New Atlas Stuff

[ljudice]

Atlas has announcements for Nov on it's website:   

http://www.atlasrr.com


Anyone else somewhat stunned that these are due 3rd Quarter 2014 - which is like a year from now.  I thought the supply line issues were over.

I am sure they will be great, but I have to say it's not very exciting to think of stuff coming so far in the future.  Model railroading is getting like retirement planning, as opposed to being a hobby....

I hate to sound dismal, but frankly, between the delays, disappointments (Kato NS stuff) and high prices, I have been spending a lot more time on other hobbies lately.  To be honest, I don't think I've spent a dime on trains in 6 months...

Perhaps Atlas and others should build what they think they can sell and announce the stuff right before it's in stores (which I believe was or
is the Kato concept) and abandon this build to order.  Just a thought.  I am not even sure I would even still want anything in a year and
I'm sure glad I didn't preorder those Heritage SD70ACE's.


- Lou

[Dave V]

I'm guessing they've been getting enough flak for the code 55 track delays that they don't want to oversell the timetable on these.

[Roger Holmes]

Some of us, myself included, are getting old enough we don't even buy green bananas 

[Philip H]

The only real interest for me would be the NS paintout on a CSX coil car.  Other then that, there's nothing here that excites me, so no loss if there are production delays.

And Dave's probably right about their desire to be honest regarding scheduling.

[TiVoPrince]

LTEX
GP15-1s are mighty tempting, but may require renumbering...

[jnevis]

The Richmond units are very tempting, wrong phase and all. Hmmmm......

[txronharris]

I'm guessing they've been getting enough flak for the code 55 track delays that they don't want to oversell the timetable on these.

They should get flak for the code 55 debacle. They've lost thousands (maybe millions?) because they can't keep something that anyone can see is a core product in stock. I'm sure the guys a Peco and Micro Engineering will send them a Christmas card this year thanking them for increased turnout sales. Peco got the money from me for 20 turnouts, not to mention the track. If Peco had more realistic code 55 turnouts, Atlas would be out of the track business.

As far as the new releases, the GP15-1's look cool, but not enough to plan that far out. I agree the manufacturers that make us plan/pre-order/pay a year out for stuff we want kill my interest in the hobby. It's like we're being held hostage for liking the roads/cars/locos we like. My spending has definitely decreased because of it and will continue to do so.

[John]

It's hard to believe that we can't find a place to make track here in the US at a reasonable price ..

[wcfn100]

I'm sure the guys a Peco and Micro Engineering will send them a Christmas card this year thanking them for increased turnout sales.

And Atlas can send one back.  One to Peco for not offering an American line of track, and one to ME for not offering any other turnout sizes. 

As you said, thousands of dollars those two companies missed out on.

Jason

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Ugh.... C55. Why can't they keep this in stock.

I have no use for train cars I can't run.

Someone, anyone willing to jump into the ready-made C55 business? It is pathetic to think we do not have a single full line North American style track system available. HO has, what, a dozen different manufacturers?

[LV LOU]

It's hard to believe that we can't find a place to make track here in the US at a reasonable price ..

At $5.25 list per section,it's not reasonable now..

[up1950s]

Mexico box for me .

[packers#1]

LTEX GP15-1's will be tempting whenever they hit MBK, and even more so once they hit the MBK sale price

[CBQ Fan]

I am not looking to reduce my spending on trains each month but I am looking to reduce my pre-orders.  I don't care to have my budget tied up on items that just keep getting pushed back and back and back!!

[Dave V]

They should get flak for the code 55 debacle.

You will get no argument from me against that.

Any plans I might want to consider for expansion/improvement of the Juniata Division are essentially held hostage by this shortage.  Yes, I know there are other options for track, but my available time really points me to Atlas.

I would be lying if I said I hadn't considered weathered, ballasted Unitrack.