Atlas Alcos

[lock4244]

They've indicated more phases to come and have made the canadian version in HO
Not saying that's a confirmation, but they did do the GP40w so 🤷
Of course they could go the c630 route but both options seem possible.

And in the earlier thread I belive I posted a photo from 1980 in the 8 inch stripe scheme with the original radiator intact.
Absolutely the headlight would be moved at this point along with some carbody mods. But the rear end was changed 1980-83

https://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cp/cp4200a20.jpg

I'll believe it when I see one in person... no pre-order on that one. I'm jaded, and suspect the C630 route is the one they'll follow.

I couldn't recall when the radiator was modified, but know it was, saw the 4200 a few times late 80's with the clean MLW rear... once lead by a shiny new Red Barn no less heading out on the Belleville Sub (the five C-424's were there to protect against the barn failing, lol).

What I'd really love to know is why they took the time and spent the money to modify the radiator.

[PRSL66]

Thank you, Atlas!! maybe a C430 could be next???? 

[SAH]

Doesn't Atlas make their handrails now out of a more flexable translucent plastic then paint them? I could be wrong about that, but if it's so then yellow seems to cover thicker than some other colors. Where the handrails are painted black, they don't look as thick to my eye.
Ralph

I thought this photo would come in useful someday.  I didn't realize how soon.  Any paint over the already oversize plastic handrails makes them look like the aforementioned tube balloon.  Yellow is particularly bad.  It's not that hard to roll your own, as @robert3985 has pointed out more than once.  I'm in the back half of my sixth decade and have lousy eyesight in case you're wondering.  It all depends on your modeling priorities I suppose.  A shout out to @PiperguyUMD for his printed number boards used here. 


Atlas S2 handrails are a marked improvement, to the point where if they're left as black they look fine.  Painted yellow?  I have one model in the backlog and the yellow painted handrails will come off.  How to make that work with the way the handrail assembly was engineered will be a challenge.


Of course sometimes it just feels like the right thing to do for a special model, regardless of the handrail color.


I'm feeling an urge to order an EL C424.  A totally unnecessary purchase but I saw them doing their ALCO thing in my home town during my formative RR hobby years.  They will get wire handrails.  Why wait?

[sirenwerks]

Atlas making Century versions while it has never released multiple phases of its RS3? Really?

[GaryHinshaw]

Next level stuff.

[sizemore]

Atlas making Century versions while it has never released multiple phases of its RS3? Really?

A Phase III RS would be really nice right about now. You can have a Ph III RS-3 in every scale except N.... Wish @skytop35 was still producing his shell, while specific to his chosen road, it was "close enough" for others.

The S.

[SAH]

Atlas making Century versions while it has never released multiple phases of its RS3? Really?

I wanted to start with a decorated NKP shell.  It wasn't until much later in the project I realized the NKP units were Phase IIIs.   

I considered scraping away the louvers but then the factory paint is toast.  It was too late to do so anyway.  So I did what any self-respecting N scaler would do:  Make the tiny details (louvers in this case) disappear by not doing anything to highlight them, like a wash.  Apply black decal film over the doors at about where the filters would be and call it good.  Focus on what is possible rather than what is perfect.  I've been running them recently.  So much fun to hear the 244s chanting away, and then wind up to pull a cut.  The wrong car body issue kind of disappears and I find myself thinking "Not bad at all really."

[TravelingCarpenter]

Probably looking at all 3 numbers in GBW silver series as I do not care for soundtraxx.

ESU 4 LIFE!!!!

TC 

[Peter Amling]

I'll look forward to the next release if they do Belt Railway of Chicago. They have served for decades on that road and have never had a proper model in N.

[sizemore]

Looks like these will start arriving at dealers around the first week of March.

The S.

[sandypsj]

Looks like these will start arriving at dealers around the first week of March.

The S.

The Atlas production schedule says this is a "partial" delivery--do we know which versions are included?

[Dave V]

The Pennsy ones are something I'd consider. Been thinking about doing a late-Pennsy/eve-of-Penn Central consist.

[sizemore]

The Atlas production schedule says this is a "partial" delivery--do we know which versions are included?

Gonna be a surprise. I just know my pre-order confirmation with Fifer mentioned the delivery in March. Sharing to give awareness for those that were on the fence to be looking out.

The S.

[reinhardtjh]

The Atlas production schedule says this is a "partial" delivery--do we know which versions are included?

Often the partial deliveries are the Silver (Non-Sound) versions. At least that's how it was with the GP20 and RS-3 recently.

[bman]

Often the partial deliveries are the Silver (Non-Sound) versions. At least that's how it was with the GP20 and RS-3 recently.

If this trend holds true there goes my hobby budget for March and April. And since I don't keep track of pre-orders(I like to live on the wild side) possibly May and June as well depending on how crazy I got with the CR patch outs and EL ones.