you know what would be awesome in N scale...

[Philip H]

or the 70 tonner . . . .

[Denver Road Doug]

i'd be very happy with a Trainman series S2 from Atlas.  very happy.

I see comments like this often, mostly on Atlas' forum.   You are certainly entitled to show your support for saving $15-20 on a locomotive.

My question is, can we really be in a position to accept compromises in the performance of an n-scale locomotive at this time?  I mean, this multi-page discussion about performance, and yet we are ASKING for a TRAINMAN version?  I'm just not sure I understand...is saving even $20 worth a loco that is a headache, or that has pickup issues, or that flat won't pull more than a couple of cars?  I could maybe see it if you are buying 200 of 'em, but is a switcher gonna be something we buy more than a few of, maybe half dozen or dozen TOPS?   It seems you'll spend that $100 trying to improve an inferior loco anyway, no?


Sorry, guess I'll just never understand Trainman.

[bbussey]

The reason for the zinc shell was to have a prototypical width as well as add to the weight of the unit and keep the cab see-through.  I agree with Mike - the design was masterful, the tooling detail is excellent and it's not difficult to disassemble and upgrade the various components.  While it would be nice to see the model more readily available, I don't think we'll see another manufacturer tackle an S2.  You see overlap on the manufacturing of road units, but I've never seen two manufacturers release models of the same switcher prototype.

[Philip H]

i'd be very happy with a Trainman series S2 from Atlas.  very happy.

I see comments like this often, mostly on Atlas' forum.   You are certainly entitled to show your support for saving $15-20 on a locomotive.

My question is, can we really be in a position to accept compromises in the performance of an n-scale locomotive at this time?  I mean, this multi-page discussion about performance, and yet we are ASKING for a TRAINMAN version?  I'm just not sure I understand...is saving even $20 worth a loco that is a headache, or that has pickup issues, or that flat won't pull more than a couple of cars?  I could maybe see it if you are buying 200 of 'em, but is a switcher gonna be something we buy more than a few of, maybe half dozen or dozen TOPS?   It seems you'll spend that $100 trying to improve an inferior loco anyway, no?


Sorry, guess I'll just never understand Trainman.

Doug,
 Hum we must have different opinions about Trainman line performance.  I haven't heard one bad word abou ttehir GP15-1 model, and it seesm right popular in these parts.  Also reasonably priced.  Why wouldn't one advocate for an S-2 in a similar vein from one of the few companies that actually "gets" N scale modelers?

[sizemore]

The reason for the zinc shell was to have a prototypical width as well as add to the weight of the unit and keep the cab see-through.  I agree with Mike - the design was masterful, the tooling detail is excellent and it's not difficult to disassemble and upgrade the various components.  While it would be nice to see the model more readily available, I don't think we'll see another manufacturer tackle an S2.  You see overlap on the manufacturing of road units, but I've never seen two manufacturers release models of the same switcher prototype.

Micro-Trains FT and the Intermountain FT. I win. Check-mate.

 ;D

The S.

[sizemore]

This just came to mind if you're really hankering for an S-2, buy the Samhongsa S units that show up on ePay all the time. Load it with lead/tungsten/dung to give it some Oomph! Leave room for SMLED's with core wired to the decoder.

The S.

[asciibaron]

Micro-Trains FT and the Intermountain FT. I win. Check-mate.

FT's aren't switchers.

[Denver Road Doug]

Doug,
 Hum we must have different opinions about Trainman line performance.  I haven't heard one bad word abou ttehir GP15-1 model, and it seesm right popular in these parts.  Also reasonably priced.  Why wouldn't one advocate for an S-2 in a similar vein from one of the few companies that actually "gets" N scale modelers?

No, it has nothing to do with Atlas...I certainly would like to see them do an S2.    I own a lot of Atlas Master Line locos (and one "Classic", and even one GP15-1) and I love the Master Line units.   But the GP15-1 has design compromises on the pickups that I think would be greatly magnified on a switcher where there is almost no room for error.  And that's not even considering that you'll only get one shell.  Not sure if that matters with an Alco S2 or not, but it did with the GP15-1.  You're right that the GP15-1 runs pretty good, but I would still have preferred a Master Line version that had the latest technology mech, and correct shells for BN, for another $20.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I agree about the Alco S's. They should definitely be master line locomotives.

You've got to think about the Trainman stuff in terms of its target market: beginners and casual modelers.

I don't think the S2 would really be an attention grabbing model for either of them, because it doesn't "look like" anything currently out there. The GP15-1 does, kinda, and is available in modern paint schemes (2 CSX ones, NS, CR, lots of shortlines), while the S2 can have the big classics (ATSF, UP, PRR), but not much else that would fit the trainman model.

[asciibaron]

a Trainman line can easily become part of a trainset package.

[Sokramiketes]

a Trainman line can easily become part of a trainset package.

I don't know what that's supposed to prove so here's a picture of a bunny with a pancake on its head.

[altohorn25]

Nice Skibbe......

Nate

[Mr. G]

While it would be nice to see the model more readily available, I don't think we'll see another manufacturer tackle an S2.  You see overlap on the manufacturing of road units, but I've never seen two manufacturers release models of the same switcher prototype

No, you don't currently see overlap in switchers.  Then again, is it really overlap if the last one produced was designed during the Cold War and has no chance of being returned to production?  I really hope not.  That would explain why there have been no modern SW1500 models.   

a Trainman line can easily become part of a trainset package.

But the GP15-1 is a fine little trainset engine.  Why build the S-2 to fill the role?

[asciibaron]

But the GP15-1 is a fine little trainset engine.  Why build the S-2 to fill the role?

the sd40 is a nice locomotive, why make any other ones?

[John]

a Trainman line can easily become part of a trainset package.

I don't know what that's supposed to prove so here's a picture of a bunny with a pancake on its head.

I would expect that in a thread on Atlas ..