Eric, I'm not sure where you're getting your numbers...I just went over to the Athearn website. Their articulated auto racks are long gone, so no price was posted, but their next run of 50 ft boxcars (Genesis) will have an MSRP of $37.98. The current Walthers "City" trains passenger cars are $64.98 and $74.98 for the domes. The City cars are selling. The Atlas model is two car bodies, so if we look at all this from a labor/material standpoint, I don't think Atlas is very far from anyone else in the market at this point.
As for brass...Cabeese are going for $255.00. Freight cars are bringing anywhere from $145.00-325.00 for reefers, hoppers, and gons, and that's used equipment. New stuff will knock your socks off. How about $500.00 for a passenger car or $1695.00 for a steamer?
Granted we all hate to see prices going this high, especailly those of us who started in the hobby with the five buck Athearn blue boxes, but it's what we all wanted. Highly detailed prototypically correct models. You get what you pay for.
Still, as someone has said, who pays MSRP? Not me
The Atlas cars will sell, LHS's will discount them, as will online retailers, and some will hit the clearance racks, as with any model. If you want to take your chances and wait, go for it!