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

[Philip H]

Focus group of one: I don’t doubt their want, I doubt the approach based on past acquisitions.

Any concern expressed on my part stems directly from the loss of a cornerstone of the hobby with MTL’s sale combined with personal experience of QC issues with Atlas products. And right now it is a loss until it’s not.

Is that negativity or is it caution based on experience? I tend to follow evidence-based thinking. The available evidence does not give me a lot of confidence even though what I WANT and HOPE for is that Atlas hits it out of the park with MTL. That’s the only outcome that will help the hobby, and at the end of the day that’s my only interest.

I have to agree with this analysis.

[Englewood]

I miss the monthly releases.

Me too. I always looked forward to seeing something announced and 10 days later it's rolling down my mainline.

[Ngineer]

I miss the monthly releases.

So do I. They had something new and nice every month - and very often I had to buy it. Now, with the other companies, you order and then you have to wait from 2 to 5 years.

Besides, the heavyweight cars were unique. And affordable.

Javier

[muktown128]

Besides, the heavyweight cars were unique. And affordable.

Javier

This!!

[cbroughton67]

I emailed Atlas' customer service department today, pointing out the frustrating lack up updates six months into their MT acquisition. I received the response below.


Chris


******


No updates yet. Trucks and couplers are going to be  at least a couple months.

Steve Millenbach[/size][/b][/font][/color][/font]
[/color]Customer Service Manager[/size][/b][/font][/color][/font][/size]
[/color]Atlas Model Railroad Co[/size][/font][/color]


******

[nkalanaga]

I've watched our plant (auto filters and manifold parts) install injection molding machines.  It isn't easy, as the machines themselves are huge.  And, at least in our case, the tools (molds) are designed for one type of machine.  We have at least four types, by three manufacturers, and none of the tools will fit more than one type.  Unless the new factory has identical (unlikely) or compatible machines, it could take a lot of work to make the tooling fit the new machines.  Six months to a year doesn't seem unlikely in that case.

Also, one has to have parts to train the new assemblers.  Just casting the parts isn't enough, one has to have trained workers to inspect and assemble them.  We actually have more quality control issues with our operators than with the machines themselves.

[OldEastRR]

Oh boy!  I can't wait for that one.  That'll be so cool.  NOT!!!!!!!! 

Doug

Maybe it'll light up, too, like the planet ones. $$$$$

[Maletrain]

Too bad SpaceX manufactures its rockets at the launch site.  We could have had a 400 ft long flat car string with a Superheavy booster and a Starship.  But, that just wouldn't be prototypical.   

[Mark5]

No updates yet. Trucks and couplers are going to be  at least a couple months.
Steve Millenbach
Customer Service Manager
Atlas Model Railroad Co

I'm happy to see Atlas acknowledge the importance of having trucks available.

[DeltaBravo]

I hope my hoard holds out until their trucks and couplers are back on the shelves. 

[peteski]

Do we know if Atlas is actually building a new factory from scratch in Vietnam, or is it some already existing independent model RR manufacturer there, and Atlas just contracted them to produce their ex-MTL (and possibly actual Atlas) items like has been done in China for decades? 

I suspect that it is the latter, because setting up a model train factory from scratch and staffing it with employees would take quite a bit of time and monetary investment.

[tehachapifan]

I may have mentioned this before, but my biggest concern with trucks and couplers is they won't be exactly the same. They may have the same exact molds, but couldn't even slightly different materials and/or manufacturing process render, say, a coupler that doesn't operate quite as freely or a truck that doesn't roll quite as good? Guess we'll have to wait and see.

[peteski]

On a related note the new Atlas C424 comes equipped with not Acumates but clones of MTL 1015.  They are definitely not from MTL molds.  The molding is not as crisp, no RDA design and the spring seems just a tad stiffer.

[crrcoal]

Not as easy to remove/install the coupler boxes either when you have to take the shell off. I will probably replace with actual 1015's.

On a related note the new Atlas C424 comes equipped with not Acumates but clones of MTL 1015.  They are definitely not from MTL molds.  The molding is not as crisp, no RDA design and the spring seems just a tad stiffer.

[cbroughton67]

I'm happy to see Atlas acknowledge the importance of having trucks available.

I had brought up the issue of no couplers being available in my email, so he was addressing that rather than volunteering that info.


Chris