Model Railroading > Spring Mills Depot DODX Flatcar Test Shots!

So, I'm kinda new here, I re-joined TO after a very long absence during the Holiday Discount period.

I saw there has been some discussion regarding the DODX Flatcars announced by Spring Mills Depot. So, I received the following pictures from a friend in my inbox this morning. It appears that SMD has received their test shots and has them on display at the Prototype Rails RPM in Cocoa Beach this weekend. 

Despite some of the statements made by others on here, Spring Mills Depot is following through on finally committing to getting these done. I pre-ordered over a half dozen and am happy to see progress being made.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/08/22 10:27 by RailBaron84.

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Thanks for this info and your photo's.  Who makes those Tanks ?  
I see those Flatcars out at The Rail Head at the USMC Supply Depot in Yermo, Ca  for The National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Ca all the time

miralomarail Wrote:
 The tanks look like they could be the  Artitec brand have a few they make them as train load or ready for action  in HO scale  Cheers Dennis  -------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks for this info and your photo's.  Who makes
> those Tanks ?  
> I see those Flatcars out at The Rail Head at the
> USMC Supply Depot in Yermo, Ca  for The Nati
> Training Center at Fort Irwin, Ca all the time

Did they say what the mystery accessory is?

-Dave

Could it be tiedown chains?

Posted from Android

This is indeed welcome news and the test shots look great. I just hope I’m still alive by the time the SMD B&O I-5 cabooses are finished.......

It's this...
 

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Dave,

I asked my friend and got these pictures back. So, on the DODX flatcar they had an integral container cleat that flipped up from below the decks where it was normally hidden and could be configured to carry 20 foot long containers. Spring Mills Depot is doing their own 20' container, which isn't anything too special, however they've done the tooling for the Department of Defense Tricon and Quadcon containers. These were specifically used by DOD for moving supplies. A Quadcon fits 4 containers into the shape profile of a 20' container and a Tricon is 3 in the profile of a 20 footer. The 20 foot container as well as the Tricon and Quadcon containers will all be decorated for DOD schemes in green, sand, and 20 footers will also be offered in patched schemes for DOD as well.

This is something fun that hasn't been offered before. As someone who preordered DODX flatcars it looks like I'll get the first chance at purchasing these and at a discounted rate compared to those that did not preorder.

djh4d Wrote:
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> Did they say what the mystery accessory is?
>
> -Dave



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/08/22 10:27 by RailBaron84.

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Tie-down chains are being included with each flatcar and full sets of chain will also be available for purchase seperately.

SPDRGWfan Wrote:
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> Could it be tiedown chains?
>
> Posted from Android

Glad to see those containers are the surprise, I've been wanting some of those. Great to see an update.

Also, those tanks look like the Roco/Herpa ones. The Artitec ones have a bit more detail at a higher price.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/11/20 14:10 by inCHI.

Yee-haw talk about making my day! have had a bunch of these on order for YEARs.   
The Conex boxes are a nice touch. I had been collecting the Roco ones for a while for loads. Now can buy in bulk. 
Happy Saturday! Does Spring Mills ever post in here? Would like to see updated info from them.

Those test models look very unimpressive. No detail and the bodies look slightly deformed. The tanks are just a distraction. Spring Mils is many years behind in so many projects. I know so many folks disgusted with them and some have given money and have gotten nothing. I would not give them any money unless I can get product.  Any money you gave them could of been put into a CD and u would have made more money LOL. Preorder, too risky.

Bruce

Could we gets some shots of the trucks and the under body detail? Thank you.   ×   

I only want to get One and turn it into this Special Locomotive Transport Flatcar as seen here at  The Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Ca

Tom Hirsch
Cherry Valley, Ca

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Well said! :)

Rick Fortin(4th District),

It's easy to talk trash when u don't sign your name. eh?  Your comments could not be farther from the truth. I have never recieved anything free to review in my life. Please point me to this fact?  I also know the owners of Spring Mills and have hosted them at my house. But I do not like their business practices. Great people. So what is your comeback mate?

 Bruce

4thDistrict Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Easy there, pal. These are test shots. All the
> detail has not yet been applied - no grab irons,
> for instance (the mounting holes are clearly
> evident). Shots such as these are intended for the
> manufacturer to check progress. Give them time to
> verify that at least the main components are
> correct before ragging on them about lack of
> detail. I didn't see you jumping down Rapido's
> throats about the F40 test shots, even though
> there were some obvious errors on those models in
> the photos. Or do you only rag on vendors who
> don't give you free samples to review? 
>
> brfriedm Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Those test models look very unimpressive. No
> > detail and the bodies look slightly deformed.
> The
> > tanks are just a distraction. Spring Mils is
> many
> > years behind in so many projects. I know so
> many
> > folks disgusted with them and some have given
> > money and have gotten nothing. I would not give
> > them any money unless I can get product.  Any
> > money you gave them could of been put into a CD
> > and u would have made more money LOL. Preorder,
> > too risky.
> >
> > Bruce

RailBaron84 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So, I'm kinda new here, I re-joined TO after a
> very long absence during the Holiday Discount
> period.
>
> I saw there has been some discussion regarding the
> DODX Flatcars announced by Spring Mills Depot. So,
> I received the following pictures from a friend in
> my inbox this morning. It appears that SMD has
> received their test shots and has them on display
> at the Prototype Rails RPM in Cocoa Beach this
> weekend. 
>
> Despite some of the statements made by others on
> here, Spring Mills Depot is following through on
> finally committing to getting these done. I
> pre-ordered over a half dozen and am happy to see
> progress being made.
>
> Best Regards,
> John 
> York, PA
> Crossroads of Conrail, Chessie/Western Maryland,
> and the Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroads.

John,

Thanks for posting this update. Did they give you any sort of time frame as to when these models would hit the streets?

Regards
Russ

My story for B&O I-5 cabooses, SMD Project #4 - deposit sent January 2014 for multiple cars. Expected delivery late 2014, early 2015, then many delays and now no sign of the caboose in sight. I hang in there until someone else picks up the I-5 design and makes a model, or someday I may have time and patience to build my old Gloor Craft kits.

Hope SMD comes through, their I-12 cabs were very nice.

me Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My story for B&O I-5 cabooses, SMD Project #4 -
> deposit sent January 2014 for multiple cars.
> Expected delivery late 2014, early 2015, then many
> delays and now no sign of the caboose in sight. I
> hang in there until someone else picks up the I-5
> design and makes a model, or someday I may have
> time and patience to build my old Gloor Craft
> kits.
>
> Hope SMD comes through, their I-12 cabs were very
> nice.

I too have some N&W CF cabs on order. I inquired when the AFFA plant closed about the cars and got a nice detailed response. They indicated that they were shifting production around, so that the simpler DODX cars would be first and that the N&W & B&O cabs would come afterwards, because the cabs were so much more complex than the DODX flats. By shifting production, they wanted to become more comfortable with the new plant and it production and quality capacity prior to taking on the much more complex cabs that we are waiting on.

Russ

Not to fret, when one thinks they are better than the rest, they are actually far from the top.

4thDistrict Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> brfriedm Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Rick Fortin(4th District),
> >
> > It's easy to talk trash when u don't sign your
> > name. eh?  Your comments could not be farther
> > from the truth. I have never recieved anything
> > free to review in my life. Please point me to
> this
> > fact?  I also know the owners of Spring Mills
> and
> > have hosted them at my house. But I do not like
> > their business practices. Great people. So what
> is
> > your comeback mate?
> >
> >  Bruce
>
> See my private reply. I just don't like you and
> the way you attack products, vendors, and people
> on this board.
>
> And I see no purpose in signing my name, just like
> most people here do not. You already know me and
> have often trolled me in the past, so it certainly
> is not know, nor has it ever been a secret.