Micro-Trains Vs the Others.....

Is it just me or is Micro-Trains losing its edge it once had over the competition? I once would buy almost nothing but MT buy lately I found my self staying away almost entirely. I still buy a couple things like the new Auto Racks but I’m waiting for Red Caboose to release their and I will see if I stay with MT or go over to them. Don’t get me wrong I think MT puts out some great stuff but for the price I can go with something else.
Let’s look at a good example the ACF Covered hopper for the same price I can buy an Intermountain car. I know there are people out there that swear by MT but if you look at the car I feel Intermountain beats them every day of the week. It not just the etched roof walk either. I feel the overall car is better than MT’s. I think Micro-Trains has stalled they have not refined their models in years. I can pick up a box car from the late 80’ and it will be just like the one you buy today only with the price doubled. I know the cost of products has gone up over the years but lets get real. They led the way for years but seem to have lost the edge.

Well enough on the soap box I will get down now and go play with my trains…….

Thanks,
Mike

 

MT used to be on top, but is challanged from many sides on many issues today.

Price is an issue with some shoppers. I like the idea that I am buying the product of an American business, produced by American workers. There is a value limit on that point, however, and I rarely buy any car from anyone that is priced over $20 each.

In the distant past MT led the way with the separate stirrups and operating doors, hatches, drop ends and whatnot. Those details are "intersting" but how often are they actually used? How many NTrakkers have you seen rumble by with box car doors that have rattled half open?

I will say this in MT defense - they seem to have hit the happy medium for runners, in the level of detail, and how fine the detail can be, and still stand up to the rigors of transport and operation for runners like me.

My operating roster used to be about 50% MT, but that included a number of duplicates I bought at the old price points. I have been selling off the duplicates, so my accumulation of MTs has shrunk.

I still like MT trucks and couplers for operating reliability, including hands-off magnetic uncoupling and car spotting. I put MTs on everything that doesn't come with them installed, and I will give preference to a manufacturer who includes them as "factory equipment".

On the other hand, the MT coupler is an old design, and I cannot believe that the curent Accumate and MT couplers are the best that can be done with today's technology.

One man's opinion, FWIW.

 

I think most of the mfg's have their niche. I like MT box cars, but not Atlas or IM. I like Atlas tank cars but not MT's and IM reefers are my favorites. But IMHO nobody touches MT couples.

 

Micro-Trains no longer is the dominant force in rolling stock.

Atlas and Intermountain as well as many other companies make outstanding model rolling stock.

As for couplers and trucks, MT by far leads the field.

Stay cool and run steam....

 

Micro-Trains still far leads the pack in the variety of equipment offered, over 100 different bodies. Also, over a dozen different truck types. Individually, Atlas, InterMountain, RedCaboose, and deLuxe Innovations all make cars equal to or better than Micro-Trains similar offerings, but some offer both "state of the art" and "heritage" quality cars. The Atlas 40 foot steel boxcar is nowhere near the quality of its 50 foot "Precision Design" car, for example.

Don't forget, if you like to build things, there are very fine cars made by folks like Fine-N-Scale, too.

 

MicroTrains has a bad case of Industry Leader Blues.
When you are at the top it is easier to go in the other direction than to stay there.
MicroTrains has been the subject of numerous discussions at our NTRAK club. It isn't anything we can put our finger on, but MT seems not to be hitting home runs with their choice of monthly releases lately. I don't think I purchased two cars over the last 12 months..... and it isn't because I am shopping with Atlas, InterMountain or any other manufacturer....and other club members report the same "problem".
I was a little surprised that the 100th body style was something as obscure as a Ugly Duckling box....not that it is a bad car to do, it just doesn't have any particular significance to be the 100th carbody style.
Something like a riveted 40' boxcar (the start of an entire new series with different door sizes and configurations) would have been something. We have gone past the days when a PS1 welded boxcar is a stand-in for all the paint jobs that Kadee and MicroTrains have put on it.....
MicroTrains has a basic formula for success that no one in the Model Railroad Industry has been able to replicate... the monthly release format.
The fact that other manufacturers can do cars of MT quality shouldn't be the end of the world.. imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.. MT needs to get back to what has been the key to their past glory and not worry about reinventing themselves. With all due respect to our friends on the forum below us, Z Scale is not going to be the salvation of MicroTrains.
If MT is looking for a new market that fits their production profile (i.e., you don't look to MT for cars that you are going to run in mega multiples with individual numbers....besides the expense, it would take decades to assemble a decent string of cars) they should look at the heavyweight and other passenger cars market. A $40 car is not out of the bounds of reason if done to state-of-the-art, and being able to buy them a few at a time with unique, complete decoration would work well.
The Kato CZ and upcoming Super Chief sold in sets, but I don't think you could do much more in complete trains like that.... there aren't any other trains that would sell in the quantities necessary to tool up 12 or 14 car sets like that.
It will be interesting to see how things develop....
Charlie Vlk
Railroad Model Resources

 

I really like the Micro-Trains cars. The reason I don't buy quite as many of theirs today is that the competition is producing much better cars today, that didn't seem to be the case in the past. Plus a lot of the competition is putting out cars like covered hoppers and such in multiple road numbers, which I am very appreciative of.

 

Just to ballence this.
I don't spend more than 15 per car. Part is because of my vision and part is the 3 foot rule. Maybe down the line when i realize 70 percent of my fleet won't fit on my layout I'll chance my buying habits and go with expensive high detail type v/s cheaper lower detail.

 

Hey,
Besides price,I agree with Charlie V. & 3rd Rail. Also, it's cheaper to buy Atlas cars & replace the trucks with MTL.

 

I also don't think MT has helped their case any by being so resistant to switching to low pro wheels.

Nelson

 

Nelson:

There are low pro wheels in each jewel case.

Stay cool and run steam....

 

Yes, NOW, in the box, years after other manufacturers were actually putting them ON their cars. I mean heck, I even have some really crude Bachmann P- cars that came with low pros and they are at least 6 years old. I think the were king of the hill so long they just got a little complacent.

 

I don't know how many different types of car bodys have run the rails over the years but you have to wonder where the threshhold is between what has been manufactured vs what is left that will produce a ROI??

 

It's been replicated... IM come sto mind. Atlas and their monthly 'see what sells before we release it' announcements almost count...

 

I too think MT has always done a nice job, but their prices are a killer for me. After I get done weathering a 50 ft boxcar, there seems to be little difference between my $3.00 MDC/Roundhouse kit (converted to Accumates) and a $15.00 MT – especially at three feet.

It seems to me that MT could easily fend off their competition if they just accepted the fact that they no longer stand alone as the quality leader and set their prices accordingly (slightly lower than their competition).

 

This, IMHO:



This might sell, too:

 

Well I hate accumates to the point that I will switch them over to MT's if I can. The only prob being that Athern and Kato screw their trucks on so sometimes mods are required.

As to cars well I'm trying to build a train consist so it is whoever builds it wins.

 

Yes, other companies have monthly releases.
Train Miniature of Illinois had monthly releases back in the late 60's that may even have been the inspiration for Kadee's program. Model Die Casting had monthly releases.... and, so does InterMountain.
But none of them have achieved the regularity and anticipation by customers ("following") that MicroTrains has.
MicroTrains monthly release program is a valuable resource for them.
MicroTrains is most suited to this program because of their production profile....Made in USA, in-house tooling, molding, painting and printing, assembly and packaging. Their vertical integration facilitates this kind of program.
Their production profile, on the other hand, works against high volume, multi-roadnumber releases. The monthly format is looking for variety and is based on relatively high-end product to work.
MT would have to be reinvented to do a "Trainman" line.... but Atlas, being an importer used to a wide variety of products from commodities such as flex track to high end sound-equipped locomotives, can easily diversify their product mix.
Charlie Vlk
Railroad Model Resources