Saw this on Tony’s Train Exchange web site and was very impressed with the detailing.
For those interested, the direct link is below:
http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/2006/051206.htm
Tom
These are sold out by the way.
Tom, I agree it is a great looking loco. I think that Atlas make the very finest in R to R locomotives. It is such a shame that the business model is manufacture to order only. I really wanted to get a Waba***rainmaster in the Gold series, but was never able to find one. I just have a real problem ordering things sight unseen so I will always miss out. I wonder how much business they lose because of this. Its not like it is a secret that they do things this way, they are rather proud of it I think http://www.atlasrr.com/builttoorder.htm Unfortunately, it just does not suit my purchasing style. It also means that there is really no point in a model RR magazine doing a product evaluation write up on an Atlas loco, because by the time the mag has the model the order window has long since past, so anyone that sees the write up and wants one can not get one. Oh well!
I agree with simon about Atlas’ loco building policy. Is this a new policy? I have noticed that they seem quite proud of their advance ordering system. I hate it. I have enough trouble being on time for things in this busy paced modern life. I’m never on time for their advanced reservations.
I thought I just saw somewhere that Kato had announced they were going to actually offer more locos on a mass produced basis. The exact opposite strategy to Atlas.
BTW, I can’t speak for Atlas, but Kato makes a real nice loco (I have a Kato HO NW2 switcher).
It bothers me that I can’t see and touch one of these engines before buying. While I have placed my first pre-order for the August run of S1’s, I have my fingers crossed that this unit will run as well as some of my other Switch Engines.
This MP15 is a sweet unit, and one that I did want, but missed the order deadline. The G&W is a local Railroad and I get to see this very engine in the yard near I live from time to time. I would love to have one of these, but with them being sold out, the only one’s I have seen at the shows are at full MSRP or ABOVE, and I just will not do that. My budget is too tight to be purchasing what I want at full price. So I take my chances and buy what I like when it’s available.
Chris
Several of the on-line discounters will take a reservation at a discount price below MSRP and even my local LHS will do that. But this does not really help if you like to at least see what you are buying. Any dealers that order these models for stock at least know that they can sell them at close to MSRP as there is never going to be a glut of Atlas models showing up cheap on e-bay.
Well. The business model that Atlas had over the last few years costed them several potential retail desiel purchases because the items were produced and sold out before I learned about them.
I too noticed that MR had reviews or perhaps announcements but never seemed to get the information in time to do anything about it. Maybe Im too slow for the hobby, but always relied on the MR for timely new product information.
I hope that eventually there will be a re-run and see that PCM (Aka BLI) has started to make thier own models of the Dual Mode DCC/Sound units that I missed the first time around that were offered by Atlas.
In short: Make a run of these models and they will sell. Enough with this pre-order limited run stuff. Enough is enough.
I will probably be picking up one of these units soon probably in a undecorated model. The LSH’s in my area has a few in the display case and they look pretty durn good. I will be seeing if I can cajole one of them into demonstrating one for me next time I visit.
Ultimately it might be a mail order house or Ebay that gets my money for a copy of a Atlas unit instead of direct to Atlas via the LHS.
I hadmine in back order from Walthers since November. CNW gold w/ sound. It is an awesome runner so far, but i agree w/ the special order stuff. Much easier to see what i am buying!
ja
I agree that the pre-order method leaves a lot to be desired. Being in a contract manufacturing business I understand why this is so. Depending on the Ts & Cs between the purchaser, Atlas, and the MFG, probably in Asia, one of these two is carring the tooling, materials and labor cost until every unit is sold. A contract MFG wants firm orders before committing capacity, tooling, labor etc for a “batch” of work. Cost per unit is often a factor of qty ordered. Atlas has to use the proverbial crystal ball to forecast what they think the market will bear for any given model. Pre-ordering relieves them of that dilema.
Yes, poor customer service is always a plus when doing business. [V]
What I see in all of this is that Atlas is trying to get their Dealers to do the speculation and the guess work as to what will sell and what won’t and then put the burden of stocking this into the Dealers hands. It’s great for their Bottom line (Atlas) but for the casual modeller it makes us the odd man out. About once or twice a year I have the extra ca***o afford a nicer upscale (for me) Loco. This year I wanted a new BIG LOCO with Sound and DCC. I wanted either the Athearn Genesis Challenger or a BIG 6 axle diesel like a Dash8-40.
I found ONE Atlas Dash 8, but it was a Silver Series without sound. I called around and would have paid a little more if I could have found it. None to be had! Now the Silver series I did buy and I am happy with it. Nice running unit to the point that I’d like another one. Try and find one!
Chris
Well, Let’s build some facilities here in the good old USA and make the models at home.
If we ever have trouble with China or Asian trade routes in the future these models may be impossible to come by.
Notice in their wording (see link to Atlas in my post above) that they “spin” what they are doing by saying
"Does this mean your models are limited editions?
Absolutely not. Limited edition implies that the number of a product produced is set regardless of demand. With the BTO system, the number produced is based on the demand. In other words, if you want it, we’ll make it. In addition, models may be reproduced on occasion with New Road Numbers or even the original ones if demand warrants, giving you a multiple chances to pick up the model you might have missed the first time around."
This seems to be utter rubbish, because you can not order an item once the so called “order window” is past. How do they ever know about the demand that simply walks away because a dealer is unable to help. How often do you suppose an LHS contacts a distributor that is out of stock, who in turn bothers to contact Atlas to let them know of the unfulfilled demand?
I would suggest that the new Atlas policy results in even more limited production runs.
I just received my Atlas MP15 QSI gold. It is MAGNIFICENT looking, sounding, running. Perhaps the finest loco I own. I did not pre-order it. I did not pay MSRP. I just ordered it last week when Toy Train Heaven showed it in stock. They still have numerous MP15s in stock (including the one pictured above). No, I don’t work for 'em, just a happy customer… thought I’d pass it along if you’re looking for one!
Doesn’t Tony’s, and others, order a bunch for their own stock?
Greg