What exactly is MTH DAP and does it still exist?

I can't claim to know the specifics of the methods used to determine which dealers received them, but I'm pretty sure it totally stopped at least several years ago.  I used to always have my dealer get me the Christmas boxcar.  From memory, maybe it was around 2010?

I believe the original program was supposed to be limited to something like only 2 of each DAP item to any dealer receiving them, but that most likely evolved over the years.  I know I paid more for the first couple cars either in the secondary market or from dealers other than my LHS. Based on the "only getting 2" premise, I knew I was not one of the top 2 MTH customers for my LHS (figuring people who spent  a lot more money at the LHS would (rightfully so) have earned the privilege of purchasing the car since he theoretically had so few available).

Later in the program, I simply told my LHS I was interested in the Christmas car each year and it was included with my regular pre-orders at pretty standard pricing (same discount as Premier at the time, I believe). 

-Dave

The KCS DAP passenger set from 2008 (I think) is still a favorite. It came with at least 2 add-on B units and a 2 car add-on car set I recall. Great color scheme, and even a few passengers in the cars.

Rod

Dealer Appreciation sets.  MTH has not done one since the PRR 2-10-4 War Baby set.  I believe it was in the 2010 catalog (delivered much later)

Correction on the above KCS set. The base set #20-80008 was an F7ABA engine set with 5 PAX cars. Then there was an add-on dummy B unit, two separate 2 car sleeper-diner add-on sets, and a full length vista dome add-on. So the full train would be an ABBA set plus 10 PAX cars. Can you say L-O-N-G train?

Here is the base ABA set with 4 pax cars:

Rod

Wasn't the original NS OCS passenger set an MTH DAP item?  That was quite limited as I recall, and therefore carried a price premium for many years.  I think the original set with all the cars priced out to around $1700, but was fetching almost twice that on the secondary market -- until MTH re-issued the follow-on NS OCS this year.

David

As far as I am concerned the DAP items are and will be a DEAD issue.  Mike broke a trust when he cataloged the NS OCS in previous catalog.  I recall discussions back when individual were hopeful that the OCS would be reintroduced as a catalog item.  The "word" then was no way.

So the only chance on me biting again on a DAP item would be if they bring out the Southern E8 #6900 as is in contemporary form with ditch-lights.

Ron

Rod,

I sure do love your Weaver PS-2 covered hoppers. Today, is first time I have seen the British Columbia one, which is  on your layout in a long time.

mth made 2 mistakes with the ns ocs......first producing it as a dap instead of a regular issue item, 2nd by  as ron pointed out, making it a regular catalog run that destroyed the value of the dap ns train....

David Minarik posted:

Dealer Appreciation sets.  MTH has not done one since the PRR 2-10-4 War Baby set.  I believe it was in the 2010 catalog (delivered much later)

Never paid much attention to DAP........but I have the War Baby set, got a good deal, so that it was the last is nice to own. It is a great set.

Good info on the KCS cars.  I have the 9 cars that are going on this forum for sale as soon as I clear some repairs.  I have the F-3 set (DAP) but have been thinking of keeping it.  Thanks for putting up the photo Rod.

I own the 2011 DAP locomotive...

jim sutter posted:

Rod,

I sure do love your Weaver PS-2 covered hoppers. Today, is first time I have seen the British Columbia one, which is  on your layout in a long time.

Jim; I really like Weaver's PS-2 covered hoppers as well. Andy Peterson in Portland used to get custom runs done of several different Weaver cars, including PS-2, 4 bay ACF, 50' flats (both regular and bulkhead), 40' and 50' boxcars, etc. At a time when there was little to zero CP and CN stuff available, he was there for us and it was a nice resource to have. You could get 6 car and 12 car sets at affordable prices, and the level of detail seemed pretty good for the cost. I still run them quite a bit.

Rod