Atlas Model Railroad Co. Product Review

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This review was taken from the November, 1999 issue of Model Railroad News and is reproduced with permission of Lamplight Publishing Co., Merlin, OR.

HO Scale Train Sets

Review by Michael J. Pratt

It has been three years since Atlas released its Pro-Line, HO scale train sets (November 1996 MRN). Is it worth looking at a train set that’s three years old. In our humble opinion—You Bet!

Atlas has incorporated a number of the company’s strong selling products into one convenient box. The locomotive, as well as each freight car and caboose, are contained in their own separate boxes. These are nestled into a thick Styrofoam tray, which slides into the carton. The set also features Atlas’ nickel silver True-Track with a gray, ballasted roadbed base. Sixteen pieces are included to create 38" x 56" oval layout. A Custom Power 1700 power pack provides operating power and a trackside structure kit is also included.

Four sets were initially offered with each set containing and an Alco S-2/S-4 locomotive, two hoppers, and an extended vision caboose. Road names and rolling stock versions still available include: Santa Fe S-2 with a Milwaukee Road open hopper, Northern Pacific PS-2 covered hopper, and Santa Fe caboose (set #1010); Burlington S-2, Milwaukee Road open hopper, Northern Pacific PS-2 covered hopper, and CB& Q caboose (#1011); and a Maine Central S-4 with a Pittsburgh & W. Virginia open hopper, Jersey Central PS-2 covered hopper, and Main Central caboose (#1013). Atlas reports that its Chessie System set (#1012) has sold out. (Samples may still be available at some dealers.)

The S-2/S-4 switcher locomotive in the set features a five-pole skewed armature motor, blackened metal wheels, and dual flywheels. The delicate handrails are quite flexible and should hold up to handling well.

A few details need to be added to the included rolling stock. Two latch bars need to be attached to the open hopper’s doors. the caboose requires the installation of grab irons and end platform railings. The grab irons are bare wire so they need to be painted before assembly. Instructions are included with each car.
Paint and lettering on the sample set is very well done. The Santa Fe S-2 features yellow ends on an overall blue body, with yellow hood stripe, lettering and cab numbers. All lettering on the locomotive, along with each of the freight cars is flawless. The smallest lettering on the caboose and each freight car is legible, but under magnification!

The Atlas cars all come equipped with smooth rolling metal wheelsets. Each car and the locomotive come equipped with X2f, or horn hook style couplers.
A small Track Side Shanty structure kit (#702) is included with the Pro-Line set. It includes window glazing, coal bin and two gents playing checkers. You will need to assemble the kit, and paint for the figures and details.

Atlas includes instructions for TrueTrack assembly, as well as suggested ways to expand the layout of track. Atlas’s True-Track assembles easily enough, but attention must be paid to the rail joiners in order to slide them together properly. One of the bets features about True-Track is that the track/ties can be separated from the roadbed if desired. It can then be used like regular Snap Track for layout purposes-although the molded roadbed would look very appropriate in some cases. When assembled properly, Atlas’ True-Track provides very smooth joints between the rail sections.

The power pack is a large, solid feeling unit. The rotary speed knob of our sample operated smoothly, complimenting the nice, quiet operation of Atlas ‘ locomotive.
Along with the DC terminals, there are two AC terminals on the power pack. The power pack also features a direction switch and overload indicator light. The UL listed power pack is rated at 14 volts DC, 17 volts AC, for a total max. output of 17VA.

Running the Atlas set brings all of these quality components together. The engine operates quietly throughout its power range, and very well at slow speeds. The metal wheel sets on each of the freight cars and caboose add to the smooth characteristics of the set.

Certain aspects of the Atlas Pro-Line set do require supervision, namely the proper assembly of track and rolling stock details. However, the set does combine the best of ready to run train sets, along with the necessary components for later use in a full fledged HO scale layout.