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Post by lvrr325 on Sept 11, 2021 19:50:18 GMT -8
I think there is a market for road specific plastic cabooses, now that they don’t have to be brass don’t have to cost $300 plus. $115 a pop might seem expensive, but really for what you’re getting and what the comparable brass cost would be it really is a good deal. This is true. I have a brass NYC/PC transfer caboose I paid $50 for at a show, which was about $30-$40 cheaper than they went on eBay at the time. it's nice and even came with upgraded trucks, but I have to paint it myself, no interior (I don't care, can't see much of the inside anyways), and no fancy electronics. I have yet to paint it because I've never painted brass before, was debating about a spray can of Scalecoat PC green so I don't have to mess around figuring out where the airbrush I haven't touched in 20 years even is.
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Post by fishbelly on Sept 12, 2021 16:03:24 GMT -8
I received my four undecs today. Very well packed. Love them and hope in the next week or so to break a couple out and get them built. No use buying them and letting them collect dust on the shelf.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Sept 12, 2021 16:22:20 GMT -8
No use buying them and letting them collect dust on the shelf. Go ahead. BE different. Ed
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2021 18:42:33 GMT -8
I received my four undecs today. Very well packed. Love them and hope in the next week or so to break a couple out and get them built. No use buying them and letting them collect dust on the shelf. They won't collect dust in those handy plastic trays... Incidentally, these are probably the finest pieces of rolling stock that I have EVER owned. Because of the level of detail, design, precision installation/assembly; which includes near perfection in regards to fit and finish. I can say again that I hope that Dave and Dan were indeed measuring the MoPac EV caboose...because I know that I will have to have those. There is no way that I can cut corners on anything with these cars bringing up the markers. And, I really like the Reed Switches and lighting effects that are in the cars. You can easily see these cars were created by modelers...because they get it. The lights inside perfectly illuminate the interior and allow you to see in the car perfectly with little or no glare. The Marker Lights add just the right amount of "scale" lighting...that you would see coming out of a marker light of this kind. Thankfully, I have some excellent H39 hoppers and few under construction in Conrail and PC livery to go with these cars... Just superb...I am grateful. Thank you Dave, Dan, and all at Tangent Scale Models.
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Post by gmpullman on Sept 12, 2021 23:37:23 GMT -8
Tangent once again has raised the bar! Brings new meaning to "Museum Quality". Ed Ed, the super elevation on those curves looks great. What is the thickness used to raise up the outside of the ties. Those Cabooses look excellent. Thanks! I put down most of my track in 1995 but if I've dusted off the brain cells a bit I seem to recall using .040 Evergreen strip, probably .125 wide or slightly wider. The nice thing about the Shinohara code 83 was having the spike holes close to the rail base. Thus I could tack the track in place and gradually work the strip styrene under the tie strip of the outer rail. At the curve easements and transition to tangent I stepped the styrene down to .030, .020 and finally .010. Nothing scientific, maybe 8" per "step". Rarely does any equipment give me any trouble, even on a reverse curve. A few of the the Broadway P70s wanted to derail but they had poorly engineered trucks that had no free-play in them. They snap into the bolster. Thanks for asking, Ed
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Post by lvrr325 on Sept 13, 2021 6:48:35 GMT -8
Frankly I wish they'd do an economy version that leaves out the electronics in the $80 range. I could live without the interior superdetail too. But I'm cheap. I suspect that adding the electronics and interior detail adds very little to the manufacturing cost, but it allows for a higher sticker price, possibly making the difference between a no-go and a profitable product. I didn't catch this post before but based on the pricing, paint and electronics takes a $70 undec to $115. Typically there's as much effort in boxing the undec and counting the parts as there is assembling the cars, so I would expect that $45 is all paint and electronics. When I look at an older Tangent model the difference in kit and RTR is about $8, Atlas by comparison is around $10 cheaper on undecs in the $75-up range, so I would presume $35 is the electronics and whatever additional labor is involved to install them. Even the interior, most cabooses have small enough windows it's hard to see anything inside. Life-Like Proto did an economy version of their northeastern caboose for some P1K train sets, no interior, no lights, and one of those side by side with a regular P2K one it's not obvious. The Tangent N7 does have fairly large side windows, so I don't object to the interior here, but I wouldn't be upset if it had none or a more basic one.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2021 15:42:47 GMT -8
I would have wanted a Conrail caboose, but these all are way too old for the current era, so I must pass even though I like them...basically the same reason I have one and only one 86' hi cube (Tangent) boxcar left, a new Conrail one. Some of them were still looking pretty good after 2010...so I can have one, maybe another one when they do a later version.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2021 5:35:18 GMT -8
In 2007, Tangent Scale Models started the trend of offering unparalleled railroad freight car replicas in HO scale, the likes of which had never been seen in the market. These highly-detailed replicas have consistently raised the bar for HO scale models with several hallmarks, including precision tooling, hyper-accurate stenciling, true to life colors, and era-specific details. Additionally, our models are designed to operate perfectly by including CNC-machined wheels, correct weights, and correct coupler heights. Simply put: We offer detailed freight cars on a higher level. Fast forward to today’s release: our second “Tangent quality” HO scale caboose offering. The era of “one size fits all” cabooses in HO scale plastic is over. We bring our passion and knowledge for translating real 1:1 railroad equipment from freight cars to cabooses. And we are taking things a step further, where our penchant for operations is accelerated with accurate marker lighting in era-specific versions! Our second caboose model is actually a system of cabooses from two builders: the HO scale Despatch Shops Incorporated (DSI) and St. Louis Car Company (SLCC) Bay Window Caboose System, which began as New York Central’s first foray into post-war steel cabooses. You know the cabooses – these are the super common cabooses that had riveted sides and offset bay windows – they were everywhere! They are commonly referred to as Class N7 and N7As (in PC and Conrail terms) and were the largest bay window fleet in the PC and Conrail family! Yup, we have done a NYC caboose (also Illinois Terminal - keep reading)! The DSI / SLCC Steel Bay Window caboose was a witness to incredible changes to railroading during its use. Perhaps your train features a NYC Schenectady-built Mohawk racing along the Water Level Route, an ITC Class C electric rocking-and-rolling through central Illinois, CR SD45s on Horseshoe Curve helper duty, or ALS SW1500s delivering a cut of RBLs to a St. Louis brewery? Well, we have a caboose for your train! Definitely unparalleled. The entire presentation includes the box…and the meticulous way the caboose is assembled; painted; and researched. I now have 4 of these…but I only “needed” 1.
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Post by ambluco on Sept 14, 2021 6:03:56 GMT -8
I agree but the one nagging point I have is the box isn't green. In 2007, Tangent Scale Models started the trend of offering unparalleled railroad freight car replicas in HO scale, the likes of which had never been seen in the market. These highly-detailed replicas have consistently raised the bar for HO scale models with several hallmarks, including precision tooling, hyper-accurate stenciling, true to life colors, and era-specific details. Additionally, our models are designed to operate perfectly by including CNC-machined wheels, correct weights, and correct coupler heights. Simply put: We offer detailed freight cars on a higher level. Fast forward to today’s release: our second “Tangent quality” HO scale caboose offering. The era of “one size fits all” cabooses in HO scale plastic is over. We bring our passion and knowledge for translating real 1:1 railroad equipment from freight cars to cabooses. And we are taking things a step further, where our penchant for operations is accelerated with accurate marker lighting in era-specific versions! Our second caboose model is actually a system of cabooses from two builders: the HO scale Despatch Shops Incorporated (DSI) and St. Louis Car Company (SLCC) Bay Window Caboose System, which began as New York Central’s first foray into post-war steel cabooses. You know the cabooses – these are the super common cabooses that had riveted sides and offset bay windows – they were everywhere! They are commonly referred to as Class N7 and N7As (in PC and Conrail terms) and were the largest bay window fleet in the PC and Conrail family! Yup, we have done a NYC caboose (also Illinois Terminal - keep reading)! The DSI / SLCC Steel Bay Window caboose was a witness to incredible changes to railroading during its use. Perhaps your train features a NYC Schenectady-built Mohawk racing along the Water Level Route, an ITC Class C electric rocking-and-rolling through central Illinois, CR SD45s on Horseshoe Curve helper duty, or ALS SW1500s delivering a cut of RBLs to a St. Louis brewery? Well, we have a caboose for your train! Definitely unparalleled. The entire presentation includes the box…and the meticulous way the caboose is assembled; painted; and researched. I now have 4 of these…but I only “needed” 1.
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Post by oakway on Sept 14, 2021 8:20:21 GMT -8
My two showed up today. All I can say is wow. Tangent truly has raised the bar with their waycar offerings to date, and I hope they continue down this road. If anyone is on the fence due to the price of these, rest assured, as these things are a smokin deal. With all the work involved painting brass waycars over the years, these cars can truly be appreciated for what they are. Don’t wait, order up!! John
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Post by edwardsutorik on Sept 14, 2021 12:22:27 GMT -8
And my PC one is now at its new home. Perfection!
Wonder what's next.
Ed
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Post by elfan on Sept 25, 2021 10:20:26 GMT -8
Well, as I said in an earlier post, I bought one today as an impulse buy at my local hobby shop. Remember the days when impulse buys were in the 5 to 10 dollar range?? Not complaining, just an observation. I picked up a PC version. As an EL modeler I can always use a PC caboose. This, along with the B&O one I bought at Springfield two years ago, are the finest cabooses I own. That includes the brass, scratch built, and resin models on my roster. None come close to the quality of these models. Worth every cent!
I have the paper work in hand for a line of credit and will file it to finance the many models I will be buying as soon as DL releases the Erie/EL caboose and/or cabooses he HOPEFULLY has in the planning stage! Might even sell one of my cars! Lol. Said with Tounge in cheek but factual!
Tom
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Post by sd40dash2 on Oct 9, 2021 17:49:15 GMT -8
Any ideas as to when the individual parts will become available? I have a pretty decent Alco Models brass N7 that I'd love to get a Tangent interior, trucks and underframe for. As well as an undec kit. If I could get it all on one order that'd be pretty nice. Not sure if you are aware or if the Q has already been answered, but I was on the Tangent website this evening and it looks like all of the parts for these cabooses plus all the undecs are available to be ordered. The prices look like a bargain to me but YMMV. Also some of the painted RTR schemes now show as sold out. Lastly, there are top-quality illustrated 39-page kit-build instructions available for free on their website. Thanks for everything Tangent!
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Post by edgecrusher on Oct 11, 2021 7:21:28 GMT -8
Any ideas as to when the individual parts will become available? I have a pretty decent Alco Models brass N7 that I'd love to get a Tangent interior, trucks and underframe for. As well as an undec kit. If I could get it all on one order that'd be pretty nice. Not sure if you are aware or if the Q has already been answered, but I was on the Tangent website this evening and it looks like all of the parts for these cabooses plus all the undecs are available to be ordered. The prices look like a bargain to me but YMMV. Also some of the painted RTR schemes now show as sold out. Lastly, there are top-quality illustrated 39-page kit-build instructions available for free on their website. Thanks for everything Tangent! Thank you, I did see that. In fact I received a decent pile of parts from them last Tuesday. Now if I could just scrape together some free time.....
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Post by sd40dash2 on Oct 11, 2021 7:37:31 GMT -8
Not sure if you are aware or if the Q has already been answered, but I was on the Tangent website this evening and it looks like all of the parts for these cabooses plus all the undecs are available to be ordered. The prices look like a bargain to me but YMMV. Also some of the painted RTR schemes now show as sold out. Lastly, there are top-quality illustrated 39-page kit-build instructions available for free on their website. Thanks for everything Tangent! Thank you, I did see that. In fact I received a decent pile of parts from them last Tuesday. Now if I could just scrape together some free time..... Why not post a photo of the pile of parts you just received? I would love to see them.
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Post by edgecrusher on Oct 11, 2021 9:46:59 GMT -8
Thank you, I did see that. In fact I received a decent pile of parts from them last Tuesday. Now if I could just scrape together some free time..... Why not post a photo of the pile of parts you just received? I would love to see them. I can grab a couple of pics when I get home tonight. And don't be too disappointed, "pile" is probably a bit of an overstatement.
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Post by edgecrusher on Oct 12, 2021 12:09:41 GMT -8
So this is the caboose goodies I received from Tangent last week. It should be exactly what I need for the project I have in mind. Everything comes neatly packed and clearly labeled. All the parts themselves are super clean and flash free. The caboose trucks look fantastic as well. Hopefully with this stuff I can bring this old Alco Models caboose into this this decade.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Oct 12, 2021 12:31:34 GMT -8
I'm becoming a bigger Tangent fan-boy with each new post. I love that they make RTR beauties AND parts easily available. Thanks Evan for the photos and coming up with a cool modernization project for your old brass caboose. Hopefully the painting stage doesn't give you too much grief.
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Post by 12bridge on Oct 12, 2021 12:47:51 GMT -8
I'm becoming a bigger Tangent fan-boy with each new post. I love that they make RTR beauties AND parts easily available. Thanks Evan for the photos and coming up with a cool modernization project for your old brass caboose. Hopefully the painting stage doesn't give you too much grief. One thing also worth mentioning is tooling quality with Tangent is some, if not the best I have ever seen. Virtually no mold lines and the parts just fall together. Mold parting lines is personally a big thing that I think some of the big companies need to work harder on.
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Post by edgecrusher on Oct 12, 2021 13:04:47 GMT -8
I'm becoming a bigger Tangent fan-boy with each new post. I love that they make RTR beauties AND parts easily available. Thanks Evan for the photos and coming up with a cool modernization project for your old brass caboose. Hopefully the painting stage doesn't give you too much grief. I'm not too worried about the painting, I've actually painted brass before. And I've got Century green paint and the correct decals from the PC historical society. The part I'm nervous about it the de-soldering of some of the parts I'll be replacing, I've never attempted this before.
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Post by edgecrusher on Oct 12, 2021 13:19:22 GMT -8
I'm becoming a bigger Tangent fan-boy with each new post. I love that they make RTR beauties AND parts easily available. Thanks Evan for the photos and coming up with a cool modernization project for your old brass caboose. Hopefully the painting stage doesn't give you too much grief. One thing also worth mentioning is tooling quality with Tangent is some, if not the best I have ever seen. Virtually no mold lines and the parts just fall together. Mold parting lines is personally a big thing that I think some of the big companies need to work harder on. I totally agree, the engineering behind every single part is impressive. The parting lines are virtually non existent and all the sprue connecting points are either where a part gets inserted or somewhere not visible when the model is assembled. I have a couple of Tangent's undec freight car kits as well, they're too good to pass up.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Oct 12, 2021 17:46:25 GMT -8
I'm not too worried about the painting, I've actually painted brass before. And I've got Century green paint and the correct decals from the PC historical society. The part I'm nervous about it the de-soldering of some of the parts I'll be replacing, I've never attempted this before. Thanks again for your parts photos from earlier. I know you said you didn't have much time but is there any chance of you sharing a build thread with ongoing photos of this project? I for one would be interested in seeing what the problems or shortcomings are with the brass caboose you are attempting to resolve. And yes, I realize the thread wouldn't see daily updates. Or maybe even keep us updated via photos in the SPF threads when you have time? Either way I support your project.
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Post by edgecrusher on Oct 13, 2021 11:04:38 GMT -8
No problem, I enjoy sharing whatever I can. Farming season is finally winding down now, so baring any huge issues hopefully I'll be having some hobby time soon. I actually have two brass caboose projects coming up that I'll be giving the "hybrid" treatment too. So I'll be needing to figure out the de-soldering thing and a way of adhering styrene and 3d printed parts to brass.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Oct 20, 2021 18:41:51 GMT -8
I considered starting a separate review thread but decided this would fit best right here. See photos below for the 1979+ Conrail RTR and kit versions of the N7 caboose. I must say the paint quality, customer focus, engineering and build/finish/packaging quality that went into these models was first-rate. Keeping in mind that humans did much of the assembly on this, I am floored at the skill of the individuals who put these together. There are no glue spots, knife marks or flaws of any kind on these models. I know there are some model railroaders out there who do terrific work but we're not all THIS consistently talented. See for yourself in the photos below.
I also really appreciate the engineering, thought and care that went into the design of these models, even offering multiple kit undec versions with full box packaging and 39-page online illustrated instructions included. I love the RTR stuff but there is nothing like the joy of a well-designed kit. Thank you to everyone on Team Tangent who pulled this off. You should all be very proud of the results you put forth to bring us models like this. A1 all around!
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Post by edgecrusher on Oct 21, 2021 6:48:22 GMT -8
I totally agree, the team at Tangent did every aspect of these incredibly well. I had a chance to see some at a hobby shop in person over the weekend and it was really really hard not to leave with one.
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