Atlas surprise coming at Trainfest

[davefoxx]

Didn't Bachmann make that already?

Seriously?!  That Bachmann model is terrible.

DFF

[nscaler711]

AEM-7s. Please. Like O scale and HO have them... N scale has both of its replacements... It's time... It's basically the K4 for Amtrak... 

[jdcolombo]

Our goal going forward is to put sound into our models.  In fact, during my trip to China in September, we were able to test a road switcher chassis with a sound decoder and speaker installed, and are now working to get that to market.  As such, it doesn't make a lot of financial sense to retool a frame to be decoder ready, then have to retool it again to put in sound.

The new chassis should also eliminate the motor contact problems some of our models have had.

@Atlas Paul

Hi Paul.

Kudos for moving in this direction.  All I'd ask is that you pay attention to the speaker installation if you are going to go this route.  I realize that whatever you end up doing has to be compatible with manufacturing techniques.  But I think too many manufacturers simply haven't done their homework well on speaker/enclosure setups for N-scale.  I'll admit that the S-2 was pretty good (although better after I put in an 8x12mm cell-phone-type speaker in its own sealed enclosure in the cab).  So please - if you're going to do this, make sure you pay attention to the speaker/enclosure setup and remember that for an 8x12mm cell-phone-type speaker, you really need a minimum enclosure volume of about 500 cubic mm to get the best sound out of that size of speaker.  That's roughly an enclosure that is 8x12x5.25 in internal volume, and nearly all hood diesels have room for an 8x12x6mm enclosure (with the speaker "wrapped" by the enclosure, rather than sitting on top of the enclosure).  If you haven't seen the video I did comparing different speakers in different-sized enclosures, that thread is here:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=40127.0

John C.

[Catt]

Dave Foxx said "Seriously?!  That Bachmann model is terrible."

Once you get down to bare plastic it is a very nice casting.

[cjm413]

Dave Foxx said "Seriously?!  That Bachmann model is terrible."

Once you get down to bare plastic it is a very nice casting.

If "nice casting" = "correct dimensions" and "enough space for an Atlas mechanism"...

...Atlas U23B + Botchmann U36B long hood = U36B (at least in theory)

[davefoxx]

If "nice casting" = "correct dimensions" and "enough space for an Atlas mechanism"...

...Atlas U23B + Botchmann U36B long hood = U36B (at least in theory)

No, thanks.  I don't like that shell at all.



In fact, I'll disagree that it's a nice casting.  It would be way too much work to try to bring that Bachmann shell up to Atlas quality.  I'll wait for Atlas to release a U36B.

DFF

[Cajonpassfan]

Hi Paul.

Kudos for moving in this direction.  All I'd ask is that you pay attention to the speaker installation if you are going to go this route.  I realize that whatever you end up doing has to be compatible with manufacturing techniques.  But I think too many manufacturers simply haven't done their homework well on speaker/enclosure setups for N-scale.  I'll admit that the S-2 was pretty good (although better after I put in an 8x12mm cell-phone-type speaker in its own sealed enclosure in the cab).  So please - if you're going to do this, make sure you pay attention to the speaker/enclosure setup and remember that for an 8x12mm cell-phone-type speaker, you really need a minimum enclosure volume of about 500 cubic mm to get the best sound out of that size of speaker.  That's roughly an enclosure that is 8x12x5.25 in internal volume, and nearly all hood diesels have room for an 8x12x6mm enclosure (with the speaker "wrapped" by the enclosure, rather than sitting on top of the enclosure).  If you haven't seen the video I did comparing different speakers in different-sized enclosures, that thread is here:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=40127.0

John C.

I think John Colombo's insightful comments above hit the nail on the head! John is unquestionably the N scale sound guru with many many cutting edge installs under his belt, and I sure hope Atlas would seriously consider his comments. Decoder quality available in N scale has improved dramatically, but commercially available sound equipped models are not taking advantage of easily available speaker and enclosure technology. Admittedly, the S2 comes close, but future models' tooling needs to consider an optimal speaker/enclosure combo, and this seems like a good opportunity to get it right...
Thanks Paul for listening.  ....I know you are
Otto K.

[tehachapifan]

I also agree with the speaker enclosure comments. A completely air-tight enclosure on one side of the speaker is a must and makes a world of difference in sound quality.

[cjm413]

No, thanks.  I don't like that shell at all.



In fact, I'll disagree that it's a nice casting.  It would be way too much work to try to bring that Bachmann shell up to Atlas quality.  I'll wait for Atlas to release a U36B.

DFF

To be clear, the only part of the casting I'm curious about is the long hood.   I've already written off the remainder of the shell as landfill fodder.

[u36b]

Atlas U23B + Botchmann U36B long hood = U36B

No, it don't work.
The Bachmann hood is far to wide; walkways, frame and battery boxes are part of the shell.

Howerever, an the Bachmann B23-7/ B30-7 does make a very good starting point for a U36B (i guess IT IS the old U36B with much improved tooling):
It is to short for a B23-7/ B30-7 but right on (Hood and under frame) for U36Bs ect.
The hood is scale wide, atlas U-boat cabs fit right in -perfect!!!
However, the long hood is modeled as stand in for a Bxx-7 and fitting an Atlas long hood is difficult because hood and frame ect. are cast as one part .
Worse, Bachmann doesn't offer it anymore

Stephan

[cjm413]

Atlas U23B + Botchmann U36B long hood = U36B

No, it don't work.
The Bachmann hood is far to wide; walkways, frame and battery boxes are part of the shell.

Howerever, an the Bachmann B23-7/ B30-7 does make a very good starting point for a U36B (i guess IT IS the old U36B with much improved tooling):
It is to short for a B23-7/ B30-7 but right on (Hood and under frame) for U36Bs ect.
The hood is scale wide, atlas U-boat cabs fit right in -perfect!!!
However, the long hood is modeled as stand in for a Bxx-7 and fitting an Atlas long hood is difficult because hood and frame ect. are cast as one part .
Worse, Bachmann doesn't offer it anymore

Stephan

Bachmann B23-7 has the wrong number of engine room doors for a U36B, also the wrong phase of doors (centered latches) that would only be correct for the CR U36B's.

http://www.spookshow.net/loco/bachb30-7.html

[u36b]

You are right; the long hood is a kind of B23-/B30-7: to short for a Bxx-7, but wrong for an U36b. Also the radiator doors and vents are wrong for both.

However, an Atlas long hood could be fitted or some 3d printing (Bone Valley Scale Models comes to mind - he does a mate already).
It would be an easy kitbash

[cjm413]

You are right; the long hood is a kind of B23-/B30-7: to short for a Bxx-7, but wrong for an U36b. Also the radiator doors and vents are wrong for both.

However, an Atlas long hood could be fitted or some 3d printing (Bone Valley Scale Models comes to mind - he does a mate already).
It would be an easy kitbash

There are radiators for the Kato U30C, but a shortened Kato U30C long hood would be a tad wide for the Atlas U23B...

http://www.shapeways.com/product/WZEQN7ZSC/u33c-radiator-and-hood-end-1-160

[OldEastRR]

So the U36B it is! (as Atlas surprise)

[coosvalley]

It could be a freight car too, couldn't it?..

Or even a passenger car!..Or structure, DCC system, surprise could mean anything!