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Personal experience with Atlas

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  • Member since
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Personal experience with Atlas
Posted by charlie9 on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 10:40 AM

Like many others I am quick to complain when I think things are not right.  I feel I should speak up when they do go right for a change.

I acquired a bunch of Branchline Blueprint kits long ago and finally got around to working on some of them.  Through a packaging error, some small parts were missing.  Knowing that Branchline had been bought out by Atlas, I had little hope of getting what I needed.

An e-mail to Atlas brought an immediate response and they shipped me the parts in a few days for free.  Perhaps I was lucky and they just happened to have what I needed but the end result was gratifying to say the least.

Charlie

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  • From: NW Pa Snow-belt.
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Posted by ricktrains4824 on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 10:46 AM

Good to see a compliment on customer service for a change.... Most do not post these kinds of things. 

Yes, most companies out there still know how to take care of their customers!

Ricky W.

HO scale Proto-freelancer.

My Railroad rules:

1: It's my railroad, my rules.

2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.

3: Any objections, consult above rules.

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Posted by BRAKIE on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 10:55 AM

charlie9
An e-mail to Atlas brought an immediate response and they shipped me the parts in a few days for free. Perhaps I was lucky and they just happened to have what I needed but the end result was gratifying to say the least. Charlie

 

Charlie,Actually Atlas carries parts that where I use to get  my detail parts like horns,non working roof mounted strobe lights,mu hoses and other items for various locomotive detailing projects. I found a regular supplier so I no longer order direct.

IMHO Atlas is a top notch company with great products and customer service. Even my old Atlas/Roco Alco S-4s is still running strong and smooth.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

Moderator
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Posted by tstage on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 11:17 AM

Ya' know, Charlie, you're not going to get very many supporting posts to this thread until you wise up and start complaining about something. Confused  Complaining threads seem to get 10x the amount of posts that kudos threads do.

At any rate, I had a decoder query that I emailed to Atlas recently and they responded back in less than 24 hours.  They are indeed good company and make great diesels.  Wish they'd get into HO steam locomotives.  Oh, sorry - I'm complaining now...

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Posted by RR_Mel on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 11:28 AM

I too have had extremely good experience with Atlas.  Several years ago when I was building my own double crossover from Atlas turnouts I called and talked to a very sharp engineer type that not only answered my questions but sent me four #6 turnouts and a 19° crossover to use.  My Atlas double crossover works perfect, better than any of the manufactured double crossovers that I bought over a ten year period and ended up either trashing or returning.
 
Atlas gets my vote for one the best Customer Service Departments out there.  
 
 
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
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Posted by PRR8259 on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 11:32 AM

Atlas customer service is one of the very few companies I have never had to deal with at all because all the Atlas products I ever bought just ran and ran and ran.  None of them ever failed.

John

  • Member since
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  • From: Fruita, CO
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Posted by slammin on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 12:34 PM

A few years ago, I bought a used Atlas Master series Gold HH660 diesel. There was no factory paperwork with it, and using the loco number and 03 brought no response from the decoder. The seller couldn't remember the number, saying he changed it because there was already a diesel at his club with that number. I called Atlas customer service for help. Within a hour a tech called me back and walked me thru the reset procedure. Luckily I had a reset wand with another Atlas diesel. I feel their customr service is among the best!

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Posted by ATSFGuy on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 3:50 PM

Slammin,

Someone in our club has an ATSF RS-3 in the "Zebra Stripes" and it has a really bright headlight!

Do Atlas locomotive headlights shine brighter than the ones in Athearn Genesis units?

 

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Posted by PRR8259 on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 3:58 PM

It depends upon the date of the run.

For example, Alco C424 and C425 models in the Classic Series from approximately 2002 and 2003 production have dim headlights, amber, and not real bright, but later production units even in the same roadname may have brighter, whiter, lights.

Atlas makes improvements with every run that are not always readily noticeable.  You can look through past products on their website, by item number or road number, to figure out what version you have.

It is fair to say many Athearn Genesis units are not known for having "good" lights.  They have a reputation for the lights not lasting, as well.

John

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    June 2007
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Posted by riogrande5761 on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 4:07 PM

Ja ja Swen!

Atlas has been very responsive to me too when I had a product issue and took care of it quickly.  Kudo's to Atlas.  Go team!

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 4:13 PM

tstage

Ya' know, Charlie, you're not going to get very many supporting posts to this thread until you wise up and start complaining about something.  

Tom, I agree with you. I hate threads like this where manufacturers are commended for their outstanding customer service. I have all kinds of Atlas products including locos, flex track, turnouts, just to name a few. I have nothing to complain about because Atlas products are flawless. This upsets me because it prevents me from starting a thread flaming Atlas. IMHO, Charlie should be banned for praising Atlas, even though the company deserves the praise.  Laugh

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by bogp40 on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 8:44 PM

Thought this was to be a complaint post and was ready to defend Atlas.  They alwas have been a great company, never had an issue when contacting or ordering. Half of my roster is Atlas Master and Classic. Not once have I had an issue with any of the 20 locos. The only better performing ones that I have are The Stewart/ Kato Fs. Glad to hear they helped out w/ the Branchline.

Good boost for Atlas....Not they they really need it

Modeling B&O- Chessie  Bob K.  www.ssmrc.org

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Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 9:43 PM

Since we are complimenting Atlas on their excellent business practices, I just picked up a couple of Atlas Master Line 40' USRA rebuilt steel boxcar kits and I am duly impressed.

In the past I have shied away from spending more than $15.00 - $20.00 on kits so the Atlas offerings were not something I considered. However, I got two of the above undecorated kits  for $17.00 each $Cdn. They are very well done, and in fact they have given me a reason to look at other kits from Atlas and others at higher price points.

My fleet of BB box cars might just get a run for their money in the future.

Regards all,

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by BRAKIE on Thursday, May 26, 2016 6:57 AM

richhotrain
 
tstage

Ya' know, Charlie, you're not going to get very many supporting posts to this thread until you wise up and start complaining about something.  

 

 

Tom, I agree with you. I hate threads like this where manufacturers are commended for their outstanding customer service. I have all kinds of Atlas products including locos, flex track, turnouts, just to name a few. I have nothing to complain about because Atlas products are flawless. This upsets me because it prevents me from starting a thread flaming Atlas. IMHO, Charlie should be banned for praising Atlas, even though the company deserves the praise.  Laugh

 

Rich

 

Ok.Here ya go guys.

SoapBox Atlas got the engineer's hat the wrong color! I cancel my order of 15 GP38s. SoapBox  LaughLaughLaugh

Seriously I love my Atlas engines from my antique Atlas/Roco S-4s to my Classic Geeps.. No real complaints here.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

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Posted by rgengineoiler on Thursday, May 26, 2016 8:30 AM

In my dealings I commend Atlas and think they go out of their way to help their customers.  I have never had a negative thing to say concerning Atlas.   Doug

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Posted by yougottawanta on Thursday, May 26, 2016 11:26 AM

I would like to add my voice to the positive column for Atlas. I purchased some old stuff second hand that had never been opened. I found some parts missing. They were kind enough to mail me the stock items that they still manufactured or had in stock. I was impressed.

YGW

  • Member since
    July 2005
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Posted by nucat78 on Thursday, May 26, 2016 12:24 PM

How soon one forgets the China debacle.  And I must say that my C83 Atlas #6 turnouts seem to have a weird kink to them.  But maybe that's just my eyes going.

So I switched (no pun intended) to Peco.  However, all my Atlas engines run like a breeze and experience has taught me to buy only Atlas or Kato.  Great web site too.

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Posted by JimL on Thursday, May 26, 2016 12:34 PM

Atlas feels like an old friend to me.

And, their parts department has gone out of their way to help me.

Loyal customer.

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