My first Atlas loco

[Ronzzr11]

I went to a local train fair today, as usual, most of what was on sale, was British outline but I did find an Atlas loco,in Conrail colours,for a reasonable price, £25 ($40). The box was pretty shopworn, but the locomotive looked in very good condition.A tag on the polystyrene packaging, said it was "brand new". However once I got it home, the wheels told a different story, as they were filthy with black railcrud.It did run, hesitantly, but once the wheels were cleaned up, it ran much better.
Most of my locos are Athearn, so this Atlas is new territory for me. It runs very well, its much heavier than my Athearn locos, so it pulls really well.
After some running today, I,ve been impressed with it, and would happily buy more Atlas locos.
I,m modelling Norfolk Southern, so this loco fits into my stable quite well.
Ron

[otiscnj]

It used to be that Athearn locos were more 'reasonably priced' than Atlas models, although Atlas models were noted for their more realistic speeds. These days, who knows.

Atlas still makes a nice loco, although both Athearn and Atlas are made in China, perhaps even by the same company(I haven't kept up with all of that stuff).

I'd take a resonably priced Atlas loco from the late 80's on, any day.

[diburning]

What you have is an older Atlas locomotive made by either Roco or Kato. That locomotive was NOT made in China, but in Austria

Otiscnj, Atlas and Athearn do NOT use the same factories for locomotives. Athearns traditionally have been geared 12:1 while Atlas is 14:1, but the older Atlas locos such as this U36C have a 10:1 gear ratio, making it even faster than an Athearn.

Despite the gear ratios, you can make these engines run at a realistic speed with DCC.

[sd24b]

Originally Posted by Ronzzr11

I went to a local train fair today, as usual, most of what was on sale, was British outline but I did find an Atlas loco,in Conrail colours,for a reasonable price, £25 ($40). The box was pretty shopworn, but the locomotive looked in very good condition.A tag on the polystyrene packaging, said it was "brand new". However once I got it home, the wheels told a different story, as they were filthy with black railcrud.It did run, hesitantly, but once the wheels were cleaned up, it ran much better.
Most of my locos are Athearn, so this Atlas is new territory for me. It runs very well, its much heavier than my Athearn locos, so it pulls really well.
After some running today, I,ve been impressed with it, and would happily buy more Atlas locos.
I,m modelling Norfolk Southern, so this loco fits into my stable quite well.
Ron

I have 22 Atlas U30C's. They run well with the newer ready to run Athearn,Kato,and Walther's/P2K engines. Most of my Athearn BB have constandt lighting so they run slower than the Atlas. The U30's will out pull my 8-40C, though. Phil

[Ronzzr11]

Originally Posted by diburning

What you have is an older Atlas locomotive made by either Roco or Kato. That locomotive was NOT made in China, but in Austria

Thanks for the information, how can I tell where the loco was made?, the trucks have "made in China" moulded on them.
Ron

[diburning]

Atlas did move production to China later on, but depending on the locomotive, it could have been made entirely in China, or assembled from parts already made. Either way, it's an older Atlas, and is identical to the Austrian version.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

The Atlas locos are a good value, even the old ones if they haven't been run into the ground. I have a total of six Atlas locos, three of which were made in the 70's (Two GP40's and an FP7). Two were made in the 90's (SD24, H24-66) and one made after 2001 (U30C). I have a second FP7 made in the 80's from Atlas parts by Con-Cor.

[Ronzzr11]

Thank you all for the answers, I,ve run mine enough now, to be satisfied with how it performs, I just need to paint the handrails, to make it look the part.
Ron

[riogrande]

Heya Ronz

I bagged me a Geordie from up Newcastle way, and have been dragging her to train shows in the Washington DC area!!! Looks like you are near Blackpool which is where she used to go on vacation.

Atlas makes good stuff, but it looks like the guy who advertised it as new, didn't quite tell the truth. But if you clean the wheels and it is in good shape, Atlas are usually among the best runners in American HO train engines. Forty dollars is cheap for a new Atlas loco as they usually sell for about $70-80 these days, and older ones a little less. So I guess even if it was used but in good shape, the price wasn't that far off.

[Ronzzr11]

Overall, the loco was in good condition, I think lightly used would have been a better description, rather than brand new.It has a snow plow fitted which I think is an add on part. I,ve repainted the black handrails Conrail blue, with the handrails next to the steps in white.
I,ve been pleased with the loco, and would,nt think twice now, about buying more Atlas locos.
riogrande
Yes, thats right, I live about 50 miles from Blackpool.

Ron