Does anyone have, or know of, an older release of an Atlas GP7, released prior to 2001? I have a “train source” guy that I get motive power and rolling stock from quite frequently; he buys and sells at train shows. I know that, by the livery on this locomotive (Erie) that it is not the 2001 release, as they did not offer it in that road name for that release. I will be going over to his place tomorrow to look at it, and likely buy it.
If anyone has any experience or other information, I would like to know. Also, what was the going price was for this offering at that time.
HO or N? If HO, are you talking about the yellow box or red box. I think the color the box Atlas diesels came in helps to define where they were made and how etc. I used to own some Atlas yellow box GP7’s and eventually sold them because the D&RGW version had black paint which looked dark gray, and the orange looked too deep reddish. Atlas later re-released the GP9 in their “Classic” series in a red box, which they had made some improvements to the old version, and offered new paint jobs.
The box will tell you something about the version/release.
Ohj, I’m sorry, that was HO scale. I don’t know what box it comes in, as I have not seen the model yet. Yes, I am familiar with the “yellow box” Atlas locos in HO and I do own some. They’re the best running locomotives have. That’s right, I’d almost forgotten about that era of releases. Some of my Atlas yellow box acquisitions date as far back as about 1994.
I have one or two of the Yellow & Red box ones. THese were the ones that are listed as having Kato drives in them. They run really well for me in my DC envioronment. They also have the cast frame that is also the Walkways & Pilots, & only the Cab, Long & Short hoods are plastic.
I do not know if that is a concern, but over all they work well, pull well, & yes I would buy more.
I can’t speak to the ne Classic line, as I do not have that version here.
Hope that helps.
The yellow box Atlas diesels had more than one maker. For example the GP40’s were made by Roco in Austria IIRC, and the GP7’s and possibly the RS3’s had KATO drives. Pretty much all of the Atlas yellow box diesel ran very well.
The yellow box GP40’s originally were $45 MRSP, but that was like early 1980’s prices. People try to sell them for well above MSRP on Ebay, which is kinda nutty.
And those same yellow box engines can be found for $30-45.00 at most train shows.The red box between $50.00-65.00.
I bought my yellow box GP7 for $25.00…He was asking $30.00 but,while I was looking at it,he made a lower price offer…I was just about ready to fork over the $30.00.[(-D]
RS-3’s, I can find cheap, but the older GP-7’s all seem to go for way more than the similar Proto Geep, could never figure that one out since the Protos are much finer detailed. I haven’t come across too many older Atlas Geeps at train shows, they do appear often on eBay - but often go for well over $100 - nuts!
I have a stack of the Atlas/Kato RS-3’s in undecorated form all just waiting for extra details and a paint job. With the mix of motive power when I have these all done, it will be easy to see I am an Alco fan, and RS-3’s in particular. But then, it was the single biggest class of first generation diesel power on my prototype as well.
Thanks, guys! I now will have some sort of an idea what this piece will be worth. Most of the older releases that this guy has sold me are still in-the-box new. He is yet to steer me wrong and he sells everything from low-end Bachmann and BB Athearn to brass. I consider him quite an honest man and he doesn’t try to gouge on price.
Yes, I think as long as the price is right, probably in the $30-50 range for yellow box Atlas, depending on the model, it should be good!
The only yellow box Atlas I have left in my roster is the D&RGW bumble bee black and yellow RS3, which as mentioned above is a KATO drive. I paid $60 for it back in the early 1990’s which back then was alot.