I have the opportunity to purcahse either of these HO locomotives and wonder about what the "word" is in regard to quality, detail accuracy, performance and any "hidden flaws" (gear disintegration, I'm looking at you). I know Atlas Master Silver is DCC ready while Gold comes with DCC but are otherwise identical, but wonder about the Concor engine - I'm under the impression they were DC only, so how much of a job is it to install DCC?
I think the Con-Cor model is the original Atlas one. And the Atlas one that you are being offered might well be an early Atlas one, too. Though being called a "Master" says otherwise. The early ones, and the Con-Cor, have a groove in the side of the fuel tank for assembly purposes.
For detailing, I would choose the newer Atlas. It is FAR better. These are sorta "road specific", by the way. Atlas made four versions. But dropped the ball on making an SD24B. They didn't!
Adding a decoder to the Con-Cor SHOULD be easy, since there's a lot of room inside an SD24 shell. I have never looked inside one, though.
Ed
Con-Cor frames are made from bad material and have tendency to disintegrate over time, don't ask me how I know!
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
Atlas is far superior. Concor is fine, but if you want a locomotive that will stand the teat of time, go for the atlas.
JJF
Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing.
Yesterday is History.
Tomorrow is a Mystery.
But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present.
I have the Atlas SD24's which were DCC ready. I added Sountrax Tsunami xound decoders, and I am very pleased. I have run them often in recent years with no problems at all.
Previously, I had the Atlas yellow box SD24's made in Austria. The newer ones are much better, and they are detailed to be correct for Burlington and other roads they offered.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
The newer Atlas Silver SD24s are definitely superior to either the ConCor or original Atlas from 1975. I have both the Atlas Silver and older Yellow Box. Here are a pair of my yellow box puppies, the lead's shell quite modified, pressing upgrade on the Mt Hood RR recently. I have had no issue with the frames on 'em and, as you can see, opted for a "simple" solution to the screw driver slot in the gas tank; body putty.....
Don; Prez, CEO or whatever of the Wishram, Oregon and Western RR