Atlas Model Railroad Co. Product Review

HO - ATLAS DISHES UP ALCO C424 AND C425 LOCOS

MODEL RAILROAD NEWS – JANUARY 2004

Review by Stuart Thayer

C424 (ph. I), C424 (Ph. II), and C425 Alco Diesel Locomotives, MSRP: $99.95 each

Atlas Model Railroad Co.
378 Florence Avenue
Hillside, NJ 07205
908-687-0880 – Fax 908-687-8857
www.atlasrr.com

Editor’s Update
During the writing of this review, Atlas added more roadnames to the Century lineup. All roads added feature two roadnumbers and a no number version. To the C4424 Phase I, Erie Lackawanna has been added. Phase II features Delaware & Hudson; Spokane, Portland & Seattle; Toledo Peoria & Western and the Wabash. Phase III now sports Belt Railway of Chicago. The C425 Phase I has Norfolk & Western joining up, and each of the above phases is also available in an undecorated version. For more details visit the C424/5 web page at… http://www.atlasrr.com.highlights.hoc-4241.asp.

It has been quite some time since ALCO modelers have seen HO scale Century 424 and 425 models from Atlas. Many years ago when Atlas first released models of the Phase I C424, Phase II C424, and C425, they were on the cutting edge of HO diesel locomotive model production. Those early models set new standards for tooling and performance, and still hold up well in today’s market. A lot of time has gone by since we have seen these models available, and when Atlas announced they would be releasing an updated version of them, folks like myself stood up and took notice. As a modeler, I have to commend Atlas for not settling for good enough. They could have easily just applied new paint schemes to the original models and offered them up for sale. Instead, they have gone back and made significant improvements to the overall detailing of the models, which has resulted in making a very good product even better. All the while they have maintained the high level of performance that the original run came to be known for. I applaud their efforts.

So what are the differences between the original release and the new improved version? We will go down the list one item at a time, highlighting the differences. Then we will finish up by highlighting those items that both the original and new versions share. This discussion is consistent with all three models shown here. Before we get started I would like to give a big thank you to Charlie LeCain at Whistlestop Trains in Portland, OR for find examples of each of the original releases in question that we could borrow in order to have something to compare the new and improved version to. Without his assistance, this review would not have been possible.

Here’s a list of the changes: The original models came with molded on grab irons. The new models come with separate scale sized grab irons. The new models come with separate scale sized grab irons. On the originals the handrails are .027 inches in diameter. This is almost 2-12 inches in scale size. The new models come with handrails .015 inches in diameter, or 1-1/4 inches scale sized. The pilot details on the originals were limited and were all molded on. This included the coupler cut lever bar, and not much else. There are no individual MU hoses, and the holders for the MU hoses are a solid piece with no opening. The new models have separate pilot details. These include scale sized coupler cut lever bars, separate MU hoses, and the MU hose holder is open allowing the MU hoses to be held inside a on the prototype locomotives.

The drop steps are molded into the end handrail castings and nonfunctional on the original models. The new models have separate functional drop steps that can be positioned in the raised or lowered position. The originals came equipped with X2F style couplers with no coupler box. The new models come equipped with knuckle-style couplers with a modified mounting system that includes a coupler box allowing for the modeler to easily switch to a different type of coupler should they wish to.

The originals did not include fully painted crewmen in the cab. The new models do. On the originals there is noticeable evidence of where the shell was removed from the gate or sprue on top of the long hood casting centered on the dynamic brake detail. This has been cleaned up on the new models to the point that this is hardly even noticeable. The originals came equipped with a Kato produced drive system and motor. The new model comes with a new drive system manufactured in China that very closely matches the original models.

There are only two real differences that I found between the two. One is the size of the flywheels; the originals have flywheels that are twice the size of the new models. The other is that the originals use a drive shaft between the flywheel and worm gear, and the new models use a universal coupling. All this amounts to a difference in the coasting distance of the models when bringing them to a stop. The originals will coast farther then the new models. Other then this in side-by-side comparison, the newer models match the speeds of the older models perfectly. This will be an important factor for those modelers that have examples of the older ones, and want to run them in consist with the newer models.

The older models did not come with any provision for DCC operation, whereas the new models come with a DCC decoder plug for plug and play DCC conversion. The older models did not come equipped with directional lighting. The new models come with directional lighting. Neither version of the models comes with constant lighting. On the older models, the weights are not secured to the chassis, but instead fit up inside the shell. On the new models, the weights are secured to the chassis with screws.

On the older models, the electrical pickup on the trucks shows through the sideframes behind the truck springs. On the new models, the electrical pickups have been retooled so that they are hidden behind the sideframes, and cannot be seen behind the truck springs. Last but certainly not least, the paint and lettering has been improved on the new models. The paint and lettering on the originals was very good, but the paint and lettering on the new models is simply exquisite!

You have to admit, this is quite a list of differences and improvements. Everything else about the models is the same. This includes: the airhorn casting and mounting, detailing of the fuel tank, truck sideframe tooling, the tooling of the shells with the exception of the grab iron detail listed above, the chassis/frame, and the truck mechanism and gearing.

The first release of the new Phase I C424, Phase II C424, and C425 were being offered in the following roadnames. C424 (ph. I): Undecorated and Reading (2 roadnumbers and no number) C424 (ph. II): Undecorated, Burlington Northern (2 roadnumbers and no number), Green Bay & Western (2 roadnumbers and no number), and Morristown & Erie (2 roadnumbers). C425: Penn Central (2 roadnumbers an no number), Norfolk & Western (2 roadnumbers and no number), and Erie Lackawanna (2 roadnumbers and no number).

To sum it all up, Atlas has taken a series of very good HO locomotive models, and made them even better. These new versions of the C424 and C425 incorporate improvements that result in more realistic and accurate models. The new HO scale Atlas Phase I C424, Phase II C424, and C425 should appeal to both the modeler that missed out on the original runs of these models, and the modeler that has examples of the original releases and wants to add to them. One again, Atlas has given the HO diesel modeler some outstanding models to add to their locomotive fleet.

By-The-Numbers
Atlas Classic, C424 – BN
HO 1:87.1
Starting Volts = 1.25
Traction Tires? No
Stall Amps =
Volts Amps Scale MPH
1.5 .11 2.0
3.0 .15 13.1
6.0 .21 35.8
12.0 .22 83.4
Pull Test (ounces) Slip
Loco Wt. 14.7 Volts – Amps
Pull Wt. 3.8 12 .35
Efficiency – 25.9%

By-The-Numbers
Atlas Classic, C424 – Reading
HO 1:87.1
Starting Volts – 1.75
Traction Tires? No
Stall Amps =
Volts Amps Scale MPH
2.0 .13 3.8
3.0 .17 10.9
6.0 .22 34.7
12.0 .25 82.3
Pull Test (ounces) Slip
Loco Wt. 14.6 Volts – Amps
Pull Wt. 4.2 12 .35
Efficiency = 28.8%

By-The-Numbers
Atlas Classic, C425 – N&W
HO 1:87.1
Starting Volts = 1.4
Traction Tires? No
Stall Amps =
Volts Amps Scale MPH
1.5 .12 2.1
3.0 .16 13.1
6.0 .22 37.7
12.0 .26 93.0
Pull Test (ounces) Slip
Loco Wt. 14.7 Volts – Amps
Pull Wt. 3.8 12 .38
Efficiency = 25.9%