Hi,
For F units, I prefer the old Stewart/Kato or the newer Stewart/Stewart models. For GPs, the Proto units are great (once you fix the broken gear problem). For E or PA units, I am partial to the Proto units as well. But for Alco RS units, my 3 Atlas locos are super.
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
alco's forever!!!!! Majoring in HO scale Minorig in O scale:)
I just tested my MP 15 DC
on a 3% compensated incline on my layout, meaning it's not only on a 3% incline but it's also on a 22 inch radius curve, with 6 properly weighted cars w/ metal wheels.. and it had no problem. I added a 7th and could tell it was having to strain a little. I added an eighth and it slowed a good bit. I didn't try a 9th but I think it would make it albiet with trouble. I don't think it would have any problem with 15 cars on halfway level track, but I've not tested that.
JaRRell
Chuck,
Mine has a little bit of a traction issue but mine will pull/push more than 8 cars. Anyway, the limit it has keeps it prototypical.....I can't pull 20 car trains around with it. I really like mine and the decoder fits a little snug but alright in the HO scale units. I wish Atlas would make the AC model instead of Athearn.
Josh
EspeeEngineer wrote: I LOVE my Altas SP MP15DC! It is a great locomotive and now when I am locomotive shopping I will look for Atlas Gold and Silver series first then go from there. I recommend them!
I LOVE my Altas SP MP15DC! It is a great locomotive and now when I am locomotive shopping I will look for Atlas Gold and Silver series first then go from there. I recommend them!
I'm glad you like them but for pulling power they don't have any. I bought 2 of them last year(been waiting for a MP15DC to come out that wasn't brass for over 20 years) Well, they look nice, but have no power what-so-ever. i have one consisted to an Athearn GP-9 and the other to a proto RS-11. Alone, they would only pull about 8 cars and then start slipping. (They don't have sanders for HO scale yet.) They are hard to get decoders in also. Maybe an N scale will fit but the NCE decoders were really hard to get in and have the smoke stack lid close over the shell without squashing the decoder....chuck
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Reinhard
Driline wrote: At this point I think Atlas is the best. Even over Kato. I have several and they are the best running loco's I own.
At this point I think Atlas is the best. Even over Kato. I have several and they are the best running loco's I own.
Ten to twelve years ago, Kato was used as the standard as the best running/ detailed loco. All others were compared to it. Atlas has Kato beat by far on anything released lately. Kato seems to have gone to N scale and forgot about the HO market. P2K may not have the quality in the drive like Kato but Proto has almost surpassed all in prototypical detail.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
rs2mike wrote: I was wondering if the atlas gold or silver series were any good.
Gosh I hate to be the odd man out here... and I realize there can be a big difference between the scales but...
I have two Atlas MP15s Nscale and both are now sitting idle. Blown DCC decoders. I believe it is because of the motors and or running gear. The first unit ran great for about six months and then started to squeal really bad. I lubricated which help for a bit but eventually went back. Until the decoder overloaded and smoked. Same with the second. I also got in two sd40s and although they are still running, I noticed they are running rough too. No where near the quality of a Kato.
Just my two cents.
Peter
With very few exceptions, my entire roster is Atlas Classic or Silver series units. I find them smooth and quite runners, with good detailing on the Classics and excellent detailing on the Silvers. Well worth bidding on.
Nick
Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/
The DCC MP15DC has an MSRP of $249.95 but you could buy one for around $210.
The DC MP15DC has an MSRP of $139.95 but could could buy one for just under $118.
You can use those numbers as your bidding guideline.
They are getting scarce, though, and if memory serves they are being discontinued. Depending what road name you want, you may be in for more $.
c
Craig
DMW
Every Atlas I buy turns out to be my favorite. Now, if they'd only make steam engines.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Best Regards, Big John
Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona. Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the Kiva Valley Railway
Atlas units are fantastic, second only to KATO I would say but others will differ. I would definently but the bid in for $30. For a Gold series unit I myself would bid up to $150. that's just me,bid what you want
-sMOKE
Looked at a couple rs-1 on ebay and also a mp15....I was wondering if the atlas gold or silver series were any good. The mp15... was a gold series with a lot of detail parts and sound and dcc. But we all know dcc doesn't make them all run good. Any thoughts before i bid on these ho items for around 30.00