Upon returning from a long boat trip, I see some internet reports (forums) that someone had purchased an HH660 Gold Series loco and liked it, pulled 10 cars, etc. (I can't remember where I saw that...)
At the same time, I'm seeing March and April dates for arrival at hobby shops. This after the usual August/Sept./March/April (?!) dates from Atlas. I checked their site and wrote them an email. It's hard to understand if none, only some road names, all, have been released yet (ads out in magazines,etc.)
Just now, I noticed Trainworld lists them but I haven't received an email reply yet to see if they're truly in stock yet. Tony's Trains still lists them as pre-orders, so I'm guessing not...
Atlas' full page ad in MR had no date for availability. Several friends who've been calling their shops because they too are not sure what's available.
I'm specifically looking for a Northern Pacific version in case anyone happens to know of one or more's location. Trainworld's $175 price seemed about what I'd be hoping to pay.
Anyone know what the real deal is at this point? Thanks. More joy from the world of pre-orders, vapor ware advertising,et. al. I guess...
Thanks!
Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.
Capt,
The Atlas "Gold" (i.e. w/sound) HH600/600s are indeed out because I have one. The detailing and paint job of the shell is very, very nice and it purrs and crawls right along at speed step 001. eBay, M.B. Klein, Empire Northern, Trainworld, and other online stores have them available.
Capt, I see plenty of SP HH660s listed on the above sites. However, there are no NP versions listed. In fact, they aren't listed for either this run or the 1st run on the Atlas' site. It looks like, at this point, the only way you're going to get an NP HH660 switcher is to buy an undecorated one and paint and decal it yourself. I picked up an undecorated "Silver" version myself in the hopes of painting and decaling it one day as a "pre-1948" NYC HH600 switcher.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
The ads in MR are for a release of new paint schemes, this is the 2nd run. The Atlas web site says release date of March 2011 for the new pain schemes. If past performance is any indication , do not hold your breathe for March 2011..
Thanks, mokenarr. I didn't realize that Atlas was set for a 3rd run of the HH600/660s. Jim, I stand corrected. it looks like you will indeed see your NP HH660 sometime next late spring or early summer.
From the time of the "Container Shipping Date" to the time I got my HH600 into my hands was ~3-1/2 months. There was some delay with the vendor I bought it from because his supplier wasn't shipping for some reason.
Bottom line: I'm very happy with the locomotive - delays and all.
Ah....THAT explains everything! Thanks mokenarr and Tom. Nowehere had I seen any mention of different runs for different road names being spread out like that. No wonder we're all so confused. I even went to a train show today and two vendors (brick and mortar stores) had no idea what was what, exactly...
Well, while I'm waiting, Tom, how many cars will your HH660 pull in the yard (flat) and also on grades if any?
My fall back after NP was Milwaukee Road... lst the sound versions of Spectrum Consolidateds vanished now this... sheesh. The things we have to do to get our choice of (road) switchers these days!
Capt. GrimekNo wonder we're all so confused. I even went to a train show today and two vendors (brick and mortar stores) had no idea what was what, exactly...
I was talking to a DCC dealer at a local train show yesterday if he had heard when the NCE CAB-06 throttles might be released. He told me he hadn't even seen a picture of one yet. So, yea, even some of the dealers aren't up on everything.
Capt, I don't have any grades on my layout but I will test out my HH600 to see what it's pulling capacity is. It should also be listed in a MR review. I'll check online and get back to you.
MR's online Staff Review has the following on the Atlas HH600/660s:
Performance. Our sample switcher started and ran smoothly at one scale mph. This excellent performance continued throughout the model's speed range. The switcher's drawbar pull is equivalent to 31 free-rolling freight cars on straight and level track.
The above, I presume, was done on flat, straight track. I have curves on my layout. That should reduce that overall number a bit.
Do keep in mind that these models only had 600 or 660 HP. So they weren't used to pull a large number of cars behind them.