N Scale Collector’s Convention

Atlas COO Paul Graf and N Scale Product Development Coordinator Cory Rothlisberger traveled to Colorado for the annual N Scale Collectors Convention, where they not only displayed our newest N Scale products, but enjoyed the trips and events that make this show unique.

“It is different than most trade shows,” Paul said. “There is a lot more socialization, and we get the opportunity to interact with customers and their families on a different level. It’s almost like a big family reunion.”

At the Atlas table, Cory took time to explain the finer points of Atlas locomotives to a young modeler, always one of the highlights of interacting with the public at trade shows and conventions.

While Paul enjoyed a tour of the Coors Brewery, Cory rode the Georgetown Loop. The brewery gift shop had Atlas O Scale SW-9s and 40’ Wood Reefers decorated for Coors for sale. Later, tour-goers boarded the buses and took a short ride to the Colorado Rail Museum, where they enjoyed viewing the many cars and locomotives on display and an operating layout in the basement.

On Friday, the pair set up for the popular NSC Swaparama, where most of Atlas’ products, including several shells in various detail configurations of the recently announced N scale GP38-2 were on display. They said that item created the biggest buzz of the show. After the show ended Friday, Paul and Cory broke out the HO and O scale products for display. They reported that while the crowd was enthusiastic, attendance was down from previous years.

The Saturday evening banquet was held outside in the parking lot in a tent, since all of the banquet rooms were filled with layouts or selling tables. After dinner, a raffle of hundreds of prizes donated by manufacturers, retailers and consumers was held. Paul and Cory appear in several pictures in the September/October 2006 N Scale Collector magazine, enjoying themselves and displaying Atlas products.

Next year’s convention will be held in Hartford, CT and in 2008 it will be in Louisville, KY. To find out more, visit www.nscalecollector.com.

“Grandpa” Enjoys his Prize

One of three winners of a new Atlas O Atlas Master™ Line, (GP35 Reading), locomotive at July’s NMRA Convention in Philadelphia, Patrick Clary, sent us this photo of himself and his grandson, Patrick Ayres, with his prize.

“I am especially pleased with the model that was given to me because it is a Reading locomotive and my father worked for the Reading Railroad for many years,” Mr. Clary wrote. “This new addition will be the star of my train collection, and I am looking forward to sharing it with my family and especially my grandson.”
You’re more than welcome, Mr. Clary!