After seeing that thread about MTH, and a few prior negetive threads about Athearn, and other companies, I’ve never seen one bad thing about Atlas.
What does everyone think of them?
Personally I love them. Trainline is the perfect rolling stock line for me, since I am on a budget. Plus I’ve gotten some trainline stuff 50% off before at the local HobbyTown USA ($8.00 for a good quality gondola, sure I’ll take that ) I do realize they’ve had some issue’s with track availibility, but overall I think they are my favorite MRR Company.
I like their diesels. My lone HH660 switcher w/sound is both a beautiful looking and operating locomotive. I like Atlas track but I don’t care for their turnouts or crossings.
I like them. Most of mine are older models, mostly 70’s and a few 80’s. One GP40, half a dozen FP7’s. Two newer ones I have (late 90’s and 04-05) are an FM H24-66 and a GE U30C.
Atlas has been a long time manufacturer of model trains. Their current production locomotoves are some of the best running/detailed models available. I rank then alongside Kato for smooth running capabilities. Their rolling stock also have been quite nice.
Their track products have been an industry standard for years and has been upgraded through the yeas as well. The availability issues of the past year has been due to the need to switch manufacturing plants in China. Several manufactureres have run into this issue as well over the past 2-3 years.
Speaking of Atlas HO stuff, well for the money its about as good as it gets. Their locos used to have (don’t know about now) Kato drives, and man are they smooth runners!
As Jim says, their track products have been the basis of the hobby for at least the 60 years I’ve been with HO. They, and folks like Athearn, KaDee, MRC, and a few others provided solid affordable means to get into the hobby.
I still use their track products, and again - for the money - there is none better.
Atlas gets a good rep because they’ve been around long enough to know how that benefits a vendor in its relationship with its customers. Good customer service is almost never profitable at the moment when it’s done right, but is a good investment that pays major dividends in the long run. Up and coming vendors should take note. Two examples of young companies similarly doing it right AFAIK are Blackstone/Soundtraxx and Rapido. There are more. I won’t bother with the, uhum, opposite list.
When Atlas produces new items, they tend to be near the cutting edge. They do constantly improve older designs. Some are long in tooth and biz has been slow, but the quality was there to begin with, so even if it’s just a quick makeover for now, Atlas tends to sell well.
I’ve used Atlas track in the past, but it’s more utlitarian than scale. That’s a good thing for a large part of their market. The Code 83 track was a step up and was well received, but I’ve had no need to try any.
I agree with the o.p. about the Trainman line, but I wish they would offer more road #'s especially for coal cars, etc. They did a good job with the trash containers and flats. I bought a bunch of their Centerbeam Lumber cars which I am very happy with. Recently, I’ve passed on some of the new higher priced runs of some items that I would normally have automatically bought.
Every manufacturer will always have likers and haters. Atlas produces generally good products for a reasonable price. I use their Code 83 flex track as my standard along with other track products, I have a number of Atlas buildings and certainly don’t regret the many Atlas HO freight cars and the few locomotives of theirs that I run. Atlas has also contributed to the advancement of the model railroad hobby over the years.
I have been using Atlas track products ever since they started manufacturing flex track (brass rail stapled to fiber tie strip every other tie) My current standard is Atlas Code 83 flex (concrete tie for mains, wood tie for secondary track) and Code 100 where the sun can’t shine.
I don’t like their specialwork - but then, I don’t like anyone elses specialwork either. That’s why I handlay my own.
Can’t speak for any Atlas rolling stock. I don’t believe they ever manufactured any Japanese prototype in 1:80 scale.
The big thing with Atlas is that they have always tried to meet customer requirements, not just their own.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - on Atlas flex track)
I think they are a class act. I only have one locomotive, the Trainmaster H24-66 Master Gold with QSI. It’s a gem. I do have some of their rolling stock, but honestly I can never remember where my rolling stock came from. I recognize the BLI hoppers and the Walthers cabooses and Pullmans, but after that…
Atlas has had some QC issues but,those was address rather quickly and replacements was available-some of the first release of their Centerbeams comes to mind.
To my mind Atlas sets the industry standards-even their old Roco powered locomotives was and still remains smooth runners.
When I was in N Scale every one of my locomotives was Atlas…
I have 22 Atlas HO locomotives from the old “yellow box” to the “Classic” line.I also have several of their cars.
Atlas is simply top of the line.
BTW…I’m 65 and there has always been Atlas track as long as I can remember.
A fun history fact…At one time Athearn produce Atlas RTR cars and locomotives.
What I like about Atlas is that they take tank cars seriously in their rolling stock offerings. I happen to think tank cars are the most neglected, and yet in many ways the most interesting, of rolling stock from the 1930s right to the present. Atlas has featured a real variety in their tank car offerings, and the ones I have purchased seem to be quality merchandise.
I don’t know if you are referring to all QSI decoders or just the older stock. The QSI “Q2” in my HH660 switcher is just terrific. The earlier Q1/Q1as are decent but nothing like the newer decoders. The motor control in HH660 is exceptional: 0.3 sMHP on speed step 001. The sound is very nice, too.
Most of my Roco built Atlas FP7’s have their original motors. One has a PPW motor and another has an Athearn blue box motor, flywheels and shafts. The trucks are Atlas. And it even runs good. On a scale of 1-10 that hits a 12 on the wild chart.
Atlas is great. I have four of their Dash 8s with DCC & Sound. They are very smooth running and very releiable. Never had to reset the decoders or anything.
But Atlas seems to be stale with their new releases right now. They haven’t come out with anything that I’m interested in for at least 2 years now. Unlike Athearn, which is pouring out new products I’m interested in.
I have two Atlas Gold Series Trainmasters and I think they are the best two engines on my layout. That pair has pulled every train I have put behind it up my long 2% grade with ease. I also have six 33000 GAL. B/A tank cars that start to roll by just looking at them. I also have a bunch of other stuff Atlas makes. I don’t use their track as I like the look of other brands better, however if it is as good as their other products I am sure it performs well.
) I do realize they’ve had some issue’s with track availibility, but overall I think they are my favorite MRR Company.