Though I have had good experiences with the older Atlas/Roco products, I have no exposure to the running qualities of the Atlas Classic series that replaces them.
How do the running characteristics of the newer Atlas Classics compare to the older Roco’s? In particular:
S-2
RS-1
Input much appreciated before I consider online purchases. (No hobby shop
nearby.)
Andre
Atlas Classics, in my experience, run just as well as the Roco models.
They’re quiter, and feature revised detailing.
In my experience, I’ve never gone wrong buying anything Atlas makes.
Kevin
The Roco drives are just slightly better. The Chinese “Classic” series are a tad bit noisier, and smidge less smooth. Not to say that they aren’t still great running models, but the Rocos are better.
BTW, some of the RS-1’s have been updated with seperate grabs, etc. None of the S-units have been updated…
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
In my experience, I find the newer Atlas drives a touch better than the Roco. As for the RS-1, the older version has a Kato drive in it, not a Roco drive. Nothing beats these older Kato drives if you ask me. I buy as many of these as I can scoop up on ebay. Great runners.
Thanks for the input.
I didn’t realize the original RS-1’s were Kato powered… it has been too many years since I’ve owned one. (16?)
I seem to recall the Roco S-2 being crammed full of cast metal frame for weight? If so, what sorts of problems to add DCC and sound into a Roco S-2?
Andre
I’ve got an old Model Power FA1 with the drive made in Austria by Roco. I also have many other newer locos of all the major manufacturers. This old loco runs at least as good or even better as any of the newer releases. It’s smooth and silent and heavy. It can pull a ton.
I consider all my Atlas locos, older Rocos, older Kato, newer Classic and the latest Master series to be my best runners. The Master series are exceptionally quiet, and the Classic are great too, but the older Atlas/Rocos and Atlas/Kato drives are amazing for their age. Will the newest Chinese drives be as durable?
Only time will tell.
Tony’s Train eXchange (www.tonystrains.com) sells specialty decoders just for the Atlas S-unit switchers. If you follow the directions closely, you should be all right as it’s a fairly easy-to do conversion. I’ve done a couple already, and the results are great.
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven