Micro-Trains/Atlas Update - 1/20/26

[dcr1793]

Posted on the Atlas Facebook page this afternoon.

Micro-Trains by Atlas — Transition Update
It has been approximately eight weeks since Atlas Model Railroad Company announced the acquisition of the tooling assets from Micro-Trains Line. We would like to provide an update on the transition and share what to expect going forward.

Shortly after the announcement, Atlas retained several long-time Micro-Trains employees whose experience and product knowledge are invaluable to ensuring continuity and quality. All of which have officially joined Atlas after assisting with the orderly wind-down of Micro-Trains operations and supporting Eric and Vicki as they begin their retirement. These team members include Corrie Gaither, Liz Peterson, Joe D’Amato, Barry Rose, Brandon Templeton, Christine Wine, and Mickala Quakenbush.

With the retention of this experienced group, Atlas has been able to maintain select decorating operations in Oregon to continue to build upon the prototypical graffiti and weathered products you’ve come to enjoy. These activities are currently being conducted at the former Micro-Trains facility while we evaluate longer-term options for continuing this work in the region.

The Oregon team has been actively preparing initial Micro-Trains by Atlas releases. We expect to have several items on display at the Amherst show on January 24–25. While release dates have not yet been finalized, as certain components are still required prior to final assembly and packaging, progress continues on these items as well as a broader range of future projects.

We have also reached an agreement with Accurail to continue the HO-scale kit offerings used in the “Grit N Grime” series. In addition, the Oregon team is reviewing other Atlas products that may be well suited for future inclusion in this line.

We have received a number of inquiries regarding the availability of trucks, couplers, and parts. Atlas intends to continue offering these items, consistent with past Micro-Trains practices. Availability will be restored as components are produced in conjunction with regular product manufacturing.

We appreciate everyone’s patience during this transition period. The entire Atlas and Micro-Trains by Atlas team looks forward to supporting your N and Z scale needs and delivering new products in the near future.

[bbussey]

Very cool news.

[John]

Outstanding press release.   And congratulations to @MTLjoe, @MTL_Brandon and the others who are staying on.

[robert3985]

That IS very good news!

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Mark5]

Happy news for a change - thanks Atlas! 

[Rossford Yard]

Maybe I didn't need to drop so much on MT weathered cars this weekend at the Plano show...... I felt like if I wanted them, I should get them.  Very similar to the feeling of pre-ordering remorse when you really don't need those things......

I like that they are continuing that, and that they are considering more grit and grime rolling stock.  I have always felt that sooner rather than later, most cars will come at least flat, and not so shiny.  Maybe newbs and a few guys who love weathering won't care for them, but I believe mainstream modelers would.  I don't know if anyone knows how well Athearn does with theirs, but someone can at Amherst, perhaps?

Also happy that the trucks and couplers will be available.  I don't know if it was here or MRH, but when one guy mentioned being worried about being able to standardize his fleet, another responded curtly that maybe he should just to with N Possible couplers.  They are great, but I am with the guy who says he doesn't want to convert a 500 car fleet.  In my case, of all my layout needs, better looking couplers ranks pretty low.....it is at least in the three digit range.

Lastly, while forums can tend to bash anything that changes, I never doubted that Atlas would make the most of their purchase, and continue to support N scale as they always have.  Yay, us!

[Englewood]

But I was told that the world was ending!

[Dave V]

Outstanding press release.   And congratulations to @MTLjoe, @MTL_Brandon and the others who are staying on.

My first thought. If they didn't dump the talent, that's a clear sign they're committed to the product. And yes, I'm glad good people get to keep their jobs too!

[johnb]

yay! The sky is NOT falling!

[eja]

Maybe this will work out better than it did with BMLA at least in terms of product availability.

[peteski]

It is a great news that Atlas retained some of the MTL employees and also the operations building (and I assume some of the machinery) in Oregon. While While the initial attempts of ink-jet printed decoration when MTL started doing it were not very impressive, over the years the printer resolution and  ink used have improved dramatically, and the weathering/graffiti decoration  to me seem the best in the business.

All the other news  also seems quite positive.  I agree that so far Atlas seems to have handled this acquisition much better than some previous ones.

[nkalanaga]

Rossford Yard:  I'm with you on couplers.  My MTs work fine, and keeping the trains running is more important than changing couplers just for looks.

Maybe if they were a drop-in fit for 1025 and 1015 boxes I'd try them, otherwise it's way too much work for too little benefit for me.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Jeez, I hate to say "I told you so", but... I told y'all so.

[Jbub]

Jeez, I hate to say "I told you so", but... I told y'all so.

I think the "I told you so" is very welcome in this case.

[Scottl]

It smells like Atlas managing negative sentiment.  Hard to imagine Atlas seeing a business case to produce niche items like oddball trucks and couplers given their existing business model.  BLMA is a rational guide to how it is likely to play out IMO. 

I expect many things will quietly become unobtainable while premium products that have fewer risks and carry costs like the weathered cars will survive.

 Happy to hear a positive outcome for many MT staff.