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Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Atlas Amherst Railway Society Show Product Showcase

Released by Atlas January 29, 2019

Hillside, NJ- The annual Amherst Railway Society Show in Springfield, MA represents a time when model railroad companies put their best foot forward with announcements and displays to create a buzz for the world’s greatest hobby. This past weekend’s model railroad show in Springfield was no exception as it was filled with anticipation, and the excitement inside the Atlas booth was palpable. If there was any doubt about the present and future activities and plans for Atlas, the latest announcements and products displayed quickly dispelled any possible concerns. Please read on for more information on some of Atlas’ highly anticipated announcements and arriving products!

Atlas Master® HO Multi-Max Auto Rack Car – NEW TOOLING!

In 2013, Greenbrier Companies introduced their new design of 89’ auto rack, the Multi-Max™. The new design allows for changing configurations from a Bi-Level to a Tri-Level (and back) without adding or removing decks. The racks are fully compatible with existing 89’ auto racks. To this date, most of the racks have been built on Greenbrier Companies’ own specially designed 89’ flat cars. These cars are commonly seen in cuts of other similar autorack cars or a solid unit train of autorack cars. Currently, almost 10,000 cars (with racks) are running on North American rails. Atlas’ rendition of the Multi-Max™ will feature multiple variations and road names. Stay tuned to Atlas’ website for more information!


Atlas Master® HO 5250 Covered Hopper – NEW TOOLING!

ACF introduced the 5250 cubic foot size covered hopper in 1964, and has since built nearly 20,000 cars and many are still in service today. Most of the cars were equipped with pneumatic outlets and eight 20” round hatches for use in transporting plastic pellets. In addition to the plastics cars, a number have been built or converted with gravity outlets and elongated hatches for grain type products. As with most cars that have long production spans, the design has evolved with changes in both the physical features of the body and the fixtures. Atlas’ model will include optional bodies to accommodate for many of these variations along with multiple roof styles, body variations, hatch types, and more. Stay tuned to Atlas’ website for more information!


The Atlas All Scales Signal System – NEW & IMPROVED

The recently announced Atlas All Scales Signal System features new capabilities across all scales while maintaining backward compatibility for existing users of Atlas signal products. This updated system is based around a universal control board (Atlas part number 70 000 046) suitable for use in all modeling scales (N, HO, O), and retains the same communication cabling as our existing boards – the new products can therefore be easily integrated directly into your current signaling layout without the need to upgrade or change a thing! Orders are being accepted and delivery is expected 2nd Quarter 2019. More information can be found on the Atlas website here and in the new Atlas All Scales Signal Manual.

Atlas O Turntable – NEW & IMPROVED

In the steam era, many railroads used turntables to turn locomotives for their next journey. Railroads still use turntables to assist in the maintenance of diesel locos and rolling stock. Based on a Santa Fe prototype, Atlas O has realistically duplicated its above ground details, and improved features & functionality so that adding a working turntable has never been simpler. What’s more, everything is included for easy tabletop installation.

Features:
  • New - larger and more powerful motor
  • New - flat cogged anti-slip belt
  • New - deck support with more roller bearings for greater support of heavier locomotives
  • New - redesigned metal contacts to power the rotating track
  • Drive assembly is hidden under the utility shed
  • Table diameter: 24”
  • Proven Geneva-gearing for positive indexing
  • Can be used for both 3 rail and 2 rail operation
  • Will run on AC or DC power
  • Compatible with TMCC and DCS (using TMCC or DCS accessory interface)
  • Molded in appropriate colors
  • Complete hook-up instructions
  • Easy tabletop installation
  • Motor Drive included in box for smooth and easy operation
Delivery is planned for 1st Quarter 2019. For more information or to order, please see your local hobby shop or visit www.atlasrr.com


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Saturday, January 26, 2019

Take 'ONE"' Minute And Read A Little Of This

This is nothing like my original rant on the subject but please just take a minute. It may give you some ideas.

From Model Railroad Hobbyist


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Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Atlas Rolling Stock and Locomotive Production Update

From the Atlas Insider

Atlas was notified early July 2018 that a primary rolling stock and locomotive supplier would be closing its factory doors. Atlas immediately sent company representatives to the supplier to begin the transfer of Atlas molds and drawings and to plan production for materials in process. We are pleased to announce that all Atlas molds and recent supplier drawings have been transferred to an Atlas centralized warehouse where molds are being distributed to select suppliers and returned to the central warehouse upon production run completion.

In addition, Atlas was able to organize the production of all open purchase orders and they have been scheduled for completion throughout 2019. The most recent container has been shipped and is due to arrive at Atlas’ main warehouse in February. A list of these items will be posted next week. Keep checking the updated Atlas A-Z production schedule (found on the Atlas website) and the Atlas Blog for updates.

In the meantime, Atlas continues to work with both proven past suppliers as well as a select group of new suppliers to meet the growing demand of Atlas customers for high quality Atlas prototypical products. Atlas will be producing a wide variety of new and established model railroad products in all major scales throughout 2019. Stay tuned for more great news and product announcements from Atlas--including new tooling for two HO freight cars. Springfield Show announcements are available on the Atlas website as of Saturday AM.

As always, thank you for your support and interest in Atlas products and services.

Sincerely,

Paul Graf, CEO
Atlas Model Railroad Co. Inc


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Thursday, January 17, 2019

After Shinohara, Walthers Announces New Track

New Code 83 and Code 100 track announced from Walthers! WalthersTrack incorporates popular features from the original line produced by Shinohara from 1997 to 2018, while each item features new tooling with several important upgrades to enhance performance. Improvements include molded drill starter points on the underside of ties, turnouts with snap-action solid rail points, isolated frogs with a built-in jumper and current jumpers entering and leaving the frogs, and new spacer ties to equalize spacing when joining tracks and turnouts. All this and more with no increase in prices! Modelers can learn more about WalthersTrack at participating dealers, in the February-March 2019 Walthers Flyer and at walthers.com.


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Friday, January 4, 2019

Zephyr Express Starter Set Released!

From the Digitrax website

Jan. 3, 2019

Zephyr Express gives you simple to use Digitrax Complete Train Control for a great price. It offers simplified advanced train operation for any size layout and is fully expandable. You won’t have to start over when you want to do more with your railroad.
  • 3.0 Amp LocoNet Command Station, Booster, and Throttle
  • Color 2.4” LCD Display Screen
  • Large Backlit Keypad
  • Runs up to 20 loco addresses and throttles
  • Control lights and sound with 29 functions (F0-F28)
  • Integrated USB computer interface
  • Simple to set-up with easy to read display
  • 13.8 volt output for safe use in N and HO scales
  • 2 Jump ports let you use DC power packs as additional DCC throttles
  • Fully Expandable, LocoNet System
Comes Complete with DCS52 Command Station, PS314 Power Supply, LT1 Decoder Tester and LocoNet Cable, System Reference Manual and Decoder Manual.

Read full details here.

$235.00 msrp


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