Atlas S4 in N scale?

[sirenwerks]

A manufacturer's POV. And if it holds true, I would presume Rapido shouldn't release its HO F40 in N since Kato's unit already exists on the market and the LL unit can always be massaged into one?

[packers#1]

In your opinion.  It's not a matter of who is or isn't seeing "my" point of view.  I stated the reasons from the manufacturer's viewpoint as to why you won't see another S4 in the near future.  Pud also stated the reasons from the same viewpoint.  Paul basically gave a non-answer quip regarding the possibility.  My personal viewpoint is that it's not an issue as to whether or not another S4 appears.  I couldn't care any less.  If I wanted one, I would buy the Bachmann version and upgrade any details I felt needed correction.  If I wanted sound, I would put a sound-equipped decoder in.  If the wheel treads were too fat, I would change the wheels.  That's what I would do, rather than pining for a model that may never come.  Scott Lupia wrote an NSR article not too long ago that featured a modified Bachmann S4 and it looked outstanding. 

I can see the motivation behind wanting an Atlas S4 from the viewpoint of a modeler who just wants to take it out of the box and put it on the track.  I see it just fine.  What is disappointing is that many of the modelers who hold that POV can't understand or refuse to understand why it isn't feasible from the manufacturers POV.

Well said

A manufacturer's POV. And if it holds true, I would presume Rapido shouldn't release its HO F40 in N since Kato's unit already exists on the market and the LL unit can always be massaged into one?

The problem here is that you are insisting that the manufacturer's point of view is wrong. It isn't.

[SkipGear]

A manufacturer's POV. And if it holds true, I would presume Rapido shouldn't release its HO F40 in N since Kato's unit already exists on the market and the LL unit can always be massaged into one?

Unless they can raise the bar on the model by a substantial amount, no they shouldn't. The market for an F40 is already so small (Amtrak fans with a few others thrown in), I can't see it doing well unless it is a tremendous increase in detail without the matching price point to go with it.

[Puddington]

We currently have no plans to produce an N scale F40..... I believe that some of the reasons have been covered.....

[sirenwerks]

Been doing a lot of surfing in Railpictures.net....but most PRR, UP, ATSF, and many others had the square corners...

Really?  There's one pic of a Pennsy S4 on Railpictures and it clearly has sealed rounded corner windows on the cab face, as do, back and front, the ATSF units pictured on the site.  There's only one pic of a UP unit and its a straight side shot so you can't see the windows in question.

The problem here is that you are insisting that the manufacturer's point of view is wrong. It isn't.

No, I would have said that; I'm pretty literal so I pay attention to the misappropriation of articles.  The manufacturer (Atlas) hasn't stated whether or not it will produce the S4.  Plus, if Atlas were to say no, I'm not that argumentative to tell the company it is wrong, it just won't get my money in this instance.

Throwing up my hands...

[basementcalling]

Back in the 1990s Bachmann came out with its Spectrum SD40-2 and the 8-40C. Neither model was in the Atlas class back then but their presence contributed to Atlas not doing its own version of the -2and the -8 was very late to the party for such a prominent unit from that time.

Switchers are also problematic even beyond the repeat offering issue as N scalers buy far more multiple units of road power for long trains than multiples for all their yard switching.

I want an AC6000 or convertables.

[Wardie]

On some railroads the S-4 was as much a road unit as the GP-7, the Maine Central used their 7 S-4's as branchline and local power in singles and pairs for a large part of their careers. I own several Bachmann GE switchers and a few of their steam locomotives but I am going to wait to spend my money on an Atlas S-4.

[johnb]

I am holding out for an Atlas Southern Pacific S2 in tiger stripes. But the Bachmann unit isn't half bad

[bbussey]

Here's a parallel situation.  Atlas released the early-design H16-44s.  Bachmann released the later-design H16-44.  Atlas has no intention of producing the later-design H16-44.  I bought a pair of Bachmann units because New Haven had a few.  Currently I'll run them as is and MU'd with Atlas GP9s and RS11s.  If they don't operate well with the Atlas units, I will make adjustments.  But the detail on the model is fine and they match well visually with the Atlas units.  I'd rather have them now than wait on the slim-to-none chance that Atlas will tool the later-design body and truck frames to fit their existing mechanism within the next decade.

[coosvalley]

I'm still going to hold out for an Atlas S4, hopefully in PRR to boot!...Those guys don't get enough love.....

The Bachmann S4 is slightly more expensive than the Atlas S2 at my favorite online vendor, so I would have to pay more for wide-hooded, cab casting problem-ed loco...not likely...

Since Bachmann does not offer undecorated S4's, you will have to disassemble a painted version, and with the glue they use, you might as well plan on breaking something, handrails especially, windows maybe...My Atlas S2 , while not exactly easy to disassemble, at least I could get it apart without breaking anything....

I don't see a sound option for Bachmann S4's as of yet.....

Wishing does not hurt anyone, or even suck up any of my precious modeling time, so I am still going to....If enough of us are vocal on the subject, maybe we will be able to sway the decisions of the people who actually have a say in the matter.....

I can understand Atlas not wanting to reproduce anything made already by Bachmann, but Bachmann seems to be just fine with doing exactly that...The GP-7 and RS-3 come to mind....I wonder why it translates one way but not the other???

[sizemore]

For those that think the Bachmann has a wide hood. The Atlas hood is wider... Bachmann measures in at 10.83mm while the Atlas comes in at 11.03mm. The detail relief is better on the Bachmann.

The S.

[coosvalley]

I stand corrected!

Could you share a side by side photo?....

[sizemore]

I would take a picture the problem is the depth of field for such small models. While one hood would be in focus, the other would not.

The S.

[Joetrain59]

Coosvalley, could you take us through your experience of disassembling the S-2? Post in in S-2 thread.
 Thanks,
 Joe D

[coosvalley]

I will share what I learned!