Jim,I was stating a fact about dry runs..
Right, but - but the "why" for this "dryness" is the salient point and the focus of my worry. This dry spell appears to be a result of difficulties recovering from factory issues, rather than just a "dry" period for the sake of "dryness".
As far as new products..What's left for them to do since Athearn/Genesis has things covered?
Well, thats for Atlas to figure out and of course has always been the "trick" for any successful model run. Do the research, and take the risk. ER just did that with the Bethlehem 3483 coal cars and the Rio Grande version is flying out of stock at $39 a pop. I'm told quite a few folks bought lots of 48 and one 4 times that many. Conclusion: Other MR companies seem to be thinking of things to produce, are producing them and they are selling. I'm patronizing many of these products as my budget allows.
Atlas doesn't need to get left at the station as the old saying goes. Yes, Atlas has been announcing some things so if the announcements are picking up, they more things should eventually be coming out of the pipe down the road. But more notably, their HO staple, the diesel is still taking a long time recover. And what about new diesels. Others have pointed out that much of what has been announced or is coming out the pipe are more runs based on old tooling too.
I will acknowledging that Atlas is a great brand name, but right now they seem to be relying more on past reputation and they just seem to be making a very slow recovery and until they get back to how they were 6 or 7 years ago, I'm a bit worried, thats all. I do hope they get it together and become a major player again.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I've been very pleased with their Gold Line(DCC, and sound) of Diesels.
I have a "philosophical" question? Why do manufactures have to keep coming up with "new" stuff to make?
Fact is, I suupect, based on the constant re-running of previously issued products, that just like in the "old days" there is still lots of market for the old stuff.
Fact is people enter and leave the hobby all the time. I suspect some of the new people would love to buy some of stuff offered 5 years ago? 10 years ago? 25 years ago.
Yes, 25 years ago - much of it is of fine quality and detail and is just relivant to modeling today as it was then.
And somehow I doubt every person who wanted it bought one the first few times around. And some people simply want more of the same - I have nine Spectrum USRA Heavy Mountains, I did not buy them all on the same day..........
Fact is people leave or become inactive and don't always "sell off" their stuff on EBay. Fact is not everyone want to buy "used" stuff on Ebay to get those items once offered but currently not available.
FACT is model trains have always been produced in "batches". The only difference now is that the manufacturers tell you that, rather than hide that fact from you.
In the old days they wanted you think their products were always available, so you would have confidence in buying them. Today they play on the "limited" availablity crap to get you to buy it now.
Atlas will sort out their "source" problems, just like Athearn did. They will make lots more track, locos, etc. They will continue to sell most all they can make.
We could only hope for a return to the idea of having products on hand before trying to sell them - this idea applies to ALL the manufacturers - except mabe Bachmann who still actually produces model trains and then sells them - what a crazy idea.
Still missing the days when product was "on the shelf".
And Atlas is still on of the GREAT companies in this business.
Sheldon
The only answer I can think is a practical one - manufacturers are businesses and need to make money. Apparently, and this is must me observing (I didn't major in business) it seems companies need to come out with new products to keep that old dollar rolling in at a rate necessary to keep their business healthy and booming.
Fact is, I suspect, based on the constant re-running of previously issued products, that just like in the "old days" there is still lots of market for the old stuff. Fact is people enter and leave the hobby all the time. I suspect some of the new people would love to buy some of stuff offered 5 years ago? 10 years ago? 25 years ago. Yes, 25 years ago - much of it is of fine quality and detail and is just relivant to modeling today as it was then.
Fact is, train model manufacturers are reacting to the market and selling what people are buying, and have changed to meet those demands. By way of one of many examples, Athearn's conclusion was that there actually wasn not lots of market for the old stuff. So they discontinued it. Others have followed suite and there is a much smaller market now for the production of the old stuff, like kits. That market isn't gone of course, but it's much smaller.
I've noticed a lot of that old stuff at the train shows on the secondary market - don't know if it is selling but for folks who want that stuff, its out there in boxes that are getting worn out from being moved back and forth to show after show. Anyway, if you know some of these folks who are getting back into the hobby and need/want inexpensive kits and old school models, just point those them to the front door of the trains show and they will find tons of stuff.
But I counter with the fact is that companies don't want to produce stuff they don't feel they can sell. Apparently they know from experience that there is tons of that stuff out there on Ebay or train shows and simply don't want to risk their own capitol in what seems to be a poor risk. Thats how I read the tone of the manufacturers over the past 5-10 years. So you'll have to convince them or if you are convinced you are right, then open up your own company and delve into producing those products. If you are right, they will sell and you will be successful.
FACT is model trains have always been produced in "batches". The only difference now is that the manufacturers tell you that, rather than hide that fact from you. In the old days they wanted you think their products were always available, so you would have confidence in buying them. Today they play on the "limited" availablity crap to get you to buy it now. Atlas will sort out their "source" problems, just like Athearn did. They will make lots more track, locos, etc. They will continue to sell most all they can make. We could only hope for a return to the idea of having products on hand before trying to sell them - this idea applies to ALL the manufacturers - except mabe Bachmann who still actually produces model trains and then sells them - what a crazy idea. Still missing the days when product was "on the shelf". Sheldon
I hope Atlas sort it out too. Time will tell but it's taking them longer than the others to bounce back. I suppose Hurricaine Sandy didn't help either.
As for "on the shelf" products, didn't Atlas try that with the Trainman line and in the end, they weren't able to keep up with that either and are back to production run mode? I can't tell you how many topics of laments and unhappiness I've read about the limited production run model used in the hobby for the many years. I don't like it anymore than anyone else, but it seems bringing it up over and over and expressing unhappiness about it never changes anything. Manufacturers do what works best for them financially and as my wifes mother used to say " we get what we are given" and have to be happy with it!
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Jim,What to make? Should they make (say) a SD18 that most modelers will be moan because they can't use it?
Should they make a Krauss-Maffel lettered for Rio Grand and SP only? I can hear the cheers and jeers now.
How about another SD70ace?
Another GP7/9 when the market is still stocked with the Geneses Geeps nearing blowout prices?
The market is glutted with new and old products awaiting buyers.
There has to be a reason beyond doom and gloom of the economy .I can think of several things off hand.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
caldreamer You do NOT want to know my real opinion of Atlas. It is unprintable. As far as I am concerned they ar liars and frauds. They have been promising to deliver their code 55 track with dates it will be in the dealers hands many times and it never appears. They are not even providing VAPROI WARE. I am changing to Micro Engineering track for my entire layout as soon as Christmas is over. Ira
You do NOT want to know my real opinion of Atlas. It is unprintable. As far as I am concerned they ar liars and frauds. They have been promising to deliver their code 55 track with dates it will be in the dealers hands many times and it never appears. They are not even providing VAPROI WARE. I am changing to Micro Engineering track for my entire layout as soon as Christmas is over.
Ira
Ira,
I assume you don't work in manufacturing; nor have you ever had to change suppliers in a limited business? Not a small task. Glitches and delays happen. At least you have an alternative.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Jim, What to make? Should they make (say) a SD18 that most modelers will be moan because they can't use it? Should they make a Krauss-Maffel lettered for Rio Grand and SP only? I can hear the cheers and jeers now. How about another SD70ace? Another GP7/9 when the market is still stocked with the Geneses Geeps nearing blowout prices? The market is glutted with new and old products awaiting buyers. There has to be a reason beyond doom and gloom of the economy .I can think of several things off hand.
I don't know if any of the above loco's are good candidates or not. If the market is glutted, then maybe thats that. But that doesn't seem to be totally the case. Maybe it's too early to tell, but Athearn Genesis is cranking out highly detailed models and there seems to be a market for them.
Maybe like computers and TV's, the way to keep making money in some markets is to offer something compelling enough that people are willing to part with their money because they like it that much more than what they had. Apple has become experts in the past 10 years - keep offering the next best item to keep the money rolling in and it's been working like a magic spell cast over the electonic users market. My wife and I live in the northern Virginia area and people are literally giving away, for free or very cheap, tube TV's, nice stereo systems, and other very nice items. Why? Because people have put out money to upgrade and buy newer things in the same genre. You can get nice used desktop computers because people aren't using them much after they got their sexy laptop. People are selling nice stereo's for cheap because they don't use them anymore after they went digital and use their Iphone or MP3 player nearly all the time now. People are upgrading to really huge flat screen TV's so you can even pick up 50 inch flat screens for bargain prices. Tube TV's are given away for free. My wife and I went and picked up two recently, very decent TV's - someone was offering two 19-inch and a 13-inch, come and get'em. This is common, just look on the Fairfax VA craigs list.
Anway, I said all that to illustrate an application where that concept seems to transfers to the train hobby. That same mentality plays into the model train genre - the upgrade merry-go-round creates a market, even when there is a glut of product out there. THAT seems to be one of the major markets which Atlas needs to exploit to boost them back onto the pedistal of one of the top dogs. Cases in point, people upgrading to more detailed rolling stock or engines when a better, more accurate, more detailed items comes out. Athearn Genesis is a leader here. ExactRail has burst on the market and is dominating in freight cars. Walthers is joining in too.
People are striving for more realsim "off the shelf" and manufacturers are responding. Another case in point, the Walthers D&RGW quad hoppers were fetching major money on Ebay because of their signature nature in the 70's, 80's and 90's world of railroading. Sensing the pent up demand, ExactRail has recently offered their version of that model at more than twice the price and they are flying out. I'm told of people ordering all 48 numbers in one whack, some many more. So basically savvy manufacturers are striking gold by figuring out what will make people open their wallets. It's happening, all you have to do is watch.
So despite the doom and gloom economy, there are some major pockets being emptied. I don't have the answers but I can see major pattern here - so I know it's possible. Maybe this is a vein of gold Atlas needs to tap into, but it looks like to do that will take some major savvy, major risk in $$ because much of the "gold" seem to be in some highly detailed, highly sought after models. But one must choose wisely, thats for sure. It would be great to see Atlas step up their game and run with the big dogs!
I have one complaint about Atlas N-scale rolling stock. The trucks are garbage. They do not roll freely at all. I bought a bunch of coal cars (15) and am having to replace every singe truck (with Micro-Trains trucks). It is so bad that backing up through a turnout causes the front cars to derail. It is not just the coal cars, but every piece of Atlas rolling stock I have. I continue to buy the rolling stock because of the detail and availability of certain cars, e.g. Santa Fe piggy-backs.
Richard
Richard,
I normally replace the wheel sets and couplers with Proto 2000 and Kadee #58/#158s on ALL my HO rolling stock - whoever the manufacturer is. It's worth the added expense for both smooth running and reliably coupled cars.
riogrande5761I don't know if any of the above loco's are good candidates or not. If the market is glutted, then maybe thats that. But that doesn't seem to be totally the case. Maybe it's too early to tell, but Athearn Genesis is cranking out highly detailed models and there seems to be a market for them.
Jim,If you check some on line shops and e-Bay that may not be the case.MBK still has lots of Genesis in stock as does several others..
-------------------------------------------
People are striving for more realsim "off the shelf" and manufacturers are responding. Another case in point, the Walthers D&RGW quad hoppers were fetching major money on Ebay because of their signature nature in the 70's, 80's and 90's world of railroading.
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Some but,not all..Bachmann DCC on board and DCC/Sound locomotives seems to be selling quite well.
Again check several on line shops.I fully believe a price level has been reached-the golden price goose is sick..
Any way Atlas needs not run with the pack since they are the leader.I fail to see a over abundance of their cars and locomotives at most on line shops like I do the other brands.
Atlas will rock the hobby with a newer engine..Its a matter of time.
And as you will recall Atlas keeps mum about their new projects.They won't even confirm or deny a new car or locomotive tooliing is in the works..They know and will say nothing until the time for placing pre orders.
I was speaking in broad terms when I was talking about the trends in what I see that companies are producing in response to customer demand. There will always be some items, road names etc. that are poor performers among the "herd". That has always been the case.
Right. And personally I think that is consistant with the trend I was describing above. You sell product by offering people something better than what they had. That certainly includes different levels in the market. Not everyon is upgrading to "top shelf". Some are may be upgrading from Tyco or older cruder trains to what Bachmann is now offering, which are nicely painted, run better and some even have sound and DCC built in! Of course there are some who are just entering into the hobby and not upgrading too, and Bachman is their gate way to the hobby at a more modest price. Maybe some day, those people will get into it to the point they start to look for more protypical correctness, and upgrade when they are fully hooked! ;-) Others will be content with that level in the hobby. Nuttin wrong with that.
In know it sounds like sacrilidge Larry, but Atlas "was" the leader, not "is" the leader. Thats how I see it based on products shipped in the past couple years, not the past. I still like Atlas, I will still recommend them to others, and I will still buy their products. Thats just what I see with my own eyes. It's also why I feel a little sad, because to me Atlas was always top #1 or tied with 1st place.
Atlas will rock the hobby with a newer engine..Its a matter of time. And as you will recall Atlas keeps mum about their new projects.They won't even confirm or deny a new car or locomotive tooliing is in the works..They know and will say nothing until the time for placing pre orders.
Thats all a moot point what is done in secret, since it is no benefit to us. What matters is what is produced, and I think most folks in the hobby since the 70's or 80's can agree with that. Shipped product is what will prove to us that Atlas is taking back the crown. Like I said, I'm not rooting for their demise, that does no one any good. It is what it is, and I do hope they kick some serious butt. That can only be a good thing.
riogrande5761In know it sounds like sacrilidge Larry, but Atlas "was" the leader, not "is" the leader.
Considering the overall picture Atlas still seems to be the pack leader since you hear or read very few CQ complaints like you do with some brands that thinks their selves top dog..You read and heard the complaints as same as I have.Atlas still have monthly release.
Never forget for over 50 years I was a loyal Athearn customer( 80% of my cars are Athearn and 60% of my engines are Athean and 30% Atlas and 9% P2K,1% other Wathers/Bachman) now,its look before buying because of their ongoing QC problems.
I have no problems buying a older Atlas yellow or red box locomotive or a older P2K locomotive but,think twice about buying the newer RTR Athearn locomotive and won't touch a Genesis locomotive.
Pains me to say that.
Actually Athearn is a very bad example. If you closely examine the current Athearn "Ready to Roll" product line, you will find that a large percentage of it is made with the exact same tooling that was used for the Blue Box kits (and the yellow boxed ones before that).
The only things that have changed about those products are better wheels, knuckle couplers, better paint jobs and the biggie - they now come ready to run.
BUT, Athearn offered those cars ready to run from about 1958 until about 1969 - so even that is not "new".
The same 34' hoppers, steel reefers, cabooses, flat cars with vans, etc, etc,etc, etc, that have been the backbone of the Athearn product line for 50 years - still are the backbone of the Athearn product line. And again, this varies somewhat with what era you model - but even many newer cars are old Blue Box or Model Die Cast kits revamped into RTR.
And they are still selling 10's of thousands of them - imagine that?
So actually, Athearn is still selling a lot of the same stuff they sold in 1965, or 1973, or 1981, or 1990...............
You have made it clear in other posts that your interest is with more detailed, "higher end" type rolling stock, but the fact remains much of that old stuff is still in production, in somecases with some nice upgrades, and still sells rather well.
The offering of "new" stuff that has never been done is always good - but this hobby needs a fair amount of "staples" to remain available if the hobby is to remain healthy - the hobby must be healthy for the industry to be healthy.
BRAKIEer.I fail to see a over abundance of their cars and locomotives at most on line shops like I do the other brands.
Russell
csxns BRAKIE er.I fail to see a over abundance of their cars and locomotives at most on line shops like I do the other brands. Come to the shop that i go to he had a locomotive half price sale and Atlas he had the most of and still has atlas loco's that did not sale at half and he has lots of Atlas rolling stock on the shelf too.
BRAKIE er.I fail to see a over abundance of their cars and locomotives at most on line shops like I do the other brands.
Come to the shop that i go to he had a locomotive half price sale and Atlas he had the most of and still has atlas loco's that did not sale at half and he has lots of Atlas rolling stock on the shelf too.
Love too..A shop with new old stock can be a treasure trove.
Most on line shops don't have much Atlas in stock.
Considering the overall picture Atlas still seems to be the pack leader since you hear or read very few CQ complaints like you do with some brands that thinks their selves top dog..You read and heard the complaints as same as I have.Atlas still have monthly release. I have no problems buying a older Atlas yellow or red box locomotive or a older P2K locomotive but,think twice about buying the newer RTR Athearn locomotive and won't touch a Genesis locomotive. Pains me to say that.
Yes, Atlas has always had one of the best quality ratings -there's no denying that. Again, thats past reputation mainly, AND present too, but present has a much smaller "sample" due to the drop off in production which is what I have alluded to why I say Atlas has slipped in the unofficial rankings - well HO anyway - I don't know much about other scales to be fair. Aside from the few QC problems they've had like the centerbeams, they've maintained a good QC reputation. Sure.
In my experience and based on what I've read from others, Athearn has improved their QC. You speak of thinking twice about buying RTR - we've been down that road in discussions before, but I'll repeat briefly. I can't really think twice because they make "signature" diesels I need, namely tunnel motors and yes, SD45's also. I haven't tested all of mine but some that I have ran like KATO's or nearly so. In the looks department, they look great. Nuff said. I read your comments about Athearn through the filter of some bias, of which I'm guilty of. But my discussion above in the trends I see are mainly based on what I see being produced, shipped and sold together with comments I see by modelers on various forums etc. I still maintain my broad generalizations as to what I see and keep in mind there are statistical "outlyers". It seems the companies are banking much of their business on offering new exciting products that will make people want to upgrade or replace what they had/have. I'll even throw you a bone that Atlas knows this too, and before things went "south" for a while, they offered the SP GP40-2 with prototypical details in a similar vein as the Genesis loco's, light packages, plows, extra detail etc. Same with the CN GP40-s'.
Actually Athearn is a very bad example. If you closely examine the current Athearn "Ready to Roll" product line, you will find that a large percentage of it is made with the exact same tooling that was used for the Blue Box kits (and the yellow boxed ones before that). The only things that have changed about those products are better wheels, knuckle couplers, better paint jobs and the biggie - they now come ready to run. BUT, Athearn offered those cars ready to run from about 1958 until about 1969 - so even that is not "new". So actually, Athearn is still selling a lot of the same stuff they sold in 1965, or 1973, or 1981, or 1990...............
The KEY thing now is that people have more disposable in come than back when they discontinued the RTR stuff - I was too young to remember that stuff btw. Indeed Athearn is selling that stuff and the market has obviously changed so a majority of people prefer to buy RTR rather than kits. YEs yes, I'm aware of a vocal group of people on the forums that talk about kits kit kits. Anyway, any argument about the lack of kit production, direct it to Athearn et al. not me. They were the ones who shut it down. I'm a bystander. Athearn has significantly improved some of those old tooled models however as they've put them out in RTR form, such as the MDC Hi-side Thrall gones, 5-bay Ortner Rapid Discharge hoppers. Others with just the much better paint jobs alone, made many people happy to buy them. And quite frankly some of the RTR line is quite nice. Thats one of the conundrums of the Athearn line. I've got tones of the Fruehauf RTR trailers.
Actually what I was trying to make clear is that the manufacturers have perceived there are lots of people who are interested in more detailed/higher end stuff and they are catering to them; not so much me. Forget aobut me! I can't afford much of it so they must be responding to people with fatter wallets than me. ;-) But sure, I like it. Whats not to like?
The offering of "new" stuff that has never been done is always good - but this hobby needs a fair amount of "staples" to remain available if the hobby is to remain healthy - the hobby must be healthy for the industry to be healthy. Sheldon
Ain't nuttin wrong with offering some existing tooled rolling stock improved, nothing at all. In fact, that is part of the pholosophy that is helping fuel the hobby is again, give hobbiest a reason to open their wallets. Really your comments IMO augments the points I'm trying to make.
The Atlas line is short in supply at any LHS I have visited in recent months. I like their products in general but prefer details for specific railroads, which Atlas has not done in the past.
CZ
Soo Line fan If I were to write a report or create a slide show on what a excellent company vs a bad company was. Atlas would be my pick for the excellent and Model Power would be my pick for the bad.
If I were to write a report or create a slide show on what a excellent company vs a bad company was. Atlas would be my pick for the excellent and Model Power would be my pick for the bad.
Except for a handful of structures that have kitbash potential, Model Power is pretty easy to avoid dealing with once you are beyond the trainset and add-on level, although their old E units were popular back when nobody else was offering a plastic E7, and I recall a small steam loco of Brazilian manufacture that was very nice looking. Out of curiosity, I just went to the Walthers website and searched the entire Model Power line. Much of it is not available, or has delivery dates well into 2014, and a fair amount of it is marked Discontinued. In fact there is not all that much Model Power you or your dealer could get today from Walthers. Not a great situation to be in three weeks before Christmas for an entry level train firm. Interestingly the same is true of Walthers' own Life-Like line: much of it is Discontinued or unavailable, and that includes things in their slot car line, and some things that are available are deeply discounted. Sounds like Walthers has taken the Proto lines, integrated them into its own brands, and might be prepared to let Life-Like wither -- which again should not mean much for a modeler advanced enough to be on these Forums, except for such sad things as the Discontinued status of that old standby, the kitbasher's delight: Mt Vernon Mfg.
riogrande5761The KEY thing now is that people have more disposable in come than back when they discontinued the RTR stuff - I was too young to remember that stuff btw.
Jim,Here's the thing about RTR..IF it was brass or Varney and RTR no big deal but,simple Athearn kits? Laughable at best.
As far as income surely you gest? Recall back in the 50-60s a good Union manufacturing job was easy to come by or you could work in a nonunion shop for $1.65-2.00 a hour.The choice was no brainer..Construction and railroad job was top paying jobs as was steel mills.
A solid 10 year old use car would set you back $40-100.00.A Big Mac was 25 cents.A coke was 15 cents most places.Times was great.
White Castle,burger, 5 cents, No Golden Arch, big mac's back then, cheezburger cheezburger, no coke, pepsi.
Cheers,
Frank
BRAKIE As far as income surely you gest? Recall back in the 50-60s
Well, really I'll let you be the expert about those days. You set the clock on the "way back" machine to times I was in just a wee lad! You got me!
Love atlas N scale stuff, they make up half of my freight car fleet, and a couple locomotives soon to be more as I need as many RS3's and GP9's as I can get to build a modest SP&S fleet. that and they support Lowell smith signature models, whom gets N scale SP&S models produced.
and the guy who's calling them frauds for not yet having Code 55 N scale track, they're getting to it. I sold mine off so I could switch to peco's code 55.
SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide
Gary DuPrey
N scale model railroader
In general they seem pretty good, but for almost everything I've bought of theirs, there was something disappointing. The Alco and later geep frames have the weight under the engine too wide, which distorts the fuel tanks. The GP7 has a one piece cast walkway/frame/tank, which is no good if you want to model a deskirted locomotive, the C424 doesn't come in non-dynamic version, but they still sell them decorated as non-dynamic prototypes, the walkway on the C424 radiator is molded on, the B23-7 radiator is too narrow, the 23,500 tank car is tapered while the prototype is constant width, and the coupler pockets on some of the boxcars are glued on, so I can't figure out how to replace these silly accu-mates with Kadees.
I hear they finally fixed the RS-3 exhaust, though.
The GP7 been around for years-started with the yellow box..Its no more..Atlas reported the dies are worn out.
As far as the C424 you talking about the yellow box,red box or Classic which is basically the same engine with minor improvements?
One can nitpic any brand.
The first run of Genesis Trinity 3 bay covered hopper you couldn't even use KD couplesr since the coupler box was too narrow.I don't know if Athearn ever corrected that problem.
Atlas wasn't alone in having a first-generation geep that could not be de-skirted, but that doesn't make it not disappointing, and not matter how old the tooling was it doesn't change the fact they were still running them in 2007. The C424 was the latest run, announced in 2009.
I am aware of those Genesis cars, and I have a pair and like the Atlas boxcars I mentioned above they won't ever run on the club layout, since club standards demand metal couplers. And I will credit Atlas that when they did the same sort of coupler on their Thrall gondola it came with alternate coupler boxes compatable with the Kadee 178 (at least for the run I picked up).
I can certainly understand why Atlas made the decisions they did that lead to the disappointments I mentioned, except for the B23-7, which also has a few other dimensional errors, given that their C30-7, which is so old they don't even list it on their website, seems to have gotten the dimensions just about spot-on. Well, that and gluing the coupler boxes on. You should never glue coupler boxes on.
ckape I have a pair and like the Atlas boxcars I mentioned above they won't ever run on the club layout, since club standards demand metal couplers.
Would those just happen be the former Branch line FMC 5077?
I read about those problems and from my understanding one would damage the braking detail if he tried to completely remove the coupler box.
Another discussion by bored model railroaders. yes I am bored also.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
BRAKIEThe first run of Genesis Trinity 3 bay covered hopper you couldn't even use KD couplesr since the coupler box was too narrow.I don't know if Athearn ever corrected that problem. Add Quote to
For those of you being sad that Atlas hasn't introduce any new locos, consider this:
http://www.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/hos2.htm#.UqJZoRxiBmg
Yes, they've made an Alco S-2 before, but please look at the specs. This reads (and hopefully is) as a new loco. And PLEASE consider how many railroads used the S-2. While there have been a couple of VERY nice little diesel switchers out in the last few years (from Atlas and Walthers, fer example), this new one looks like it might be the only quality widely-used diesel switcher anyone's producing. Oops, no, there's new stuff like Athearn's SW1500; so, I'll modify that to "transition" switchers. So, what are the common transition diesel switchers? I'll nominate the Alco S-2 and EMD's NW2/SW7. And no one's doing the latter bunch as a class act. Yet.
So, Atlas may well be dominating the high quality transition diesel switcher market.
To me, that's a really good business move. We'll see how it works out. Meanwhile, I am REALLY looking forward to my upcoming model of GN 1. Imagine, I'll have the one spot of a major railroad. Tres cool!
Ed
Ed,I figure Atlas would rock the hobby and they did..WOW!
Guys,read all the goodies-don't forget the part about all new tooling.