MTH do more 2 rail??

Follow the money, it's the bottom line: European product seems to sell a sufficient quanity of new and varied product.

 

Domestic product seems to be in somewhat of a glut state of repaints. 

What Tom said- no market, no production.  Smart business.

The fact of the matter is that after buying the MTH cars we then have to spring for the MTH 2 rail trucks and Kadee couplers.  Everyone says to sell the 3 rail trucks but tbh its not that easy.This is why I try to stick to Atlas 2 rail as much as possible.  I think that it would be best if MTH offered a replacement program...send in the 3 rail trucks and they will send you back 2 rail trucks.  I would even be willing to pay for shipping if they did that! 

Have you tried eBay?  I was giving away K-Line trucks, then discovered that if I started at 99 cents, I could get more per pair than the list price!  Felt like cheating.  Really - I felt dirty!

 

Why should Mike be subsidizing us?

I'm curious about the buyer profile of the current offering of scale-wheeled locomotives. I suspect that a large percentage of the diesel buyers are hard-core 3RS operators, while the steam purchasers are 2-rail operators (with larger curves on their layouts.) That might be an indicator of why there aren't 2-rail offerings of rolling stock. A 3RS diesel will pull 3-rail cars with Kadees just as well as 2-rail cars. Rather than complete trucks, I'd rather see MTH offer replacement wheelsets.

 

In contrast, Atlas sells pure 2-rail locomotives, so they probably don't have the same 3RS customer base that would be buying 3-rail rolling stock and just replacing couplers, except, of course for the hard-core ones who buy 2-rail rolling stock anyway.

No different than purchasing any 2-Rail kits, like Mullett River, LaBelle, etc., which do NOT come with couplers nor trucks.

 I really have grown to appreciate the ATlas offerings much more. For my RR, they add realism.

 I'm two railing some Lionel products because they also look real to me. The effort to change them over slows me down on purchasing more. So that's why I'd consider more from MTH when their products look good. Having to work on them extensively, causes me to look at other brands instead. I've noticed I haven't been looking at their rolling stock lately. I think they need to step up their rolling stock offerings to appeal to US markets that do seem to be buying. The upper end rolling stock produced by others sells out.

 Their engines are my main purchases for my 2 rail fleet. I'd like to see more from them in cars.

Well, you may want to take a closer look at MTH's single sheathed and double sheathed boxcars, that they have been producing the over the last few years. Of course, I model the steam era, mid-1950s, so they sure work for me!

The difference is that with the kits you aren't paying for the trucks and couplers! I would be more than happy to buy MTH cars with no trucks or couplers IF it was cheaper than buying the 3 rail version. The issue is that I am paying a premium for something that I won't use. I understand why the other companies like atlas and weaver charge maybe $5 more for their 2 rail equipment ( the demand is not as high) but MTH is charging me the same as the 3 railers PLUS an extra $20 or so for their top mounting 2 rail trucks. All I was suggesting was a simple exchange policy...I like the wheelset swap idea too that might be even easier. Of course the costs would have to be made up but I would be willing to pay the extra $5 like the others charge.

Will, if you are "price comparing", you would be had pressed to find ANY good quality O Scale 2-Rail car kits for UNDER $80 to $100. That tells me that one could take an MTH RTR car, for under $60, and put Kadee couplers on it and then changeout the Hi-Rail trucks for 2-Rail trucks from Athearn, MTH, San Juan, or Atlas O, and still be money ahead.

Matt,     I'm thinking the divide might be more along the age line in that the older guys have the steam diesel transition and earlier stuff, and the young (or youngish ) Turks have the newer diesels. I am guessing most of us like what we grew up with.

 

As for MTH, there's tons of 2 rail stuff around out there that never came in a purple box!

 

Simon

I probably break that theory. 39, Modeling the Erie in the transition era so I can run both. Recently decided to come back to 2 rail O after a frustrating time trying to do S scale. So admittedly, I am early in the process but my intent is to run 56r as a min radius. That number was defined by what the min radius for the Sunset Erie Berk is listed as ;-)

 

I don't mind converting newer MTH cars if it is something I like. As it was pointed out, the price still isn't that bad. I prefer to find Atlas cars if possible first, but after that I look to MTH and Lionel (Only if I really like a car, but honestly they aren't that hard).

A lot of the MTH -2 diesels are bought for the fixed pilots and these buyers buy the 3rail wheelsets to convert them[good money maker for MTH as they do not offer fixed pilots on the 3rail versions]

Hi Joe,

 

I'd like to see the Auto Max cars! 2-Rail and 3-Rail........sweet!

 

Regards,

Frank

 

  

 Frank, I think I'd back you up on whatever you suggest. We have similar tastes! I'm just hoping that we get more modern choices from innovative companies. I like that MTH makes it easy to two rail their products to run with their engines. I think it's time they make more RTR scale two rail truck equipped freight cars.

Welcome back pilgrim!

Simon

The truck replacement plan seems viable to me. Another place to start maybe offering pre-ordered 2 rail sets as with the Kesselwagen. The only reason I ordered one Shell 6 car set is because it comes with the 2 rail wheels. I would never buy a set and replace the trucks on 6 cars, I'd feel like wasting money. This may also be a time for MTH to consider rotating bearing caps (new tooling issue), Atlas and Lionel have them so... I'm prob way off but as crazy as they are I wouldn't be surprised if Lionel starts offering 2-rail RTR freight cars first... if they do, they would be my second choice after Atlas.    

MTH has made factory 2 rail American prototype freight cars.  Petersen Supply ordered GS gondolas that way from MTH.  If you would like to see more MTH cars offered new with 2 rail trucks let Andy Petersen know.

 

http://www.petersensupply.com/...?pid=1842&step=4

 

55 Ton All Steel Drop Bottom Gondola Car (2-Rail) - Western Pacific

Car No. 9104, 9350

Product Number: 20-98876

M.S.R.P. $ 56.95

First appeared in: Uncataloged Items

 

55 Ton All Steel Drop Bottom Gondola Car (2-Rail) - Spokane Portland and Seattle

Car No. 22400, 22452

Product Number: 20-98875

M.S.R.P. $ 56.95

First appeared in: Uncataloged Items

It actually is surprising and true.  For the very few cars that I have bought RTR and with 3-rail trucks (Atlas, Weaver, MTH) under them, I have managed to recoup anywhere from $12-22 per pair of trucks when I dump them on eBay.

 

I have no idea why or who is willing to pay such sums, but I am glad that they are out there,  

 

It is somewhat embarrassing to be taking $22 for the trucks off a car that I paid $21 for that now has Athearn archbars with IM wheelsets under it.

 

Ted,

 

That is a good suggestion.  

 

I was this -><- close to ordering a few 6 car sets of a certain model but then stopped because of the 3/2 truck issue.  I don't mind the swap when its 1 or 2. I did a few gunderson twinstack sets its easier since they are sharing with fewer trucks to replace.

You've let the cat out of the bag! Now they will be buying the car themselves, throwing everything away but the trucks, and pocketing the extra buck!

 

Simon

Simon, I'm in my 60's (really????? already????) and I would rather run modern stuff any day rather than steam.  Not that there's anything wrong with steam.  I have several steam engines myself.  But, I like the modern stuff better.

 

Rick

I've kinda gotten onto the "buddy system" and have traded three-rail trucks/couplers for their 2-rail counterparts on Atlas rolling stock. Ironically,  I used to trade the other way. I've obviously been influenced by this forum.

If they just toss me the car, that works even better for me, too!

Thanks Simon