Atlas Trainman(??) trash flats

[bbussey]

Got my trash flats from Atlas today.

These are classified as being in the "Trainman" product line (the box is labeled "Trainman Plus").  The detail on these however easily qualify it for the Master line, without question.  All-diecast flatcar with extensive relief, stand-alone wire grab irons and plastic brake hardware, new blackened metal wheels with small flanges and prototypical wheel faces, body-mounted Accu-Mate couplers.  The only detail missing is the brakeline between the ratchet and the cylinder.   There are tiny mounting holes on the deck for the containers that serve as container pedestals and are barely noticeable when unloaded.  The trash containers have little pins on the bottom that press fit tightly into the pedestal holes.  At first, I was concerned that they would break off when the container is removed, but they come apart with little effort.  It appears the coupler pocket has no provision for the MTL centering pin, but I didn't take one apart to confirm.

This is an outstanding model.  The only complaint I have is a non-railroad one:  I wish the box nest would allow the model to be stored with the containers installed, but it is designed to hold the car and four containers in separate cavities.  Obviously it is to prevent paint rubs between the parts during shipping, so better that than the alternative.    And if the cars remain out on the layout, this becomes academic.

I picked up the three black Allied flats.  One includes four containers and two come empty.  Atlas already is sold out of many of the stand-alone containers, so I'll have to try to find the four-packs of gray containers on the outside.

[Bob Bufkin]

Did they come with the smell

[ljudice]

Glad to hear - mine are on the way still...   

Can easily add the smell if you want, sounds like a great aftermarket business!

[Ian MacMillan]

Mine are on the way. Ordered all the Allied ones as well.

[conrailthomas519]

Sounds like a very cool model from Atlas, Brian and Ian. Enjoy them! As for myself, I passed on them because I had purchased a few of the nscalekit units.

[Ian MacMillan]

I just need some help finding out what the earlier roadnames were other than Allied from Beacon Park.

[conrailthomas519]

Ian, try these prefixes of know trash containers, AWIX, ECXX, EPIC, ESDX, GCCX, GFLX, GLMX, JAIX, and NJRX. All can be researched on rrpicturearchives.net

[up1950s]

Did they come with the smell

In each container add a morsel of anchovie or tuna . Add a few itty bitty holes on high and hobble the cat .

[CONRAIL FAN]

Did Conrail haul any of these type of cars with their trash around 1998? I do remember seeing Red spine cars with EPIC containers on them. These models I cannot find anything on execpt only recent NS stuff.

[Ian MacMillan]

Mine just arrived. Very impressive cars.

I'm going to have to modify the jewel case insert so that I can put them in the box with the containers on the cars. I dont want to keep taking them on and off.

[FrankCampagna]

Are these cars all metal, or plastic?

Frank

[bbussey]

The flat cars are all metal except for some of the detail parts.  The containers are plastic.  New low-ride-height trucks, new metal wheels (wheel face similar to BLMA), body-mounted couplers.

[Sokramiketes]

The flat cars are all metal except for some of the detail parts.  The containers are plastic.  New low-ride-height trucks, new metal wheels (wheel face similar to BLMA), body-mounted couplers.

Similar to BLMA?  Is it a match to FVM?

[One of One-Sixty]

Did Conrail haul any of these type of cars with their trash around 1998? I do remember seeing Red spine cars with EPIC containers on them. These models I cannot find anything on execpt only recent NS stuff.

I know CR did run some trash flats through Philly on the Riverline, I would assume it was these.  Maybe some of our resident Philly area gurus ::cough:: (Drew, Sean, Ed) ::cough:: on all things CR can chime in on this.

[bbussey]

Similar to BLMA?  Is it a match to FVM?

The truck frame design looks similar to the BLMA trucks.  The wheel faces look more similar I think to BLMA than FVM.  The wheel backs are flat.