Atlas Model Rail
Hopefully their signals and other acessories will continue to be produced as well as the rolling stock.
I’m scared about the situation. I hope Atlas isn’t going to change a lot.
I really don’t want to reorder my BNSF cars under the Atlas name.
I’m really confused and scared!!!
You’re confused and scared? Why? Seems a bit of an overreaction to this announcement. [%-)]
Rich
I have never owned any BLMA products, but, at least on paper, their signals and bridges seem impressive.
Good luck, Atlas, with the acquisition!
Rich
I wonder why no mention of the very nice HO & N F89-J intermodal flat car. Thats a lovely model - I bought one in original TT brown and two in TT 1970’s yellow.
Many are wondering if future BLMA models sold under Atlas will come with the plastic Accumate couplers, which many prefer to change out for proper Kadees.
Heaven forbid modelers will need to add KD couplers of their choice.
Guys,The sky is not falling nor is the hobby as we know it coming to a end because of this buyout. This isn’t the first nor will it be the last buyout.
I believe that all Atlas locos and rolling stock come equipped with AccuMate knuckle couplers. BLMA rolling stock come equipped with Kadee couplers. Who will win out?
Rich
Remember when Atlas bought Branchline? They just announced another run of the former Blueprint series cars as Master Series. The Yardmaster cars are still being sold as Trainman series.
Though the kits seem to have disappeared…
–Randy
Don’t shoot me, I’m just passing on what I’m reading from others. My comments were the same as yours when I answered another users post who was horrified at the prospect of Atlas putting plastic Accumate couplers on BLMA rolling stock.
That said, I really do appreciate the manufacturers who supply their rolling stock with Kadee’s, such as ExactRail, Tangent, Moloco, and Intermountain.
Cheers
While certainly true about the hobby ending, fewer competitors can generate higher prices. On the other hand, perhaps Atlas can improve BLMA’s rolling stock inventory to create a similar line of cars as their Trainman series.
So far Atlas acquiring other companies appears good for the hobby. At least BLMA’s products will still be available in some form. I do get concerned when a few companies gain control of a major portion of anything. While this is an apples to oranges comparisome, we saw in the 2008 banking/stock market crisis, bigger is not always better. Anyone “scared” by this news, should consider buying a dog!
As mentioned in the press release, the orders BLMA has taken will be filled by BLMA, likely shipped by Atlas to the BLMA customers. There is nothing to be scared or confused about.
The items listed in the press release are the items that BLMA already has existing orders in house for, and which will be filled by BLMA. All of the items in BLMA’s library will be transfered to Atlas, include the F89J.
Thanks for clarifying about the F89-J flat car Paul!
Maybe I recall all the wailing and gnashing of teeth when Walthers bought Life Like, when Horizon bought Athearn and Atlas bought Branch Line. A lot of folks worrying about nothing.
Remember the ado over the end of the Blue Box kits? There’s still tons available at the larger train shows and on e-Bay that nobody seems to be buying. Same for the older Branch Line kits. Not to mention on another popular forum it was hinted Atlas must be in financial trouble since there wasn’t any new product announcements.
I dunno know maybe I’m getting old and cranky but,I’m tired of the gloom sayer’s the sky is falling every time a buyout happens…
Even if the Atlas/ BLMA cars come with Accumate it takes only a few minutes to change them out and ensure the coupler and trip pin is at the correct height.
Scared and confused is what happens when you find someone in your home.
Couplers and paint schemes are pretty trivial.
If you’ve been in this hobby long enough you’ve seen firms of the size and quality of BLMA just disappear, which would be a crying shame. So it seems to me Atlas is an excellent home for the BLMA line. Atlas is already the tank car enthusiast’s best friend.
What perhaps is the more intriguing issue is whether and how Craig’s interesting instincts for what advanced modelers want and need will be carried over. Not that Atlas is unimaginative, but Craig just seemed to think differently than just about anyone else in the industry.
Dave Nelson
Well Rich, I was worried. Maybe I was overreacting because I haven’t got that many BLMA stuff and I wanted to get more.
I needed someone to talk to. I was around when Walthers took Life-Like, I thought it was a good idea.
Real railroads change why not model railroading companies.
I have a couple of the BLMA railcars in HO, they are pretty good. Hoping the well-known Atlas quality, mixes with the very well done modeling of BLMA, to keep these well done models coming.
I am with the few that hopes that the BLMA models continue coming with actual Kadee’s though. While not hard to swap out, it is aggravating to spend $30-$40 per car, then having to spend more $$$ on Kadee’s… The Accumate’s are not worth their weight, which is almost nothing!