Atlas PS3 hoppers have begun to ship

[bbussey]

Got four Atlas 2750 cuft PS-3 coal hoppers today, in undecorated.  Very nicely done.  Fine ladder and stirrup tooling; separate detailed brake hardware, bay doors and end bracing; body-mounted couplers that accept MTL 1015 knuckles.  The body of the model is a four-sided plastic "box" with the bays, sloped sheets and centersill being diecast.  The bottom bracing in the ends are separate plastic pieces, and the coupler boxes appear to be integrated with the centersill.  The model comes with standard Atlas trucks, so FVM 3602 wheels are the metal upgrade.

The components are not glued together.  But as with some of the intricate Kato models, it will take a little time figuring out how to disassemble it.

[nkalanaga]

Thank you.  Since I don't mind Accumates it doesn't sound like I'll have to dismantle mine.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Needs more C55.

[nkalanaga]

"The model comes with standard Atlas trucks, so FVM 3602 wheels are the metal upgrade."

How about the Atlas metal wheels?  I've never tried the 33 inch version, but the 36 inch work fine in their 100 ton trucks.

[OldEastRR]

... with the bays, sloped sheets and centersill being diecast. 

Sounds like a challenge to cut it down to a PS2.
Here's my remake of a MTL hopper to a 116000 series. Maybe less accurate but less work.

[unittrain]

Got a DT&I today and wow these are nice hoppers  I plan to get 2 each of Clinchfield and DT&I then the L&N and L&N dixie line ones in the next release to add variety to my Chessie family of railroads coal train. I may even add a Seaboard System one since I model 1978-1980. But ya this model is totally awesome, it would be nice for them to do a new version of their 90 ton trainman car like these new Pullman Standard coal cars!