Skip to main content

I'm not sure if this has been discussed in another thread, but I've been looking for some Phase 3 Amtrak cars and was the Atlas Horizon cars caught my eye. Does anybody own some of these cars, and if so what are they like? I have some of the Atlas Zephyr cars and I really like the detail on those, are these comparable? Thanks.

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

They’re the best!

I have a set of Phase III that look perfect behind F40PHs. Detail is high quality as is the paint. I’ll see if I can post some pics. 100% recommend hunting down a set.

I also own an Atlas California Zephyr dome observation car. That is next level detail compared to the Horizon cars, but mostly because the real life variety has so much more going on than a modern smooth sided passenger car.

The Atlas O Horizon cars are nowhere near as detailed as their Zephyr cars, but they are still very nice for the price. Bear in mind the newest production run has blacked out and frosted windows, so it's kind of hard to see the interior details. But they are very nicely weighted and roll pretty good.

The 3-rail couplers have issues with popping open on the newest release, due to the spring that keeps the coupler closed being too short. So you will have to install safety wire or bailing wire, like in image below, to make sure the couplers will not open randomly. Just make sure it's nice and tight and that the magnetic coupler plate no longer allows them to pop open. I also have a thread discussing it with a video showing how to install the safety wire.
20240419_141729%7E2

I have had to eventually redo the wiring to the trucks, as the method they used results in the wires breaking off from where they're soldered onto and causing them to flicker over switches. I had to solder on flexable wire to the pickup rollers, as the factory wires were extremely thin and not very flexable. But also move the outer rail pickup from where the factory put it, to be on one of the side frame screws and have flexable wires attached. I have had 0 electrical issues with the cars after doing my truck wiring modification.

Attachments

Images (1)
  • 20240419_141729%7E2
Last edited by MichaelB

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×