Atlas Nov Announcements

[Mark5]

I see the HO guys are getting a re-release of the PHII U30-B.  I wish they would offer those in N Scale. :'(

I hope this is the next loco announcement in N from Atlas.

[Ian MacMillan]

This would be a good weathering project

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=959217

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2191514

I had thought the same thing. I love patched cars.

[Packer]

I see the HO guys are getting a re-release of the PHII U30-B.  I wish they would offer those in N Scale. :'(

I saw that they are doing them in BN this time around. Numbers are for the SLSF ones, so to see if they have the noselights (which is why I didn't bite on the GP40-2s)

Although, if I find enough pictures of units with removed nose lights in 1987 or earlier I may bite. (determining factor with the GP40-2)

[GaryHinshaw]

First - If the paint is anything like I saw on the Heritage Units they can keep em. The paint on the WP ones I held in my hands was HORRIBLE.

Really, in what way?  The one I'm holding in my hand is great: very smooth paint, a crisp Feather and WP logo.  Two of the pad printed items are a wee bit blurry, but definitely a 2nd-order effect.  I don't doubt your judgement at all, it just doesn't match my experience.

The paint jobs on the SD-45 are another issue entirely, but the 70ACe's, Dash-9's, and GEVO's I've received from Kato this year have all been well painted.  Maybe that's just Chuck watching out for me though.  

Second - Kato is not Atlas' competition. If they both made the exact same models, then you could say they were in competition over which model was better.

I will take a Kato Dash-9 over an Atlas Dash-8 any day.  Atlas does offer a few separate grabs & cut levers, but they're too bulky for my taste, and the frame has those funky gaps.  The Kato is a much smoother runner too.  It makes a great basic model for further detailing.  That's one of the few cases where they marginally compete though.

-gfh

[bbussey]

Ian and Tony are correct however in the liberties Kato has taken regarding accuracy of the paint and lettering in recent releases.  The most recent GG1 painted in the billboard Pennsylvania scheme was totally wrong.  Yes the mechanisms are great, but it's a detriment when you have to repaint or reletter the unit.

[GaryHinshaw]

No argument with that for sure.  Unfortunately I have a similar issue with my FVM GEVO: the BNSF orange is off and the nose logo is too small.  A fine model in other respects though.  I guess no one bats 1.000 in this business -- except ESM! 

I was tempted but the plastic roof walk would look out of plase in my sea of IM, Athearns and Atlas Master hoppers.

Traincat is your friend:

http://store.traincat2.com/products/Atlas-Thrall-4750-Covered-Hopper-(N).html

[lock4244]

You all seem to be ignoring the possibiliry that Kato is correct on all these issues and that the prototype is in-fact wrong.

Thanks Gary, that Traincat upgrade looks interesting... I had been ignoring the ATL 4750's due to the lame details.

[MichaelWinicki]

I think the Atlas pricing structure allows the company to come out with not just more runs of locomotives but in roadnames that one would have not thought possible– even a decade ago. 

My gosh look at how long it's taken Kato to re-release some of their locomotives... And then you have paucity of roadnames. 

[Brakie]

Thankfully the only items I'm interested in is the Evans 52'6" gon in IHB and Brandywine Valley.. ;D

[lock4244]

I think the Atlas pricing structure allows the company to come out with not just more runs of locomotives but in roadnames that one would have not thought possible– even a decade ago. 

My gosh look at how long it's taken Kato to re-release some of their locomotives... And then you have paucity of roadnames. 

What, 19 years (U30C) not fast enough for you?

[MichaelWinicki]

What, 19 years (U30C) not fast enough for you?

19 years...

You know that doesn't even qualify as a "business model".  It's a "hobby model". 

I mean that's really how Kato views the US market IMO... As a "hobby".

[Bob Bufkin]

I always considered by Kato units to run somewhat better than my Atlas ones.  They both have their strengths and weaknesses.  I do sometimes wonder if Kato USA takes their Marching Orders directly from Japan and as such doesn't consider what we North American modelers desire.

[CBQ Fan]

I don't see how you could argue with what Kato has done with passenger sets!  You may not like the speed of the releases of certain locos but they have consistently released them, albeit slower than Atlas, while releasing the passenger car sets at a very reasonable price!  Both companies have their strengths and both have their weaknesses.

[Ian MacMillan]

Really, in what way?  The one I'm holding in my hand is great: very smooth paint, a crisp Feather and WP logo.  Two of the pad printed items are a wee bit blurry, but definitely a 2nd-order effect.  I don't doubt your judgement at all, it just doesn't match my experience.

Maybe just the units I had?... I had a WP and SP heritage unit. Both had lines that were not crisp, and the paint did not flow into the seams between the doors. They were a friends that were being shown to me. If they were mine I would not have purchased them.


I'll give you the Kato Dash 9 over the Atlas Dash 8 as I prefer the Kato units...ok well I like the Atlas Dash 8 units, but was kinda disapointed with the -8W units....but you cant say Kato makes a better Dash 8 than Atlas...because one does not exist.

[sundowner]

Traincat is your friend:

http://store.traincat2.com/products/Atlas-Thrall-4750-Covered-Hopper-(N).html

Hm, I might have to take a look again the Cat definitely looks friendly. ;D