From R & D

We here at Atlas were thrilled, gratified and somewhat overwhelmed by the immediate, enthusiastic acceptance of the first of our new ATLAS TRAINMAN™ locomotives and rolling stock, first introduced in O Scale last Spring. It was our goal and intention to bring to the model railroad market a line combining the quality, details and features Atlas is famous for with desirable road names and numbers, at affordable prices. With our first shipment 90% sold out by November, it appears we have achieved our goal, inspiring us to press ahead with TRAINMAN™ research, development and production.

But just who are these people who create such fine, popular products, giving serious model railroaders exactly what they crave? One such person is Jim Weaver, vice-president of Atlas O. It’s Jim’s job to select the prototypes for all the ATLAS O TRAINMAN™ and Master Series™ models, as well as the road names and numbers. With ten years in O Scale research and development at Atlas O and a model railroader himself, Jim has a wealth of experience to draw upon.

“ The ALCo RS-Series of locos was popular with the prototype railroads,” Jim said. “The RSD-4/5 is a great starting point for other RS models and this means more variety for the consumer.” The actual ALCo RSD- 4/5 locomotive was a six-motor version of the popular RS-3 road switcher. Designed to haul heavy freight, they often traversed mountainous territory and were used by heavy coal carriers.

A locomotive such as the ATLAS O TRAINMAN™ RSD- 4/5 takes from 12 to 18 months to produce, with Jim initiating, then following the products’ genesis from start to finish. Jim calls it an “interactive process” between Atlas’ Hillside, New Jersey headquarters and our factory in Asia. Jim provides all the specifications, samples, drawings and photographs to assist the designer in making a successful model. It’s an ongoing process between the two parties throughout the entire development stage of a locomotive, including one-on-one meetings and personal visits to the manufacturing plant.

“This locomotive offers a level of detail that exceeds similarly priced items by other manufacturers,” Jim continued. “No shortcuts have been taken in scale dimensions. These locomotives use the same design trucks and motors as our Master line. It’s a neat little engine.”

ATLAS O TRAINMAN™ RSD- 4/5 Locomotives

Features:
·Separately applied wire grab-irons ·Etched metal fan grill
·Fan detail ·Horn and bell sounds
·Scale length loco - operates on 031 track ·Lighted number boards
·Directional lighting ·Golden white LED headlight
·Matching cabooses available
·3-rail loco available in TRAINMAN™ TMCC or as 3-Rail with horn and bell sounds
·2-rail loco has fixed pilots and scale couplers

3-Rail TMCC Item# Description 3-Rail Item# 2-Rail DC Item#
Atlas O Trainman RSD-4/5 Locomotive
0426-1 Chesapeake & Ohio* #5572 0401-1 0451-1
0427-1 Chesapeake & Ohio* #5575 0402-1 0452-1
0428-1 Chicago & North Western† #1665 0403-1 0453-1
0429-1 Chicago & North Western† #1667 0404-1 0454-1
0430-1 Cotton Belt† #270 0405-1 0455-1
0431-1 Cotton Belt† #271 0406-1 0456-1
0432-1 Santa Fe #2131 0407-1 0457-1
0433-1 Santa Fe #2138 0408-1 0458-1
Two Road Numbers are available per Road Name.
*CSX Licensed Product †Union Pacific Licensed Product

 

Additional TMCC Features:
· Lionel® TrainMaster Command Equipped featuring RailSounds™ digital sound system, (including horn, bell diesel-roar sounds, etc.), Crew Talk® (in command), and more
·RailSounds™ operates in both conventional and command modes in 3-Rail
·Operating die-cast electro-couplers

The Atlas O Trainman™ EMD GP15 Series

It has never been done in O Scale plastic before…until now. The new ATLAS O TRAINMAN™ EMD GP15 Series locomotive, scheduled to roll into hobby shops in Spring 2006, will be the second O Scale TRAINMAN™ locomotive released. Following the highly successful RSD-4/5, the debut of the GP15 is significant on several levels.

“Previously available only as a Limited Edition brass model, the GP15 finally arrives as a popularly-priced, highly detailed model. It has colorful paint schemes, can fit around an 031 curve, and is an engine that can be seen today all over the United States,” Jim said. “I selected it because it was a loco that I wanted to see and had been frequently suggested by consumers.”

Among the features making the TRAINMAN EMD GP15 Series unique and such a great value are its scale dimensions and details, separately-applied wire grab irons, brass horn and bell details, directional LED lighting, and see-through grille detail. It is available in 3-Rail TMCC, 3-Rail Conventional and 2-Rail DC. Matching cabooses have been announced as well.

ATLAS O TRAINMAN™ EMD GP15 SERIES LOCOMOTIVES
• Available in:
• 3 – Rail Conventional with horn and bell sounds
• 3 – Rail TMCC with full RailSounds™ and Command Control
• 2 – Rail DC/DCC ready
• 2 – Rail locos have fixed pilots and scale couplers
• Minimum Diameter Curve: 0-31 (3 – Rail)
• Minimum Radius Curve: 36” (2 – Rail)

3-Rail TMCC Item# Description 3-Rail Item# 2-Rail DC Item#
Atlas O Trainman GP15T Locomotive
0326-1 Chessie System* #1508 0301-1 0351-1
0327-1 Chessie System* #1520 0302-1 0352-1
Atlas O Trainman GP15-1 Locomotive
0328-1 Conrail #1645 0303-1 0353-1
0329-1 Conrail #1656 0304-1 0354-1
0330-1 Norfolk Southern #1409 0305-1 0355-1
0331-1 Norfolk Southern #1433 0306-1 0356-1
0332-1 Union Pacific† #595 0307-1 0357-1
0333-1 Union Pacific† #597 0308-1 0358-1
Two Road Numbers are available per Road Name.
*CSX Licensed Product †Union Pacific Licensed Product

 

The first run of Atlas O Trainman™ items is already 90% sold out at our factory. What accounts for the instant success of the affordable Trainman™ line? Let’s let Jim tell it…

“Trainman is successful because even though it’s popularly priced, the scale dimensions, details and accurate paint schemes allow the items to compliment our Master line. Modelers can use them interchangeably.”

For current artwork, photos, up-to-the minute shipping and information and more, visit www.atlastrainman.com.