So Atlas now has 3 levels that include lower cost Trainman and Industrial Rail (027). They are even coming out with an IR steam loco? And they support 2 rail. Hmmm, move over Lionel and MTH, you got company!
I just bought an IR 027 gondola with pipe load… very nice for the price. Considering Mike Wolf doesn’t seem to care about the 027 market anymore, this is welcome news.
You forgot to mention that they are coming out with their own version of Fastrack/Realtrax.
I am a big fan of Atlas. Unfortunately, I do not think they did a very good job of designing their switches. The OGR board has had many discussions about their shortcomings. I had thought their problems were ironed out when I purchased my track about four months ago. Unfortunately, many of the problems still exist. I have been spending a great deal of time doing workarounds to get them to function correctly.
Having said that, I think they do a nice job with their sectional track, their engines and their rolling stock. The more players that are in the market, the better it is for consumers as the choices and quality will be greater.
Regards,
John O
This is great for guys like me with small layouts and small budgets to match. Atlas may just get a few of my future purchases.
Very impressed with Atlas. I’ve got several Atlas engines and cars and my only complaint is handle with care or you will break something off [so detailed]. I’ll be buying more Atlas.
It will be interesting to see all of the new stuff they come out with.
underworld[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
LOOKING to purchase an ATLAS engine in the future.
laz57
Last year, I picked up two Diesel engines from Atlas. I am very impressed with the detail and how well they operate with the EOB. The show speeds in the yard are amazing. I am glad Atlas is picking up momemtum. I look forward to getting one of their new steam engines.
Chris
I guess they got a lot of practice doing HO for so long.
underworld[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
HO and N–Atlas is big in both scales. I would imagine their combined annual sales in the three scales already make them bigger than any of the O gauge manufacturers.
Allan Miller Thanks, I had forgotten about Atlas making N scale…and I actually own some…packed away somewhere. Maybe I should try to find it.
underworld[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
Allan, You beat me to it, I was about to make a similar post. I am quite sure you are correct, but since they are a private company, no one knows exactly how much in sales they have.
Well I’m certain at least in their thinking, Atlas would like to go big time. Although they do not have the name recognition and the gneral retail exposure that Lionel has (which is an advantage for newcomers) Atlas does have a strong retail network with their other scales. And a very good reputation in those other scales as well as a growing one in 0 scale.
I don’t think MTH ever had any real interest in the 027 market. Most of their semi-scale products were advertised from square one as not being the smaller undersized trains like Lionel. MTH made a big deal of this in their early advertising. Yet I think these are precisely the kinds of trains the 027 operator is looking for. Many of the former Railking items were too big to begin with. A few of the nicer smaller locos went to the Rugged Rails line. The last SD90MAC in my opinion is one ofthe nicest proportioned 027 locos MTH ever made. Yet the retail price increased $30 for the horn only SD90MAC, over the previously more electronically featured loco. And most of the Rugged Rails SD90MAC’s got cancelled.
I personally feel if Atlas is going to make an impact with their Industrial Rail line, they need to do some things that haven’t been done before or are not being done by Lionel. In addition to a new Atlantic steam engine, a modern 027-ized diesel is needed along the very lines of the Rugged Rails SD90MAC. We don’t need another 027 F3 or Alco FA. And they really need to add some modern road names to all their existing selection in the IR cars.
And I would be curious to know if Atlas made the needed changes in the coupler shape to the IR trucks, or just used them as is (as I suspect). Despite the otherwise high quality of the UMD Industrial Rail cars, the open space within the closed coupler caused many derailments for 027 operators which have been discussed here.
It’s unfortunate, but I see nothing yet in the Atlas IR line that I need to have. Should they offer a variety of their box cars, plug door box cars, g
Have any of you used Atlas road bed for their track? If so, what is it made of and does it help disapate train noise? Thanks.
The IR freight car lines looks nice. I’ll most likely buy a few.
Jim
The Industrial Rail cars are very good but more like 027 size cars, no complaints from me about derailments with IR brand cars. Hopefully Atlas will continue the work that Industrial Rail did and offer some nice freight cars at a lower price.
Lee F.
I just saw a color picture in OGRR of a Western Pacific GP9 they are making. My eyes popped out of my head!! Just AWESOME! I could easily be persuaded to add WP/Atlas to my roster after seing that loco!!! [tup]
Dep
I am a steam man and am looking forward to Atlas first O-gauge model! They’ve got some pretty tuff competition on steam, so I am reserving judgment until its released. I have >30 pieces of Atlas rolling stock and it is well made, though it should be because its a premium price.
Paul
I visited the Atlas booth at the West Springfield (“Big E”) show this weekend. I was told that Atlas is bringing back the Industrial Rail trolley (with improved drive and all-metal gears), will introduce a diesel sized to match the existing Industrial Rail cars, and will introduce ready-to-run Industrial Rail train sets.
Richard Bjorkman
I saw some new Atlas IR flat cars with lumber loads at the LHS. All I can say is that Atlas will be making many people happy.
I run Lionel PRR steamers and have about the same number of Atlas cars. I look forward to CTT’s review of thier first steamer as well.