what mkae is better? Atlas or Proto 2000[:)]
atlas all the way
If I was given the choice of keeping an the same model of say a GP7 from either Atlas or Proto, I would choose the Atlas. Both are fine manufacturers though (Well, Proto has been up until now - who know what is going to happen now that they are in the hands of Walthers).
I would like to know if you are asking about diesels or steam?
I have both Atlas and Proto 2000 diesels and steam and enjoy both brands in the diesels. I must admit that my Atlas have Kato drives.
With respect to steam, I have 2 Atlas Mikados and one Proto 2000 heritage steam. I am disappointed in the Atlas machines as they do not pull very well. I wrote to Atlas about adding some weight but they advised me that there was no room in the body. I have not yet disassembled it to add weight but have read a couple of articles on how to do so.
My next steam purchase will be Bachmann Spectrum series.
Hope that this helps…Ken
Atlas. No contest.
Shaun,
Too broad a queston to ask. They both make very good products. As Ken already pointed out, you need to designate whether you are talking steam, diesel, or both. That way you compate apples to apples. From you picture, I am assuming you run modern diesel. Yes?
I do have a Proto 2000 Alco S1 switcher that I have been VERY pleased with - both detail and performance wise. (That thing absolutely craaaaaawls!) I have been unable to acquire any Atlas products because I haven’t found any that will fit into my era/RR line - i.e early 40’s steam/diesel transition/New York Central.
Tom
Atlas. Good running, good detail, and the basic series is cheaper then P2K.
Nick
Atlas, but barely. I use both. The detail is a bit better on atlas, and they run a bit better, but that’s about it. I use both, along with Kato, and my layout is very happy.
Matthew
My experineces have been limited to 3 Proto 2Ks and 1 Atlas. The S1 like Tom’s runs great. The other two P2K’s had problems–then I had problems with the company. MY Atlas GP38 is now my favorite engine. Because of my bad experiences I shy from P2Ks. I look towards Atlas when I am shopping.
I prefer Atlas but P2K is not a bad choice either. I think it depends on which brand has your road. Atlas will usually have at least one of their offerings in Jersey Central or Erie Lackawanna because they are a New Jersey based company. I model Jersey Central so I appreciate Atlas for offering locomotives with the lady liberty herald.
My experience is limited: 1 Atlas (RS1), 2 Protos(S1, RS2). My Protos actually runs smoother. I picked up the Atlas last week and found that it intermittently surges.
Well comparing my Atlas RS-11 to my Proto RS-11, both are very smooth runners and look good. I would say the Atlas runs a bit better, in my experience Life-Like engines benefit from a decoder with Back EMF as they seem to be more affected by grades than Atlas units. Maybe they’re a bit lighter ?? Otherwise both are very quiet and have good slow speed operation.
The Proto 1000 RS-11 has a bit better detailing as far as grabirons etc. But both are very nice models, good paint job on both of them (NP and DWP respectively.) With a little adjustment of the Proto CV’s I can run them together in an M.U. consist with no problem.
I’ve got a dozen Proto 2000/1000 locos and 2 Atlas. I like them all. My Atlas locos are very noisy. The details are good but the Protos are smoother and quieter. I’m thinking about trying a newer Atlas or a Kato but will want to see one run first.
RMax1
Atlas,
Better drives. The only Proto drive which can match teh Atlas’s is the P1K drive in the C-Liners. Atlas Master locos are a match for detail as well.
Tom(Tstage) No Atlas for late 40’s NYC? What, no RS-3’s, GP7’s, Alco S2’s? Not sure about when the H15-44’s were introduced, but they were close as well. Atlas does make 1st gen stuff.
mykroft,
Not late 40s, ear-r-r-r-r-r-rly 40s. Kinda limited. [:(] Once you move into post-war, you enjoy a lot more choices.
Tom
I’ve got 13 Atlas locos of assorted vintage, 9 P2K’s, and two P1K’s, along with an assortment of Athearns, Kato’s, etc - 53 total. All diesel except for one Athearn Genesis Light Mike for the obligatory excursion train.
As far as the Atlas vs P2K, I’d say the body shell detail is about the same, but Atlas generally has a better drive. None of the split axle gears or dry, screaming gear towers that the earlier P2K’s were notorious for. Atlas hasn’t used any goofy gear ratios either, like P2K has done on some of it’s models, so the Atlas locos all mu nicely with each other right out of the box.
I should probably also note that about 6 of my Atlas locos are the older (1970’s) Atlas/Roco GP38’s. Just like the originals, they’ve received updated electronics (DCC decoders) and continue to soldier on…
Steve
Atlas is far superior to P1K or P2K…
well there is a Atlas Cn unit here, a 4 axle Alco, also a P2K CN SW1200… the atlas is considerbly more though.
Atlas! Better value, better product.
I own a bunch of both Atlas and P2K and I’m very happy with both. The detail is about the same on both and to be honest they perform the same, at least mine do. Proto’s are cheaper then Atlas but I don’t really think Atlas loco’s are much better. Maybe I’ve been lucky with my Proto’s but dollar for dollar I would take Proto’s over Atlas in a second.