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Post by bapakbob on Jul 17, 2024 0:49:59 GMT -5
Ever get a baby rattle in the mail? The "baby rattle" train car with the plastic chassis which was supposed to have a factory dab of glue applied to a rusty metal slab weight to fasten it to the chassis floor to give the car NMRA-specification heft. But the assembler didn't put enough glue on the weight; it separates from the plastic chassis and now it is just flopping around loose inside the car, maybe causing the car to lean off-kilter. I've received a few baby rattles. It is easier to take the shell off a SW1500 loc without damage, than it is to perform non-damaging shell removal of a train car to fix the rattle. But not these Atlas beauties. The Atlas chassis is METAL, not plastic, no rattles, ever. And when you look at the underside of the Atlas metal train car chassis and see that it is fully finished and painted, with a level of detail in the casting that i've never seen before; you know why you are buying a train car from a company that has been in the model railroad business since the early 1930's. Atlas knows how to make a model train car that lasts through the ages, and not just till the glue turns to dust.
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Post by sjl on Jul 17, 2024 8:08:00 GMT -5
Seems to be on par with AZL in terms of quality. Nice weight to the car (vs. MTL).
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jul 17, 2024 12:20:24 GMT -5
Seems to be on par with AZL in terms of quality. Usually I would not jump in, but I do not agree. So here is a counter point: I like to think our products have much better details, especially when it comes to separately applied parts - atlas has none, AZL does quite a bit - but I’m naturally biased.
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Post by dazed on Jul 17, 2024 12:26:23 GMT -5
Seems to be on par with AZL in terms of quality. Usually I would not jump in, but I do not agree. So here is a counter point: I like to think our products have much better details, especially when it comes to separately applied parts - atlas has none, AZL does quite a bit - but I’m naturally biased. What are the separately applied parts on, say, your 60ft High Cube boxcar?
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Post by oldgrog on Jul 17, 2024 14:03:11 GMT -5
Received mine today, 6 models of 5 types. First impressions are of a more solid model than microtrains, but not as detailed as AZL. Not tried coupling or running yet.
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Post by Kez on Jul 17, 2024 14:59:54 GMT -5
The AZL 60' high cube boxcar was released in 2008! And it's molded in details are equal to or better than the NEWLY RELEASED Atlas boxcar.
I guess I'm missing whatever point you were trying to make.
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Post by dazed on Jul 17, 2024 20:45:42 GMT -5
My point is it's a boxcar. There's just not a lot you can do to it detail-wise.
Another point...have thicker skin. Not one person said Atlas was better than AZL. Maybe just presume we're being encouraging for a company's first go at Z.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jul 18, 2024 2:29:22 GMT -5
What are the separately applied parts on, say, your 60ft High Cube boxcar? Ha! Funny you said that. I actually wrote a longer post where I said that someone else told me the Atlas car reminded him of something AZL made about 20 years ago. The gunderson high cube was exactly what was being referenced. Important: The Atlas car is very good, but I believe our products are Better. Our recent boxcars all have etched metal end platforms and separately applied brake wheels and under frame details. Some even have functional doors. So yes, I agree. While I still think our gunderson has better tooling (again, I’m biased) and it has a hand brake wheel separately applied and we do charge a wee bit less than Atlas does for a similar product. I do like their metal floor, and I like the way they chose a product with many, many paint schemes. Their pad printing is very good. I’ve always liked the bowser trucks and couplers. The tooling is very good on the body. But again, I’m going to stress that I am VERY happy that Atlas has made this product, and I really hope they are wildly successful and make many more Z scale products. It’s good for EVERYONE! Thank you and good night!
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Post by ednadolski on Jul 18, 2024 19:34:12 GMT -5
... I believe our products are Better.
Ed
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Post by BAZman on Jul 18, 2024 21:33:31 GMT -5
details on mine are totally satisfactory with me. I sit & stare 'which one should I run' nor sit the edge looking while they go by in a slow blur. I stand back and take it all in, as the train(s) pass locations and scenery.
As mentioned, the printing very good, that you would look at just once. A little heavy but readable down the the tiny's on mine. I noticed the heavier lower center of gravity which usually keep taller from less wobble. I'll my scale out for an approximate delta of a similar model of MTL and AZL.
The Bowser Bucklers are stamped under, Patent Pending
I'm will be happy to try uncoupling as MTL's can usually work most of my combination of MTL-Bowser (I use about 2X magnetism [ceramic+iron], NOT neodymian)
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jul 19, 2024 13:42:39 GMT -5
... I believe our products are Better. Ed
Better than that - I'll send pictures of all of them!
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Post by stevew on Jul 19, 2024 17:04:29 GMT -5
The prototype was chosen for several reasons. We have the same car in HO, N and O, so there's a trove of research and art files to work with. We wanted to keep the car simple since we are using a new factory for these. Also due to it being a new factory we wanted to pick a car with a relatively flat surface for pad printing reasons.
I have no problem admitting that AZL makes cars that have better detail. There's a reason I own a boatload of them!
We now have a better handle on the factory's capabilities, so I think you'll see more detail on future freight cars from us.
I'm glad to hear that most folks are happy with them. I'll do what I can to keep Atlas involved in Z!
Steve W
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Post by zdave on Jul 19, 2024 19:44:32 GMT -5
…I'm glad to hear that most folks are happy with them. I'll do what I can to keep Atlas involved in Z! Steve W The more, the merrier!
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Post by mrbarlow on Jul 21, 2024 10:05:21 GMT -5
Zdave,
Any update on when we can expect a NEW freight car or Locomotive release from ATLAS?
Thanks,
Mr. B
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Post by stevew on Jul 27, 2024 8:54:30 GMT -5
Zdave, Any update on when we can expect a NEW freight car or Locomotive release from ATLAS? Thanks, Mr. B We are about to get started on the next freight car. Mum's the word for now! Steve W
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