart) - Intermountain and ScaleTrains PS 4785 covered hoppers There are also a number of instances of model announcements that have resulted in the cancellation - and loss of sunk development costs - of other (sometimes better detailed) versions of the same prototype: - Atlas NSC Newsprint box car (previously announced Trueline Trains version canceled) - Athearn Genesis ACF 4600 covered hopper (unannounced high end model by a top quality manufacturer cancelled) - Walthers ACF 5090 box car (unannounced better quality model by another manufacturer cancelled) - Atlas Trainman Gunderson bulkhead flat car (Red Caboose Beth Steel bulkhead flat cancelled) This is the risk of doing business in any hobby. Some of these duplicates have done fine. A couple companies aren't around anymore. Dave |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2020 8:43:55 GMT -8
Atlas in March last year announced these cars in four roadnames with a list of $99.95, at the time never before offered in HO. Now I see ScaleTrains is doing a Gundersen Multi-Max, offering the ones without the details for $43 and with for $75? The same cars? Some of the same roadnames too. If you are going to act as a dealer in this market, you really need to pay attention to what is announced. ScaleTrains announced their Multi-Max over 2 months ago (November 9th) at Trainfest, so you have had that long to reconsider your options. Complete with a "retail" price that doesn't mean anything because they, the maker, are selling them for less than that, so that actual selling price is the true retail price. Their "retail" price reflects what the price would be without the discount many retailers sell at. You can argue perhaps whether the 20% discount is accurate, but what they have done is the same thing Athearn did in the past when Athearn was selling direct at a discount price. The only saving grace is since they're too good for most normal distribution channels I may still be able to get some impulse buyers. I don't really care if they have some beef where they want to go after Atlas but there's no reason to try to cost dealers and shops money too. Maybe they forget that a dealer is also often a customer - and a person other customers go to for advice. Right now my advice would be to not own anything from this company if they paid you to take it. One of the drawbacks of waiting until tooling has commenced/been finished to announce a model is that inadvertent duplication can happen. Sometimes (as with Arrowhead) the competitor announcement happens early enough in the design process that you can stop/suspend things at minimal cost to the company, but in other cases where significant funds have already been spent there is no choice but to go ahead and try an minimize the damage.
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Post by carrman on Jan 20, 2020 9:12:25 GMT -8
Atlas in March last year announced these cars in four roadnames with a list of $99.95, at the time never before offered in HO. Now I see ScaleTrains is doing a Gundersen Multi-Max, offering the ones without the details for $43 and with for $75? The same cars? Some of the same roadnames too. Complete with a "retail" price that doesn't mean anything because they, the maker, are selling them for less than that, so that actual selling price is the true retail price. Am I correct, models of the same cars? It almost has to be, that would be why Atlas pushed their production up, if they get theirs out in February the ST ones aren't due until June, so maybe you have a prayer of selling the Atlas before the ST show up. Gee thanks guys, as if I didn't have enough reasons to hate on you already. #1 because it's almost surely going to cut potential sales on the Atlas cars, and #2 people already seem to think I pull prices out of a hat, they don't need to see companies posting phony retail prices on this stuff. The only saving grace is since they're too good for most normal distribution channels I may still be able to get some impulse buyers. I don't really care if they have some beef where they want to go after Atlas but there's no reason to try to cost dealers and shops money too. Maybe they forget that a dealer is also often a customer - and a person other customers go to for advice. Right now my advice would be to not own anything from this company if they paid you to take it. You're kidding right? Another company is coming out with a superior product to what you gambled on, and you're butt hurt over it? I have no sympathy for you. How is ST supposed to know what Atlas is doing if they treat model train production like secret missile systems? Should they lose thousands of dollars in research and tooling so that you don't risk losing hundreds? Glad you're not my dealer. Dave |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2020 9:18:53 GMT -8
The Scale Trains model has "see-thru" metal side panels and the Atlas version comes with plastic simulated "see-thru" side panels so we will see how many both companies sell. I don't have a dog in this fight because the prototype is too new for my modeling era, but while the ST side panels are see through, it appears that the car body is not. If you zoom in on the product photos, you can see the body color (yellow, orange, etc.) through the holes in the etched side panels. A solid car body behind the panels seems to defeat the purpose of see through panels, in my opinion, although I know you'll get a partial effect. I'm kind of wondering how many people will be disappointed in that when their models arrive. I feel like that's not a good surprise for customers who make a certain assumption when they read "see through etched metal side panels" in the product description. While Intermountain had some issues with forming the etched side panels on their bi-level autoracks, the overall effect looks great. Dave What I think is quite comical about all of this is if you actually look at the prototype of the Multi-Max you can’t see through it like you can a thrall style rack. You have to be very close to an opening or at the exact right angle and even then you won’t see much. |
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Post by drolsen on Jan 20, 2020 9:41:23 GMT -8
What I think is quite comical about all of this is if you actually look at the prototype of the Multi-Max you can’t see through it like you can a thrall style rack. You have to be very close to an opening or at the exact right angle and even then you won’t see much. I agree completely, but the unfortunate effect of the ST model is that it appears you can see solid orange or yellow through the panels, which is definitely not what you see on the prototype. I think if they had painted the body dark grey behind the panels, it would create a better effect. What I notice on the prototype is more the points of light that you see through the panels, especially when they are backlit, as a train is passing by. It’s fairly apparent on older racks, of course:  The effect is definitely less pronounced on the traditional racks with the safety / security panels (smaller holes and the panels covering the gaps) - you really can’t see it unless you’re looking straight on:  And the new Gunderson racks appear pretty much solid - but not orange or yellow:  If the panels are removable, it would be easy to drill a few large holes and get the lighting effect, but I’m guessing that disassembly is not easy (or intended). Dave |
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Post by migalyto on Jan 20, 2020 9:49:39 GMT -8
I pre-ordered both. I got 6 of each manufacturer. I figured I will see how the Atlas ones look, and if they don’t look on par with the ST version then they should be easy to sell. I have a feeling both will be decent sellers. Atlas is pretty much sold out on their website.
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Post by riogrande on Jan 20, 2020 10:06:49 GMT -8
I expect the ST auto maxes will sell out and so will the Atlas. One may sell out first but I expect they all will.
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Post by ScaleTrains.com on Jan 20, 2020 16:33:22 GMT -8
Atlas in March last year announced these cars in four roadnames with a list of $99.95, at the time never before offered in HO. Now I see ScaleTrains is doing a Gundersen Multi-Max, offering the ones without the details for $43 and with for $75? The same cars? Some of the same roadnames too. Complete with a "retail" price that doesn't mean anything because they, the maker, are selling them for less than that, so that actual selling price is the true retail price. Am I correct, models of the same cars? It almost has to be, that would be why Atlas pushed their production up, if they get theirs out in February the ST ones aren't due until June, so maybe you have a prayer of selling the Atlas before the ST show up. Gee thanks guys, as if I didn't have enough reasons to hate on you already. #1 because it's almost surely going to cut potential sales on the Atlas cars, and #2 people already seem to think I pull prices out of a hat, they don't need to see companies posting phony retail prices on this stuff. The only saving grace is since they're too good for most normal distribution channels I may still be able to get some impulse buyers. I don't really care if they have some beef where they want to go after Atlas but there's no reason to try to cost dealers and shops money too. Maybe they forget that a dealer is also often a customer - and a person other customers go to for advice. Right now my advice would be to not own anything from this company if they paid you to take it. lvrr325: everyone who reads the Atlas Rescue Forum regularly is aware of your dislike for our company. Your persistent attacks against our character with inaccurate details and misinformation is growing old. If you would like to have a business to business conversation about your concerns, I'd be happy have a discussion. Please e-mail your contact information and the best time to reach you to Sales@ScaleTrains.com. In November, you commented on two threads that included posts about our Multi-Max announcement. One included this statement, "Mike and I visited the Gunderson corporate office while we were at the 2015 National Train Show in Portland, OR. Shortly afterward, we received drawings for the Multi-Max. We started actively photographing Multi-Maxes in Kansas City during the World’s Greatest Hobby Show in early 2016 and compiling the research package shortly thereafter. This project has been in the works for over four years. When Atlas announced their Multi-Max (at the Railroad Hobby Show in January 2019), we were too far along to stop development without losing the money we had invested in engineering and tooling." I visited with two key people from Atlas during the 2019 Railroad Hobby Show about the possibility of Atlas offering the N Scale version and us the HO. (We had a similar agreement with Craig at BLMA about the Trinity 31K Crude Oil Tank Car with Head Shields.) Atlas was also too far along in the process so both of our companies moved forward with HO models. Shane Shane Wilson President ScaleTrains.com, Inc. |
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Post by tarnett on Jan 20, 2020 17:13:57 GMT -8
And boom goes the dynamite.
Todd A.
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Post by railmodeltroy14 on Jan 20, 2020 19:40:08 GMT -8
I expect the ST auto maxes will sell out and so will the Atlas. One may sell out first but I expect they all will. I agree...contemporary modelers will purchase everyone of these models. |
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Post by SOMECALLMETIM on Jan 20, 2020 19:42:05 GMT -8
What hobby shop / online retailer do you own or manage? Atlas in March last year announced these cars in four roadnames with a list of $99.95, at the time never before offered in HO. Now I see ScaleTrains is doing a Gundersen Multi-Max, offering the ones without the details for $43 and with for $75? The same cars? Some of the same roadnames too. Complete with a "retail" price that doesn't mean anything because they, the maker, are selling them for less than that, so that actual selling price is the true retail price. Am I correct, models of the same cars? It almost has to be, that would be why Atlas pushed their production up, if they get theirs out in February the ST ones aren't due until June, so maybe you have a prayer of selling the Atlas before the ST show up. Gee thanks guys, as if I didn't have enough reasons to hate on you already. #1 because it's almost surely going to cut potential sales on the Atlas cars, and #2 people already seem to think I pull prices out of a hat, they don't need to see companies posting phony retail prices on this stuff. The only saving grace is since they're too good for most normal distribution channels I may still be able to get some impulse buyers. I don't really care if they have some beef where they want to go after Atlas but there's no reason to try to cost dealers and shops money too. Maybe they forget that a dealer is also often a customer - and a person other customers go to for advice. Right now my advice would be to not own anything from this company if they paid you to take it. |
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Post by slowfreight on Jan 21, 2020 6:13:23 GMT -8
As manufacturers, are y'all talking to the same two modelers when you decide what to make? Because there's a crap ton of models I'd love to see released but never get made, and the universe of freight cars is so large it seems unlikely at best that two companies should pick the Exact. Same. Car.
Even in the auto rack universe, we have 5 decades of production to recreate in HO. And after so many foobies (Custom Rail, Shaffer Rail, Accurail, Walthers), there should be room enough in the market for every accurate prototype.
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Post by railmodeltroy14 on Jan 21, 2020 6:38:58 GMT -8
As manufacturers, are y'all talking to the same two modelers when you decide what to make? Because there's a crap ton of models I'd love to see released but never get made, and the universe of freight cars is so large it seems unlikely at best that two companies should pick the Exact. Same. Car. Even in the auto rack universe, we have 5 decades of production to recreate in HO. And after so many foobies (Custom Rail, Shaffer Rail, Accurail, Walthers), there should be room enough in the market for every accurate prototype. I agree...but those of us who purchase ho scale models of what we see on today's railroads are really very fortunate. For instance...Scale Trains has produced excellent SD 40-2/3 and ET44AH locomotives plus grain hoppers and tank cars...and now we have 2 more choices for contemporary auto carriers. I would like to see another option for a modern coal hopper so it would not bother me one bit if Scale Trains released a River Counter Bethgon (Athearn RTR) or 5 bay rapid discharge (Exact Rail) in 24-36 car numbers. Also...an 86' box car would be welcome as well as a heavy-duty flat car for carrying M1 Abrams tanks. RMT |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2020 7:38:11 GMT -8
As manufacturers, are y'all talking to the same two modelers when you decide what to make? Because there's a crap ton of models I'd love to see released but never get made, and the universe of freight cars is so large it seems unlikely at best that two companies should pick the Exact. Same. Car. Even in the auto rack universe, we have 5 decades of production to recreate in HO. And after so many foobies (Custom Rail, Shaffer Rail, Accurail, Walthers), there should be room enough in the market for every accurate prototype. I agree...but those of us who purchase ho scale models of what we see on today's railroads are really very fortunate. For instance...Scale Trains has produced excellent SD 40-2/3 and ET44AH locomotives plus grain hoppers and tank cars...and now we have 2 more choices for contemporary auto carriers. I would like to see another option for a modern coal hopper so it would not bother me one bit if Scale Trains released a River Counter Bethgon (Athearn RTR) or 5 bay rapid discharge (Exact Rail) in 24-36 car numbers. Also...an 86' box car would be welcome as well as a heavy-duty flat car for carrying M1 Abrams tanks. RMT I disagree...slightly. While I have no problem with 2 manufacturers releasing the same car I do think there needs to be some more diversity. For instance if, as you said, ScaleTrains was to do a Rivet Counter Bethgon I would like to see it be the prototype that Athearn did not do. Here is a short list of coal hoppers that I’ve seen: Rapid: Thrall 3980 Trinity 4000 Thrall 4065 JA 4100 Trinity 4130  4180 (KPLX 12xx) JA 4200 JA 4300 FCA 4200 Trinity 4200 Trinity 4163 “RDVI” Trinity 4207 “RDVI” Trinity 4323 “RDL” Trinity 4416 Trinity 4418 Bethgon: JA 4380 JA 4400 4400 Trinity 4402 JA 4437 JA 4480 JA 4520 Trinity 4525 FCA 4520 Thrall “MaxGon” 4530 Rotary: Thrall 4325 If ScaleTrains was going after a coal hopper their best bet right now is the FCA 4200. You can slap just about every utility’s reporting marks on that car for modern modelers and get the most “mileage” and “variation” out of a single car. However, I wouldn’t stick to just one prototype model, maybe choose 2 of each type (Rapid/Bethgon) to produce. Likewise, if ScaleTrains were to pursue that car I would like to see the other manufacturers produce the other variations (builders, capacity, etc). However we won’t see that because you can slap so many different names on the FCA 4200 and every company wants the most bang for their buck. |
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Post by railmodeltroy14 on Jan 21, 2020 8:28:19 GMT -8
I disagree...slightly. While I have no problem with 2 manufacturers releasing the same car I do think there needs to be some more diversity. For instance if, as you said, ScaleTrains was to do a Rivet Counter Bethgon I would like to see it be the prototype that Athearn did not do. Here is a short list of coal hoppers that I’ve seen: Rapid: Thrall 3980 Trinity 4000 Thrall 4065 JA 4100 Trinity 4130 4180 (KPLX 12xx) JA 4200 JA 4300 FCA 4200 Trinity 4200 Trinity 4163 “RDVI” Trinity 4207 “RDVI” Trinity 4323 “RDL” Trinity 4416 Trinity 4418 Bethgon: JA 4380 JA 4400 4400 Trinity 4402 JA 4437 JA 4480 JA 4520 Trinity 4525 FCA 4520 Thrall “MaxGon” 4530 Rotary: Thrall 4325 If ScaleTrains was going after a coal hopper their best bet right now is the FCA 4200. You can slap just about every utility’s reporting marks on that car for modern modelers and get the most “mileage” and “variation” out of a single car. However, I wouldn’t stick to just one prototype model, maybe choose 2 of each type (Rapid/Bethgon) to produce. Likewise, if ScaleTrains were to pursue that car I would like to see the other manufacturers produce the other variations (builders, capacity, etc). However we won’t see that because you can slap so many different names on the FCA 4200 and every company wants the most bang for their buck. I am in for any/all modern HO coal hoppers...lots of them. The FCA 4200 would be fine pulled by a pair of ET44AH locomotives. |
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Post by sp8299 on Jan 21, 2020 8:54:07 GMT -8
As manufacturers, are y'all talking to the same two modelers when you decide what to make? Because there's a crap ton of models I'd love to see released but never get made, and the universe of freight cars is so large it seems unlikely at best that two companies should pick the Exact. Same. Car. Even in the auto rack universe, we have 5 decades of production to recreate in HO. And after so many foobies (Custom Rail, Shaffer Rail, Accurail, Walthers), there should be room enough in the market for every accurate prototype. 1. Multi-Max is a hot car, with production so far into the thousands, many owners, and different paint schemes. It also stands out from other autorack designs, all of which adds up to it being a popular car for modelers. 2. Older prototypes are great ... assuming one can find data on them. For a design like Multi-Max, it’s currently in production, with digital documentation available from the builder if you have the right contacts. Older designs, from builders W&K, Thrall, etc. that may no longer be around? Not so much. Complicating things further on older racks is the flat was a component built by a traditional car builder, like Pullman-Standard, with a separate rack built by someone else, which can make it twice as hard to find drawings or other data. And that’s not including things like trucks and other appliances, like air brake equipment, that were spec’d separately and would require a hunt for their respective drawings or other documentation. And that’s assuming drawings which were hand-drafted 3-4 decades ago still exist, or were even digitized at some point. |
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Hey, it was early when I wrote that.
