Atlas put an update on their website today that says not to try and open the doors on the O scale Multi-max that are shipping. The doors had to be glued shut.
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This is the notice that was posted:
"The Atlas O Multi-Max represents one of our most ambitious and challenging O scale rolling stock models to date. Due to the difficulties that Atlas encountered during the design of the high quality end door details, Atlas found it necessary to have the doors glued shut. This was not an easy decision, but multiple engineers and test shipments all indicated that to maintain the integrity of this model, without shipping or handling damage, secured doors were our best option. To prevent damage, please do not attempt to open them. Thank you for your understanding and support. "
Unfortunately, we could not find a way to consistently keep the door and hinge assembly intact during shipment, having gone through multiple modifications of the car and the packaging design.
The separate sale inner decks have not been shipped, as there is currently no application for them. We will continue to look for solutions for future production.
@Paul Graf posted:This is the notice that was posted:
"The Atlas O Multi-Max represents one of our most ambitious and challenging O scale rolling stock models to date. Due to the difficulties that Atlas encountered during the design of the high quality end door details, Atlas found it necessary to have the doors glued shut. This was not an easy decision, but multiple engineers and test shipments all indicated that to maintain the integrity of this model, without shipping or handling damage, secured doors were our best option. To prevent damage, please do not attempt to open them. Thank you for your understanding and support. "
Unfortunately, we could not find a way to consistently keep the door and hinge assembly intact during shipment, having gone through multiple modifications of the car and the packaging design.
The separate sale inner decks have not been shipped, as there is currently no application for them. We will continue to look for solutions for future production.
Thank you for the update, Paul. I can't wait to receive mine. I know they're going to be beautiful models.
- Jason
@JFC454 Thanks for the heads up on the door. After seeing the product samples at the last couple York shows, I have also been awaiting in eager anticipation (expecting my BNSF to be delivered tomorrow). While the doors are not an issue for me, it will be interesting to see the broader Atlas users response that may have had plans to load up with vehicles to accompany the Lionel scale autoracks.
-Ed
If someone can post some photos Id love to see them. Still waiting on mine
I had no plans on putting cars inside, so it's not an issue.
I will only have an issue if it is not properly weighted. The other brands of scale auto racks are grossly underweighted and prone to derailing in long consists.
IMO Atlas O Master line rolling stock is the standard in quality, detail, accuracy and operation. I am confident these will be the finest mass produced scale auto racks.
I ordered 3 of these and hope to see more runs of these in the future. I would love to add a few CN multi max auto racks to my collection 😬.
@Cogen1981, I picked up my cars on Saturday from my LHS (in NJ). The first thing I noticed was the weight. These cars appear to be about 4 lbs. Someone at Atlas wants to sell us more engines to pull these cars.
The next thing I noticed was how the trucks sit under the car.
I would like the doors to open but these are nice cars.
Pictures??
My concern is tunnel height clearance and curve overhang.
John
These are some big cars and probably some of the most detailed I've seen. I wish the doors opened. Regardless Atlas did a great job.
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I agree, these cars are absolutely stunning! Very nicely detailed in all regards. Some awesome models for sure-
Alot of us have the Lionel versions and the Atlas articulated sets. Do these new Atlas versions look right with those?
Here are pics of the BNSF car, including next to a Lionel scale autorack. The one thing I never liked about the Lionel version is the height of the trucks. In terms of weight, the Lionel car is 1 lb 9 oz whereas the Atlas car is 3 lb. 2 oz.
-Ed
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Paul, these cars are superb imho and I think you guys hit a home run with them. I'd be interested in models with operating doors too but it's a moot point with me. I hope you all offer another run of these cars asap.
Thanks!
John
@jbmccormick posted:Pictures??
My concern is tunnel height clearance and curve overhang.
John
Thats where building a layout using scale standards, Not toy train standards come into play .
@calsz06 posted:@Cogen1981, I picked up my cars on Saturday from my LHS (in NJ). The first thing I noticed was the weight. These cars appear to be about 4 lbs. Someone at Atlas wants to sell us more engines to pull these cars.
The next thing I noticed was how the trucks sit under the car.
I would like the doors to open but these are nice cars.
@calsz06 posted:@Cogen1981, I picked up my cars on Saturday from my LHS (in NJ). The first thing I noticed was the weight. These cars appear to be about 4 lbs. Someone at Atlas wants to sell us more engines to pull these cars.
The next thing I noticed was how the trucks sit under the car.
I would like the doors to open but these are nice cars.
My scale length passenger cars ( 20"s - 80 scale feet ) all weigh about 4 lbs, , these cars are a little longer yet. Scale size cars are usually heavier
too bad the doors are glued
Beautiful cars, but wow are those massive, especially in comparison to the engine as shown in @biscuitag97pics. My layout is 054, didn't really think of it as toy vs. scale standards, and so yes some larger items don't look so great/fit. Sorry I didn't consult when my layout was built, but I am still pretty happy with it.
Good-looking cars for sure!! I call cars of this size, "Layout Shrinkers"! The AtlasO description says they will operate on 042 curves. IMO, they are not going to look right on those curves due to excessive overhang. I would think they would look and operate much better on 072 or greater curves. I have more than enough Auto Racks (MTH Premier & Lionel), that I passed on ordering these. I'll need to sell a few of my current inventory to fund the purchase of just one of these cars They are definitely not "inexpensive", but AtlasO quality comes with a cost and their attention to detail is tough to beat. Those who have these cars, enjoy!
Kind of wish I pre-ordered a few of these back when I saw them, but I managed to snag one online today after seeing how nice they are. I wasn't expecting to hear they're double the weight of my NMRA weight modified Lionel Autoracks, that's very impressive from Atlas. I may have to try to find a second one for my collection now, heh.
Here's a couple shots of the NS version. Was afraid I was going to break something, removing one of the shipping blocks from the underside. Looks like somewhere along the way UPS dropped the box - the individual Atlas box on one of the cars (not the NS ones, which were in a container of four) was a bit crumpled on one end. Car seems to be OK.
Nice Job on the cars, Atlas. Hoping for a rerun. David
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I didn't notice till enlarging the pic. I think you meant an unusually thick wheel tread, looks a lot like multi-wear wheelsets like NYC Transit uses (they can be put through a wheel lathe multiple times before the tread gets too thin), but these are not seen on freight equipment.
---PCJ
Received my 3 auto racks last night from Muffins trains (they packed them perfectly, nice job)
One word describes them, AWESOME
The details on the doors are so well done, that it makes me forget that they don't open. I will take these over the the older model with the operating doors any day.
The ride height and underside detail are phenomenal, it makes my older Lionel and Atlas articulated models look "toy like".
The side screens details are exquisite
These cars track well and roll freely, the added weight really helps.
Great details everywhere,
The paint color and application are well executed as expected from Atlas O
No significant QC issues detected so far
These are a great value even at their price point
10/10 score all around
Hats off to Paul Graf, and his outstanding team at Atlas for bringing these fantastic models to market
I can't wait to see the next run of these, I am hoping to see the CN livery
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@NKP Muncie posted:
Hey all, I'm back. My last post got deleted for copyright infringement (sorry Alan!), but here is the link to the photo that I was talking about:
http://rrpicturearchives.net/p...%20Syracuse%20NY.JPG
The face on the tread seems to be too wide. My cars haven't come in yet, but I'll break out the calipers to inspect when they get here and post more photos. Overall though they seem to be great cars.
@Cogen1981 those are some great shots of these cars on your layout and could be candidates for a model ogr calendar!
They are truly beautiful cars. I also think that about 60-70% of the layouts will not be able to handle them.
Here is a look at some of mine. They are just great cars! 3 lbs. 2.8 oz. each!
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@bigboy25 posted:Hey all, I'm back. My last post got deleted for copyright infringement (sorry Alan!), but here is the link to the photo that I was talking about:
http://rrpicturearchives.net/p...%20Syracuse%20NY.JPG
The face on the tread seems to be too wide. My cars haven't come in yet, but I'll break out the calipers to inspect when they get here and post more photos. Overall though they seem to be great cars.
I agree that something looks off on the wheels - on the 2-rail versions, at any rate. Instead of the thickness gradually increasing from near the axle to the tread, it's a shoulder - if that makes sense. Suddenly much thicker.
Has Atlas made other cars, the prototypes of which have 28-inch wheels? If so, did the Atlas cars in 2-rail have wheels like that? Will take some snaps with the phone Friday.
ADD: OK, here are a couple pix with the cell. One's a little soft. Sorry.
David
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@NKP Muncie posted:I agree that something looks off on the wheels - on the 2-rail versions, at any rate. Instead of the thickness gradually increasing from near the axle to the tread, it's a shoulder - if that makes sense. Suddenly much thicker.
Has Atlas made other cars, the prototypes of which have 28-inch wheels? If so, did the Atlas cars in 2-rail have wheels like that? Will take some snaps with the phone Friday.
David
I believe that these are the first 28" 2-rail trucks that Atlas has produced. If they can resolve this issue, I would like to buy these trucks to reconvert my Lionel autoracks. Up to this point, Atlas has produced 36" trucks (100t) and 33" trucks (70t), and I have been using the 70t trucks for my auto carriers as that was what was available. The only exception may be the articulated auto carriers.
