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Lots of Locos coming from Atlas O in 2014

SK Scott KayOGR Forum Member

Looks like 2014 is the year of the locomotive for Atlas O.  Lots of new O diesels bound for US shores later this year.  The new Atlas Winter 2014 catalog is out.  I found I could not just click on the PDF links to open them, but rather had to right-click and select “save target as” in order to download it and then open them in Adobe Acrobat.  Although this is the preferred method that Atlas states to use on this web page so no blaming them if just clicking on the link doesn’t work .

 

http://www.atlaso.com/catrequest/order_cat.htm

 

Some notables: The Dash8-40C / Dash8-40CW looks to be really coming this time (it is listed as a new model).  In addition, this model now has an Atlas Master tag rather than the original announcement Trainman badge.  However, what is interesting is the MSRP pricing on the catalog still seems retain the Trainman pricing with a 2-Rail  Gold MSRP of “only” $429 (same as the original Trainman MSRP) so I'm curious if the level of detail is truly equal to their traditional Master line or not.  I say “only” because they also have a rerun of the lowly Atlas Master GP-7 Phase II listed and it has a 2-Rail Gold MSRP of $499 and the last run of GP60s several years ago had a 2-Rail Gold MSRP of $529.  Maybe it is a misprint and they really mean $629 .  All the other locos have TBD next to their pricing so no telling…   Also interesting is Atlas just says “sound equipped” for their 2-Rail Gold series and no mention of QSI so I wonder if they went a different path for their Gold line 2-Rail sound.  Maybe they are going to “row their own” sound electronics now.  Lastly, Atlas also mentions a new truck design so maybe the rumored new gear ratio will be implemented on these new locos.  Going to be an interesting (and possibly expense ) 2014…

 

Enjoy!

Scott

Austin, TX

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Rocky MountaineerRocky MountaineerOGR Forum Member

I just received an Atlas catalog in the mail yesterday, and it stages various announcements from January through June even though they're all catalog'd already in the January publishing.  So that's an interesting twist, for sure.  As the OP indicated, lots of diesel locomotives are on their way.

 

But I'm not so sure I get the "more diesels" strategy.    Yes, it's understandable from a point of view that obviously there's a supplier overseas that seems to be pumping out diesel locomotives like crazy.  After all, for most of 2013 that's all Lionel delivered.    Diesel locomotives... one after another... and in multiple road-numbers and powered/dummy as well.

 

But given this glut of diesel locomotives already present in the market, why is Atlas-O choosing to deliver a bunch more?  And while they'll likely step up the TMCC operation with ERR cruise-control, these locomotives still will NOT have full Legacy electronics due to Lionel licensing limitations.  For example... what about the sensor to communicate a locomotive's whereabouts on the layout?  Will they have that? Probably not. 

 

Tough market in which to play, no doubt.  That's why I was surprised to see "so many" diesel announcements for 2014.  And the TBA pricing leaves me absolutely puzzled.  What's THAT all about??? 

 

David

Last edited by Rocky Mountaineer
Mike DeBergMike DeBergOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER
Yeah, I saw that too.. The C40-8W was always a Trainman Plus loco, so I am not surprised to see the move.  It's also interesting to see they are retaining the "Silver" series DC only version.  Could be a sign of things to return perhaps to finally get this locomotive out without all the sourcing sound vendor issues that they've had in the past with the upgraded Titan, or like you say could simply be a price level thing?
 
Originally Posted by prrjim:

I browsed the catalogue also.   Interesting that the RSD7/RSD15 has been moved from the "Trainman" line to "Master" as 8-40C perhaps.    Maybe Atlas is reducing the level of detail on the master line to be able to reduce costs?

 

MH Martin HOGR Forum Member
I think Atlas should cancel the C40-8W and bring us an accurate  SD70MAC.  MTH covered the 6-wheel Dash 8 with pretty good detail recently.  
 
Nobody has brought us a decent SD70MAC that wasn't brass.
 
Originally Posted by Mike DeBerg:
Yeah, I saw that too.. The C40-8W was always a Trainman Plus loco, so I am not surprised to see the move.  It's also interesting to see they are retaining the "Silver" series DC only version.  Could be a sign of things to return perhaps to finally get this locomotive out without all the sourcing sound vendor issues that they've had in the past with the upgraded Titan, or like you say could simply be a price level thing?
 
Originally Posted by prrjim:

I browsed the catalogue also.   Interesting that the RSD7/RSD15 has been moved from the "Trainman" line to "Master" as 8-40C perhaps.    Maybe Atlas is reducing the level of detail on the master line to be able to reduce costs?

 

 

Mike DeBergMike DeBergOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Martin,

 

I couldn't agree more, however, I think Atlas has to bring this locomotive out because of their investment in tooling, etc...Producing a master loco with sound for a MSRP of 429.95 will put pricing more inline with MTH locomotives.  Interesting move by Atlas, considering this locomotive has always been a Trainman Plus locomotive, I hope they aren't compromising the quality of their Master line products for this pricing play?  When I first saw these locomotives they didn't have the same Master line chassis, was more inline with Trainman?  Anyone know if that is still the case?

 

In terms of a decent non-brass SD70MAC that would be awesome! 

N NEPAOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Rocky Mountaineer:

I just received an Atlas catalog in the mail yesterday, and it stages various announcements from January through June even though they're all catalog'd already in the January publishing.  So that's an interesting twist, for sure.  As the OP indicated, lots of diesel locomotives are on their way.

 

But I'm not so sure I get the "more diesels" strategy.    Yes, it's understandable from a point of view that obviously there's a supplier overseas that seems to be pumping out diesel locomotives like crazy.  After all, for most of 2013 that's all Lionel delivered.    Diesel locomotives... one after another... and in multiple road-numbers and powered/dummy as well.

 

But given this glut of diesel locomotives already present in the market, why is Atlas-O choosing to deliver a bunch more?  And while they'll likely step up the TMCC operation with ERR cruise-control, these locomotives still will NOT have full Legacy electronics due to Lionel licensing limitations.  For example... what about the sensor to communicate a locomotive's whereabouts on the layout?  Will they have that? Probably not. 

 

Tough market in which to play, no doubt.  That's why I was surprised to see "so many" diesel announcements for 2014.  And the TBA pricing leaves me absolutely puzzled.  What's THAT all about??? 

 

David

My guess is the monies were already invested in highly detailed tooling for the Dash8-40C engines and it was easier to just move this over to the "Master" series camp.....if not they might have to raise the bar considerably on all future Trainman releases and this strategy would then compete directly with their Master line....  It seems our manufacturers are offering too many levels of their products....a costly strategy involving too many SKU's of a common thread and we all know who is paying for it from the advertising on down.....I have lost count of the multiple levels of details and operational complexities now offered by all the manufacturers ....Does anyone have a quick refernce chart?   

L lip1976OGR Forum Member

Martin, you hit the nail right on the head.  The mth sd70mac.Is more like a sd60m.  It sure would be nice if someone would give us an accurate 2 rail model.  I do have one of the Kline/lionel ones that I was going to two rail in csx livery, but the colors are way off. I don't know if I want to put that much time into it, I have too many other projects.

 

http://www.locophotos.com/Phot...ls.php?PhotoID=80753. 

 

I will take a few of these please!

 

Paul

jonnyspeedjonnyspeedOGR Forum Member

I'm not so sure that this isn't just a misprint in the catalog. The detail is the same, The price point is Trainman level, the website still shows them as Trainman, and the part numbers are still Trainman part numbers. I don't think they went back to the drawing board and added a lot of details or anything. I think it is far more likely that the catalog shouldn't say "O Master". I wouldn't expect them to be anything other than Trainman. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

L lip1976OGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Martin H:

Nice pic Paul.  Clean like its first day on the job.

 

The SD70MAC is THE biggest diesel omission in o-gauge 1:48 trains.  According to wikipedia, 1109 models built, yet MTH doesn't think it is worth developing a dedicated tooling to this highly successful loco?  

 

C'mon!

Let's hope they retool this locomotive like they did the new dash 8's. Not likely though, seems to me that they are spending too much on ho and European stuff.  Maybe we can get Swafford, to start a new thread like the one he did for Gp-40/Gp-402's 

 

Paul

Mike CTMike CTOGR Forum Member

 

There are a few SW models listed in the Atlas catalog pages 84 to 101.

Note 1: Hillside structures (Electra Theatre)  Walther's acquired line of built-ups.

Note 2: SW series appears to have an ERR drive system.  Older models had TMCC mother boards from TAS.

Note 3: You can still order undecorated models from Atlas.   

 

SW-8 Locomotives

Boston & Maine 800, 801

Canadian National 7158, 7165

Rock Island 817, 818

 

SW-9 Locomotives – New Paint Schemes

Indiana Harbor Belt 9002, 9008

Maryland & Pennsylvania 82, 84

 

SW-900 Locomotives – New Paint Schemes

Reading 1511, 1515

 

SW-900 Limited Edition – New Road Numbers

Raritan River 4, 5

 

MAY 2014 ANNOUNCEMENT   4TH QUARTER ARRIVAL  is listed through-out the catalog.   Doesn't say what year

 

Last edited by Mike CT
H hibarOGR Forum Member

I don't know what you guys are reading but the new online catalog distinctly lists both GE9-40CW and RSD7/15s diesel

models as Trainman products also a 4th Q delivery date on the -9s[we know what that means] bear in mind in the last 3 months Atlas has cancelled probably half of their listed projects[repaint/reruns] due to lack of reservations. The truck feature is simply an easier lubricating system than previous, this has been mentioned before. As far as the -9s go Atlas has already produced the tooling to make the preproduction models they have been showing at their booths the last 2 years, so the idea of producing a different diesel instead of these is remote unless they sell this tooling to another MFG. JARC

Last edited by hibar
SK Scott KayOGR Forum Member
HA!  They changed it.  I saved the PDFs and they distinctly say "O Master". Coincidence, I think not .  Atlas, we see you lurking on here... .  They probably had someone call and ask and then updated the PDF or maybe we got to the links before the catalog was "baked".  At least the world is back to normal now and cats and dogs aren't really living together like we once thought .
 
Scott
 
Originally Posted by hibar:

I don't know what you guys are reading but the new online catalog distinctly lists both GE9-40CW and RSD7/15s diesel

models as Trainman products also a 4th Q delivery date on the -9s[we know what that means] bear in mind in the last 3 months Atlas has cancelled probably half of their listed projects[repaint/reruns] due to lack of reservations. The truck feature is simply an easier lubricating system than previous, this has been mentioned before. As far as the -9s go Atlas has already produced the tooling to make the preproduction models they have been showing at their booths the last 2 years, so the idea of producing a different diesel instead of these is remote unless they sell this tooling to another MFG. JARC

 

Last edited by Scott Kay
L lip1976OGR Forum Member

Gunny, I thought that I read either here or on the old atlas forum that atlas had this tooling.  I could be very mistaken though.  I would think that Lionel has it considering their sd70macs look similar, at least the shell anyway.  While comparing the one that I have to actual pics, I think the Kline version is off as well.  Personally I would rather see a completely newly tooled model, that I don't have to convert to 2 rail myself.

 

Paul

M MLATOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by hibar:

I don't know what you guys are reading but the new online catalog distinctly lists both GE9-40CW and RSD7/15s diesel

models as Trainman products also a 4th Q delivery date on the -9s[we know what that means] bear in mind in the last 3 months Atlas has cancelled probably half of their listed projects[repaint/reruns] due to lack of reservations. The truck feature is simply an easier lubricating system than previous, this has been mentioned before. As far as the -9s go Atlas has already produced the tooling to make the preproduction models they have been showing at their booths the last 2 years, so the idea of producing a different diesel instead of these is remote unless they sell this tooling to another MFG. JARC

I just noticed that too.  Most of the offerings are cancelled.  Very disappointed I really wanted some of the auto carriers and 89' intermodal cars. 

jgtrh62jgtrh62OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Mike,
 
that would make sense given Atlas O was required to switch builders. They're now using the builder of Athearn's Genesis line, so given they likely had to go back to the drawing board for retooling in certain instances why not switch electronic packages at that time as well. In any event it's good to see Atlas O beginning to clear their backlogs and I'm looking forward to the -8's and other products finally arriving.
 
One would suspect that once Atlas O gets their backlog caught up then we'll begin to see some of these new items come to fruition, like the 53' well cars, possibly a GP38-2 or GP40 and or other products which many have been asking for.
 
It maybe that O Gauge manufactures have been pumping out 3 rail model locomotives like crazy but from my perspective it's been a barren waste land for new decent two rail locomotive models, so it's good to finally see some options forthcoming in those regards. It appears Atlas O also has some nicely detailed rolling stock coming in the near future such as their Trinity 25,500Gal tankers.
 
 
John
  
Originally Posted by Mike DeBerg:

Although a lot of stuff reannounced in this catalog, I was surprised to see how little was actually new.  I really was hoping to see some 53' well cars like their HO versions.   Much of the GOLD locomotives are listed with generic sound from what I saw, which may indicate Atlas is switching over to LokSound or some other sound board?

 

MH Martin HOGR Forum Member
Those are some good looking tank cars!  Are they yours?  (looks like might be a display at an LHS).
 
You guys are dreaming if you think Atlas will ever make 53ft well cars and the necessary jindo/cimc containers to go with them.  
 
Originally Posted by jgtrh62:
Mike,
 
 
 
It maybe that O Gauge manufactures have been pumping out 3 rail model locomotives like crazy but from my perspective it's been a barren waste land for new decent two rail locomotive models, so it's good to finally see some options forthcoming in those regards. It appears Atlas O also has some nicely detailed rolling stock coming in the near future such as their Trinity 25,500Gal tankers.
 
 
John
 

 

RB Rick B.OGR Forum Member

For years, I hoped MTH would make a newly tooled SD70MAC. I got the last version they did; it's different than the SD70M shell, they were previously using.

 

I always wondered where they got their last SD70MAC tooling from; is it their design or was the tooling acquired from another manufacturer?

 

I find it strange that that era of EMD AC and DC traction, safety cab equipped models(SD60M, SD70M, SD70I, SD75I and the MAC's) has been ignored?

 

Rick

Last edited by Rick B.
H hibarOGR Forum Member

When K line folded the MFG offered the SD75 tooling along with several other models to Atlas and they actually distributed a flyer at one of the shows suggesting these models could be produced, however the deal never went thru[MTH may have acquired that tooling as the K line tooling was split up initionaly between Atlas and another MFG] ultimately Atlas announced the GE-8-40CW[ June 2010] as their new model and any mention of the K line models were dropped.

MH Martin HOGR Forum Member
I didn't know Atlas ever intended to make the 9-40cw.  NS was the only purchaser of that prototype, while everyone else opted for the 9-44cw.  I wonder why Atlas would pick that one?
 
Originally Posted by hibar:

When K line folded the MFG offered the SD75 tooling along with several other models to Atlas and they actually distributed a flyer at one of the shows suggesting these models could be produced, however the deal never went thru[MTH may have acquired that tooling as the K line tooling was split up initionaly between Atlas and another MFG] ultimately Atlas announced the GE-9-40CW[ June 2010] as their new model and any mention of the K line models were dropped.

 

prrhorseshoecurveprrhorseshoecurveOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

OK I'll bite; what's the difference between the mth sd70M and the MAC/[besides missing marker lights] 

 

Sd70M-1 [2)

Sd70M-2 [2)

Sd70M-4 [2)

Sd70M-5 [2)

 

I also would like to see the "standard cab" version of the sd70 in CR, ns, IC, CN!

Sd70OVRLNDa

Sd70OVRLNDb

Sd70OVRLNDc

Sd70OVRLNDd

Sd70OVRLNDe

Sd70OVRLNDf

Sd70OVRLNDg

 

FWIW, I believe the GP7 market is flooded from models of all 3 mfg's. Atlas o sould seriously consider switching to a GP9 phase 3 with the single 48" radiator fans.

also bring back the mP15Dc in Conrail & Demo colors!

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Last edited by prrhorseshoecurve
Rich MontagueRich MontagueOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Martin H:
I didn't know Atlas ever intended to make the 9-40cw.  NS was the only purchaser of that prototype, while everyone else opted for the 9-44cw.  I wonder why Atlas would pick that one?
 
Originally Posted by hibar:

When K line folded the MFG offered the SD75 tooling along with several other models to Atlas and they actually distributed a flyer at one of the shows suggesting these models could be produced, however the deal never went thru[MTH may have acquired that tooling as the K line tooling was split up initionaly between Atlas and another MFG] ultimately Atlas announced the GE-9-40CW[ June 2010] as their new model and any mention of the K line models were dropped.

 

The Atlas model in the catalogue is definitely a Dash 8-40CW. References in posts above to "9-40CWs" have to be either mistaken or typos.

 

RM

H hibarOGR Forum Member
My typo post corrected
Originally Posted by Martin H:
I didn't know Atlas ever intended to make the 9-40cw.  NS was the only purchaser of that prototype, while everyone else opted for the 9-44cw.  I wonder why Atlas would pick that one?
 
Originally Posted by hibar:

When K line folded the MFG offered the SD75 tooling along with several other models to Atlas and they actually distributed a flyer at one of the shows suggesting these models could be produced, however the deal never went thru[MTH may have acquired that tooling as the K line tooling was split up initionaly between Atlas and another MFG] ultimately Atlas announced the GE-8-40CW[ June 2010] as their new model and any mention of the K line models were dropped.

 

 

Last edited by hibar
jgtrh62jgtrh62OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
I second prrhorseshoecurve's motion, SD70's w/Spartan Cabs would be excellent! I'd love to have some in Illinois Central. Nicely done SD45's and SD40-2's are completely missing from O scale as well and will also make good candidates.
 
Originally Posted by prrhorseshoecurve:

I also would like to see the "standard cab" version of the sd70 in CR, ns, IC, CN!

 

 

Sd70OVRLNDc

 

jgtrh62jgtrh62OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Martin,
 
Atlas O had these cars out for display at the Amherst Train Show in Springfield MA last weekend. Not exactly sure when they are due to arrive at LHS's but these production samples look pretty good. Thanks for the pictures Dan!
 
John
 
Originally Posted by Martin H:
Those are some good looking tank cars!  Are they yours?  (looks like might be a display at an LHS).
Last edited by jgtrh62
Mike DeBergMike DeBergOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER
John,
 
Couldn't agree more.  Would totally be in for some SD70 Spartan cabs!  IC and CN of course. 
 
Originally Posted by jgtrh62:
I second prrhorseshoecurve's motion, SD70's w/Spartan Cabs would be excellent! I'd love to have some in Illinois Central. Nicely done SD45's and SD40-2's are completely missing from O scale as well and will also make good candidates.
 
Originally Posted by prrhorseshoecurve:

I also would like to see the "standard cab" version of the sd70 in CR, ns, IC, CN!

 

 

Sd70OVRLNDc

 

 

Mike DeBergMike DeBergOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER
The 25.5K gallon tanks starting shipping to dealers on 1/17/14... So you should be getting them now!
 
Originally Posted by jgtrh62:
Martin,
 
Atlas O had these cars out for display at the Amherst Train Show in Springfield MA last weekend. Not exactly sure when they are due to arrive at LHS's but these production samples look pretty good. Thanks for the pictures Dan!
 
John
 
Originally Posted by Martin H:
Those are some good looking tank cars!  Are they yours?  (looks like might be a display at an LHS).

 

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