Atlas VO-1000 question

[Dave Schneider]

I am (slowly) working on some Shapeways Fairbanks-Morse shells to be mounted on the Atlas VO-1000 chassis and desire to purchase several of these. I seem to vaguely recall discussion that at some point Atlas made a design change that resulted in improved performance. The details of these changes escape me as they were at a level of analysis that was a bit beyond my comprehension at the time.

Could someone summarize what changes were made and whether they were significant? Does anyone know if Atlas notes the chassis improvements in any way that allows for an informed decision? Ultimately I am looking for information or guidance on specific road names and/or "run version" to purchase to get the best possible chassis. Thank you for any help.

Best wishes, Dave

[tom mann]

The first few runs were from Korea and suffered from QC issues. They ran smoothly, but the plastic shell parts didn't fit together properly.  The later Chinese-made ones improved the fit and finish and assembly. I'm not sure if there were any chassis improvements.

[mplsjct]

I had one with the Korean made chassis, it wasn't one of the smoother runners in my fleet, I would shop for the China made chassis next time.

It looks like the first three runs used the Korean chassis.

[Dave Schneider]

Thanks for the info. I have taken a look at the Atlas web site,  but it doesn't (or I couldn't find) where it differentiates the various runs. Thoughts?

Best wishes, Dave

[Missaberoad]

The October 2006 announcement lists the features "Improved body fit!" and "Improved drive!"

http://www.atlasrr.com/NLoco/nvo10003.htm

as for what changed I'm not certain... I would have to compare my Ajin and china versions...

[Chris333]

I remember the trucks falling apart on the first run.

[Hornwrecker]

Spookshow has an in depth analysis of the differences.

http://www.spookshow.net/loco/atlasvo1000.html

When I bought my VO-1000, I noticed that there was a few dollar difference in price on the BLW site, so I figured that was the difference in production runs , which proved to be true, as I got a China made one ($3 more).  Still haven't got around to putting my H 10 body on it.

[Dave Schneider]

Thanks everyone!

I think I found the link that I needed wrt to the various release dates. This should really help. It looks like the Milwaukee Road unit I have was from the 1st release.
http://www.atlasrr.com/nproducts.htm

It seems like the best way to sort through these versions on eBay is to see if the end handrails are factory installed. If not, they are Korean made from the first three runs. If so, they subsequent runs from China. Also, the foam packing appears to change from a open black foam to a denser grey foam.

I have decided to not make perfect be the enemy of the good and go ahead with the Shapeways models. Wish me luck.

Best wishes,
Dave

[Missaberoad]

Thanks everyone!

I think I found the link that I needed wrt to the various release dates. This should really help. It looks like the Milwaukee Road unit I have was from the 1st release.
http://www.atlasrr.com/nproducts.htm

It seems like the best way to sort through these versions on eBay is to see if the end handrails on factory installed. If not, they are Korean made from the first three runs. If so, they subsequent runs from China. Also, the foam packing appears to change from a open black foam to a denser grey foam.

I have decided to not make perfect be the enemy of the good and go ahead with the Shapeways models. Wish me luck.

Best wishes,
Dave

Have you bought new FXD shells? not perfect by any means but much nicer then the FUD shells you had years ago...

[Dave Schneider]

Have you bought new FXD shells? not perfect by any means but much nicer then the FUD shells you had years ago...

Yep. I picked up the same one you have shown in FXD. It is better to be sure. I also didn't do the Bestine soak, and cleaned it up with Bestine and a brush. Using Mr. Surfacer and sanding now. Almost ready to spray the orange.

I have asked the designer in the past to produce a shell with the side doors and louvers to aid the sanding effort. They would be easy to add afterwards, but at that point he wasn't interested. I may offer some $$ to try to persuade him.

Best wishes, Dave

[coosvalley]

I never knew which version I had, but since my frames are shiny(thanks for the spookshow link!), it appears to be Ajin made..I picked up 2 at a show for a good deal...One ran great out of the box, better than any other n scale loco I own...The other didnt run at all, I finally found that one of the motor tabs was not in the right place....A quick bend and it has run great ever since...Best running N scale locos I have ever seen...

[Point353]

http://www.atlasrr.com/pdf/Instructions/VO-1000%20Upgrade1.pdf

[Cory Rothlisberger]

If the frame halves are shiny, those were made in Korea. The quick way to tell is the box. Korean made VOs were in a longer box than the China made ones...

[babbo_enzo]

I'm digressing, I know, but let me leave this on this table, as is related to same frame:
I've two of these Hallmark baby sleeping in a box on a shelf
http://enzofortuna.altervista.org/SP_Diesel_VO.htm
both with problems in the motor/track power etc..
so reading this post, the idea was to use the nice metal body on an Atlas frame.
Have any of you an idea about dimensions compatibility and possibility of such placements?
Thanks in advance

[Dave Schneider]

If the frame halves are shiny, those were made in Korea. The quick way to tell is the box. Korean made VOs were in a longer box than the China made ones...

Thanks for the information Cory. I was looking for a quick way to sort through these on eBay, where photos of the mechanism and frame are usually absent. Is is true that the Korean made versions came without the end handrails installed and were packed in black foam, while the Chinese made version has the end handrails installed and packed in grey foam? That visual id seems to work for the 20+ items for sale on eBay.

On a related note, MANY of us would love to see Atlas produce the FM10-44 and/or H12-44 on the VO-1000 mechanism.  I know you guys run the numbers on how to make investments on future products, so please forgive this shameless advocacy. Thanks again.

Best wishes, Dave