York Annoucements from Atlas

I'm so sick of Atlas...As someone earlier suggested, they should get out of the O scale market. Their prices are ridiculous, the shipping schedule is a waste of bandwidth to send out, and they keep making the same old things with new numbers!

Those of you with complaints regarding importers should use your own money and go to China and Korea and set up your own relationships with the small manufacturers who do this work. You would find that it is not easy.........and there is eternally people who will complain about whatever you produce!

 At first, I skipped a lot of good stuff by Atlas when I came into this gauge just a few years back. I thought they had missed the mark on several items and had no where to actually see the items. It took me too long to realize how good a lot of their product actually is. I think they answered a lot of demands and got out what they could. The detailing on their cars raised the level in O scale. I think it made other manufacturers step their own cars up to compete.

 I now prefer most of their cars when I can get them. They've changed out their couplers and their trucks. I think the prices are inline with the quality. I actually compare others to Atlas first to see what's better. Most of the time Atlas wins.

 I'm also happy with how good my layout performs with Atlas O gauge two rail track.

I hope they remain strong in O.

Purchased my first Atlas products last year including their track and 4 double sheathed box cars. They quality and realism of these pieces are amazing. I know they have had a rough year since Sandy and problems overseas. I hope they not only stay in the O market but continue to grow.

Here is the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGd9EGOjmsw

I will be pre-ordering the 25, 500 tank cars, in AGP.

http://www.atlasrr.com/HOFreight/ho25500tankcar1.htm

http://www.rrpicturearchives.n...ture.aspx?id=2520857

The blue roller bearing caps look good.

I would like to see more stack car models, they would be a big hit, a home-run!

http://www.atlasrr.com/HOFreight/ho48wellcar.htm#

http://www.atlasrr.com/HOFreight/ho53wellcar.htm

Laidoffsick,

I don't mind waiting for Atlas products, as long as they are the same quality and details of the Masterline.

Atlas products are superb for the money. No other "big" o scale manufacturer comes  close. The 25,500 tank cars should be a great addition.     

You sir need to learn to have some patience. I've been in this scale for quite a while now and I learned real quick that nobody ships anything very quickly.

What would really be funny would be for all of the people who "gotta have it now" be put on a list to get theirs last!

Atlas makes a top of the line product.

I own some Atlas items, although I am not a rabid collector (gotta have one of everything) as some are. I am generally pleased with the quality and realism, and in the case of locomotives also satisfied with how they have run for me with some slight modifications. No real complaints here.

Bob

Ah yes, and here we are at the intersection of RTR modeling and the demands of instant gratification.....

The one thing I find that Atlas does that nobody else does is they offer single units of their engines like the F3 and in different phases.  I don't like it when the others offer ONLY AA, ABA, ABBA configurations or slap paint on one phase of engine when that RR didn't own them.  I don't mind paying a bit more to get a correct product and Atlas usually comes thru in that department, I usually don't have to research their offerings to find if they're legit.

No need to get personal about this.

Nothing personal there at all - just a general observation of the current times --  O tempora! O mores!

Atlas O makes some nice rolling stock models; but, they are definitely lacking in the motive power department. I've always felt that not having their own operating system, was liability for them; using a competitors hand-me-down's, a competitors 2nd or 3rd best efforts, to control their fairly expensive products, was a detriment and a big turn off.

Some of their molded-in detail is just not that good, realistic, either... i.e. the side grills and venting on some of their long hoods; it lacks a realistic appearance and has a toy or model look to it.

They have appeared to be -  an out of control company with an uncertain future... for far too long.

Rick

Martin, great post!

Rick B. You do know that Atlas also produces HO & N. No one, not even Lionel or Bachmann have unlimited $ to invest in tooling, let alone a separate control/sound system. I, personally am glad MW has the initiative to take on the venerable Lion with great results. Competition is great and had it not been for Maury's poor personnel appointmtents, we mayy have still better competition.

 Atlas makes great, accurate products for the hobby. Their products reflect their cost of production plus reasonable PROFIT! They also offer 3 or 4 levels of detail. I find Trainman line is robust and scale and still represents details I'm happy with.

JMHO, Dave G. 

-- O scale !

Unusual to find someone who knows his Latin on this forum. Well done.

Yves

Dave,

I'm only concerned about O scale products. There is a level of accuracy;but, it's not absolute... CP's C630's never had Alco's trademark upper notches, at the back, top, of the long hood.

A lot of their tooling is probably, dated; good enough for the appetites years ago, when it was first introduced; but, the industry's benchmark molded-in detail, has progressed to an even higher level/standard.

Almost everything about Atlas O is dated; and they don't appear to have a destiny...

This hobby seems to be in a fairly fragile state; and, Atlas O's product output is way behind what it should be, for a healthy equipment manufacturer. Simply put... customers cannot rely on Atlas O... to deliver!

Rick

Είναι όλοι οι Έλληνες να μου

(OK, so I had to look it up, that's Greek for "It's all Greek to me")

In vino veritas.

Do you really need to know any other Latin?  BTW: I hated the two years of Latin that I was forced to sit through in high school b/c my father thought it was a good idea.

Back to the nitty gritty: 

1) I very much enjoy the high level detail in my Steam Era Classics.  Absolutely tip top, in my opinion.

2)  I think the Trainman Line is great.  Full O Scale at a more affordable price....and you're less likely to break something.

3)  There is no doubt in my mind that Lionel and MTH would not have increased their level of detail in rolling stock if not pushed by Atlas.

4) I would wager a hefty amount that the lack of motive power offerred by Atlas is intentional.  Why?  Simply put, you can make more money by selling cars with a decent profit margin relatively quickly then by selling more expensive motive power that sits on a dealers' shelf for ever.   Atlas simply knows what their nitch is and executes it well.

5)  The mere notion of Atlas creating their own operating/command system is....one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.  Starting a land war in Asia would stand a better chance of success.

Look....this is a hobby.  If you like their product, buy it and enjoy it.  If not, move on.  No reason to hate monger.   

This one is my favorite: In vino veritas! The truth is in the wine!

You have to be Italian/Roman to come up with something like this.

Yves

You will see companies like Atlas get much more excited about the locomotive market when DCC gets established in 3 rail. Not much fun being beholden to someone else's patent. 

Rob

Folks, please don't forget Atlas O has the 21st Century Track system.  They do supply a good chunk of track for the 2 rail community.  Atlas O could focus on creating a better and larger offering in this area.  

3)  There is no doubt in my mind that Lionel and MTH would not have increased their level of detail in rolling stock if not pushed by Atlas.

BINGO!!!

I'm kind of glad the California Zephyr cars are a bit slower than projected.  Gives me a chance to get other things in order first.  Can't wait for the next release of the diner and 16 section sleeper.

Foresight, ambition, skill-set, know-how/willingness to learn, determination/resolve, ability to take charge and see things through...

are some of the traits required, to get the job done.

Excuses, aren't! Either you're in... doing what needs to be done, or you're out.

Far too many willing to accept inability...

Rick

Rick,

What do mean about out of control?

I am concerned about their future, because I still want to support O scale 2-rail.  If they cannot get product out there, that makes that hard to do.  Most of my stock is Atlas 2-rail.  I still believe in their idea, to produce the best detailed models (Masterline).

I have to agree, Masterline is the way to go.  Since their product comes out slowly these days, that gives me some time to save.

The Atlas you tube shows a well detailed pilot model which appears to be a masterline car, I would guess pricing will be in the range of the Trinity cars[ if you want well detailed O scale cars they are not going to be inexpensive in todays market] I believe Atlas is being cautious in getting there new MFGS up to speed before they entrust a loco project to them, but in the last 8 months they have been steadly delivering product.Bear in mind the main market for Atlas is 3 rail so the chances of them producing detail specific variations of plastic RTR product is probably not economically feasible [this market tends to favor quantity at an affordable price,JMHO]

Same here, great to see this announcement.  Looks like master line, but with the detail level of the 62' flats, Trainman might not be bad either.

Mike,

They don't appear to be in control of their destiny.

"Control" frequently gets a bad rap... as being a negative trait; but, I think being in control(as much as realistically possible) of your own destiny, is important. Having to rely too heavily on others, for your needs to be met, isn't a good thing.

That is applicable to businesses, as well.

Rick

Unless they can design a command system that seamlessly controls DCS, TMCC, and Legacy engines, with locomotives that can be seamlessly controlled by any of those 3 systems.  THAT would be a game-changer.

Hey Atlas haters, SHUT UP! (by the way, i don't care if I get whacked from this!)

Without Atlas, we would not have the cool stuff in O today. In fact, think about it, I and many others would not be in O-Scale without the work of What the Late Jim Weaver and Atlas has produced.  The track, cars, loco's, structures, etc.. all great stuff. Some stuff may not fit your era, but in all, it is great stuff. Plus, think about all the other companies/manufacturers who produced O-Scale items now and who may not have if Atlas didn't produce and do what they did! Atlas brought a ton of people to O. Plus the company had to endure, a crappy economy, a dying market share of which they have to compete against Iphones and video games along with other established toy and train companies and other scales. a Chinese manufacturing scenario that  changes without notice and they are recovering from that.. Thing is, if you can do it better, then go do it. As fat as i am concerned, keep up the great work Atlas and all other manufacturers!

Anyhow, off I go designing real railcars!

Dan

I support Atlas were I can but they are hurting on the importing side.  They need product to ship it seems.

Not to take away from the main topic but...  Dan, by chance do you have drawings of the real intermodal 53' articulated cars of any kind?

Unless they can design a command system that seamlessly controls DCS, TMCC, and Legacy engines, with locomotives that can be seamlessly controlled by any of those 3 systems.  THAT would be a game-changer.

AND a lawsuit magnet.  Such a system would violate DCS and Legacy patents.

Well said Dan.

Haters are going to hate no matter. For the most part I love my Atlas stuff.

Another note if you think Atlas is expensive go ahead and don't buy it. Think if all our models had to come from cottage industries how much you would spend and how often you would get a new release. I know I can’t buy a caboose from a cottage industry for 75 bucks, a resin car with no trucks or couplers can cost you over $100 and you got to put it together.

Yep, I think things are good right now.

Additional points on the plus side.
(1.) They have offered most models as undecorated.
(2.) A very good horizontal drive system (SW model)
(3.) Pretty good parts and detail supply.
(4.) Service and repair more than acceptable.
(5.) TMCC compatable.
(6.) (2) rail participation.
(7.) Their own track system.
O.K by me






GP7 custom

If you can not get the 25,500 Gallon Tank Cars from Atlas O soon, will you attempt to 2-Rail the Lionel 30,000 gallon tank cars?

Andrew

Mike,

Send me an email at dan.bigda@boxcarservices.com. I think I have some some where. 

Might have to put on a disk. 

Thanks Ken from AR. 

Atlas has done a great job and some great points on the "for Atlas" comments. I don't think another command system is needed. 

Also, whomever asks, I do speak from working within the toy train industry. I worked for Lionel Trains for 7 years. 

Yes I would convert the Lionel Tankers. They are pretty nice. Ever see the Tank Train cars they put out? They are great! 

Dan