I own four powered Atlas GP60s in three rail, after seeing Rich Montague's post on converting to fixed pilots and talking to Frank Swafford I've been wondering about sending them to Atlas to be converted to fixed pilots. I have no problem in admiting I'm scared to try it myself and do not want four screwed up locos. Has anybody sent their's in? Any idea what it would cost? Is it something that would be happy with or have regrets?

Thanks for any info.

quote:

Originally posted by Claus:
I own four powered Atlas GP60s in three rail, after seeing Rich Montague's post on converting to fixed pilots and talking to Frank Swafford I've been wondering about sending them to Atlas to be converted to fixed pilots. I have no problem in admiting I'm scared to try it myself and do not want four screwed up locos. Has anybody sent their's in? Any idea what it would cost? Is it something that would be happy with or have regrets?

Thanks for any info.

Atlas did my conversions, but it sure isn't cheap. I think I paid somewhere around $425.00 to do my three NP Geeps, including shipping. I figure I demonstrated a desire for this option, as have others, now I would hope Atlas will offer fixed pilots with hirail wheels as an option in the future.

I won't pay the money to have any units done in the future, either they will come from the factory (or dealer as was the case with my NP F units) for 3RS, or I'll do without.

Regards,
Jerry Zeman

Wow!! Locomotive looks great but when you add up th price of the loco and the extra work, it's more than I'm willing to go. How can fixed pilots cost almost as much as he whole loco? I had no idea it would be that kind of money.

Thanks again. Looks like you have a true one of a kind there.

I read your respoce again, I'm an idiot. You paid $425 for all three to be converted, correct?

Correct, he said $425 INCLUDING SHIPPING to do all three. He runs them on my layout frequently, as well as his Atlas NP F units (which came from the dealer with fixed pilots & scale/Kadee couplers), and they sure look fantastic!

Thanks again guys. I know it's alot of money but when I look at your photo I can't help but feel it was worth it. Completey erases the toy look and brings things together.

Congrats, great looking loco.

quote:

I know it's alot of money but when I look at your photo I can't help but feel it was worth it.

I agree Claus. Jerry, that is a very handsome engine! Congratulations, well done! Once in a while, it is worth it to pay up and get what you want.

Claus and gnnpnut: That sure is a great looking NP pictured in this thread of conversation. I really like the scenery and the track all ballasted. The fixed pilot makes a lot of difference. I am not in 3-rail scale, however, I can appreciate the accuracy shown in the photo of this Atlas engine. I am thinking of converting to 3RS in the future. The recent Atlas F units that were offerred by the Golden Spike Club came with the interchangeable fixed pilots, and This is a very nice engine. I purchased the ABBA. Are there a lot of 3 Rail Scale folks out there??

Well Mr. Larry, your question "Are there a lot of 3 Rail Scale folks out there??" is a bit confusing. Just 4 or 5 days ago you soundly ripped us 3RS modelers, which caused deleation of the whole thread you posted to!

There are lots more 3RS modelers than you gave us credit for! Just witness MTH's move to 3/2 modern diesel and steam locomotive models. Not to mention MTH's freight rolling stock being offered with Kadee coupler mounting holes AND shim pads included in the box for easy Kadee conversions! The next big "3RS addition" that MTH will be offering is the "scale" electro-coupler which will mate easly to Kadee couplers.

quote:

Originally posted by leapinlarry:
Claus and gnnpnut: That sure is a great looking NP pictured in this thread of conversation. I really like the scenery and the track all ballasted. The fixed pilot makes a lot of difference. I am not in 3-rail scale, however, I can appreciate the accuracy shown in the photo of this Atlas engine. I am thinking of converting to 3RS in the future. The recent Atlas F units that were offerred by the Golden Spike Club came with the interchangeable fixed pilots, and This is a very nice engine. I purchased the ABBA. Are there a lot of 3 Rail Scale folks out there??

Hi Larry:

Thanks for the comments on the GP9 locomotive and the scenery.

I also have a set of four Northern Pacific Atlas F3s in an A-B-B-A consist, all with scale couplers. These were a special run sold by JD Trains out of St. Louis. Here is a video link to these locomotives in action on Hot Water's Central Connecting Railroad.

Northern Pacific Fs

I can't say for sure how many people consider themselves 3RS modelers, but I belong to a group of 10 individuals that consider themselves 3RS modelers at Independent Hirailers Midwest Division.

Check out NYCJim's videos of my Northern Pacific stuff from the I-Hobby show in October, 2009.

Regards,
GNNPNUT

To further address the question "are there a lot or 3RS modelers out there?", I think the market place speaks best. MTH's cover photo is a scale wheeled 3 rail SD70 with a scale coupler. Many of their offerings have scale wheel offerings. Atlas is offering fixed pilots on many new products to satisfy a market demand. Lionel's most desirable items recently have been scale offerings. 21" passenger cars are regularly selling out in spite of the comments on other forums decrying how much they overhang on curves.

That clearly states that yes there are a lot of 3RS modelers out there. The market wouldn't respond if there weren't. We don't post our results as often because at the moment a quality 3RS conversion on an older 3R locomotive is a bit of work and time. It takes time to convert cars to Kadees and I've only done around 50 cars so far. It is all time well spent. Some of us don't have the benefit of being retired yet to do this full time, so projects come between work and family. My priorities put my trains squarely in third place. That doesn't mean nearly the time I would like, but the pursuit of scale model excellence in less models rather than just accumulating is a source of extreme enjoyment and pride.