This review is on Atlas’s newest version of the Master Silver Series HO DASH 8-40B.[:D]
Atlas’s 8-40B is so far the best detailed and best running engine I own. It comes well packaged, with a plastic window, plastic wrapping and two pieces of foam to protect the railings. There are only four parts that need to be installed-the end railings and the sunshades. All of them press in very tight, and I had to enlarge a few holes to make them go in easier. The paint is perfectly smooth, and there aren’t any signs of over-spray anywhere. The only problem is the white Conrail markings and stripes, which are a little shiny and don’t make it into all the door handles. Other than that, the paint is perfect, and has every little warning lable printed on the hoods that the real ones do. All the colors are brighter and better looking than what’s in the picture. I tried using the flash, but that turned the blue extremely pail, so I used the no-flash picture. All the main shell castings are very smooth, and there isn’t a single seam to be found. All the windows are flush with the shell, and the front and back windows have black gaskets neatly painted on. There are also silver windshield wipers installed on both sides, and they are done very well. The railings going around the engine are the finest I have ever seen, and are very flexible, so they aren’t easy to break. The grab irons are very thin wire, and look much better than the plastic ones you’ll find on P2K or Kato diesels. They’re also much more durable. the two vents on the left side behind the cab are now painted black, which is a good improvement over the unpainted ones on the first and second runs of this engine.[:D] The walkways all have safety tread detailing, and are paint