Just had to say that, once again, Fox Valley Models has done another great job bringing these to N Scale. Just got mine last night. Fantastic! Thanks Matt! Sorry no pictures - but just check their website or elsewhere. I encourage others to purchase them. Rest assured, they are worth it.
Argh. No pictures? Which version(s) did you buy? I'm having an anxiety attack. Hoping mine will be here very soon.
Sounds like I will be getting a call shortly from my Dad when he gets his. He ordered his back in October and has been VERY impatiently waiting. He ordered his through BLW and was expressing his frustration about the delay to me. I told him it was not BLWs fault as the cabooses had not been released by FVM yet due to mfg delays. I calmed him down, so I am sure he will be excited when he opens it.
It's definitely not a hobby shop problem. They'd not delay any sales, if they had received them. Especially the way FVM Milw items sell.
Thats what I explained to him too Ken. I told him that Matt at FVM is a perfectionist and he had rejected the first 2 batches of Hiawathas. I told my Dad that maybe he rejected the first batch of ribbies too! I explained to him at $25 a pop, I am sure the wait will be worth it. I know I also have been impatiently waiting, but I know that good things come to those who wait.
I got mine yesterday , I noticed one of the couplers was a little floppy so I decided to change the spring.... DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME !! Don't take the couplers apart, they do NOT go back together easily . Randy
They are micro trains 1015 in custom designed boxes that do NOT come off. The bottom cover comes off and is held on with a small screw. I am guessing that it was made this way to keep the floor height correct and still have the couplers at the correct height. I know that on my JnJ cabooses a 1015 in its own box, directly attached to the floor made the coupler too low and if yoou shimmed the truck to the correct height the car rode too high...