I think that's a pretty good idea. In addition to printing the built date on the packaging, I'd also include the service era. Example, "In service 1960s-1980s".
Paul3 One problem is that the build date isn't always the indicator of era. Some are rebuilt (or serviced) and have later dates than the build (or new) date on them. So it wouldn't always be the NEW or BLT data on the box label.
One problem is that the build date isn't always the indicator of era. Some are rebuilt (or serviced) and have later dates than the build (or new) date on them. So it wouldn't always be the NEW or BLT data on the box label.
Yes. A car can have a 1966 build date but if date of interest is 1976, likely the car would also have an ACI and 2 panel stencil too.
The real issue for manufacturers is this: will putting the dates on the box increase or decrease their sales? If they think it will increase sales, then they will. If they think it will decrease sales, then they won't.
Or it's just more than they want to do. I can't remember if I have ever seen build dates on the box label.
Still, once nice thing about this modern time is that all manufacturers put out pre-release advertisements on their websites. They either put the era information on the web, or they post art or pictures clear enough to zoom in on the car data. That doesn't help when you're physically shopping at the hobby store, but it makes it much easier for new products.
I often find that I can't read the build date on many websites, including ExactRail, Athearn and others. or if you do zoom in, the picture isn't high enough resolution to make out the number positively.
As nice as it would be for manufacturers to spoon feed us information, I don't expect manufacturers to start putting built dates on model packaging labels. Best thing to do is learn how to research models vs. prototype.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
One problem is that the build date isn't always the indicator of era. Some are rebuilt (or serviced) and have later dates than the build (or new) date on them. So it wouldn't always be the NEW or BLT data on the box label.The real issue for manufacturers is this: will putting the dates on the box increase or decrease their sales? If they think it will increase sales, then they will. If they think it will decrease sales, then they won't.Still, once nice thing about this modern time is that all manufacturers put out pre-release advertisements on their websites. They either put the era information on the web, or they post art or pictures clear enough to zoom in on the car data. That doesn't help when you're physically shopping at the hobby store, but it makes it much easier for new products.
Sure it would.
I'm sure this had been asked for for many years including by me asking Atlas for the dates to be listed - sometimes they have in the product pages on their website. But it is something still not added to package labels as a rule. But you can always keep trying.
As someone whos interest in the scale modeling hobby of rail transport (model railroading) and the real life trains has been rejuvinated, I have some to realize something. It can be a bit difficult at first to iendtify which era certain rolling stock types, lengths purpose etc belonged too at first. Then which is when you start asking questions, reasurchng for yourself, asking questions on forums like these, the model railroading facebook pages etc.
However do you think that if manufactures include the BLT (built date) on the packaging in lettering like the length of the car is discribed as (example being "Walthers 60ft High Cube Plate F Box Car). This would better help identify what era the rolling stock was built in and ran in, without needing to take out a microscope to look at the tiny scale BLT date info on the model car. Or would it just be easier to just reasurch yourself?