@Trainlover9943 posted:I hear going forward it'll be DCS only.
From whom did you hear that?
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@Trainlover9943 posted:I hear going forward it'll be DCS only.
From whom did you hear that?
@Rich Montague posted:The MTH model has more problems than that. The cab is wrong as are the frame ends. Those are part of the body shell of course.
RM
And sits way too high.
@PGentieu posted:From whom did you hear that?
I believe it was in the mr.muffin email. I know I heard it somewhere.
@Trainlover9943 posted:I believe it was in the mr.muffin email. I know I heard it somewhere.
In the email I got from Mr. Muffin, there were two sentences after Atlas's press release and the second one read, "Atlas also announced they have licensed MTH's DCS technology and will be using it in their future products." It could be interpreted to mean DCS only (which I agree is likely) but it also could mean that it will be available in addition to TMCC. The situation would have been clarified by writing either that they "will be using it exclusively in their future products" or by saying it would be an additional option in future products.
I doubt that Atlas will produce both TMCC and DCS locomotives. I also think that Atlas will consider the DCC capability of PS3 as their DCC offering. One version of command control can serve xx% of the market. Or they can offer
DCS
TMCC
DCC plug in
AC (let's not forget the traditional 3 rail guy)
That's 4 versions vs one. I know what I would do if it was my company.
Correct me if I am wrong, but can't TMCC run on DCS? If that's the case, then why would Atlas still need to keep around TMCC? I guess for anyone that uses either of Lionel's command systems.
Yes TMCC can run on DCS. It is easy to add TMCC engine to the engine list on the DCS controller. All the TMCC commands are available on hand held DCS remote.
Tom
@GG1 4877 posted:How does that explain 3rd Rail's offerings which are all new tooling with just a few exceptions?
Tooling costs for a diecast model are extremely high--much more than for a brass model--and require many more units to be produced and sold before those costs can be recouped.
@NYC Z-MAN posted:. . . The BNSF anniversary locomotive pushed me over the edge!
You're not the only one. I've been unceremoniously kicked off the Isle of Denial. It was coming anyway since a 3rd-generation AGHR member is now an engineer with BNSF.
@Keith L posted:Tooling costs for a diecast model are extremely high--much more than for a brass model--and require many more units to be produced and sold before those costs can be recouped.
Share with us your experiences producing diecast and brass O scale trains that led you to this conclusion. I would like to learn more!..
Pat
@PGentieu posted:In the email I got from Mr. Muffin, there were two sentences after Atlas's press release and the second one read, "Atlas also announced they have licensed MTH's DCS technology and will be using it in their future products." It could be interpreted to mean DCS only (which I agree is likely) but it also could mean that it will be available in addition to TMCC. The situation would have been clarified by writing either that they "will be using it exclusively in their future products" or by saying it would be an additional option in future products.
IMO, it's a bit early to expect Atlas to make a final decision on how the control systems will play out.
@Keith L posted:Tooling costs for a diecast model are extremely high--much more than for a brass model--and require many more units to be produced and sold before those costs can be recouped.
Aren’t we mostly talking about plastic models here? These would be injection molded I guess.
My experience with Atlas (mostly N Scale) has been
1. Low inventory
2. Sparse production
O scale is only 20% of the market (last I knew).
Why will Atlas production of MTH acquired O Scale be any different? What am I missing?
John
@harmonyards posted:Share with us your experiences producing diecast and brass O scale trains that led you to this conclusion. I would like to learn more!..
Pat
Since you would like to learn more, you can research this easily. Share with us what you learn...
@Keith L posted:Tooling costs for a diecast model are extremely high--much more than for a brass model--and require many more units to be produced and sold before those costs can be recouped.
3rd Rail's brass offerings are limited and have been for going on 10 years. The main business model is plastic shelled diesels with road specific detailing and to the floor plan accurate aluminum car sets. This year there is only one scheduled brass model to go forward, while at three to four newly tooled diesels will be arriving depending on production schedules including the Krauss Maffei, the GP7/GP9s, and the SD40-2s. There may be another one, but I suspect it will push into early next year. Typical run is about 500 units and not all of them have been rerun in the 10 years that 3rd Rail started in the injection molded diesel market.
To the topic I just hope that Atlas can get their act together and deliver. Preferably Atlas designs for me like the SWs and the AEM7/ALP44 which is still most accurate one on the market. The MTH tooling Atlas acquired is it a lot tools that go back to the 90's. However, I'd like to see the F40 produced with the front pilot corrected and the P42 to go with my Viewliners.
Pure speculation, but it seems that Atlas bought the tooling to simply get access to a better factory which they have had issues with for sometime. DCS is the real prize in the deal.
@Keith L posted:Since you would like to learn more, you can research this easily. Share with us what you learn...
Clearly you know a lot about the subject, so why not share with the rest of the class??.....your first reply was as if you have first hand knowledge,.....so do you?...or is this internet speculation??...because if it’s on the internet, it has to be true,....right??..
Pat
@GG1 4877 posted:To the topic I just hope that Atlas can get their act together and deliver. Preferably Atlas designs for me like the SWs and the AEM7/ALP44 which is still most accurate one on the market. The MTH tooling Atlas acquired is it a lot tools that go back to the 90's. However, I'd like to see the F40 produced with the front pilot corrected and the P42 to go with my Viewliners.
Pure speculation, but it seems that Atlas bought the tooling to simply get access to a better factory which they have had issues with for sometime. DCS is the real prize in the deal.
I too think factory access and DCS are the keys. Some of the models need updating / better trucks, lowering model etc. Let’s hope access to the MTH factory can resurrect some of the great Atlas models with superb details we’ve loved in the past. Be interesting to have them now with DCS 😜
It would surprise me if Atlas dropped TMCC for the simple reason that it would keep a lot of people who only use Lionel’s command control from buying their locomotives. Why would I pay for a command control system that I will never use. To this day I have never bought a MTH locomotive.
@trainbob posted:It would surprise me if Atlas dropped TMCC for the simple reason that it would keep a lot of people who only use Lionel’s command control from buying their locomotives. Why would I pay for a command control system that I will never use. To this day I have never bought a MTH locomotive.
Well, they can bring in buyers that prefer DCS. I have both Legacy and DCS. However, until now, Atlas only has TMCC, not Legacy. I'll take DCS.
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