Atlas Engine production...big announcement, and clarification

Keep getting more Rat River!

Raritan River is on the list,  Sorry I forgot it.....

beth

Beth Marshall-The Public Delivery Track posted:

Raritan River is on the list,  Sorry I forgot it.....

beth

No problem. Just glad it'll be on the list. Also are those Atlas LV RS-3's you're selling equipped with TMCC?

I want to see the EMD SW7 Conrail- Express unit for the Maryland and Delaware RR. The paint scheme is catchy and was built and displayed at Conrail- Railfest in Altoona PA!

For MP15's I wanted to see another run of Conrail units. They are impossible to find!

Very few 3 rail Atlas RS-3's left. LV, CNJ conventional only. one NH and one Erie with TMCC.

I know that Atlas did these as a special run in the past but I’d be interested in a couple of Aliquippa & Southern SW9’s (2-rail).

So just what is the minimum order quantity?

Sorry to hear about this. Hope the minimum can me met. I've thought about ordering a VO-1000. If they go to make it or start taking orders again I'd love to get one. I love my RSD-5. 

Actually, we've had our website open to take orders on the VO-1000 for a year now.  Not many takers.  We order extras on most everything, so we usually have things available for order right to delivery time.

Thanks for the update Beth! Shame to hear and I'm sure it's hard on you too. This level of transparency is nice to see and it would be cool if Atlas was this clear too.

So much for me thinking I could snag some 2 rail MP15ACs later on! I have the SWs and they're too old to get more on my RR. I guess I'll have to convert my MTH ones to 2 rail after all. Urrggg! I prefer modern stuff.

 I didn't get any Atlas SD40 units so I really missed out on them too. I have an Sd35 and I'll have to keep her now. I hope Atlas stays into O scale as they make the best cars and good track too. 

Maybe it's just a manufacturer messed them up and they gave up the runs? Hard for me to believe they didn't have the customers or order numbers. I think their detail = brass level in plastic prices.

I'm saddened to hear that Atlas had to cancel so many locomotive projects. I'm grateful that I haven't done anything drastic with that two-rail Weaver VO-1000 I bought.

Seriously OGR? Now you are going to delete posts because we voice our opinions about companies that don't deliver? How was me saying that 3rd rail was making better products and actually delivering on them worthy of deleting my post?

"I have tried several times over the past couple of years to pre-order GP7s from different dealers and was always told they couldn't get any more ordered. IF Atlas opened up the pre-orders again then why didn't they announce it? I used to love Atlas, but this past decade has been a debacle... 

This is a free market and IMHO Scott Mann at 3rd rail is going to put Atlas out of the O scale engine market. The only hope they have is making a lower cost Trainman product. Why would I buy an Atlas engine over one of Scott's (except the fact that I prefer ESU to QSI)? His will be far superior.

Personally, if I want an O scale engine I'd rather wait for Scott to make it. Better yet, ask him to make something! He is open to making anything that he can get orders for. AND he has a track record of delivering within a year or two of announcing a product, not canceling after 5 years.

Sorry Atlas, I'm done waiting."

mwb posted:

So just what is the minimum order quantity?

I have been told 200 per number, eg, BN 7554 = 200, bn 7893=200 if they did two SD40-2s in BN.

Dick

jonnyspeed posted:

Seriously OGR? Now you are going to delete posts because we voice our opinions about companies that don't deliver? How was me saying that 3rd rail was making better products and actually delivering on them worthy of deleting my post?

 

"I have tried several times over the past couple of years to pre-order GP7s from different dealers and was always told they couldn't get any more ordered. IF Atlas opened up the pre-orders again then why didn't they announce it? I used to love Atlas, but this past decade has been a debacle... 

This is a free market and IMHO Scott Mann at 3rd rail is going to put Atlas out of the O scale engine market. The only hope they have is making a lower cost Trainman product. Why would I buy an Atlas engine over one of Scott's (except the fact that I prefer ESU to QSI)? His will be far superior.

Personally, if I want an O scale engine I'd rather wait for Scott to make it. Better yet, ask him to make something! He is open to making anything that he can get orders for. AND he has a track record of delivering within a year or two of announcing a product, not canceling after 5 years.

Sorry Atlas, I'm done waiting."

It's great that you like 3rd Rail's very nicely detailed engines. The more choices we have , the better, for our hobby. But, many folks don't consider the extra ~$300 for railroad-specific details worth it. It adds up.

You seem kinda angry. I bet maybe the cancellation of Atlas' switchers hurt me more than you … I got rid of my 3-rail equipment to go to 2-rail, and I have zero engines (until Atlas' Gp7's arrive). Life goes on.

Happy railroading.

I have to agree with Jim. I just picked up two Atlas WP F3s yesterday that I had on order for a couple years. After the fiasco with Atlas's factory shutting down I considered switching my order to Sunset, but the price difference was just too much, especially with two engines. There's a couple things Atlas got wrong that I'm sure Sunset would've gotten right, but not worth over $500 in my book. Still a better looking product than Lionel or MTH IMO.

EBT Jim posted:

jonnyspeed posted:

Seriously OGR? Now you are going to delete posts because we voice our opinions about companies that don't deliver? How was me saying that 3rd rail was making better products and actually delivering on them worthy of deleting my post?

 

"I have tried several times over the past couple of years to pre-order GP7s from different dealers and was always told they couldn't get any more ordered. IF Atlas opened up the pre-orders again then why didn't they announce it? I used to love Atlas, but this past decade has been a debacle... 

This is a free market and IMHO Scott Mann at 3rd rail is going to put Atlas out of the O scale engine market. The only hope they have is making a lower cost Trainman product. Why would I buy an Atlas engine over one of Scott's (except the fact that I prefer ESU to QSI)? His will be far superior.

Personally, if I want an O scale engine I'd rather wait for Scott to make it. Better yet, ask him to make something! He is open to making anything that he can get orders for. AND he has a track record of delivering within a year or two of announcing a product, not canceling after 5 years.

Sorry Atlas, I'm done waiting."

It's great that you like 3rd Rail's very nicely detailed engines. The more choices we have , the better, for our hobby. But, many folks don't consider the extra ~$300 for railroad-specific details worth it. It adds up.

You seem kinda angry. I bet maybe the cancellation of Atlas' switchers hurt me more than you … I got rid of my 3-rail equipment to go to 2-rail, and I have zero engines (until Atlas' Gp7's arrive). Life goes on.

Happy railroading.

Not sure how you can judge my mood through text, but whatever. I also disagree that there are "many" 2R modelers that would prefer an Atlas over a 3rd Rail model. You would be the first I've met.   I do agree that the low cost Trainman models still have a spot in the market. 

I have been waiting for Atlas to run Erie Lack and Erie switchers and Geeps for years. Scott is making a better product and actually delivering. Free market rules. Atlas has to deliver a product to be in the game. I have waited for decades for Atlas to re-run a Chessie switcher. So, no you aren't the only one affected. I've been buying Atlas products since they began in O. 

Here's a tip, if you want to purchase some 2R engines try eBay and the shows. That's where you will find them. You might also join the Facebook 2R group and ask that group of 1600+ modelers if they have or know of what you want. It pays to network with people in niche scales like 2R, P48, and S.

I have to agree with Jonathan about acquiring 2-rail locomotives, especially Atlas. Save for a the recently released Master F3’s and the Trainman Dash 8-40CW’s, all of my Atlas locomotives were bought off eBay and dealers that specialize in 2-rail models. Train shows like the March Meet in Lombard, IL would probably be good bets, too.

If you are going to wait for Atlas to deliver new product to meet your motive power preferences then you stand a good chance of ending up with nothing. I wouldn’t be too confident about the GP7’s either despite what you may be hearing. Whatever agreement Atlas has with their factories and suppliers in China isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.

I've been reading this Thread with interest. 

First, we are not trying to destroy anyone's market. 

To compete with anyone you need to delineate your product from others. Our delineation is more road specific accuracy and the "Horizontal" motor drive system. 

As far as production philosophy we chose the expensive route. We spend a lot of money on individual designs for each road, decaling and painting that is tuned for each. And a production technique that is laborious rather than mass-production methodologies. 

It costs more, the product has different advantages and attracts different clientele. 

If we weren't different, then it would only be about the price. 

But, most of all, we hope all of you enjoy your hobby. Don't focus on the business aspect, only on the parts that turn you on to your hobby.

Happy Railroading. Most of all, respect each other. Too small a world for anything less.

Hey Scott, while you were at York, I ordered a ERR sound kit. I received it in just 2 days from CA, to CT.  Nice service.  However, I had a technical install question.  Spoke to a very nice lady in the office.  She gave me an email to your technical guy.  I wrote him  explaining what I needed.  I have yet to hear back from him... Is that customary ......?

Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

Hey Scott, while you were at York, I ordered a ERR sound kit. I received it in just 2 days from CA, to CT.  Nice service.  However, I had a technical install question.  Spoke to a very nice lady in the office.  She gave me an email to your technical guy.  I wrote him  explaining what I needed.  I have yet to hear back from him... Is that customary ......?

Any ERR questions is best ask here and having one of us with loads of install experience helping out would give you a much faster answer.  Gunrunner John, or any of the others would be happy to help.

I for one don't want to see AtlasO fail or Lionel, or MTH, or 3rdrail.  The more out there the better off we all are.  We've already lost Kline and Weaver.  No more.  So lets hope Atlas gets thing together and there is plenty of options for us 3railers or 2 railers

Thanks for the great update Beth!

What's happening with the Atlas RS11's?

Email me if you have not heard from our Tech. sdmann@3rdrail.com

Regarding posts saying they cant get 2 rail engines...We have about 100 2 rail diesels in stock, and about 20 steam engines. it isnt like they dont exist.  OK, not every road and every engine ever made, but it isnt nothing.  Yes, end cab switchers are hard to find right now, but I', working on it.  It takes a lot of TIME and money to get something done. And trains is not my full time job.  I cant spend 70 hours a week dealing with trains.  but please at least look at dealer websites if youre looking for 2 rail engines.  there is stuff avbl.

Wish Atlas didn't cancel the Bessemer RSD 15

Nice to run across this thread. Great heads up from Beth !  Thanks !!!  Regret Atlas can’t provide this kind of info about goings on. I’m amazed but grateful the Atlas GPs have been resurrected from the dead. How long has it been since first offered ? 5-6 years ago?  Anyway Beth got three GP orders from me. And I emailed a note to her to queue up for TRRA SWs. (Send in your wants!!! ). The  Atlas GPs are very nice product - IMO much better than MTH or Lionel. Sunset products are the best and yes expensive. What attracts me to Scott’s recent diesels are all the choices !!!! He often offers so many roads others won’t be bothered with and sometimes hard to find / different paint schemes. The fixed pilots are wonderful too. I do 3 rail but love being able to convert the lead pilot to 2 rail for looks. The conversion is incredibly simple. These things are worth the extra bucks to me. 

TrainBub