Atlas run of SW series switcher officially cancelled

The “new” announcements will be more Trainman ACF 50’ boxcars and bay window cabooses. They seem to have a firm handle on those items. 😆

Beth Marshall-The Public Delivery Track posted:

I have just been told by Atlas that the previously announced run of the SW series of switchers, is officially cancelled.  "Watch for new announcements in the future".   I will be refunding all deposits that we have taken for these engines.

beth

I can't understand it I would have thought they were a top seller, it's sad, no, it's a disaster I love those locos.

Roo.

This is certainly disappointing and it would appear Atlas are moving out of locomotive production in O altogether. Maybe Sunset will now consider producing an end cab switcher - after the GP7/9s? I will certainly be interested.

Ian

I guess I have enough SW's.  It has been a great run.  Thanks Atlas.   I've enjoyed all your models.   Mike CT   

Those searching the open market for Atlas SW's, note that early production, had poor Dallee electronics, and no electro-couplers. 2001, 2   models were the first to have TMCC and the couplers.  Until recently, these models had no speed control, but they ran well, at low speed, without it.  Great horizontal motor, and design.  IMO.  Mike CT.    A 20 year run, that's impressive, in the model train industry.  The Pennsylvania SW, right rear is marked 1998.  The world has change a lot in 21 years.     

Again, Thank you, Atlas,

   Mike CT.  

Roo posted:

I can't understand it I would have thought they were a top seller, it's sad, no, it's a disaster I love those locos.

Roo.

I don't understand it, either. There are no engines that run better. Look great. The MP15's, too …. run as well, and really sharply detailed. I was REALLY looking forward to these things.

I'm very happy that the GP7's are coming, but …. dang.

I hope Atlas finds a better manufacturing situation, and we get these great end-cab switchers again ….. not so far in the future. I'll be waiting.

I don't think there is anyone left at Atlas who really cares about the O ga. line. Better to announce they are cancelled than wait around several years wondering when will I get it.

Jim 1939 posted:

I don't think there is anyone left at Atlas who really cares about the O ga. line. Better to announce they are cancelled than wait around several years wondering when will I get it.

Maybe more accurate if they were to just announce that Atlas was terminating its O scale product line entirely. 

But, but, but...they were the future of O Scale.

Strange that Atlas keeps piling on the saturated F and GP unit market (of which Sunset currently owns due to product deliveries) when no one is doing EMD (or other) switchers.   AND these are well-documented to be Atlas best running O scale locomotive.

Sometimes the logic of business eludes me and more so when it's a tightly controlled family business that should know the market and competition better.

oscaletrains posted:

But, but, but...they were the future of O Scale.

One thing to consider in Atlas’ selection of products that they announce or have recently produced is that they are probably just going forward with tooling that is complete, e.g. molds that are serviceable or still exist, for that matter.  I say “still exist” because it seems that they keep having to move their tooling from one factory to another every so many years and like any move, “stuff” gets lost.  And that lost stuff can be the actual tooling in addition to the CNC files/drawings to make replacement tooling. In addition to lost stuff, injection molds themselves (although made of super strong tool steel) do wear out from use.  Plastic can be quite abrasive when forced into these molds under tons of pressure over-and-over, believe or not.  Therefore, the lost or warn out stuff needs to be replaced and replacement takes time and money so if another product’s tooling is ready to go, then you go with those products to keep the factory production moving along.  Otherwise, the factory bails on you because you can’t give them enough business to make you worth their while to build for you (especially these days).  Even in the case of the old CNC GCode files may not be compatible with the new factory’s CNC machines used to make replacement molds so before a mold can be remade, it might need to be completely remodeled in new 3D software and new CAM GCode generated for a new machine.  All this takes time and money (and at today’s prices, no less..) so basically Atlas may just be evaluating what tooling is serviceable and can be used to make a finished product to keep the factory humming along lest they get the boot once again.  In meantime, they can go out and see what models are worth investing in replacement tooling.  The SW/ MP locos may require a lot of tooling work and not even on the radar for putting into production and if they have other tooling, e.g. GP / F unit tooling ready to go today or in the near future, then “you run with what you brung”.

Scott

So I assume this will also end their signal system stuff (was Custom Signals until Atlas bought the line)?

I wouldnt assume anything.   There has been no talk of discontinuing signals that I have heard.  We also have some Atlas O signals in stock.

beth

Beth.

It's not good news but a big Thank You for posting all this information about Atlas much appreciated.

"Your the lady" 

Roo.