iHobby

[tom mann]

Atlas has not released a single Trainman cartoon since 2005.  Come again?  Not a single Trainman cartoon.  And this is despite the fact that the dog is modeled after one of Tom H's.

[Mark5]

By jove, he's right!

[SkipGear]

Track just became available this fall. Try running a hobbyshop with basics out of stock. Even much of the C80 track was gone for a while, not just the C55. Atlas took a very big hit when the production debacle happened and they are just now figuring things out. If you production cabability was cut in half or better, would you experiment with unknown product or work to get out the prooven sellers and previously announced product first?

We didn't see any scheduled product from Atlas for at least 6 months after the Kader change. They are still catching up on items that are a year or more behind their original predicted release date. I don't expect to see any new announcements until they have caught up will all previous announcements.

We are still waiting on Shay's, any info on the coil car, and a few other releases that were announced last year. Why make your back log even larger when you can't get the promised items to market yet? If they kept that up, you would then be complaining of vapor ware, ala Broadway/Precision Craft.

In a related topic, FVM has said much of their product announcements have been delayed because the N Hiawatha was tying up resources and they would be back up to speed shortly as the N Hiawatha is nearing completion. This is just one product tying up the resources of a company, think about all the accessories, structures, track and other items, in all the different scales that Atlas offers. It has to be a scheduling nightmare.

[inkaneer]

Frankly; short of someone releasing Alco switchers or a steam engine that isn't so large that it needs a freakin zip code of it's own, I don't really care if I see any new power for a while......

Now that is funny!!!

[GaryHinshaw]

Even in HO, the only two track-borne items announced (excluding the structure & vehicle) in the past year are the trash flat and the GP39-2.  FWIW, both are Trainman, and the -2 is barely new... [and who outside NJ wants trash flats anyway?  ].

They may be having production and/or financial  problems, but I don't think this is evidence of a new strategic position.  Actually, I'm amazed at how comparable their HO & N portfolios have been over the past several years, given the much larger size of the HO market.  SkipGear's summary sounds pretty plausible to me.

-gfh

[One of One-Sixty]

Even in HO, the only two track-borne items announced (excluding the structure & vehicle) in the past year are the trash flat and the GP39-2.  FWIW, both are Trainman, and the -2 is barely new... [and who outside NJ wants trash flats anyway?  ].

Besides Staten Island modelers?   ;D  I would not mind, you can find them every once in around passing on the River Line in Philly

[Rossford Yard]

Here is what is funny about complaining about new product - while I buy some of what fits my era whenever it comes out to diversify and upgrade my fleet, I was running trains tonight, and I realized I wasn't any happier because I had the new Atlas tank cars running next to 20 year old MDC ones.  I didn't mind that I had a few Con Cor A Racks running amidst all my newer MR and RC ones.  (I have one CC with a Fred unit that I keep in the consist and barely notice the ride height, etc.)

I buy Train man covered hoppers with coarse roof walks if the paint scheme fits my fancy and rarely notice that the IM ones are much nicer when running trains.

I guess I am saying running trains cures all ills, including lack of product release, doesn't it?

Who really can't enjoy model railroading without the perfect consist of cars?  I know I can.

[sirenwerks]

Release the unicorns and butterflies, we can all rest easy now.

How about for those of us who, at this time, don't have layouts to run trains and are, instead, concentrating on the modeling aspect? We're happy for you, but we're still looking at the glass from an different perspective and, by your standard, our ills can not be cured. Hence, perpetual demanding. C'est la vie.

[Rossford Yard]

Bryan,

I feel your pain. My layout was down a few years after my divorce. I probably would have bought even more stuff, except I realized I had to build back my finances a little....or lot!  I still don't buy everything like I once did.

That said, my advice that when you do have a layout, running almost any train is satisfying, and the percieved need to have an "XXX" just in case you want to run it may not be any more satisfying, might help a few folks in controlling their spending in the collection phase.  At least, I hope it does.

[Denver Road Doug]

Here is what is funny about complaining about new product - while I buy some of what fits my era whenever it comes out to diversify and upgrade my fleet, I was running trains tonight, and I realized I wasn't any happier because I had the new Atlas tank cars running next to 20 year old MDC ones.  I didn't mind that I had a few Con Cor A Racks running amidst all my newer MR and RC ones.  (I have one CC with a Fred unit that I keep in the consist and barely notice the ride height, etc.)

I buy Train man covered hoppers with coarse roof walks if the paint scheme fits my fancy and rarely notice that the IM ones are much nicer when running trains.

I guess I am saying running trains cures all ills, including lack of product release, doesn't it?

Who really can't enjoy model railroading without the perfect consist of cars?  I know I can.

Honestly, I think most on this forum probably care.  "Can't enjoy model railroading"?   Well, not sure I'd go that far, but I do think it shapes what we buy which at some level shapes what manufacturers sell.  (but of course, we're just "rounding errors" if you believe the "experts".)  Personally, I think the Trainman covered hoppers are attrocious.   I would easily rather have two IM cars versus three Trainman cars.   Yes, I do have LOTS of cars that I consider attrocious and I'll do my best with them or upgrade them when something comes available.  But when there is a clear alternative it's not even a second thought to go with the upgrade. (or, *not* go with the downgrade, in the case of Trainman)   This is only MY opinion.   I can have 1,000 Trainman level cars or I can have 600-700 Master Line level cars.  I choose answer B.

I think this is less about Atlas "getting out of n-scale" (which nobody really believes, with one or two exceptions...stop feeding the trolls...  ) but more to do with Trainman.  I've stated my peace about Trainman many times so I'm not gonna beat the dead horse too much, but bottom line is a manufacturer only has so many cycles at a plant.   And since all the global economy issues and China those cycles have been reduced or in some cases eliminated.   So, Trainman eats up time and money that would yield the stuff we really want. (we being the "r.e.'s")

I do agree that running trains keeps the spending down a bit, though.   ;D

[DKS]

I've stated my peace about Trainman many times so I'm not gonna beat the dead horse too much, but bottom line is a manufacturer only has so many cycles at a plant.   And since all the global economy issues and China those cycles have been reduced or in some cases eliminated.   So, Trainman eats up time and money that would yield the stuff we really want. (we being the "r.e.'s")

Don't forget that Trainman does more than just help keep the lights on at Atlas by squeezing every last drop of possible revenue from older tooling. Remember that entry-level merchandise helps bring people into the hobby. If Atlas didn't offer Trainman, we might arguably see fewer new recruits. Also... I don't think that everyone here would agree that all Trainman products are "attrocious." I think that some of them may be quite serviceable, and appeal to the more discriminating modelers present.

I say let Atlas be Atlas. There seems to be an awful lot of wannabe corporate managers, here; yet by all accounts, Atlas seems to be doing well with their current business model. It just may be that Trainman has helped keep the company solvent during the global economic crisis. As things improve on a global basis, modelers hankering for more Master Line products may be rewarded with patience.

[Denver Road Doug]

Don't forget that Trainman does more than just help keep the lights on at Atlas by squeezing every last drop of possible revenue from older tooling. Remember that entry-level merchandise helps bring people into the hobby. If Atlas didn't offer Trainman, we might arguably see fewer new recruits. Also... I don't think that everyone here would agree that all Trainman products are "attrocious." I think that some of them may be quite serviceable, and appeal to the more discriminating modelers present.

I say let Atlas be Atlas. There seems to be an awful lot of wannabe corporate managers, here; yet by all accounts, Atlas seems to be doing well with their current business model. It just may be that Trainman has helped keep the company solvent during the global economic crisis. As things improve on a global basis, modelers hankering for more Master Line products may be rewarded with patience.

I don't disagree....I strongly support the way Atlas is doing things.  I'm not complaining about lack of releases, and I'm fine if Trainman is making them cash.  In fact, if they weren't using their energy making NEW Trainman tooling I think it's a great marketing idea.  Slap on some Accumates and a new paint job...rock and roll!  All I'm saying is, I don't think you can support Trainman AND complain about not getting new tooling.   That's really it.

I DO disagree that Trainman helps get newbies into the hobby.   It helps the folks that want to buy 200 of everything, maybe.   But otherwise Trainman competes with LHS clearance racks, eBay, and Trainshows.  Period.   I can go to a train show and in 15 minutes find every previous offering of Trainman tooling for $5 or less.  I would bet on it.   Regarding newly tooled Trainman...well the modern boxcar is a hit, no doubt.  The 3560 hopper is OK, but I would still pay the extra $5-6 to Intermountain for it to have etched walks and MTL trucks/couplers.  Not sure what other "new" tooling there is in Trainman N.   I will still buy the odd 90T just to get additional road numbers.

[DKS]

I DO disagree that Trainman helps get newbies into the hobby.   It helps the folks that want to buy 200 of everything, maybe.   But otherwise Trainman competes with LHS clearance racks, eBay, and Trainshows.  Period.   I can go to a train show and in 15 minutes find every previous offering of Trainman tooling for $5 or less.  I would bet on it.   Regarding newly tooled Trainman...well the modern boxcar is a hit, no doubt.  The 3560 hopper is OK, but I would still pay the extra $5-6 to Intermountain for it to have etched walks and MTL trucks/couplers.  Not sure what other "new" tooling there is in Trainman N.   I will still buy the odd 90T just to get additional road numbers.

Well, someone is buying Trainman stuff. Perhaps there are three tiers of buyers (if we must categorize them at all)? Beginners, hoarders and Railwire Members? Anyway, I don't see why the focus is on how Atlas manages their product lines, as if they're the only game in town. Surely other manufacturers are capable of delivering products that scratch your particular itch?

[Rossford Yard]

I tend to have thought that Trainman was a good thing for newbies.  Hadn't thought of competing against the used market and the effect on used aftermarket sellers, of which DRD and I will be in the ranks this weekend!

I also agree its nice to upgrade the fleet.  I do it.  It is just a never ending proposition the way the mfgs come out with stuff, so I don't sweat having some old stuff, because five years from now, my new stuff will be replaceable old stuff!

I gotta say I have enjoyed switching out the Atlas Corn Syrup tank cars rather than the old MDC foobars.  I know that looks right.  And I know there are others who feel strongly about some other kind of car not getting switched at their local industry.  You put us all together and it feels like someone is always complaining!

[asarge]

I DO disagree that Trainman helps get newbies into the hobby.   It helps the folks that want to buy 200 of everything, maybe.   But otherwise Trainman competes with LHS clearance racks, eBay, and Trainshows.  Period.   I can go to a train show and in 15 minutes find every previous offering of Trainman tooling for $5 or less.  I would bet on it.   Regarding newly tooled Trainman...well the modern boxcar is a hit, no doubt.  The 3560 hopper is OK, but I would still pay the extra $5-6 to Intermountain for it to have etched walks and MTL trucks/couplers.  Not sure what other "new" tooling there is in Trainman N.   I will still buy the odd 90T just to get additional road numbers.

I'd take you up on your bet about finding "every" Trainman offering for $5 or less. I also can guarantee you that, maybe even bet my a** that Trainman helps bring newbies into the game. I see it every weekend and somebody must be buying it because we sell a helluva lot of it. NOT too mention that the absolute goal of any shop, online or B&M is too keep things off clearance and off ebay as much as they can.