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

[Point353]

Interesting to see the quantities some folks have.  After 25 years I think I have about 30 cars and 4 engines that are what I would consider "what I wanna build a layout around"  Not to say my garage doesn't have plenty of overage but I have struggled to keep things in check for my own well being. 

Joe
Atlas/MTL

Until recently, I had been buying Micro-Trains cars each month since they were first introduced in 1972.
Multiply a few cars (and/or runner/multi-packs) per month by 600+ months and it's not that difficult to have eventually acquired a few thousand cars.
I'd like to think that I've done my part to help support a company and its employees (that was) making products in the USA. 
(To a lesser extent, the same applies to the HO freight cars being produced by Kadee.)

[nkalanaga]

Mines basically the same way.  I've been in N scale since the late 1960s, so, even without organized "collecting", I've acquired a a lot of cars.

For the first almost 30 years I was in small bedrooms, with no room for much of a layout, so simply collected "useful stuff".  In 1996 we finally got a place with a train room, and I had almost everything needed to build the layout already on hand.

I actually buy very little now, mostly "stuff" that I can use, but which wasn't made earlier.  Most of my modeling is upgrading stuff I already have.  Even when I do build something, it's usually from materials on hand.

[John]

I actually buy very little now, mostly "stuff" that I can use, but which wasn't made earlier.  Most of my modeling is upgrading stuff I already have.  Even when I do build something, it's usually from materials on hand.

That's about where I am now ..

[OldEastRR]

I think everybody, no matter their situation, always winds up with more cars and locos than they need. Especially if they change layout ideas or railroads modelled. I went to a generic NH from a Chicago Union Station Pennsy passenger layout and tho I've managed to reduce my inventory, I still have way more PRR passenger and merchanise service cars sitting in boxes than can be integrated into the new layout. Luckily the NH fielded cars from RRs all over the country, so my NP, IC, MP, SF, SP, CNW and the like can still show up as a freight car or two.

[mu26aeh]

I just acquired a bunch of Atlas 4750 and 5250 hoppers sans trucks.  If anyone has 14 pair of 100 ton accumate trucks/couplers I'd be happy to take them off your hands.

[ChessieFan]

I have accumate couplers that You are asking for. Send Me a Private Message to work the details.

[robertjohndavis]

I just acquired a bunch of Atlas 4750 and 5250 hoppers sans trucks.  If anyone has 14 pair of 100 ton accumate trucks/couplers I'd be happy to take them off your hands.

One of the things I love about this hobby is the diversity of opinion and ways to enjoy things. I cannot get rid of Accumates fast enough, yet there is someone who appreciates them. Rather than argue who is “right” I see that diversity as something that makes the hobby stronger.

[bbussey]

… It's just my preference from my own experience, and there certainly is nothing "wrong" with magnetic remote uncoupling, as both you and I (and others) agree it is very handy in hard to reach areas of a layout.

Also handy when needing to uncouple underneath catenary.

[mu26aeh]

One of the things I love about this hobby is the diversity of opinion and ways to enjoy things. I cannot get rid of Accumates fast enough, yet there is someone who appreciates them. Rather than argue who is “right” I see that diversity as something that makes the hobby stronger.

I've never had an issue with them.  I don't do magnetic uncoupling that that never was a selling point for MT.  Besides, most of these cars will get weathered/tagged and hopefully sold

[OldEastRR]

[mu26aeh]

Considering the lousy job Atlas did on reworking the LL FA1, I do not hold out much hope on the MTL line remaining a quality product.

Well after seeing the first MT by Atlas cars showing up at the shop today, I'm happy to report that if I were to remove the MT by Atlas logo, you'd have no idea they were done by someone else

[bbussey]

Considering the lousy job Atlas did on reworking the LL FA1, I do not hold out much hope on the MTL line remaining a quality product.

Just because you may (or may not) have gotten a lemon FA-1 does not mean Atlas did a lousy job. I suspect it may be something you did inadvertently since you seem to encounter these issues more than everyone else.

[Jimbo]

Well after seeing the first MT by Atlas cars showing up at the shop today, I'm happy to report that if I were to remove the MT by Atlas logo, you'd have no idea they were done by someone else

Were these cars truly manufactured at Atlas’s new site, or were they old stock from Talent, OR that they are now releasing under their direction?

Jim

[mu26aeh]

Were these cars truly manufactured at Atlas’s new site, or were they old stock from Talent, OR that they are now releasing under their direction?

Jim

That I do not know.  All I can say is that they are in MT by Atlas cases/packaging.

[earthsavior]

Were these cars truly manufactured at Atlas’s new site, or were they old stock from Talent, OR that they are now releasing under their direction?

Jim

The Atlas and MTL reps at the NSE convention in Milwaukee said the current run is old stock from Talent and we would start seeing new MTL stock in the fall (ideally) or winter (if things slip). Also said that the product lines are being kept operationally separate for the time being and the Atlas/MTL factories are in different countries. They haven't decided if Atlas will swap over to MTL couplers, some import issues to be worked out between the two sites.