Atlas-O Shipping Schedule Updated!

Rocky MountaineerOGR Forum Member

Normally, I don't give an ounce of credence to Estimated Shipping Dates provided by ANY importer, until we hear that an item has actualy shipped from the Far East.

So hear is some great news for those of us awaiting arrival of the Gunderson cars... According to the latest Atlas-O shipping schedule update, the Gunderson cars shipped out on the water a few days ago. And if history is any indication, that means Atlas-O will likely ship to their dealer network roughly one month from now... which potentially puts these on store shelves in early October.

Seems I recall a few of us here on the forum predicted a 4Q2013 arrival for the Gundersons, even though the original ETA was months ago.

For those interested, 40' reefers and some caboose's are also part of this shipment.

Now for some bad news... The California Zephyr cars (diners and more sleepers) didn't make it on this boat. But we still have two more months for these to potentially appear in 4Q2013. Let's hope!

David

8/27/1312:33 PM

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falconserviceOGR Forum Member

Train Man O Scale Sliding-door 40' Box Car has also shipped on August 22nd.

Andrew

8/27/132:36 PM

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Richard GonzalesOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

I have one of the IC 40 foot steel reefers orderd. I hope they have those replacement truck bolsters for the reefers in that shippment.

Thanks,

8/27/135:29 PM

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mikemikeOGR Forum Member

Is there a club or observation car planned? And will we live long enough to see it?

8/27/1310:54 PM

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Rocky MountaineerOGR Forum Member

Originally Posted by mikemike:

Is there a club or observation car planned? And will we live long enough to see it?

At one point -- back around 2011 or so -- Atlas O went on record saying they'd produce the complete train with all the unique cars of the California Zephyr, including the baggage, diner, dome-buffet-lounge, and the dome-observation. Ironically at that time, Atlas-O also mentioned that all the CZ cars would be made within the next 18-24 months... which clearly hasn't happened.

When that statement was made, Atlas-O had already produced the dome chair coaches and 10/6 sleepers, and had also announced the 16-section sleeper which I believe is now due when the next bunch of passenger cars (sleepers and diners) makes their way onto a boat out of China... whenever THAT will be.

Now at some point along the way, I think this direction changed somewhat. Can't recall if there was ever an "official" statement made, but I somehow remember reading somewhere that Atlas-O might back off on doing ALL the unique variations of the CZ cars if those variations couldn't be used on passenger cars from different roadnames (i.e., Amtrak, etc...). The most notable casualties would be the dome-chair-car with conductor window and dome-buffet-lounge -- leaving the baggage and dome observation as the final cars yet to be announced/produced to complete our CZ trains.

None of this info is "official". Just stuff I recall reading here and other places. That's why it will be VERY interesting to hear what Atlas-O may say during their upcoming booth seminars at York -- one of which is specifically discussing the California Zephyr.

David

8/27/1311:31 PM

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Rocky MountaineerOGR Forum Member

I noticed that Atlas-O's website home page (along with the online shipping schedule) has been updated to reflect shipment of a few new items to their dealers on 9/22/2013, and the new production run of Gunderson's is among them!!! Shouldn't be too long now before the LHS calls to let me know my CSX set is in.