Interesting! No response during the almost one month of posting the question. Tells me that the Atlas Golden Spike Club is not very popular. Gives me an understanding as to why Atlas is changing the GSC concept.

I got the email about the new GSC. I haven't been a member for many, many years but I think the changes will increase membership for Atlas which will of course increase revenue for Atlas. By offering multiple cars for club members there is more of a chance someone will join to buy a car they like. I like the hopper car for next year and I am considering it. For those that haven't heard about it here is some information from their website:

O SCALE GOLDEN SPIKE CLUB

One Level of Membership for All: With this new $29.99 yearly membership you will receive exclusive access to order Golden Spike Club items, receive exclusive member only discounts and all the great perks of the Atlas Golden Spike Club listed below! NOTE: Unlike previous years, there is no membership level that includes a car with membership. The members only cars and locomotives are available to purchase separately.

• Multiple Exclusive Product Offers Per Year: No longer one and done! Each Atlas O catalog will feature exclusive offerings at an exclusive price for Atlas Golden Spike Club members.
• New Atlas Swag!: As a club member, you will have the opportunity to choose (1) piece of Atlas swag included in your membership each year! Swag items include Atlas hat, Atlas pin, Atlas pint glass. (Additional exclusive swag items available for purchase with membership.)
• Product Suggestion Portal: The Atlas R&D team wants to hear from YOU! Cast your vote for upcoming models and potential paint schemes in Atlas future productions!
• Insider Club Live Stream: Get the inside scoop on the latest club offerings and the stories behind them, as well as exclusive Golden Spike Club raffles during the live streams! Invites and video recaps will be e-mailed directly to you!
• Receive $15 in Atlas Railbux loyalty points upon signing up or renewing your membership!

The Classic Benefits of the Atlas Golden Spike Club include:

• Laminated Membership Card with member’s name and number.
• Opportunity to Purchase “Members Only” Club Cars: As a club member you will have the option to purchase exclusive members only exclusive car(s).
• Discounted Pricing on Club Offers: As a club member, you will have the opportunity to purchase premium Atlas products at very special Golden Spike Club pricing.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The above was copied directly from the Atlas website. https://shop.atlasrr.com/c-100...mp;mc_eid=a86a87e665

Below is copied directly from the email I got:

There will also be Multiple Exclusive Product Offers Per Year. No longer one and done! Each Atlas O catalog will feature exclusive offerings at an exclusive price for Atlas Golden Spike Club members. As a club member, you will have the opportunity to purchase these premium Atlas products at the very special Golden Spike Club pricing of 25% off MSRP. Check out the first group of exclusives below.

I don't understand why the 25% off wasn't mentioned on the website. On a $100 car this is significant savings. I am going to seriously consider rejoining. I hope that some cars in the member only section will be Atlas Premier.

Well, where do I start. The GSC has always been around $70 a year and that included an Atlas Master Car (yes one year they did put a Trainman Car). Now you pay $30 dollars for the entry into the GSC, Then you can select a "Premier" Car (the hoppers are not labeled so they could be either). The cars are priced at $100. Total entry into GSC with Car is $130. Even with the discount only stated in the email, you are still out a little over $100. And this is for a relabled MTH car. I have never liked MTH product, just me.

I totally agree with what you say about the money which is why I stated that the new format will increase revenue for Atlas.

I doesn't state anywhere if the GSC cars will be only Atlas Master. That is something to ask the folks at Atlas at York or some other show.

I am at the point where I can finally start taking trains out of their boxes and work on them and hopefully build a layout. After doing this I have come to really dislike Atlas boxcars (both Master and Trainman) as they sit way to high on the trucks for my taste. MTH boxcars sit at the perfect height and therefore look a lot more realistic to me. MTH also has the holes in the correct spot for a Kadee coupler. No modifications are needed which save time and effort for something that really shouldn't have to be done. This is all my opinion but I can prove it with pictures although I believe the extra height doesn't seem to bother all the other O gauge enthusiasts. I suspect for the 3 rail guys it isn't as noticeable and it isn't all Atlas boxcars that suffer from the extra height just most of them. There is one type of car that is built differently but I forget which one. Sorry Atlas but I will not buy another Atlas boxcar. I feel bad about this because there aren't many companies these days supporting the 2 rail side of the hobby. Now that I know the MTH 2 rail trucks are available when it comes to boxcars I am sticking with MTH or Atlas Premier. I do have a lot of Atlas cars mostly boxcars and I am flirting with the idea of milling the top of the truck to get the car lowered as I would prefer not to cut up the car. Anyway, just my opinions.

As for other cars I do like both Atlas and MTH/Atlas Premier hoppers. I like the Montour hopper which is why I may join the GSC.