Stuck on the 2nd quarter 2023

[OldEastRR]

Looking for my favorite item's  shipping arrival date, I saw the FA1 was scheduled (as usual) for 2nd quarter 2023. I've learned to disregard that but scrolling down the page it looked like a LOT of items were stuck at the "2nd Quarter 2023". Did EVERYTHING from Atlas get stuck somewhere along the supply chain?

[packers#1]

Yes, it most likely did.

Or they haven’t updated the list recently. Did you try calling their office to get an update?

[reinhardtjh]

Looking for my favorite item's  shipping arrival date, I saw the FA1 was scheduled (as usual) for 2nd quarter 2023. I've learned to disregard that but scrolling down the page it looked like a LOT of items were stuck at the "2nd Quarter 2023". Did EVERYTHING from Atlas get stuck somewhere along the supply chain?

You have to take the "Estimated Ship Date" (ESD) with a huge grain of salt.  There is a pattern.  Each time Atlas updates the page any ESD of items that are "late" to the current/next quarter.  Maybe they just updated but now all these ESD, except for a few oddballs, are 4th Quarter 2023.  Don't expect them to really ship then.  They may be ready to be produced but Atlas has trouble (I presume) getting scheduled in the factories production lineup. The date to watch is the "In Transit" date.  When that's filled in you know they are on the boat and headed here.  Of course, sometimes that's not accurate either as Atlas sometimes doesn't update the page in a timely manner. 

[mu26aeh]

A friend of mine ordered some parts and shells recently, he mentioned the SD45s.  Parts guy told him they are still at least a year out, so the ESD isn't even accurate.  Items will get here when they get here is pretty much the name of the game.  On their FB page, Atlas rarely has it set the general public can even post comments on their posts, so I think it's obvious even they are tired of getting the questions ( or complaints ).  At the shop I work at, we basically tell people to get their pre-orders in if they want something and we'll call them when they come in.  We are at the mercy of the manufacturers and more-so the Chinese factories that basically hold these manufacturers hostage .

PS - if you're looking for Atlas parts, it's not always the best option to just check the website

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I can assure you that NOBODY wants to get product to market faster than the manufacturers themselves. It's just amusement to us, but to them, it's a mortgage payment.

There's really no point or value in bugging them about it or complaining about it.

[CBQ Fan]

I can assure you that NOBODY wants to get product to market faster than the manufacturers themselves. It's just amusement to us, but to them, it's a mortgage payment.

There's really no point or value in bugging them about it or complaining about it.

I agree and understand that. I just wonder why they keep shoving more announcements in into the pipeline faster than they can get it produced out the other end. It is getting a bit Intermountainish in my opinion. If they actually produce things I want I will not hesitate to buy it. I will not preorder though.  Contrast that with my consistent prepayment to Lowell Smith.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I agree and understand that. I just wonder why they keep shoving more announcements in into the pipeline faster than they can get it produced out the other end. It is getting a bit Intermountainish in my opinion. If they actually produce things I want I will not hesitate to buy it. I will not preorder though.  Contrast that with my consistent prepayment to Lowell Smith.

Because they've gotta keep the pipeline moving.

It's like making good bourbon. In order to have a bumper crop of 12yo stuff today you had to put it in barrels 12 years ago.

[mu26aeh]

RailSmith had my money for almost 2 years before I asked for it back on the CSX executive cars.  Still not out that I know of.  I'll pre order, but I'll be damned if I'm paying up front

[carlso]

Anybody remember back several years ago now when Con-Cor had a real fiasco with an SP Cabforward announcement ? ? ?

Jim wanted an advance of $50 to reserve a loco. I wanted one so bad that I bit and gave him the reserve money. Well after some time, don't remember if it was 1 or 2 years the project was dropped and "reserves will be refunded soon". Welll a couple of years later with no refund I came across Jim at a show in San Jose, CA and lit into him. I got my money in a couple of weeks, to his credit.

I have never reserved or paid a reserve fee since then to any shop or manufacturer.

[CBQ Fan]

RailSmith had my money for almost 2 years before I asked for it back on the CSX executive cars.  Still not out that I know of.  I'll pre order, but I'll be damned if I'm paying up front

The delay on the Executive Cars was due to the wildfires that severely impacted Microtrains staffing when their homes burned to the ground. From what I understand the whole company almost burned to the ground.

[drgw0579]

It seems to me there are at least 2 classes of importers.   One has "their own" factory and probably before the product is announced, they've already scheduled, and sometimes started production.   The relationship may be such that advanced payment is not required.  The design is probably done completely in the same building.  Tooling may remain at the factory after the production is completed.

The second is more of a free-agent approach.   The importer may be able to work with different factories and find the best one for the particular project.  The design may be done elsewhere.  But there is no loyalty, so they are subject to the production plans of the factory, which could change unilaterally.  Payment may need to be upfront.  This may be required for product lines that have a lot of different types of products.

The first class looks to be preferred.   But history has shown that offshore manufacturers sometimes abruptly go out of business, leaving the importer with, nothing.  Perhaps some of the current brands in the second were once in the first.  In the grand scheme of things, the model railroad business is probably very tiny compared to everything else going on in China.   So the factories aren't the same as the ones making cell phones or other popular products.  If you believe the pundits, much manufacturing is leaving China.  Our products will probably stay there indefinitely.  I can't imagine being able to make this stuff in the USA.

Bill Kepner

[CBQ Fan]

Because they've gotta keep the pipeline moving.

It's like making good bourbon. In order to have a bumper crop of 12yo stuff today you had to put it in barrels 12 years ago.

I don’t agree with the analogy at all.  Makes me wonder if you were enjoying your own 12 year old bourbon when you were responding!  😎  if so I hope it is a good one!!

My point is that Atlas keeps announcing way more n scale items at pace that they could never hope to match production wise.  I just don’t see a real world situation where they catch up, ever. There are plenty of other companies producing N scale items at a regular clip and meeting within reason their ETAs. Atlas N feels like it is in more the old Walthers (prior to selling off its rolling stock/engine tooling) and Intermountain camp than say Athearn, BLI, ST, RSM etc. 

The vast majority of other companies, give you an ETA of 12 months and then you see the product within 60 days of that.  Not Atlas.

I pre ordered from Lowell Smith the SPS BLI F unit and the Atlas GP-9TT at the same time.  I had no doubts on the F unit, but I really wonder how many years it will take for me to see the GP unit.  The BLI units should be shipping soon if not already on their way.

All that I am asking of atlas is communicate your plan on how you intend to produce what you have advertised.  When you catch up then start offering new items again. And for the record there is a crap ton of stuff from Atlas I will buy when hits the digital hobby shop shelves.

[wes_sutton]

Oh My......it's Groundhog Day again

[mu26aeh]

The delay on the Executive Cars was due to the wildfires that severely impacted Microtrains staffing when their homes burned to the ground. From what I understand the whole company almost burned to the ground.

Yep, understand that.  But after that happened, he started hemming and hawing on what paint scheme he was going to do bc CSX came out with the new B&O inspired scheme.  Mentioned doing a survey to measure interest in either but I never saw it.  Never had an update in his FB chats.  End of day, money was refunded and spent elsewhere on equipment.   If and when they ever do get released, maybe I'll get them. 

[bbussey]

Atlas announced yesterday that the new Also S-4 switchers will arrive in warehouse next week, which means they will be in the stores this month.  So while movement is slow, it is moving.