Product Spotlights

In this ongoing column, readers will learn about how Atlas products are conceived and developed. If there is a particular product you would like to learn more about, please email us by clicking the following: .

Lower Price, Unique Road Names Highlight HO Release

“How are Atlas models and road names selected?” is indeed an FAQ for us. While a variety of factors and input are involved, the renowned Atlas Research and Development team always seek the unique. Locomotives with interesting back stories are especially preferred by our experts, who spend countless hours in the Atlas library, online and in the field researching minute details both physical and historical.

Such is the case with the recently announced Atlas HO Master™ C-420 Phase 1 Locomotive. Featuring new models and new road names, this run has something else that makes it attractive – a lower price for sound! Atlas sound locomotives are so exceptional, and have been so well received by industry experts, we want more model railroaders to hear for themselves the difference Atlas sound makes.

According to Paul Graf, COO, the price for the Atlas Master™ Gold Series is $20 less than previous runs, with very same quality and features that make Atlas models the best available on the market today, and an investment that will stand the test of time.

Hear the Difference!

The realism and authenticity of any model railroad is greatly enhanced by sound. Atlas sound provides audible action, adding to the excitement and fun of model railroading right out of the box! Atlas, known for its relentless pursuit of maximum realism, was among the first to offer the highest level of factory-installed sound, provided by the QSIndustries, Inc., of Beaverton, Oregon, a leading manufacturer of model train sound technology.

By teaming with QSI, Atlas brings you patented methods of using a simple power pack to operate sound in traditional DC mode, combining ease of use with cutting edge technology. For DCC users, sound technology is also easily controlled. The QSI® technology allows the locomotive to search for the DCC signal when track power is applied. If it isn’t found, the locomotive will automatically default to operate in conventional DC mode. We call this the “eDMD” or the electronic Dual-Mode® Decoder.

From the Real World, to Your World

Another factor in model selection is consumer demand. Sure, we can make obscure, unusual models and road names, but we must be sure enough people will want to buy them to cover the research, development, production and marketing involved. This run features a Long Island road name often requested by customers. The instant it was announced, the reaction was phenomenal, and gratifying.

Also new to this run is the high short hood. All high hood models in this run represent phase 1 locomotives originally owned by the Long Island Rail Road (LI). Long Island purchased their first C420s in 1963. When the lease expired in 1976 these units were initially sent to storage on the Delaware & Hudson (D&H) and Morristown & Erie railroads. Some were leased by the D&H for a short time. Later they would be sold to various short lines and industrial railroads throughout North America, three of which are represented here.

Many locomotives being offered this run are related, as the road names represent different “eras” in the life of a given unit. The first and most obvious are Lehigh Valley 404 and 408 which became Delaware & Hudson 404 and 408. More complex are the histories of two particular Long Island Rail Road units. LI 200 was sold to Virginia & Maryland (VAMD) where it kept this road number. It was later sold to Livonia Avon & Lakeville where it was renumbered 420 and remains in operation today. LI 221 was also sold to VAMD, becoming 202. In 1982 this unit was sold to the Susquehanna (NYS&W) and renumbered 2002. The NYS&W quickly placed this unit in service in VAMD maroon, with the gold stripe repainted yellow and Susquehanna lettering applied. In 1985 this unit was overhauled and repainted in standard NYS&W yellow and black and was renumbered 260. Atlas proudly brings them all to you now!

“The Lehigh Valley 405 is still in service today, wearing this road number on the Delaware Lackawanna,” said Rob Pisani, Atlas HO Product Development. “Atlas was fortunate to have the cooperation of both the Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad and the Southern Railroad of New Jersey while researching this model. A number of C420s currently operate in relative proximity to our Hillside, NJ headquarters, which proved extremely beneficial. We took our cameras on the road and captured them first hand.” Those photos and more appear in Volume 3 of The Atlas Modeler, which can be viewed online here.

Rob also rode the rails in the cab of a DL310 while it operated over the DL Pocono Main, (formerly Lackawanna) and took the pictures to prove it. They can also be seen in that issue of The Atlas Modeler, which is researched and written by the Atlas R&D team. Rob notes that the DL 310 was actually Lehigh Valley 405 and has been renumbered as DL 405 in honor of its original road number.

Expected to arrive at hobby shops everywhere in November 2008, this fascinating run of HO C420s has the fine details and exacting features that make Atlas Master™ Locomotives the height of HO excellence. See all the photos, and get all the details here: www.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/hoc420b.htm.