TheRailwire

General Discussion => Product Discussion => Topic started by: Ed Kapuscinski on August 10, 2018, 03:28:21 PM

Title: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: Ed Kapuscinski on August 10, 2018, 03:28:21 PM
Hopefully this means things aren't so dire!

(https://scontent.fphl2-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/38858632_10156997354210110_1099798011900329984_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=AeE3cYNh1u80FB3jFFq1b9rUCStX5bT8EO2kRJh0hxFJNFbb5AAjpHdreXWmxVPUvxwPusBYQG-KG5LSiG0EXysrBwgdc3ahBtCZF22KVpKtTg&oh=03075b2f1dfe87a7217757b09c05ab29&oe=5C08D6D0)

(https://scontent.fphl2-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/38882901_10156997354150110_8521589537627963392_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=AeHR03GKcLfzLDTRopteVGTt531TofK5mAoMpocXT2xM5L-tY0sUM55FIW3S8hOV_nNIimcnnfMb3rV-wc4ImWUuZzlHuuSgTb_1HarT591IVg&oh=530f4b3ff135062160f80b240b258b56&oe=5BF73A45)

(https://scontent.fphl2-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/38933028_10156997354360110_2629575400350547968_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=AeFMkibPiADHAFZcsEYoCcRuIXffOEMlrb2U78EQ0WSm69fYngv4PIrN2JCSaokLMGtywsH0PQ1SORGBnwM81mQbxYFBUXeAbLFLQvXEpFOgeQ&oh=6d72adacb2a9d2cc404b6293ad2c3059&oe=5C0113A7)

(https://scontent.fphl2-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/38770658_10156997354465110_8461901389272973312_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=AeFI3Dn-zEPljqd14etn7E9HbEfLCbga3MkTgIWcHy2_jw8mmEfyTGRlB1NMx6rNQ2afEbRUX5E4ZgK-SSpvpnC0wZxSv2bEd_vvbZAMx701qA&oh=4e0cd7e05a102a91da0b5501fb071334&oe=5BC8E42F)

(https://scontent.fphl2-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/38821301_10156997354510110_6150388907264442368_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=AeE1OGQ3yAUes1SuQYZnkXmuEXSK_bDGNWEApDZL-wHv3kRldqCaTSVElJ2-lVMtAT0QlhvER8x1gINPUBpd7eKn8SjMeVxehh31G5ckf8n2MA&oh=733ff2be5e0515a82229ac6b1df314af&oe=5BFC8B23)

(https://scontent.fphl2-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/38942509_10156997354395110_9146740341301313536_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=AeGuaaeO3yKh7Cr47DZYkP_qQJE1ZzDLI_3XuLew6FHQqolcgp6suDCmSz3S71Wfx3WvjS5vc_n9stn7EJezj1MUn45D4sgn_YdHCcT5KaPDTQ&oh=4e09dac6fb6f02951fbc0486253a8671&oe=5C04EC4E)
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: peteski on August 10, 2018, 03:35:28 PM
Those plows, they are Walthers tooling?
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: coosvalley on August 10, 2018, 03:36:30 PM
Looks like a bunch of Walthers stuff. ;)

Is there a prototype for a..."RBL boxcar"?
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: ljudice on August 10, 2018, 03:39:17 PM
Those plows, they are Walthers tooling?


sure looks like it - also the difco and flatcars...
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: ljudice on August 10, 2018, 03:42:21 PM
Looks like a bunch of Walthers stuff. ;)

Is there a prototype for a..."RBL boxcar"?

Looks a lot like some ex-EL cars which could be found on CR...
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: wcfn100 on August 10, 2018, 03:53:55 PM
The RBL could be big news for me if it's the same as the Moloco car.

They should ditch the GSC flat as the Athearn car is a much better model.

Jason
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: asarge on August 10, 2018, 03:54:40 PM
I see a few things in there that peak my interest.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: coosvalley on August 10, 2018, 03:56:09 PM
Looks a lot like some ex-EL cars which could be found on CR...

...Like these?, which is also an Atlas car:...or, are they different styles of car?

(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/2/medium_1318-101017222731.jpeg)
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: ljudice on August 10, 2018, 04:08:01 PM
...Like these?, which is also an Atlas car:...or, are they different styles of car?

(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/2/medium_1318-101017222731.jpeg)

Nope, I have a photo, let me find it....


Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: coosvalley on August 10, 2018, 04:17:58 PM
I think I've got it...

The former Walthers cars are FGE RBL cars, like the Moloco HO cars.

The Atlas cars are FGE RBLs too, but a different style, older design I think.

Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: ljudice on August 10, 2018, 04:19:51 PM
Ex- EL Class BE55B


My shot - New Market NJ - ca. 1993

[attachimg=1]



Many More:

http://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/node/10711
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: GaryHinshaw on August 10, 2018, 04:24:39 PM
Nice to see the Greenville hoppers too.  Looking ahead, I'd love to see the cryo reefer updated.  Even more, I'd love to see Atlas do a 40' chop job (http://www.railcarphotos.com/pix/100/DTTX%2053059%20Ogden_UT_Collin%20Reinhart_2018-06-19_100310.jpg) on the Thrall well cars.

Hopefully this means things are so dire!

Geez, Ed.  Weren't you the one defending the manufacturers a few days ago?  ;)
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: Ngineer on August 10, 2018, 04:30:56 PM
Did Great Northern have a BSB Russel snow plow, or is this model pure fantasy?

   Javier
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: Ed Kapuscinski on August 10, 2018, 05:04:22 PM
Geez, Ed.  Weren't you the one defending the manufacturers a few days ago?  ;)

Oh dammit. Fixed.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: James Costello on August 10, 2018, 05:57:23 PM
Atlas commented on Facebook that the former Walthers tooling wasn’t affected by the Affa factory closure.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: Jbub on August 10, 2018, 06:01:23 PM
Atlas commented on Facebook that the former Walthers tooling wasn’t affected by the Affa factory closure.
That's really good news considering they are already releasing items from the tooling.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: Kev1340 on August 10, 2018, 06:02:01 PM
Atlas commented on Facebook that the former Walthers tooling wasn’t affected by the Affa factory closure.

I didn't see that announcement, but it is great news. At least Atlas can keep some products moving whilst sorting out the Affa fiasco.

Cheers,

Kev
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: conrail1973 on August 10, 2018, 06:35:14 PM
https://www.molocotrains.com/collections/freight-cars/products/11007-cr-1987-repaint-ga-50-rbl-sill-1-106-offset-door-wide-rods?variant=20306808388 (https://www.molocotrains.com/collections/freight-cars/products/11007-cr-1987-repaint-ga-50-rbl-sill-1-106-offset-door-wide-rods?variant=20306808388)

According to Moloco's website, the EL cars were split up with CR and DH.  I will definitely be buying the Russell snow plow for CR. 
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: mu26aeh on August 10, 2018, 06:35:44 PM
I want to see that HO covered hopper they announced be produced in N scale. 
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: daniel_leavitt2000 on August 10, 2018, 07:22:11 PM
The flats, plow, Difco and hopper are from Walthers. The Difco and Greenville cars were from their "second" entry into N scale and came equipped with 100T roller bearing trucks with Accumate couplers. Their detail was quite good, on par with Atlas's Presureaid covered hoppers or the 23k gallon ACF  tank. The GSC car is older, from the early 1990's. There were two distinctly different versions of this. The first run (1993-1995 I think) had awful trucks and poorly cast details. The stirrups and grabs were retooled around 2006-2008 and that car is much better. These are cast as a single part unlike the Athearn car which has a separate deck. The Athearn car looks better and its much easier to weather, but the Walthers car tracked better.

My guess is that the Airslide was a BLMA project.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: bbussey on August 10, 2018, 08:48:02 PM
I think I've got it...

The former Walthers cars are FGE RBL cars, like the Moloco HO cars.

The Atlas cars are FGE RBLs too, but a different style, older design I think.

I'm very pleased to see the model of the older FGE/ex-EL prototype.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: ljudice on August 10, 2018, 09:53:02 PM
I'm very pleased to see the model of the older FGE/ex-EL prototype.

I think these are General American, not FGE...
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: Mark5 on August 10, 2018, 10:06:47 PM
I'm very pleased to see the model of the older FGE/ex-EL prototype.

I also am pleased.  :D

I also think they are these FGEX protos:

http://paducah.home.mindspring.com/se22-24.htm

Mark
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: ljudice on August 10, 2018, 10:13:52 PM
I also am pleased.  :D

I also think they are these FGEX protos:

http://paducah.home.mindspring.com/se22-24.htm

Mark


Not the same car...   The Atlas car has offset doors....

Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: Mark5 on August 10, 2018, 10:19:24 PM
Also pleased about the 4180s - although MTL's model is nice, still plenty of schemes to do.

Would love to see the Brach's Candy version that Tangent did in HO.

https://www.tangentscalemodels.com/product/gacx-brachs-candy-1974

There is also a cool Champion Spark Plug scheme (GACX 46439-46441 I think):

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4391653 This is the as built scheme, there is a later scheme which is also cool:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3975049

Mark
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: Mark5 on August 10, 2018, 10:22:33 PM

Not the same car...   The Atlas car has offset doors....

As do the cars I posted. :D
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: ljudice on August 10, 2018, 10:29:32 PM
As do the cars I posted. :D


One of these cars is an imposter!!!!    :D  :D  :D

According to the CRTS site the ex EL's are General American.

I think the Atlas roadnames match the Moloco GA roadnames as well....


Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: Mark5 on August 10, 2018, 10:32:40 PM

One of these cars is an imposter!!!!    :D  :D  :D


The mystery deepens.  :D
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: ljudice on August 10, 2018, 10:34:07 PM
The mystery deepens.  :D


Whatever it is glad to see it....
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: cjm413 on August 10, 2018, 11:25:43 PM
The RBL could be big news for me if it's the same as the Moloco car.

They should ditch the GSC flat as the Athearn car is a much better model.

Jason

Looks like GATC  :D
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: cjm413 on August 10, 2018, 11:35:06 PM
I think I've got it...

The former Walthers cars are FGE RBL cars, like the Moloco HO cars.

The Atlas cars are FGE RBLs too, but a different style, older design I think.

Walthers N models were NACC.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: cjm413 on August 10, 2018, 11:39:33 PM

My guess is that the Airslide was a BLMA project.

Craig Martyn and David Lehlbach often coordinated their efforts, so that seems probable.

On a related note, Tangent also announced their UP quad hoppers in N
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: cjm413 on August 10, 2018, 11:45:50 PM

One of these cars is an imposter!!!!    :D  :D  :D

According to the CRTS site the ex EL's are General American.

I think the Atlas roadnames match the Moloco GA roadnames as well....

All of the roadnames are legit for GATC built cars
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: wcfn100 on August 10, 2018, 11:46:10 PM
Looks like GATC  :D

Yeah. When I get home tomorrow, I'll take a closer look but these could be trouble for me.  Going to have to figure out how to get undecorated models.

Jason
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: squirrelhunter on August 10, 2018, 11:49:12 PM
Those GTAC RBL's fill a big hole in N scale. I need one in MP and then one in ATSF.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: cjm413 on August 10, 2018, 11:58:35 PM
Yeah. When I get home tomorrow, I'll take a closer look but these could be trouble for me.  Going to have to figure out how to get undecorated models.

Jason

Finding these will be a bigger problem:

http://mopac1.tripod.com/307.gif (http://mopac1.tripod.com/307.gif)
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: sirenwerks on August 11, 2018, 01:54:24 AM
Hmmm, will we be getting this version?


(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1032/8967/products/wgn200079.3.4bb_large.jpg?v=1514085185)
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: nkalanaga on August 11, 2018, 02:20:59 AM
Javier:  Yes:  X-1520.  I don't know when it was repainted, but Four Ways West's "Equipment Color Pictorial Vol 3" has a picture of it.  They had two Russell plows, but I don't know what color the X-1521 was in at merger time.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: bbussey on August 11, 2018, 03:13:43 AM
Those GTAC RBL's fill a big hole in N scale. I need one in MP and then one in ATSF.

Definitely so.  Conrail and possibly D&H from this batch for me, and EL when it eventually surfaces.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: mplsjct on August 11, 2018, 08:33:47 AM
Atlas commented on Facebook that the former Walthers tooling wasn’t affected by the Affa factory closure.

Wouldn’t this just be the ultimate N scale irony if Atlas is able to crank out ex Walthers products while their own tooling becomes dormant?
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: thomasjmdavis on August 11, 2018, 09:59:56 AM
Wouldn’t this just be the ultimate N scale irony if Atlas is able to crank out ex Walthers products while their own tooling becomes dormant?
I imagine Walthers will process enough orders through their warehouse that the irony will not be lost on them.

For Atlas, the acquisition of the Walthers N scale assets may prove fortuitous in the long run as well as the short run.  It gives them product to sell while dealing with the disruption caused by the Chinese factory closure. It ALSO comes with a built in relationship with another Chinese factory, so it may enable them to get some of their (non-ex-Walthers) other upcoming models out with less disruption than we might otherwise expect.  It is not often that you can find a "bolt on" acquisition that comes with usable tooling AND diversification of the manufacturing base AND several products that are in demand (judging from the previous comments on this thread).  Only a few folks at Atlas would be able to predict if this will be profitable in the next 12 months, but it will definitely have a big positive impact on cash flow- which for a small business is the more critical of the two.

I am inclined to think that my old MBA profs would give Atlas an "A" on this acquisition. 
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: bbussey on August 11, 2018, 10:16:52 AM
Hmmm ....  just pointing out that Atlas utilizes more than two contractors, so this never was a situation where there would be no Atlas products at all coming to market.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: PGBowler2 on August 11, 2018, 11:30:39 AM
The new RBL is a General American built car, designed in conjunction with Moloco who produces it in HO.

The Walthers RBLs are North American prototypes, we are working on the research to bring these back.

The Walthers rolling stock tooling is at a factory that we had used in the past, but weren't currently using.  The tooling is going to remain there at for production.  The locomotives are at a different factory that we had occasionally used, but will probably not remain there.  We are working that out now.

The 4180 was a project that BLMA had lined up to go with the crude oil tankers, we followed it through.  The Atlas model will have three variations, the high brake wheel, and the low brake wheel with two different ends, so there are schemes that we can do that Micro-Trains cannot.

At the time of the factory closure, we were using four different factories in China, however the one that closed was producing most of our locomotives and rolling stock, so there will be some delay in getting things back up and running, but we are working to minimize the disruption as best we can.

Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: CBQ Fan on August 11, 2018, 01:25:13 PM
The new RBL is a General American built car, designed in conjunction with Moloco who produces it in HO.

The Walthers RBLs are North American prototypes, we are working on the research to bring these back.

The Walthers rolling stock tooling is at a factory that we had used in the past, but weren't currently using.  The tooling is going to remain there at for production.  The locomotives are at a different factory that we had occasionally used, but will probably not remain there.  We are working that out now.

The 4180 was a project that BLMA had lined up to go with the crude oil tankers, we followed it through.  The Atlas model will have three variations, the high brake wheel, and the low brake wheel with two different ends, so there are schemes that we can do that Micro-Trains cannot.

At the time of the factory closure, we were using four different factories in China, however the one that closed was producing most of our locomotives and rolling stock, so there will be some delay in getting things back up and running, but we are working to minimize the disruption as best we can.


Thank you for the additional details.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: daniel_leavitt2000 on August 11, 2018, 02:18:32 PM
@PGBowler2 the Walthers NACC car had some serious problems such as rivets near the doors being a scale 4" long. Will the tooling be updated as you announce new product? The cars you have chosen with this announcement were the best of Walthers previous tooling. The PS covered hopper was pretty good as well, but could certainly use a new roof with etched roof walk. The cryo cars were fairly good: the end steps need to be thinned out and a new under frame is absolutely necessary. My favorite car is the PD5000, but the current one wouldn't even pass for Trainman. It really needs new end cages, steps, etched roof walk, body mount couplers and proper ride height 100t trucks. Elevating the model to standards similar to the BLMA model would also reduce confusion (they are both large PD style hoppers though they are very different prototypes).

Also, do you know what the plan is on the inherited engines? Will they be converted to DCC/sound as you are doing with the current master line? Will the Walthers mid phase shell be adapted to take the standard Atlas GP38/39/40/-2 chassis? Will the same happen to the GP18/20 on the GP7/9 chassis?
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: CBQ Fan on August 11, 2018, 03:57:06 PM
Hmmm ....  just pointing out that Atlas utilizes more than two contractors, so this never was a situation where there would be no Atlas products at all coming to market.

Ya, their locomotives and rolling stock are fairly minor when looking at the whole picture!   :facepalm:
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: ljudice on August 11, 2018, 04:11:09 PM
@PGBowler2 the Walthers NACC car had some serious problems such as rivets near the doors being a scale 4" long. Will the tooling be updated as you announce new product? The cars you have chosen with this announcement were the best of Walthers previous tooling. The PS covered hopper was pretty good as well, but could certainly use a new roof with etched roof walk. The cryo cars were fairly good: the end steps need to be thinned out and a new under frame is absolutely necessary. My favorite car is the PD5000, but the current one wouldn't even pass for Trainman. It really needs new end cages, steps, etched roof walk, body mount couplers and proper ride height 100t trucks. Elevating the model to standards similar to the BLMA model would also reduce confusion (they are both large PD style hoppers though they are very different prototypes).

Also, do you know what the plan is on the inherited engines? Will they be converted to DCC/sound as you are doing with the current master line? Will the Walthers mid phase shell be adapted to take the standard Atlas GP38/39/40/-2 chassis? Will the same happen to the GP18/20 on the GP7/9 chassis?


The wood rack cars are salvageable too...

Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: BCR 570 on August 11, 2018, 06:31:49 PM
On the subject of acquired tooling, I would like to know if Atlas acquired the Life-Like chassis for the Hobbycraft Canada ALCO C-424.  It is a great running mechanism and the ALCO C-424 and C-425 are gaping holes in the Atlas N Scale locomotive line-up.

Tim
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: cjm413 on August 11, 2018, 07:08:34 PM
@PGBowler2 the Walthers NACC car had some serious problems such as rivets near the doors being a scale 4" long. Will the tooling be updated as you announce new product? The cars you have chosen with this announcement were the best of Walthers previous tooling. The PS covered hopper was pretty good as well, but could certainly use a new roof with etched roof walk. The cryo cars were fairly good: the end steps need to be thinned out and a new under frame is absolutely necessary. My favorite car is the PD5000, but the current one wouldn't even pass for Trainman. It really needs new end cages, steps, etched roof walk, body mount couplers and proper ride height 100t trucks. Elevating the model to standards similar to the BLMA model would also reduce confusion (they are both large PD style hoppers though they are very different prototypes).

Also, do you know what the plan is on the inherited engines? Will they be converted to DCC/sound as you are doing with the current master line? Will the Walthers mid phase shell be adapted to take the standard Atlas GP38/39/40/-2 chassis? Will the same happen to the GP18/20 on the GP7/9 chassis?

The biggest problem with the Walthers 4427 is that it's not the Exactrail 4427:

https://exactrail.com/products/n-scale-ps-2cd-4427-covered-hopper-cnw (https://exactrail.com/products/n-scale-ps-2cd-4427-covered-hopper-cnw)

However, the tooling is probably good enough to sell it as a Trainman car at a significantly lower price than the Exactrail model.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: EmdFan on August 11, 2018, 08:07:55 PM
On the subject of acquired tooling, I would like to know if Atlas acquired the Life-Like chassis for the Hobbycraft Canada ALCO C-424.  It is a great running mechanism and the ALCO C-424 and C-425 are gaping holes in the Atlas N Scale locomotive line-up.

Tim

The C-424 was unfortunately not part of the tooling acquisition.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: Mark5 on August 11, 2018, 09:02:06 PM
Here's one of the Wabash RBLs in 1974 so I will be getting one of these:

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/wab/wab783659ags.jpg

Nice pic from 1966:

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/wab/wab783632s25.jpg

Mark
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: Curtis Kyger on August 11, 2018, 09:31:58 PM
So... does Hobbycraft own the tooling for the C424 mechanism?  And who owns the dies for the shell?
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: learmoia on August 11, 2018, 09:45:13 PM
I thought LL/Walthers had the C424 since they did 1-2 US releases a few years after the Canadian models.

~Ian
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: EmdFan on August 11, 2018, 10:10:26 PM
Paul may chime in with more information. I don't know where the Century tooling went, likely to Hobbycraft. That and the 0-8-0 were not included in the transaction.

As far as upgrades to the WKW cars and locos, we are taking them on a case by case basis. Some are suitable as they are, others will potentially be upgraded. Locomotives will, for the most part, be upgraded to DCC/Sound. There may be an exception or two but we're not done with our analysis yet.

Steve
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: CBQ Fan on August 11, 2018, 10:36:29 PM
Paul may chime in with more information. I don't know where the Century tooling went, likely to Hobbycraft. That and the 0-8-0 were not included in the transaction.

As far as upgrades to the WKW cars and locos, we are taking them on a case by case basis. Some are suitable as they are, others will potentially be upgraded. Locomotives will, for the most part, be upgraded to DCC/Sound. There may be an exception or two but we're not done with our analysis yet.

Steve

Oh the 0-8-0 really hurts, was hoping to buy one on the Walthers cancelled run.  Bummer!
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: Mark5 on August 11, 2018, 11:03:48 PM
That and the 0-8-0 were not included in the transaction.

Does this mean the Berkshire and Y3 are now Atlas?

Mark
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: peteski on August 11, 2018, 11:05:59 PM
Oh the 0-8-0 really hurts, was hoping to buy one on the Walthers cancelled run.  Bummer!

Yeah, that stinks!
I wonder why it was not included in the purchase?  I could sure used few more of those, and being able to purchase its tender as a spare part would have been great too.

That makes me wonder if the 2-8-8-2 Mallet was also not part of the deal.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: nkalanaga on August 12, 2018, 01:14:40 AM
Sirenwerks:  All of the GN RBLs I'd seen pictures of were PC&F cars.  But looking at a print roster, there was a group of five, 200075-79, for which I have no pictures.  Do you have any other information on them?  The side sill is a little different from the Walthers car, but I'd consider buying one if offered.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: BCR 570 on August 12, 2018, 02:27:18 AM
Quote
So... does Hobbycraft own the tooling for the C424 mechanism?  And who owns the dies for the shell?

My understanding, and I may stand to be corrected, was that Hobbycraft Canada owned the shell and Life-Like did the mechanism for them, which was then made available to Life-Like for their own run of U.S. road names.

It would be nice to see the mechanism surface somewhere as it runs so well.


Tim
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: nscalbitz on August 12, 2018, 04:54:16 AM
Wouldn’t this just be the ultimate N scale irony if Atlas is able to crank out ex Walthers products while their own tooling becomes dormant?

Irony?
Really, so according to you a major industry player has just plain dumb luck to ensure its survivibility?
Do you really think that contracts for transfer of major income assets are handed over in a matter of weeks? Or that proposed closure of manufacturing lines wouldn't have been discussed a year or not more in advance?

Or that maybe negotiations have been ongoing for 12 or more months? And the selection and provision of a line to supplant OR supplement existing production would be planned in with arranagements for warehousing (given the vendor) of future production and mass distribution capability.

With future distribution rights and costs deferred both initial capital savings and a revenue stream are assured both parties. Seems like a win-win far into the foreseeable future.

The apparent early closure of a plant may or may not have interupted a schedule, or be right on time.
FWIW, regards d
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: mplsjct on August 12, 2018, 09:37:54 AM
Irony?
Really, so according to you a major industry player has just plain dumb luck to ensure its survivibility?
Do you really think that contracts for transfer of major income assets are handed over in a matter of weeks? Or that proposed closure of manufacturing lines wouldn't have been discussed a year or not more in advance?...

The irony implied here is in response to the all the comments over the years about the lack of availability of Life Like/Walthers tooling, Atlas stated on their press release -one- of their manufacturing plants was closing, not all.

So, no I don’t think this is dumb luck on Atlas’ part, I’m sure I’m not the only one here who has heard the comments over the years about the LifeLike tooling.

Sorry for the confusion.

Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: Mark5 on August 12, 2018, 10:11:45 AM
Sirenwerks:  All of the GN RBLs I'd seen pictures of were PC&F cars.  But looking at a print roster, there was a group of five, 200075-79, for which I have no pictures.

200077:

http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=gn200077&o=gn

Mark
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: peteski on August 12, 2018, 01:51:49 PM
Irony?
Really, so according to you a major industry player has just plain dumb luck to ensure its survivibility?
Do you really think that contracts for transfer of major income assets are handed over in a matter of weeks? Or that proposed closure of manufacturing lines wouldn't have been discussed a year or not more in advance?

Or that maybe negotiations have been ongoing for 12 or more months? And the selection and provision of a line to supplant OR supplement existing production would be planned in with arranagements for warehousing (given the vendor) of future production and mass distribution capability.

With future distribution rights and costs deferred both initial capital savings and a revenue stream are assured both parties. Seems like a win-win far into the foreseeable future.

The apparent early closure of a plant may or may not have interupted a schedule, or be right on time.
FWIW, regards d

That sure is a different take on that factory closure. Are you a model RR indistry outised and are presenting factual info, or just speculatign, like most of us here?

You seem to be implying that this was a scheduled closure and that the model RR companies were aware of the impending closure and were prepared to deal with it in an orderly way.  Call me silly, but judging by all the statements coming from those affected model companies (and their dealers or partners), they were all caught by surprise, and they are now scrambling to find another manufacturer to handle their production.  It doesn't appear that this was a foretasted closure at all.  :RUEffinKiddingMe:  If this was a scheduled closure, there would have been a smooth (likely even unmentioned to the public) migration of their tooling to another manufacturer.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: EmdFan on August 12, 2018, 10:28:39 PM
Does this mean the Berkshire and Y3 are now Atlas?

Mark

They are, but I have no timeline as to when they may be released. Stay tuned...

Steve
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: johnb on August 13, 2018, 12:02:59 AM
They are, but I have no timeline as to when they may be released. Stay tuned...

Steve
any chance of getting the 0-8-0?
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: nkalanaga on August 13, 2018, 01:07:27 AM
Mark:  Thank you!  I wonder why the GN bought those five. instead of simply getting five more from PC&F?
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: peteski on August 13, 2018, 01:22:48 AM
any chance of getting the 0-8-0?

It appears that unfortunately not (not sure why).
See this (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=45201.msg585101#msg585101) earlier post and the following comments.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: Atlas Paul on August 13, 2018, 09:51:42 AM
The C424/425 did not belong to LL/Walthers so was not included in our purchase.

The 0-8-0 tooling was not located with the other tooling, so is not currently included with our purchase, however if/when it is located, provisions are in place for it to be transferred to Atlas.

Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: jdcolombo on August 13, 2018, 10:45:07 AM
All I can do is hope Atlas re-runs the LL Berkshire, which is far and away the best version of this loco ever made in N.  The problems with it are easily remediable: put a traction tire on the 3d or 4th driver set; replace the tender trucks with the cone/cup pickup system used by Kato and Bachmann, and run six wires from the boiler to the tender, where a speaker and ESU sound decoder would be located.  It would be nice if Atlas could find a way to add weight to the front end - the locos have a tendency to lift the front driver set when under load - as they would be if Atlas used traction tires on one of the driver sets.  But even without additional front-end weight, a slightly upgraded Berk would be magnificent.

And please add the Mars light on the NKP version  :D

John C.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: Philip H on August 13, 2018, 11:33:54 AM
The C424/425 did not belong to LL/Walthers so was not included in our purchase.

@Atlas Paul - That's unfortunate. Those would have essentially completed the Atlas N scale hold on the Alco market.

Oh well.
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: Point353 on August 13, 2018, 01:17:35 PM
@Atlas Paul - That's unfortunate. Those would have essentially completed the Atlas N scale hold on the Alco market.
Not until they make the RSD-15 (that Cory promised).
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: AlbertSpor on August 13, 2018, 01:45:20 PM
H

Sirenworks and Nkalanga, the GN rbls 200075-200079 were IIRC part of a Proctor and Gamble pool. I do not remember where I read this, probably one of the freight car lists. The NP had 2, 97124-97125, as well as CBQ and other railroads. The common feature was a 12 foot door on the FGE car that Atlas makes.

Albert Spor
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: wcfn100 on August 13, 2018, 02:22:46 PM
The Moloco site also has some of the P&G info.

Jason
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: Kev1340 on August 13, 2018, 03:10:30 PM
The 0-8-0 tooling was not located with the other tooling, so is not currently included with our purchase, however if/when it is located, provisions are in place for it to be transferred to Atlas.

That is good news... here's hoping it gets found, as I could use a few 0-8-0s!

Cheers,

Kev
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: peteski on August 13, 2018, 03:27:39 PM

The 0-8-0 tooling was not located with the other tooling, so is not currently included with our purchase, however if/when it is located, provisions are in place for it to be transferred to Atlas.

That is the best news I've heard today!  Send in the detectives!  :D
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: Rossford Yard on August 13, 2018, 04:16:27 PM
Irony?
Really, so according to you a major industry player has just Or that proposed closure of manufacturing lines wouldn't have been discussed a year or not more .....

I overheard an Atlas guy say he was at dinner with factory reps there last month, and they didn't even mention closing, just before it happened......
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: DMetz on August 13, 2018, 04:25:34 PM
There is a message on the front page of the Con-Cor website with some additional info on the Affa situation.  But nothing that is worth rehashing all of the previous discussion.  www.con-cor.com
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: prr7161 on August 13, 2018, 07:41:10 PM
That is the best news I've heard today!  Send in the detectives!  :D

Indeed!  A pair of updated P&LE Bulldogs would be most welcome!
Title: Re: NTS Atlas N Scale Announcements
Post by: nkalanaga on August 14, 2018, 01:45:20 AM
Albert Spor:  Thank you!  Similar to the only 40 ft PS-1s the GN owned - a pool car.