Atlas acquires Microtrains

[Rossford Yard]

Well, I was going by memory, but I thought they all added up.  Either way, if you have that list of costs, I wouldn't mind seeing it again.  I simply recall that the proportion of the pricing seemed to make sense, like the motor cost the most, shell next, etc.

I know that LL and Bachmann both worked a higher margin than most, which is how they could discount more off of MSRP, vs Atlas and Kato.  It seemed like they would try to get Kato prices for then inferior locos, although I do recall that LL was the first with narrow handrails on their GP 9s, or SD9, whichever one they ran.  They were also good runners, but I think they had a bit of jackrabbit starting speed.  When I had them, I put them on staging tracks on pass through trains, and they looked great traversing the layou.

[High Hood]

Scale Trains possibly. But.... then i look at FVM offerings.... oh wait.

ScaleTrains just canceled the ex-FVM N Scale Silverside run because of lack of preorders to meet minimum factory production. 

[signalmaintainer]

ScaleTrains just canceled the ex-FVM N Scale Silverside run because of lack of preorders to meet minimum factory production. 

Yeah, a real bummer for Southern fans. I had one of the N scale samples in hand, and it was quite good for a runner.

[bbunge]

I only hope that Atlas replaces those slotted screws with Philips!!!!!!

[Maletrain]

Considering the large current uncertainties about tariffs, I hope manufacturers are not taking lack of preorders as lack of interest.

[robertjohndavis]

Considering the large current uncertainties about tariffs, I hope manufacturers are not taking lack of preorders as lack of interest.

I guess there is a lack of interest in the sense that we aren’t interested in the unpredictability in price due to the tariff policies (a choice compounded by how each manufacturer deals with it).

I have a few pre-orders for product (hopefully) coming next year, but certainly not as much as I normally would.

Rob

[peteski]

I only hope that Atlas replaces those slotted screws with Philips!!!!!!

They will probably be metric (M1.2), not the Amurican 00-90s. 

[nscaler711]

I only hope that Atlas replaces those slotted screws with Philips!!!!!!

No no no, Torx are where its at!   

[SirTainly]

Torx or metric all the way so I can actually purchase them without paying import duty!   

[peteski]

No no no, Torx are where its at!   

For screws size 00-90 or M1.2 a Torx bit would have to be very very small. 

[Lemosteam]

They make 'em.  Had to by a set of tiny torx for my son to disassemble and clean out his game controller.  Itty bitty things they are.

[Mark5]

While I have torx in my toolset for working on cars, etc., I think they would be overkill in this application. 

[bbunge]

For screws size 00-90 or M1.2 a Torx bit would have to be very very small. 

Some Apple phones use them and you get the torx drivers in a battery replacement kit.  I haven't measured them, but they are about the size of 00-90, or even smaller.

[jdcolombo]

Torx is rapidly becoming the standard for small-screw assembly.  Look at any small appliance you buy today: if it has screws, they are likely Torx.  I like them; I already have Torx screws I use with my MT couplers (and yes, I bought a set of "jewelers" torx drivers; tiny they are, but mighty).  They don't slip, don't strip out as easily as Philips and are easier to drive.

Bring on the Torx!

John C.

[thomasjmdavis]

What size torx do you use on those screws?

My little Craftsman set (picked up several years ago at Lowes) has a T4, which is physically smaller than the 000 phillips I use on phillips head 00-90s.  Is the T4 going to be small enough? (also have T6 if the T4 is too small)