Hey Atlas...

[Chris333]

Pretty please...........

Top photo looks like Center St. crossing in Youngstown 

[bbussey]

I would argue opening doors and Athearn's infrequent production are reason enough for Atlas taking over the mantle on the 50' PS1. 

And my reference to the plug door was properly punctuated and not advocating for a PS1 version, just a better detailed version of the 40' plug Atlas already makes.

But I'm glad someone's reading my original post, just wish it was someone from Atlas...

The Atlas 40' PS-1 doors don't open either.  The Athearn cars don't have free-standing ladders, but they do have etched roofwalks.

I'd rather see Atlas offer an N scale version of their HO Trainman FGE 40' plug-door boxcar, which is far more prototypical than the current N scale model.

Yes, it would be nice to see the Athearn cars more frequently.  But they aren't exactly hard to come by on the secondary markets, and a plug door release is due this summer.

[coosvalley]

I , too, really want to see more versions of 50 PS-1s, with door options, door width options, and I would go crazy for a modernized version with shortened ladders, or just plain old separate ladders.....The Athearn car is great, for that one version...Just check out all the versions Kadee has done in HO, and they usually sell out...I realize that doesn't mean it will do well in N scale though, but this iconic car existed during some of the most modeled eras...

[nkalanaga]

RonMcF:  It probably won't help the sales much, but the SP&S had 27 Caswell gons, bought used in the mid 50s, and converted to woodchip cars.  The extended sides are easy to build, from wood or styrene, so Atlas wouldn't have to make special tooling for them.  The SP&S never seemed to scrap anything, so they were probably still running at merger time.

[sirenwerks]

I , too, really want to see more versions of 50 PS-1s, with door options, door width options, and I would go crazy for a modernized version with shortened ladders, or just plain old separate ladders.....The Athearn car is great, for that one version...Just check out all the versions Kadee has done in HO, and they usually sell out...I realize that doesn't mean it will do well in N scale though, but this iconic car existed during some of the most modeled eras...

What he said.     And opening is not exactly what I wanted to say, replaceable was the gist.

[bbussey]

Understood.  My point being — the MTL models have vulnerabilities due to the numerous prototypical discrepancies.  And that said, it still took 40 years for a better more-accurate model to reach the market.  The Athearn models have prototypical dimensions, so the minor advantages for another manufacturer tooling new models of those prototypes would not justify the expense.

[wcfn100]

Jeez, Manufacturer Bryan is such a pill. 

The Athearn PS-1 50' box isn't even close to today's standards, specifically to what Atlas would do if they did the car.

Beyond the normal stuff like body mounted couplers and metal wheels, how about an actual under frame with separate brake gear instead of a piece of stamped metal.  Also separate ladders as mentioned before.  The Athearn car's end ladders don't even protrude from the body but are sunken into the ribs.  Also, if they learned from the PS-1, separate end tack boards that can be lowered where needed.

I would dump all my Athearn cars for just the above.

Using what the CGW had I could add the following differences.

Short ladders instead of grab irons.
40" cushion underframe.
Overhanging roof.
10' plug door.
Offset door from center.
Coupler platform/walkover.

I don't know how many car were built to this configuration, but the point is that this car is nothing like the Athearn car, so there could be room for a new model.

On the subject of doing a plug door version of the 40' PS-1.  Gone are the days of saying there's only so many prototype schemes to make something viable.  Atlas has cracked the 'alternate history' nut wide open. And there no problem with this, I'm sure a lot of people like it, but it can't be an excuse anymore.  Any car can have any scheme, so something like the PS-1 which may only need new sides to make it a plug door, may be a viable model to update the old Trainman car, while also producing some new prototypical cars.


Jason

[bbussey]

Personally, I don't care about detailed underframes since you don't see them when the models are upright let alone moving in a consist.  That's money that can be spent elsewhere regarding model design where the efforts are visible at all times.  If I could do it again, the X58 wouldn't have the intricate underframe it does.  It would have been fine with two floor variations for the two cushioned underframes instead of the five separate parts it has, and it would have cost less to tool and the labor would be less to assemble the model.

You have some valid points.  You always could lobby Athearn to upgrade the model, given the level of detail they are employing with their latest tooled models.

[cjm413]

Jeez, Manufacturer Bryan is such a pill. 

The Athearn PS-1 50' box isn't even close to today's standards, specifically to what Atlas would do if they did the car.

Beyond the normal stuff like body mounted couplers and metal wheels, how about an actual under frame with separate brake gear instead of a piece of stamped metal.  Also separate ladders as mentioned before.  The Athearn car's end ladders don't even protrude from the body but are sunken into the ribs.  Also, if they learned from the PS-1, separate end tack boards that can be lowered where needed.

I would dump all my Athearn cars for just the above.

Using what the CGW had I could add the following differences.

Short ladders instead of grab irons.
40" cushion underframe.
Overhanging roof.
10' plug door.
Offset door from center.
Coupler platform/walkover.

I don't know how many car were built to this configuration, but the point is that this car is nothing like the Athearn car, so there could be room for a new model.

On the subject of doing a plug door version of the 40' PS-1.  Gone are the days of saying there's only so many prototype schemes to make something viable.  Atlas has cracked the 'alternate history' nut wide open. And there no problem with this, I'm sure a lot of people like it, but it can't be an excuse anymore.  Any car can have any scheme, so something like the PS-1 which may only need new sides to make it a plug door, may be a viable model to update the old Trainman car, while also producing some new prototypical cars.

Jason

On the subject of CGW, I'd like to see more GATC-built RBL's and grain hoppers that nobody has offered in N...

[wcfn100]

On the subject of CGW, I'd like to see more GATC-built RBL's and grain hoppers that nobody has offered in N...

Maybe we can crowd fund Moloco to make his RBL in N scale.

Jason

[cjm413]

Maybe we can crowd fund Moloco to make his RBL in N scale.

Jason

That would be very dangerous for my wallet....

[cjm413]

Personally, I don't care about detailed underframes since you don't see them when the models are upright let alone moving in a consist.  That's money that can be spent elsewhere regarding model design where the efforts are visible at all times.  If I could do it again, the X58 wouldn't have the intricate underframe it does.  It would have been fine with two floor variations for the two cushioned underframes instead of the five separate parts it has, and it would have cost less to tool and the labor would be less to assemble the model.

You have some valid points.  You always could lobby Athearn to upgrade the model, given the level of detail they are employing with their latest tooled models.

A N scale version of Accurail's 50' underframe would be nice to have for cars that don't have cushioned underframes:

http://www.accurail.com/accurail/art/Details/120.jpg

[sirenwerks]

I wouldn't mind seeing Accurail's Canton hopper and USRA gon in N.

[JMaurer1]

Dear Atlas:

Thank you for all of the models that you have already run. If it wasn't for you I would never have gotten into N scale since your cars were readily available and inexpensive. People always seem to forget the things that you have already done and only want something new.

As for things you have already done, how about some more SP Daylight (daylight red and orange stripped p/n's 37605a and 37606a) TOFC's? Even though the trailers aren't 'right', I'll still take a train load or two of them. And if it isn't too hard, a Baldwin AS-616 would just make my year. Love the improved paint on the new cars.

Jeff Maurer
Sacramento CA

[OldEastRR]

I'd rather see Atlas offer an N scale version of their HO Trainman FGE 40' plug-door boxcar, which is far more prototypical than the current N scale model.

I see you've changed your mind since last we talked of this.

Ah, well, I've always been slightly ahead of my time .....