Atlas acquires Microtrains

[randgust]

The first thing I've stumbled on that is an 'ooh...CRAP' is that both Micro-Trains and pretty much everybody else is out of stock on the ASSEMBLED 905 Z couplers. 

I use those on everything I can and have been retrofitting cars with them.   If you search the MT web page is says 'not found', so what, they gave up on them?  Roll your own because nobody wanted the job of assembling them including me?

Nuts.   Didn't see that coming until I tried to find some.  That's what's on both ends of my Porter 0-6-4t.

[spookshow]

Why does the U30C stick in my mind as being a "first"?

First "low friction" drive (pointy ended axles sandwiched between dimples in the axle wipers, contact strips on the chassis receiving current from the wiper tips).

-Mark

[Sokramiketes]

The first thing I've stumbled on that is an 'ooh...CRAP' is that both Micro-Trains and pretty much everybody else is out of stock on the ASSEMBLED 905 Z couplers. 

I use those on everything I can and have been retrofitting cars with them.   If you search the MT web page is says 'not found', so what, they gave up on them?  Roll your own because nobody wanted the job of assembling them including me?

Nuts.   Didn't see that coming until I tried to find some.  That's what's on both ends of my Porter 0-6-4t.

The nPossible scale box, is for all intents and purposes, the size of a Z 905 box.  So you have that option if the MTL supply doesn't keep up and you want to try the new couplers. 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

The nPossible scale box, is for all intents and purposes, the size of a Z 905 box.  So you have that option if the MTL supply doesn't keep up and you want to try the new couplers. 

And honestly, your amazing stuff deserves N-Possibles.

[learmoia]

Atlas Winter 2025 news on uTube

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Yawn..
Maybe 1 Tropicana boxcar..

Still no Conrail Side dump Cars.

No G&W S4s.. (which would include a Bicentennial scheme)

Oh well saves me money..

~Ian

[Point353]

The first thing I've stumbled on that is an 'ooh...CRAP' is that both Micro-Trains and pretty much everybody else is out of stock on the ASSEMBLED 905 Z couplers. 

Check your PM inbox.

[JoeD]

The first thing I've stumbled on that is an 'ooh...CRAP' is that both Micro-Trains and pretty much everybody else is out of stock on the ASSEMBLED 905 Z couplers. 

I use those on everything I can and have been retrofitting cars with them.   If you search the MT web page is says 'not found', so what, they gave up on them?  Roll your own because nobody wanted the job of assembling them including me?

Nuts.   Didn't see that coming until I tried to find some.  That's what's on both ends of my Porter 0-6-4t.

how many are you looking for?

Joe

[thomasjmdavis]

The first thing I've stumbled on that is an 'ooh...CRAP' is that both Micro-Trains and pretty much everybody else is out of stock on the ASSEMBLED 905 Z couplers. 

I use those on everything I can and have been retrofitting cars with them.   If you search the MT web page is says 'not found', so what, they gave up on them?  Roll your own because nobody wanted the job of assembling them including me?

Nuts.   Didn't see that coming until I tried to find some.  That's what's on both ends of my Porter 0-6-4t.

Not that it will make you feel any better, but I couldn't find 903 couplers, either (the unassembled version of a 905).  My plan is to use them on baggage cars so I can uncouple under a train shed.  Looks like I may need a plan B (1015s).

[randgust]

Ah, but you forget.  I still use magnetic uncoupling, quite successfully, and much to my surprise if you rebend the 905 pins, everything actually works.   Not that I have anything against the npossibles, I've seen them and was significantly astounded and think they have a place.

And because of the magnetics, 'most' of my normal switching cars are truck mounts.  But the N logging stuff, with 25' spine cars and tiny equipment, begs for Z's, and all the Nn3 cars use Z's, as well as all my critters and tiny steam.  And the Hickory Valley has 8" curves.

It's funny, I have some really OLD MT's, body mounts, and it's stunned me how the MT couplers have grown dimensionally from the originals.   The old ones are more like the Z's. 

I did find some, just hope that assembled Z's are not gone forever.   Say it ain't so, Joe.   Or Paul. 

[Point353]

Not that it will make you feel any better, but I couldn't find 903 couplers, either (the unassembled version of a 905). 

Check your PM inbox.

[bbussey]

Wasn't there also an NSC/NSE special run of NH heavyweight passenger cars?

Most were foobs. The RPO was the closest to correct. The Patlor could have been correct but the graphics were wrong.

[bbussey]

Comparing the latest 40' boxcar prices, MSRP from MTL is $30 while Atlas is at $39.
(Also, Kadee HO 40' boxcars are mostly under $45.)
Would a 30% price increase be sufficient to support domestic production?
If not, what would you estimate that the price of a USA-made product might need to be in order to make it viable for a manufacturer?

You can’t compare the two PS-1 models. The Atlas high-end version is far more detailed and has more standalone detail. Just based on design style and number of components, compare the MTL PS-1 to the Trainman PS-1. Yes, the MTL overall quality is better, which is what elevated the product line in the 1970s. But the construction is basically the same. That will give you an idea of the current cost difference between manufacturing here and contracting overseas.

[Point353]

You can’t compare the two PS-1 models. The Atlas high-end version is far more detailed and has more standalone detail. Just based on design style and number of components, compare the MTL PS-1 to the Trainman PS-1. Yes, the MTL overall quality is better, which is what elevated the product line in the 1970s. But the construction is basically the same. That will give you an idea of the current cost difference between manufacturing here and contracting overseas.

There doesn't seem to be any recent production for the Trainman 40' boxcar, but there is for a 50' single door car.
The Atlas Trainman car is priced at $27 versus $29 for an MTL car.
I'd be willing to pay the extra 7.5% for the made-in-USA product every time.

[Olivani]

Yawn..
Maybe 1 Tropicana boxcar..

Still no Conrail Side dump Cars.

No G&W S4s.. (which would include a Bicentennial scheme)

Oh well saves me money..

~Ian

Yawn... ? Not here, there's no yawning going on, very excited about the new 73' Center Partition Car  , the Red Caboose and the Rapido ones are very rare and I need a lot of them to transport the LP Smart Siding to Pembine or Green Bay, WI    

[mark.hinds]

You can’t compare the two PS-1 models. The Atlas high-end version is far more detailed and has more standalone detail. Just based on design style and number of components, compare the MTL PS-1 to the Trainman PS-1. (rest of post removed)

The Atlas PS-1 is better, but mainly because it is the correct body height, while the MT PS-1 is slightly stretched in the vertical.  (This can be fixed, but it's not easy to do).  Slightly more detail on the Atlas, but some of the detail is over-scale compared to the MT version (like the side panels and rivets).  Yes I know we've had this discussion before...