Atlas Future Releases

Only Atlas mgm knows how their current factory builders are progressing in terms of product output also how much of an investment is Atlas putting into the current "O" line, I would suspect it is considerably less than it had been in the past, I have been a customer since the very first O model [cylindrical hopper 3 rail only] JMO.

The SW series has been cancelled along with other locos like the SD40 and MP15DC's. Some rolling stock got the axe as well like the 60' auto parts boxcars and Trainman 52'6" gondolas. This is becoming the norm with Atlas O now more than ever.

HO and N are immune to product cancellations or "TBA's".

hibar posted:

Only Atlas mgm knows how their current factory builders are progressing in terms of product output also how much of an investment is Atlas putting into the current "O" line, I would suspect it is considerably less than it had been in the past, I have been a customer since the very first O model [cylindrical hopper 3 rail only] JMO.

Producing innovative items has been consigned to the too difficult tray at Atlas

I have a pair of RSD 15 locomotives pre-ordered since 2015 look like they're finally going to get produced.

Tom

TN posted:

I have a pair of RSD 15 locomotives pre-ordered since 2015 look like they're finally going to get produced.

Tom

Yesterday I got an email from Public Delivery Track expressing regrets that the RSD15s will not be produced.  About one minute later I got a followup email saying, “disregard our first email”. I do not know what to believe or expect, but my preorder is so old it has caused me to not care what happens next. 

With apparently a limited production schedule from their new factory Atlas is going with most reserved models for now, JMO.

Rob Leese posted:

TN posted:

I have a pair of RSD 15 locomotives pre-ordered since 2015 look like they're finally going to get produced.

Tom

Yesterday I got an email from Public Delivery Track expressing regrets that the RSD15s will not be produced.  About one minute later I got a followup email saying, “disregard our first email”. I do not know what to believe or expect, but my preorder is so old it has caused me to not care what happens next

I have a few other pre-ordered engine sets and now it looks like they will all be arriving at the same time. I am going to start cancelling orders that don't arrive within 6 months of the due date.

Tom

I have a case of each of the 25500 gallon tanks in TILX, and CTCX that somehow I think probably will never materialize as well.  Oh well.  It is what it is, cannot change that!

Sunset/GGD is able to produce models on time, but at a small quantity with a necessary high price.  The good news is that there still seems to be plenty of atlas o 2r on the used market.   

I no longer order any item from AtlasO, as nice as the cars and engines may be they are falling behind in sound and other technologies that are available today. I just don't think Atlas cares about the o gauge or the scale market anymore. 

Too bad,

Dave

Thank you all for your replies.

It certainly appears that the Atlas O Scale glory days are over.

 I for one thought that when "Mr. Pompous" retired / left, we might see a turn around at Atlas O, but it seems as if nothing much has changed indeed.....   When I talked to the Atlas guys Trainfest last November, it seemed like maybe things were getting back on track (no pun intended), but maybe it was just a lot of smoke blowing to give me that warm fuzzy feeling.   Hopefully they get their heads on straight at some point.

hibar posted:

Only Atlas mgm knows how their current factory builders are progressing in terms of product output also how much of an investment is Atlas putting into the current "O" line, I would suspect it is considerably less than it had been in the past, I have been a customer since the very first O model [cylindrical hopper 3 rail only] JMO.

Still a big Atlas O fan. The loss of their factory to the increasingly unpredicable Chinese was very unfortunate.  Recovery from this kind of thing is difficult - very hard to establish a set-up with another manufacturer. Takes a lot of time. Time was also lost in the effort to recapture what they could of their molds, etc.  Sometimes people are a bit short-sighted; I'm not worried about Atlas getting things back in order at some point.  

In my opinion, Atlas O has produced high quality models at reasonable prices. The ones I own have always looked and run well. I only have a caboose on order now but will be ordering Comet passenger cars and a cab car.

MELGAR

david1 posted:

I no longer order any item from AtlasO, as nice as the cars and engines may be they are falling behind in sound and other technologies that are available today. I just don't think Atlas cares about the o gauge or the scale market anymore. 

Too bad,

Dave

I'm sure happy with ESU Loksound's decoders and such. And, Atlas' mechanisms.

I'm very much still looking forward to Atlas' end cab switchers, whenever they come. 

david1 posted:

I no longer order any item from AtlasO, as nice as the cars and engines may be they are falling behind in sound and other technologies that are available today. I just don't think Atlas cares about the o gauge or the scale market anymore. 

Too bad,

Dave

Isn't Atlas sound the same as Sunset/GGD? Got F's, sound is fine, run good, decoration excellent. Lionel? Last 3 purchases have had to go back right out of the box. Sound might be good, quality not so much. Dealer had no extras (do they stick someone else with the bad ones?) waiting for Lionel to reopen, with all these defective PA's going back hoping they return undamaged and working before Christmas.

Atlas uses ESU LokSound decoders in their 2-rail sound-equipped models. 3rd uses QSI Titan sound.

BobbyD posted:

david1 posted:

I no longer order any item from AtlasO, as nice as the cars and engines may be they are falling behind in sound and other technologies that are available today. I just don't think Atlas cares about the o gauge or the scale market anymore. 

Too bad,

Dave

Isn't Atlas sound the same as Sunset/GGD? Got F's, sound is fine, run good, decoration excellent. Lionel? Last 3 purchases have had to go back right out of the box. Sound might be good, quality not so much. Dealer had no extras (do they stick someone else with the bad ones?) waiting for Lionel to reopen, with all these defective PA's going back hoping they return undamaged and working.

Sound is up to the individual and for me Lionel has the best with MTH next, although AtlasO's sound is ok but it does not make me go out and buy a AtlasO engine. Also who can trust AtlasO to deliver any engine close to on time. Freight cars are also getting to be high dollar items.

so time and pricing is why I have stopped ordering AtlasO

Dave

emdalco01 posted:

Thank you all for your replies.

It certainly appears that the Atlas O Scale glory days are over.

The glory days ended when Jim Weaver passed on.   He seemed to be the driving force behind it.  I still miss talking to him at york.    

Glenn Fresch posted:

emdalco01 posted:

Thank you all for your replies.

It certainly appears that the Atlas O Scale glory days are over.

The glory days ended when Jim Weaver passed on.   He seemed to be the driving force behind it.  I still miss talking to him at york.    

Jim Weaver was Atlas O.

Time is over ! It is an extremly shrinking market by rising costs. Makes no sense to produce any new products......All scales have a dramaticly loss of customers

Trinkle-Trains posted:

Jim Weaver was Atlas O.

There is a lot of truth in your statement.  The passing of Jim Weaver left a huge void, that has yet to be, and may never be filled.

Could Jim have prevented or eased some of the rift between the Chinese manufactures and Atlas?  We will never know.

RIP Jim, the O-Scalers appreciate all your dedication and contributions to this wonderful hobby.

We miss you.