While this is not my era for modeling it is obvious that the Mfg does only one variant of a particular paint scheme, the Atlas units with full skirting reflect a pre 55-54 paint scheme [ from that point on and maybe earlier shops had removed skirting] and all pics thereafter are really not relevant to lettering or logo placement. JMO
Laidoffsick posted:
My question is,
What was ATSF/EMD's thinking by having that dull section over the polished section on the A units and all polished on the B units?
Looks goofy to me.
breezinup posted:
What is the exact height of these Atlas Warbonnets above the rails? I'm interested to know how their roofs line up with passenger cars. Maybe someone could show the engines with some passenger cars.
The roofs of scale MTH and Lionel versions are about a quarter inch higher than those of passenger cars, at least aluminum passenger cars (because the engines ride too high on their trucks, probably). In the vast majority of prototypical passenger trains, the F unit engines and passenger cars were the same height (which of course looks better, too).
Santa Fe Jim's video clearly shows the issue. The engine height looms over the passenger car.
Prototypical: the tops of the cars are flush with the tops of the engines ( see baggage cars).
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Mr Muffin (Steve) is now opening the ATLAS SF F7s boxes to check on the paint and logo quality before shipping (unless you ask him not to).
Thanks I appreciate this Steve, but you should not have to do extra work for Atlas!
SantaFeJim posted:Doug,
This video gives you a better view. Watch at fill screen.
Nice EL CAP. Road the cars right after Amtrak repainted them on EC/SC and TX CHIEF. Nice stuff. Too bad ATSF did not order them in sleeper. But with sleeper counts going down, it was best to stay with coaches, diners and lounge.
I have the L 2245 TX SP plus the Williams 2500 TX SP passenger knock offs. The 2245 is AB. (OK L would call it AC, A for Powered A, B for dummy A, and C for the B.)
The B unit and the bag seem to line up pretty well. This is 1950's 3R O tech, but if they could get it right, why not today's high end stuff?
Dominic Mazoch posted:I have the L 2245 TX SP plus the Williams 2500 TX SP passenger knock offs. The 2245 is AB. (OK L would call it AC, A for Powered A, B for dummy A, and C for the B.)
The B unit and the bag seem to line up pretty well. This is 1950's 3R O tech, but if they could get it right, why not today's high end stuff?
The so-called Traditional F-3s align perfectly with passenger cars - the height is virtually the same, as it is with prototypical trains (see pictures below). The so-called "scale" F units are too tall for every kind of passenger car I've seen, including scale cars. I'm running K-Line Santa Fe F units with some scale SF passenger cars so the heights match, because the "scale" Lionel and MTH engines ride too high, and look awkward with the cars. Apparently for some reason no one has yet tried putting the new Atlas engines next to passenger cars to check this.
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breezinup posted:breezinup posted:
What is the exact height of these Atlas Warbonnets above the rails? I'm interested to know how their roofs line up with passenger cars. Maybe someone could show the engines with some passenger cars.
The roofs of scale MTH and Lionel versions are about a quarter inch higher than those of passenger cars, at least aluminum passenger cars (because the engines ride too high on their trucks, probably). In the vast majority of prototypical passenger trains, the F unit engines and passenger cars were the same height (which of course looks better, too).
Santa Fe Jim's video clearly shows the issue. The engine height looms over the passenger car.
Prototypical: the tops of the cars are flush with the tops of the engines ( see baggage cars).
A flat roof (non-dome) Budd, Pullman-standard and ACF prototype streamlined passenger cars measure 13' 6" high. An F3/7 measures 14'-1/2" high.
The difference in the shape of the roof can make the diesel look much taller.
Rusty
Atlas had a problem from the start with their first engine the SD 35 that at was 1/4 " higher than prototype, they did get the subsequent GP 60 and SD 40 correct, I own both these models and they are correct to prototype height. I can not vouch for any of their other diesels although it is obvious the F units have the height issue. Has any one been able to correct the truck /frame mtg to the body shell to get the correct height?
If I wanted to guarantee absolute fidelity to prototype, I would buy Key or Kohs or the new Sd40-45s coming out. I would also be spending enough money on one unit to but several Atlas Fs. I have been known to re-decal something I did not like. With a lot of care and light weathering it can be done. Buy undecs, thats what we did when a road wasn't available. I have 2 Weaver E units I am in the process of painting in CB&Q. $150.00 for the weaver 2 Es and some detail parts, I am happy.
Dick
No matter weather Key or Kohs if you posted pics some one would point out an error [real or perceived] just saying!
Wow, great review and I guess for now I am pretty glad I just went powered A dummy A, and no B.
As far as running these engines, what is the recommendation. I am looking to use the MTH wi-fi and AP to run them. Do you recommend:
lashup powered A in front
lashup powered A in rear
no lashup powered A in front
no lashup powered A in rear
and of course a why would be helpful.
John
No video of these yet... featuring the new, updated Railsounds?
David
No lash up powered A in front.
Why? Pretty hard to have a lash up with only one powered unit.
T4TT posted a video with his El Cap set
SantaFeJim posted:No lash up powered A in front.
Why? Pretty hard to have a lash up with only one powered unit.
Pretty easy to MU one unit!
breezinup posted:breezinup posted:
What is the exact height of these Atlas Warbonnets above the rails? I'm interested to know how their roofs line up with passenger cars. Maybe someone could show the engines with some passenger cars.
The roofs of scale MTH and Lionel versions are about a quarter inch higher than those of passenger cars, at least aluminum passenger cars (because the engines ride too high on their trucks, probably). In the vast majority of prototypical passenger trains, the F unit engines and passenger cars were the same height (which of course looks better, too).
Santa Fe Jim's video clearly shows the issue. The engine height looms over the passenger car.
Prototypical: the tops of the cars are flush with the tops of the engines ( see baggage cars).
Is the bottom pic the TX CHIEF in OKC?
The F unit is 6 inches higher than the bag. That is a 1/8 inch in O. Not much in scale.
Laidoffsick posted:T4TT posted a video with his El Cap set
Thanks, LOS. But no horn captured in that video. 
Sigh... That's OK though... I've decided to pass on these and make an executive decision: thanks to all of Atlas-O's delaying tactics, my El Capitan train became a "modern-day" version headed up with 3 Lionel Santa Fe ES44's with Legacy Railsounds. It may not be prototypical, but who cares!!! 
David
Rocky Mountaineer posted:Laidoffsick posted:T4TT posted a video with his El Cap set
Thanks, LOS. But no horn captured in that video.
David
Do not feel bad. I run UP Katy Heritage wit my TX SP cars! Plus I run the SP Heritage with Daylight cars. But the later did happen in a sense when UP 1996 was introduced in Sacramento
Thanks for the replies. I was asking from setting them up on the cab2 remote and MTH ap perspective as I thought if set up as lash up it has the ability to control the lighting and couplers on the respective engines. Perhaps I didn't understand it correctly.
John
Called my dealer to order a set of Atlas O Santa Fe F7 ABBA locos. I asked the dealer to check for scratches and every B unit was scratched in the same place. I did not order. Atlas O needs someone else at the helm.
David, i got a set of Santa Fe F7's on order from 3rd Rail. at this point I am so glad I did as it sounds like you're going to get your train all beat up right out of the box. Its too bad because the people I know who got em really like em. Nicholas Smith I know has a few sets including my cancelled set
The decision to take the shells off here and send back to China and then reassemble back here with the revised shells was a questionable move, the scratched shells are no real surprise. JMO
Anyone out there know where I can get my hands on a PRR powered B unit in 3 rail? I made the mistake of cheaping out and only bought one powered A and could use the extra power.
Norm,
Deichman's Depot had one and possibly Mr Muffins when I looked last week.
Joe
I have a powered A&B and a dummy A. I love them. Thanks Mr. Muffin
