Atlas surprise coming at Trainfest

[Atlas Paul]

It is time for Atlas to step up their game and redesign the frames for their RS units. In 2016 how can a model company put this on their new product release?     "Please note that the N scale RS-1 will not have DCC ready frames."

Heck Lifelike had their RS units with drop in decoders years ago. Atlas should go buy the frame  and motor design from Walther's, because it doesn't appear they are using it any longer.

Note, the Atlas shells look great.

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.

[reinhardtjh]

Is this for real, or just one of those wide speculation threads?

Best wishes, Dave

From the Atlas November 2016 Announcements thread.

Gotta save some surprises for Trainfest, you know...

So it came from Atlas Paul but it's still wildly speculative. 

[reinhardtjh]

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.

[wild speculation]

Since Atlas has been using ESU sound in most of it's recent HO (and only N scale sound offering so far)  could the "road switcher chassis" being tested be aimed at the new ESU narrow LokSound decoder that IM is also using?   This could be interesting!

[/wild speculation]

[Catt]

Just to suggest a totally never happen thing.The surprise will be a correct GP30 with a high short hood correct fan spacing and NS,Southern,or Norfolk Western lettering.

[wmcbride]

Well, Paul said road switcher with [ESU] sound.

I heard GP30 w sound... but then I like GP30s. A mainstream, high-production numbers, license-to-print-money, sound-equipped road switcher like GP38/40 may make more sense.

Or could it be the CF7!!??

[Mark5]

Hopefully a new model. I think the only new loco this decade has been the Alco S-2.

I'm not complaining though, Atlas has been keeping the new tooling coming with freight cars.

[coosvalley]

Honestly, I think that folks over at Atlas could stop bringing new models to market, and instead upgrade their existing models...Fix detail issues, and add DCC and sound to future models..

Some of the details that need some addressing... Feel free to add to the list!...
Fans in GP30s
Correct frame for late model GP9s.(Would work for GP18s as well)
Options for more than one size of GP38/40 fuel tanks...

They could also focus on models which they have made a chassis for, but have yet to make the shell...(lower startup/investment cost!)

For instance...
H-10/12-44
Phase 3 GP9
GP18 (a correct one, not that unavailable Walthers thing)
U28B
U30B
U33B
GP39 and -2s
GP40X

There are more, but you get the idea...

But I'm just wishing out loud, ..whatever happens........happens...My wallet awaits...

[up1950s]

I know! 

Everyone will know in two weeks. 

Make that 2 weeks and 1 hour , most of us have to set our clocks back the the gloom and depressing setting again .

[peteski]

It is nice to see more and more manufacturers starting to move to better quality sound decoders. Even Bachmann realized that and started using Soundtraxx decoders (not my first choice, but much improvement over their previous decoders).

ESU seems to be a very good choice - it is a good quality sound decoder from European manufacturer that has a wide range of Amarican sound files available. I would love to see ZIMO decoders being used by OEMs (their motor control is really good, especially with coreless motors), but they have limited number of American sound files.

[Dave Schneider]

They could also focus on models which they have made a chassis for, but have yet to make the shell...(lower startup/investment cost!)

For instance...
H-10/12-44

There are more, but you get the idea...

But I'm just wishing out loud, ..whatever happens........happens...My wallet awaits...

This seems like a good idea to me. I am surprised that it hasn't happened. But I can't claim to have any understanding of the economics of this industry. Would love to see the H10/12-44 in N scale while I am still able to model. Tick, tick, tick.....

Best wishes, Dave

[asarge]

Just to suggest a totally never happen thing.The surprise will be a correct GP30 with a high short hood correct fan spacing and NS,Southern,or Norfolk Western lettering.

Now that would be very good. High Hood 30's and 35's. I&O,W&LE would be so nice!

I'm all for RS's with DCC ready frames and sound.

What I really want though is still an AS616 in C&O.

[haasmarc]

Reading AS-16

[muktown128]

Trainfest is 8 days away (November 12-13).   
I have admission tickets in hand as I type this.   

FM H-10-44 / H-12-44 or GP-9 Ph. 3 would be really nice to see!

Scott

[mecgp7]

U boats.
Is there a bigger hole in N scale than U boats?
U28B
U30B
U33B
U36B
U28C (Phase II and up)
U33C
U36C

HEY!!  Where is the U18B in this list?

[coosvalley]

HEY!!  Where is the U18B in this list?

You're right

While I personally would love one(ok at least 5), I find it a little less likely than the others!

It fits either the RS1 or GP7/9 chassis if anyone is game to make the shell!

I am also surprised Atlas has not given us MEC U25BS, I know the phase is wrong, but the same is true for all B&M GP9s... In both cases nobody makes the correct version...( I still can't tell the difference between U25B phases anyway, with geeps it is more obvious to me)