Why oh why Atlas?

Why does Atlas keep re-running the same engines, do we really need more GP38's, GP40"s, and GP40-2's. Come on Atlas, think, there has to be some others out there that can be made. How about some UP turbines, maybe another Shay, there are many choices out there and they pick GP38's---geez!!!!!

Dave

 

Oh come on, ANOTHER UP Turbine or Shay!? How about more GP-38s, which were locomotives that sold in GREAT quantities and weren't designed and specially built for their railroads like Shays and Turbines. If for instance it was a plea for some early Baldwin diesels or something that more than one railroad bought, then it would be a valid complaint.

 

I agree with mileswestern. My vote would be more SD7/9s, preferably retooled for the Master series.

Cheers
David

 

Atlas made a sweet looking R.J.Corman GP38.

Why haven't they followed up with a R.J.Corman GP9?


I agree Shays and Turbines are to specialized unlike the GP38,SD9,ect that can be lettered for many railroads.

 

Yeah, and what about the M1a? HUH, Huh, what about that? OOPS, wrong thread. Nevermind.

 

Are we whining again? I just hope Atlas is making a profit.

 

Well... times are getting tough for hobby concerns and new tooling is expensive. Milking the existing tooling at least keeps them afloat until the consumer's discretionary income is at a level which would allow for sales to support totally new products. I would venture to say that, for the near future, most of the model railroad companies which plan to stay in business... will come out with few totally new models and just re-release existing models with new roadnames or roadnumbers.

Note: This does not mean that the model railroad companies are 'resting on their laurel'... but rather... being defensive in a tough marketplace. I'm sure the R&D budget is cut... but... they probably have things on the drawing board waiting for the right time to produce them PROFITABLY.

 

The basic diesel engines should be available all the time to capture new hobbyists as they start their collection.

My list:

SD40, SD45, GP30, GP35, GP40, SD7/9, GP7/9, SW1200

Jettison the hobby shop "sucker walks in from the street" model. The Internet has made this very dangerous, and the backlash is severe.

 

A good example is Kato's upcoming El Capitan. We're getting some new models with it, like the transition car, but for the most part, it is made up of stuff Kato has already tooled. I think that's a perfect market strategy given these times.

 

:thumbs_up::thumbs_up::thumbs_up::thumbs_up:
​

Gary

 

I'm with Grandpa Joe on this one. Repaints are probably the safest strategy right now. And their new announcements tend to modern freight cars. I guess the tooling is cheaper and the risk is lower, plus, while no expert, but both the MT and Kato guys told me at the National that modern stuff does better for them. I am guessing their sales of modern freight cars has been good, so they are willing to invest there, knowing its a relative slam dunk.



Even for Atlas, now is not the time for a quarter million dollar tooling flop!

 

If Atlas keeps rerunning the same locos hopefully they'll soon get around to scarlet and gray SP SD9s. Kato, on the other hand, hasn't rerun SD45s in how long??

 

I agree with this idea, locos like these should always be available in the more popular roadnames, we shouldn't have to wait years between runs of the most common engines, I've ordered some ATSF GP38's but it'll be almost a year before I see them. Something new like an RSD15 or Alco and FM switchers would be nice though, I'm sure there would be a bigger market for them than some of the rather obscure roadnames Atlas are decorating their existing models with, unless there are more [SIZE=-1]Quebec Gatineau Railway, Texas Mexican or Erie Mining modelers out there than I've met.[/SIZE]

I believe the El Capitan will be all new tooling, none of the cars have been produced before.

 

The El Cap is totally new tooling. Well, maybe the trucks aren't.

The GP38/40/40-2 have already reserved very well. Atlas continues to offer paint schemes for roads that otherwise would be custom painter work.

We expect the Shay will be seen soon enough.

The SD7/9 should be suggested/encouraged to Atlas every chance you get. I agree that we need them.

I'd also like to see the ALCo HH600/660 they recently started delivering in HO.

Why criticize a company for what they believe is a profitable marketing plan? If you don't like what they produce, invest your funds and produce what you want produced. There is venture capital out there.

Atlas just produced two newly tooled locos and will deliver one(or is it two) new tank car(s) soon.

 

One of these days it would be nice if they offered the GP35 painted up in whiteface for BN, AKA a GP39E/M/V.
Kevin

 

Vanished in Tokyo

Well... not too sure about the original Kato engines such as the U30C and the SD45. Tooling misplaced or stolen is a popular rumor.

Bachmann did make an SD45 about 5-6 yrs ago... but I'm not sure why they haven't done more of them.

I'd be in favor of another run of SD7/9. I'd love to have a newly tooled Fairbanks Morse H10-44 & H12-44 as well as those Alco HH600 & HH660 or even Baldwin VO-600, VO-660, VO-750. The question is whether manufacturers are going to be conservative on completely new (new tooling) releases in the near term during the current financial crisis. Much of the tooling for recently released items may have been purchased or committed for a year ago... before the 'new' financial paradigm.

 

My mistake. I simply thought it was a close enough variation of the superliner car.

 

Where did you find the announcement? I looked here, but didn't see any Geep 38 listed, (except for a year ago).

http://www.atlasrr.com/newn.htm