C40-8: WTF???

[ljudice]

Container Shipping Date:  12/29/08

What is the problem with these models??? I hear "tooling problem"...

Also, anyone know if these use the same basic mechanism as the SD50/60???

[Robbman]

I can't see them using the SD50/60 mechanism...

[oakcreekco]

Well, I "could" be interested if Atlas redesigned their six axle trucks. IMO, the SD50/60 trucks aren't in the same league as a Kato six axle trucks.

Not trying to start the "truck" thing, but for the money, I want a truck that is as reliable and performs as well as a Kato.

I'm not going to spend that type of money, and then have to "tinker" with trucks to get them to where they should be...............out of the box.

Those ATSF's photos do look really nice, but I'm hanging on to my wallet for now.

[3rdrail]

Atlas originally showed the container sailing Dec. 15th prior to that date. Suspect the shipment didn't get loaded into that container, or more likely, since there are several other N and HO items due to depart China on Dec. 29th, the container "missed the boat". Probably the sailing, or at least the call at that port, was cancelled due to the precipitous drop in exports.

Every delay in a 12,000 mile long supply line isn't production problems, folks...

[ljudice]

Gregg,

You're 100% right - although, don't you think that for such a highly anticipated item, with a high price per unit, they would be trying to make sure it got to stores ASAP?  I mean, if the delivery slipped once it would be one thing - but 3-4 times - you have to believe there is a serious problem.

Robbman, I know it's not the same mech, what I mean is - is it derived from or similar to the SD60 mech.  I am not too impressed - even by the most recent SD60 run, and I will be limiting myself to one unit until I see what these are like.

All I know is that while Kato six axles sound like a whirring little sewing machine, the Atlas six axles sound like a Salvation Army kettle band trundling past. At least half of mine also get snagged on Atlas Code 55 switches as well, and have had to be regauged...

Lou

[bobcat]

You're 100% right - although, don't you think that for such a highly anticipated item, with a high price per unit, they would be trying to make sure it got to stores ASAP?  I mean, if the delivery slipped once it would be one thing - but 3-4 times - you have to believe there is a serious problem.

I think for such a highly anticipated item, that Atlas would want to make sure it is right. Look at what has happened to other highly anticipated items, ie. tunnel motors

Robbman, I know it's not the same mech, what I mean is - is it derived from or similar to the SD60 mech.  I am not too impressed - even by the most recent SD60 run, and I will be limiting myself to one unit until I see what these are like.

The Kato mech (IMO) has always been better (so no surprise there), but then again, will I be running just one of these? No. Where the mech falters (IMO) the paint and shell shine above a Kato(again, IMO).

All I know is that while Kato six axles sound like a whirring little sewing machine, the Atlas six axles sound like a Salvation Army kettle band trundling past. At least half of mine also get snagged on Atlas Code 55 switches as well, and have had to be regauged...

Almost every new Kato loco I have gotten in the last year or so, I have had to regauge the wheels and not all have been whirring little sewing machines. I am not a fan of the SD50/60 trucks either, but the Atlas SD35 trucks have been real nice and I am crossing my fingers that these will run more like them than the SD50/60 trucks.

[Robbman]

Robbman, I know it's not the same mech, what I mean is - is it derived from or similar to the SD60 mech.  I am not too impressed - even by the most recent SD60 run, and I will be limiting myself to one unit until I see what these are like.

Any split-frame mechanism could be said to be derived from or similar to another...


The trucks on the -8s will be the SD7/9/35 trucks with a GE sideframe... not the HT-C trucks.  The HT-C trucks are the ones everybody has an issue with, not the Flexicoil, so there shouldn't be any issues there.

[sundowner]

Robbman, I know it's not the same mech, what I mean is - is it derived from or similar to the SD60 mech.  I am not too impressed - even by the most recent SD60 run, and I will be limiting myself to one unit until I see what these are like.

Any split-frame mechanism could be said to be derived from or similar to another...


The trucks on the -8s will be the SD7/9/35 trucks with a GE sideframe... not the HT-C trucks.  The HT-C trucks are the ones everybody has an issue with, not the Flexicoil, so there shouldn't be any issues there.

Yep, Atlas will do what Kato did, used the SD40 Flexicoil trucks with C30-7 GSC sideframes, but with better detail. I wonder when Atlas will get spares for those.

[ljudice]

Well this news on the trucks is a relief...

I'm not trying to rush them, but it's a little strange that the date keeps slipping and they (Atlas) never explain what is going on.

Admittedly, the alternative, which is just let it slip and not even repost the date is probably even worse.

Whatever, they will come when they come... 

[Robbman]

Robbman, I know it's not the same mech, what I mean is - is it derived from or similar to the SD60 mech.  I am not too impressed - even by the most recent SD60 run, and I will be limiting myself to one unit until I see what these are like.

Any split-frame mechanism could be said to be derived from or similar to another...


The trucks on the -8s will be the SD7/9/35 trucks with a GE sideframe... not the HT-C trucks.  The HT-C trucks are the ones everybody has an issue with, not the Flexicoil, so there shouldn't be any issues there.

Yep, Atlas will do what Kato did, used the SD40 Flexicoil trucks with C30-7 GSC sideframes, but with better detail. I wonder when Atlas will get spares for those.

Indeed... finally some trucks for those C30-7 mechs Kato was selling off a few years ago...

[Hyperion]

I bought 3 of those Kato C30-7 Shells and Mechs back then too.  Couldn't pass up the deal... was something like $25 for everything except trucks.  Now I'll finally get to use 'em.

[Walkercolt]

Cory was at the OKC train show and didn't mention any major delay on the C40's. Hey stuff happens. Container doesn't make it on to the scheduled ship, for one of a hundred reasons, and it goes on the next ship. Or the container could be sitting in Long Beach, ignored by someone. Dumber things have happened before. When I drove a semi, I've gone places to pick-up a load that wasn't ready more than once. And delivered loads they weren't ready for too. The best one like that was I was delivering some big piece of a machine tool. They were expecting it on a flat-bed, but it was inside a dry-van with a fork-lift at the front of the trailer. Big problem...they didn't have a fork lift that would fit in the van that would lift the machine! I locked-up the tractor, called a cab, said "I'll be back tomorrow morning, and it'll cost you $300 an hour for wait-time." I guess they woke-up somebody at a pipe yard and got some pipe to make rollers to get the thing out. Stupid happens. :

[PGBowler2]

Cory was at the OKC train show and didn't mention any major delay on the C40's.

Cory wasn't at the OKC train show.  Dan & Barbara Waggoner and I manned the Atlas booth.  Not sure where you got that information from.

In the case of the shipping date being moved from the 15th to the 29th, it was because some of the other items that were scheduled to ship in the container on the 15th were not ready on time, making it ineffective cost-wise to ship the container with the remaining available items.

Paul Graf

[wm3798]

Hey, was that the Horse's Mouth I see?  That's quite the opposite of what we usually get! ;D ;D

Lee

[tom mann]

In the case of the shipping date being moved from the 15th to the 29th, it was because some of the other items that were scheduled to ship in the container on the 15th were not ready on time, making it ineffective cost-wise to ship the container with the remaining available items.

This straightforward and reasonable explanation doesn't cut it... ;D