Atlas acquires Microtrains

[bbussey]

ANd of course other model companies all over the world are using this technology.  I have seen models from Fleishmann and even Kato with some graphics ink-jet printed, and some diecast automotive models are also decorated this way, so no, it is not exclusive to MTL  Yes, some past Atlas N scale offerings have also been decorated (likely in China) using this technology.

I remember it was noted here years ago that Kato was using the technology on the Amtrak schemes on the Amfleet and Heritage cars.  I know some of the Kato cars I have used the process as opposed to conventional pad printing.

[bbussey]

Don't be shady, Atlas.   Own it.

Nothing shady about it.  Both the MTL press release and the Atlas press release stated the tooling was being moved overseas.  Neither announcement stated the tooling was staying in the States.

[bbussey]

You f***ing **** tease! Don't DO that to me in a doom and gloom thread. hahahahahhahahahahah

Guess what?  The MOQs with my contractor are less than with conventional pad printing.  Not as low as classic-MTL quantites, but still less than the standard process.

[Ike the BN Freak]

Okay, that still leaves the various Milwaukee horizontal ribbed boxcars, H30 hoppers, Milw and B&O wagon top bay window cabooses, various modern ribbed boxcars, the Hiawatha 4-4-2 and passenger cars, the B&O wagon top boxcar, Milw transfer caboose, and various trucks, including the best leaf spring caboose trucks ever made in N. All of that tooling has been collecting dust since the Scale-Trains acquisition.

However there was issues with other tooling that FVM had, look at the SD70ACes where the tooling didn't meet what ST wanted. However, maybe some of these other cars will be in the operator line. But who knows, talking to Matt and Shane at NSE, they are open to doing more of the FVM cars in the future. Personally I'm looking for more of the PS4000 Gons in BN

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Guess what?  The MOQs with my contractor are less than with conventional pad printing.  Not as low as classic-MTL quantites, but still less than the standard process.

STAAAHP

[peteski]

I remember it was noted here years ago that Kato was using the technology on the Amtrak schemes on the Amfleet and Heritage cars.  I know some of the Kato cars I have used the process as opposed to conventional pad printing.

Yes, Kato used on some Amtrak cars, and the entire Kato Orient Express consist graphics were done using that technology. On the Orient Express the result is not optimal as they seem to have used some sort of clear printed layer over the colored images. The clear extends beyond the graphics (like waterslide decal's clear film), it is rather thick, and has a rough texture. Not optimal. I would say that looking at other companies ink-jet printed decorations, MTL has definitely perfected that method.

[bman]

I told myself I wasn't going to jump into this fray. And I told myself years ago I'd never move back to Ohio. So here we are.

Do I expect this transition into Atlas to go perfect? Nope. Been around business long enough to know you plan for the worst and hope for the best. There will be challenges that will have to be worked out. There's s few folks here with a wealth of industry knowledge that are taking this all in stride. I'm going to jump on their train. It's true I don't know where this train is going, or how bumpy the ride will be. But at least it is going forward.

[SAH]

As for Micro Trains trucks and couplers, they have been the gold standard for over 50 years.  The depth and breadth of their offerings is unparalleled across every imaginable era of modeling.  Atlas would be foolish to sink that ship.  Their own Accumate design is widely regarded as terrible, both in appearance and performance.  I dare say there is probably a growing ratio of Accumates piling up in coffee cans and cigar boxes under the layout right next to Rapidos.

Lee

Been a while since a thread moved this fast on TRW.  The spirit is still engaged!

As for all those coffee cans and cigar boxes (love the old school storage method reference @wm3798 ) ,should you or anyone else harboring the discredited artifact known as Accumate, need that extra storage space under the layout you can mail them off to me.  I love 'em. 

Steve Holzheimer

[track1]

However there was issues with other tooling that FVM had, look at the SD70ACes where the tooling didn't meet what ST wanted. However, maybe some of these other cars will be in the operator line. But who knows, talking to Matt and Shane at NSE, they are open to doing more of the FVM cars in the future. Personally I'm looking for more of the PS4000 Gons in BN

Not even that the tooling didn't meet ScaleTrains standards- some of the molds were missing when they were transferred to ScaleTrains' factory.

[NSEGeorge]

Bryan-  this is looking really good. I am using similar methods for the NSE weathered cars. And frankly, so was MTL. Yes there are many ways to skin this very particular cat.

We are in a funny backwater of industry, where 100 pieces of an item is a lot. There is no other industry that tolerates such things, so this kind of creative solution is truly important. When we shipped our first tool at deLuxe to Sanda Kan, our run of 500 pieces got bumped for a month because a slot car manufacturer needed 25000 pieces of a 917 Porsche body. Our hobby just doesn't have the weight to support the expectations of hobbyists.

The fact is this technology will get better and better. The equivalent resolution right now is 1440 dpi. It will go up as the hardware improves. Tampo (Pad) printing has a much higher equivalent resolution if it is pushed to the limit in the platemaking and art preparation. I expect that inkjet and UV printing will get there, and fast.

The nice thing is that MTL was there, Atlas is there, and the combined efforts will push the boundaries and quickly.

[lock4244]

I should think that items such as the link below, and the myriad of loads that MTL produces will be lost to us. Not necessarily the existing line, but rather any new ones going forward. MTL made a lot of unique items that no one else does.

https://www.micro-trains.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=4932&search=arrowedge

[Ngineer]

With BLMA, the big issue wasn’t lack of interest; it was that nobody anywhere could etch those detail parts anymore.

This is a joke, right?

We do build high speed trains, a Boeing 747 and an Airbus A380 as well as rockets that can fly into space.

And those small part CANNOT be etched? How is that even possible?

Regarding the main topic, I think that this is very sad news. If production is being transferred outside of the USA (please tell me how this can be good at all?), the tariffs will make MTL products too expensive. Sigh.

The Walthers passenger cars vanished, I really do hope those MTL heavyweights don't vanish, too. All in all, I am quite pessimistic.

Alas, I hope I am wrong.

   Javier

[Rivet Miscounter]

Both the MTL press release and the Atlas press release stated the tooling was being moved overseas.  Neither announcement stated the tooling was staying in the States.

That is why there was no need for the additional statement.    As has been mentioned, most of the time when someone is bellyaching about "China", they are generically using that term to refer to the Asian manufacturing corridor as a whole.   So for Atlas to use the strawman "oh wait nobody said anything about *China*, we aren't sending tooling to *China*", well to me that is not being genuine.

I am actually a huge fan of Atlas and have been defending the anti-Atlas sentiment that has been happening the last few days.  But I just don't think this follow-up statement was a good move or the right thing to do.   Not to mention that yes, it has caused confusion on FB (which isn't difficult to do) and other forums.

Anyway, nothing to lose sleep over...just a solution without a problem--that is maybe creating a problem--mostly.

[John]

I should think that items such as the link below, and the myriad of loads that MTL produces will be lost to us. Not necessarily the existing line, but rather any new ones going forward. MTL made a lot of unique items that no one else does.

https://www.micro-trains.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=4932&search=arrowedge

Most of those loads can be replaced by 3D printed items -- some already exist ..

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/arrowedge

[Olivani]

Why would you think that weathered (and clean) GONX gondolas won’t commence?

What are the kids calling it nowadays, FOMO ? Maybe it is just FOMO from my side Bryan. I am sure the clean GONX will be available in future, on pre order and 2 years to safe money for it. But I can't see new weathered models on a monthly release from now on. I hope I will be proven wrong.

Look, I am glad Atlas stepped in and took over, no doubt about that. And yes, I have calmed down and will patiently waiting now and see how this situation develops