Praise for HO Atlas Trainman RS32/RS36!

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I never thought that I’d have anything positive to say regarding the HO Atlas Trainman products, as my personal tastes have always been for the more highly detailed models. However, recently my financial ability to participate in this hobby has been changing (no pay raise going on 3 years, and family bills increasing all the time.)

In any case, I just purchased one Atlas Trainman CNW safety yellow and green Alco RS32 as a sample (before hopefully getting a few more) and it is one outstanding engine! The paint and detail are really good, typical of Atlas, with of course the drill locations pre-marked for those who will add their own grab irons. (I will not because I can’t do it neatly enough for my tastes and am usually unable to touch up paint to my standards, either). It runs great, pulls well enough (I had it dragging 32 freight cars right out of the box, but that did prove to be a little much due to wheelslip on my 0.4% grade.) 21 Athearn ore cars is a better train length for it on my layout (it seems to have some power reserve left for more). I’m very happy with the model and hope to get a few more to replace the high fallutin’ articulated steamers that have to go.

Pricewise, at only about $50 per unit, the Trainman diesel is a guilt-free purchase, especially compared to the cost of fine HO steam.

I now really must consider bang for the buck, and excepting one MTH Challenger retained for my son who loves it, and maybe keeping the new plain DC Athearn Genesis Big Boy, I’ll be leaving the steam power to the history books–very likely for good, this time.

John

2

John, I did much the same thing although not for the same reasons about 7-8 years ago, sold off about 75% of my Overland diesels and started adding to my fleet of the new highly detailed “plastic” engines that were arriving almost daily it seemed.

As for the handrail installations, I think you may be selling yourself short there, one of the biggest requirements for doing a nice job in anythig is “taking your time” with it. If you appreciate the finer details you will really appreciate the satisfaction you will feel from adding some of “you” to the completion of them and thus bring them up to the level you have come to expect.

All you need is a good “pin vise” and a set of drills, it’s not rocket science, it just requires “patience” on your part. If you already have these items you’re set, if not check out the Micro-mark catalog, they have almost every small tool you could want.

Carefully drill your holes and check the handrails for fit, if it’s too small go to the next size “up” drill. Then just slide them in, super glue the backside and “snip” off the excess.

As for painting them, for years now I have lined mine up by sticking them in a piece of foam board, spraying them, let them dry “completely”, preferably 24 hours, and then install them.

Now it’s always possible that your first 1 or 2 may not meet your expectations but I’d bet that by the time you do your 3rd one you’ll have it looking like a “pro” did it! After all, if a 15 year old Chinese kid can do it at the factory…

The best part is, even if you were to ruin the whole thing it’s a $50 Atlas, not a $500 Overland, and unlike Overland, Atlas replacement parts are always readily available, just call them up and tell them you “hosed” your C&NW

3

Hi Mark–

Thank you for your very reasonable response–which would seem reasonable for most people, for whom detailing/assembling things might actually be relaxing.

I make my living designing roads and drawing them in cadd, plus working out all the calculations, pay items, quantities, special provisions, sometimes also the storm drainage and erosion and sediment pollution control design when those guys need the help. I like drawing things.

I don’t like assembling things–after a whole day or week of mental challenges at work, applying fine details actually stresses me out. I once built a cut of Intermountain reefers and boxcars, at about 3 hours average time, each, with results not quite up to the level of the average imported assembled one. That was the end of my kit building experience–I hate it.

In recent years I applied the stainless steel grabs to one Atlas caboose, had trouble gluing them on neatly, matching the paint and getting the paint to stick to the stainless steel grabs. No thank you; I hated every minute of it. I didn’t mind drilling #80 handrail holes in steam locomotives all day long for Bowser, back in the 1980’s, but we had steel jigs for that which made it simple, combined with good drill lubricants and drill presses. However, none of that work is remotely “fun” for me.

The Trainman products are wonderful, and I’ll be happy enough to enjoy some of them “as is”.

John

4

You’re most welcome John, I completely understand the “stress” thing and have the scar from my belly button to my Adam’s Apple to prove it, I was almost 25 years in computers in systems work so I have “some” experience with that. Keep an eye on yourself and don’t let them get to you is about the only advice I know of, but of course that’s a lot easier “said” than “done”…

As for your Atlas diesels, any chance you have someone in your area who could do that for you? That could be another possiblity, just something to think about.

My Dad spent 38 years with the Mo Hiway Dept, he was the state soils testing engineer, of course when he retired, 1982, things like CAD hadn’t even been seen at that point, how things have changed in such a short time eh?

Well, I sincerely hope you can find a solution to the handrail situation to bring the detail level up to where you want it as they are some really nice looking engnes, especially for the money involved.

Mark

5

I also have a pair of these. I did some rooting around in my parts box awhile back, and came up with a RSD33.

The 6-wheel trucks fit right under there. If I was doing this again I would get brand-new ones, instead of re-using old Atlas-Kato yellow box trucks. I had to run longer wires from the pickups, and the sideframe latches were broke in a few places. But they did slide right into place. I have since put the 4-wheel trucks back on.

One of these I drilled out for all the grab irons. Cal-Scale makes a kit that has all the grabs and such, just have to do it when I get the ambition.

6

Interesting–also great picture–so in what year did CNW convert them over to six-wheel trucks?

John

7

Thanks Mark–

At 32 I had my entire colon removed due to ulcerative colitis, so have the scar from below my ribs…down.

At 42, I’ve pretty much already made the decision to remain as a Project Engineer rather than become a project manager, and the company is well aware of that. Although there will always be a need for those who know how to do and solve everything, as you know, the PM’s get the money, etc.

But this way my stress is and will remain mininal. I solve problems, or check other people’s solved problems (and the plans) to make sure they are correct–but that’s it.

When I get home, I relax by running trains, or going to the gym, etc.

These just aren’t real good days to be a consultant anything.

Having spent the money for highly detailed models in the past, I also know that all that “spaghetti” can become visually a bit much–and quite honestly I’m happy with the level of detail on the RTR RS32 out of the box. Things change in life, and I’ll happily buy some more of them.

John

8

They didn’t, I did. [;)] It was a 5-axle for a short time.

I put the 4-wheel trucks back under it.

On Alcos, the 6-wheel trucks slide right into place, similar to a RS3 becoming a RSD4/5. I’ve also seen models of a C625, same concept. Apparently Alco had cataloged a C625, just didn’t build any.