Atlas Summer 2022 catalog out - RS-3, RSD-4/5, Bxx-7 with sound

[mu26aeh]

Just out of curiosity I checked on scaletrains, they haven't checked in since May 2021 either.  And people are fanboys of them 

[peteski]

Just out of curiosity I checked on scaletrains, they haven't checked in since May 2021 either.  And people are fanboys of them 

How about the rapido guys?

[mu26aeh]

How about the rapido guys?

They got run off years ago, 2019 to be exact.  Then again, no one was busting a nut for them every time they announce something either

[peteski]

They got run off years ago, 2019 to be exact.  Then again, no one was busting a nut for them every time they announce something either

Wow!
I guess the MTL guys have thick skin. 

[thomasjmdavis]

Wow!
I guess the MTL guys have thick skin. 

Maybe it has something to do with the relative size of the N scale audience here.  How much airtime in Product Discussion goes to brand new HO releases?  Most companies out there are, essentially, HO companies that occasionally make some stuff in N scale.  MTL is mostly N, some Z, and occasional 3-D prints of HO accessories.  So spending some time here represents market research for MTL, while the other companies are generally going to make an N scale version of whatever they are making in HO.  A lot of us own hundreds of MTL cars, plus locomotives, collector sets, not to mention the couplers, trucks and details to upgrade other manufacturer's stuff. So there is a good customer base here.

That's not to say that there aren't good customers here for other brands- and it is obvious that each brand has some ardent supporters.  But almost all of us in N scale are customers of MTL, and I think they appreciate us.

Plus, no doubt, they appreciate the witty repartee, and our polite and intelligent commentary on their products and manufacturing decisions.

[nkalanaga]

Tom D:  The Atlas/Kato RS and RSD models from the 1980s(90s?) also had truck-mounted couplers, and were good units for the time.  MT made, and probably still has, body-mount pilot kits for them.

[Tristan Ashcroft]

Plus, no doubt, they appreciate the witty repartee, and our polite and intelligent commentary on their products and manufacturing decisions.

It's that.  It's definitely that.   

[thomasjmdavis]

Tom D:  The Atlas/Kato RS and RSD models from the 1980s(90s?) also had truck-mounted couplers, and were good units for the time.  MT made, and probably still has, body-mount pilot kits for them.

True enough.  I left those out of my list of RS units (they date from 1983, if memory serves). I was going for the humor, not really trying to compile a complete list.  Still, if trying to sell a brand new loco that will retail for $150 bucks, why use an inaccurate 39 year old graphic for a $39.95 loco? 

I have several Atlas/Kato RS2 chassis running under Baldwin cab shells and recently picked up an RSD mechanism that I'll use for something. My guess is that those will be running long after some newer chassis bite the dust. 

[u18b]

I have not examined them with a fine toothed comb to be certain what the short comings are.  Did Atlas not base their model of one of the owners of a small fleet of B36-7’s.  Santa Fe maybe?  Meanwhile, CSX (Seaboard System 120) owned the most and Conrail (60) second most.  Those account for 180 of the 230 GE sold.  Not sure why you would not base the model on the largest purchasers of the prototype.  Are those three CR ones you want to model the ones from Chase, Maryland?

Just a reminder that the resurrection of the Atlas B36-7 started right here on this board.  We begged.   We provided research....
And Atlas listened.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=34399.msg398890#msg398890

There is no better example of a manufacturer who listened to the customer..... we, at least the @sshats.

 

So maybe you Conrail guys need to beg for a B36-7.  The original concern Cory had years ago was that some folks would object to the loco being 1 N scale foot too short.
I for one, said I didn't care.

[glakedylan]

I for one would really like to see someone produce a PRR RS3 with antennas applied
since they have such a special support system location and style.

I do not think that I am up to mounting my own in the way the prototype was.
Maybe some day.

Sincerely
Gary

[Altoona]

You mean something like this.

Judd Barton

[glakedylan]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
exactly! and, good work...thanks for posting.

sincerely
Gary