Micro-Trains - 993 02 237 - Passenger Car, Heavyweight, Pullman - Medford, Talent and Lake Creek - 4-Pack

Specific Item Information:
Heavyweight Dinner Train Set w/2 Coaches, Diner, Observation - RTR Foam Nest -- Medford, Talent & Lakecreek (1930s - 1950s Scheme, maroon, yellow, black)

Model Information: Micro-Trains first ventured into the Passenger Car business in 2009 with the introduction of the Heavyweight RPO car (series 140). Previously, they had purchased cars from other manufacturers which they redecorated themselves. They elected to go with the early 20th century 'Heavyweight' cars. This is perhaps because Kato was already doing such a fine job with the later streamlined, lightweight cars that were popular in the post-war period. Micro-Trains designed a new 3-axle truck specifically for these cars and they have been successful enough that the RPO was joined by two sleepers, an observation car, a dining car, a coach, a parlor car, two baggage cars and even a horse car.

Many of these cars appear in multi-unit sets (often in boxes). These sets are popular as they allow collectors to get several cars for a consist in one shot rather than waiting years for Micro-Trains to release enough variety of body styles in the desired livery to run a prototypical consist.

Prototype History: Pullman was the leading producer of heavyweight coaches during the 1st half of the twentieth century. They were known for the quality and luxury of the passenger cars. The observation car was a common sight on heavyweight consists during 1920s and 1930s.

Sleeping, parlor and lounge cars of riveted carbon steel body-frame construction were built, owned and operated by the Pullman Company. These cars were better known by the name "Heavyweight Cars." Between March 1907 and February 1931 there were 8011 cars built.

Road Name History: The Medford, Talent and Lake Creek Railroad was established in 1918 to help local Rogue Valley communities move commodities to the Southern Pacific interchanges. The success of the model shortline in the early days brought not only commercial interest,s but tourist traffic to the region. The lush agricultural landscape, moderate climate and natural wonders of the Rogue Valley proved a great draw and helped establish the MT&L RR as a healthy regional line in Southern Oregon by the mid 20th Century. While most of the traffic supported the local fisheries, growers and fruit processors, the timber brought down through Lake Creek from the western flanks of the surrounding Cascades insured success for the fledging rail line.

By 1927 the numbers doubled as did the daily traffic of coaches and private parlor cars through the windy passage along the banks of the Upper Rogue River. In 1929 track was completed to the coast following the Lower Rogue to Gold Beach which provided a necessarly link to small communities delivering commodities and mail. With the completion of the link, the Rogue Valley flourished as did the MT&L RR enabling both to survive the coming Depression and Beyond. Source: Micro-Trains Line

Brand/Importer Information: Micro-Trains is the brand name used by both Kadee Quality Products and Micro-Trains Line. For a history of the relationship between the brand and the two companies, please consult our Micro-Trains Collector's Guide.

Manufacturer Information: Micro-Trains Line split off from Kadee Quality Products in 1990. Kadee Quality Products originally got involved in N-Scale by producing a scaled-down version of their successful HO Magne-Matic knuckle coupler system. This coupler was superior to the ubiquitous 'Rapido' style coupler due to two primary factors: superior realistic appearance and the ability to automatically uncouple when stopped over a magnet embedded in a section of track. The success of these couplers in N-Scale quickly translated to the production of trucks, wheels and in 1972 a release of ready-to-run box cars.

Micro-Trains Line Co. split off from Kadee in 1990 to form a completely independent company. For this reason, products from this company can appear with labels from both enterprises. Due to the nature of production idiosyncrasies and various random factors, the rolling stock from Micro-Trains can have all sorts of interesting variations in both their packaging as well as the products themselves. When acquiring an MTL product it is very important to understand these important production variations that can greatly enhance (or decrease) the value of your purchase.

Please consult our Micro-Trains Collector's Guide