Atlas In-Transit 8/14/24

[Spades]

If we're being technical, the first were built in late 1965 and delivered in 1966.   

I think he was referring to the first Atlas SD45 model from Mehano?

[peteski]

I think he was referring to the first Atlas SD45 model from Mehano?

Spookshow's site shows that prototype SD45 loco came out in 1965, and Atlas/Mehano came to the market in 1969.
http://spookshow.net/loco/yugosd45.html

[sp org div]

So the long awaited GP20 is yet again on the horizon
Last I saw the gold series was not feasible due to the decoder not fitting in the low nose(.)
Are we to expect this has now been totally redesigned and we will see a sound version in this latest release or it will just be another non sound revision?

[reinhardtjh]

So the long awaited GP20 is yet again on the horizon
Last I saw the gold series was not feasible due to the decoder not fitting in the low nose(.)
Are we to expect this has now been totally redesigned and we will see a sound version in this latest release or it will just be another non sound revision?

It's supposed to be sound.  If they cancelled the Gold version, I imagine there would be a lot of pre-sales lost.

[Doug G.]

I think he was referring to the first Atlas SD45 model from Mehano?

I guess I thought this would be apparent since the thread is about Atlas models.

Doug

[wazzou]

I guess I thought this would be apparent since the thread is about Atlas models.

Doug

My bad. 

[Doug G.]

I prolly shouldn't have assumed, however, as younger members might not be familiar with ancient times.




Doug

[u18b]

When someone gets a GP20.... post some pics of the chassis.

We've been wondering in other threads if it will have the new GP7/9 chassis.

[Ike the BN Freak]

Hopefully they get a stock of U23B parts too, I need a shell. I preordered an undec U36B just to kitbash a U30B

[CRL]

My pre-order of the GP20’s was for the non-sound version, so I don’t know I’d any of the Gold series were received. Personally, I don’t like listening to diesel locomotive models. It becomes boring & annoying quickly. Steam locomotive sounds are much more interesting to me.

[GM50 4164]

Hopefully they get a stock of U23B parts too, I need a shell. I preordered an undec U36B just to kitbash a U30B

I need some Chessie U30B love too! Are you using a Atlas U36B shell? I didn't realize they offered those.

[Ike the BN Freak]

I need some Chessie U30B love too! Are you using a Atlas U36B shell? I didn't realize they offered those.

U36Bs were announced June I believe

[sp org div]

Soooo Atlas
Re the GP20
What are the static light and bell package options?
Are there any (xtra) working light package options?
Do we want to pre-order just one or five plus based on these parameters?
Likewise on the SD45…
Whats with being elusive?
I really appreciate the potential on some great models but just what exactly is the mentality on keeping it from the customer base if we are expected to preorder?

[kiwi_bnsf]

Soooo Atlas
Re the GP20
What are the static light and bell package options?
Are there any (xtra) working light package options?
Do we want to pre-order just one or five plus based on these parameters?
Likewise on the SD45…
Whats with being elusive?
I really appreciate the potential on some great models but just what exactly is the mentality on keeping it from the customer base if we are expected to preorder?

I'm afraid that I have to agree – Atlas is not very consistent with customer communication.

It starts with the old-skool PDF catalogue that usually contains detailed info at the time of an initial announcement, but then as the months/years pass, I find it easy to lose track of what is in the pipeline.

The Atlas website really lacks detail for specific models — it often doesn't specify whether locos will ship with or without operating ditch lights, or any other road-specific features. There is also uncertainty around what brand of decoder will be included. Finally, there is the Atlas Production Schedule that has a massive list of the backlog of announced products, with random updates and usually only a month or so of warning of an inbound shipment from the factory based on doing maths from a container shipping date.

I regularly find myself having to cross reference my archive of the Atlas Catalogue PDFs with the website and the production schedule, and I have resorted to maintaining a spreadsheet of releases I'm interested in, and then watching the production schedule for updates every month. When they finally arrive, I usually just have to pull the trigger on a purchase even without knowing the details of the chassis and decoder (we don't have the luxury of hobby shops with stock in New Zealand).

I contrast this with ScaleTrains, who announce models via email and their website with exactly the same information including detailed specifications on any road-specific features or lighting, good photography of decorated samples, and info on the included decoder. They give an estimated date for delivery, and update this on both the website, and finally with an email updates 2-3 weeks ahead of product arrival. It's really not that hard to keep it consistent.

End-of-rant

[JoeD]

"Atlas in Transit".  Isn't this what they announce over the intercom when Paul Graf is heading to the executive washroom??     "Atlas Shrugs" is when he is reviewing one of my emails...that I know. 

Joe