Atlas O is going into the passenger business BIG TIME. As its first introductions, Atlas O is proud to introduce cars from the famous California Zephyr. Displaying one of the most famous names of the “Streamliner Era

What would you like to see Atlas produce as their next train?

I would like to see any one of the four Pennsylvania Railroad Limiteds that ran west and were equipped with a twin unit dinner and the blunt end observation car.

What's your quess to follow the CZ?
It could be an eastern railroad?

With the Budd 10-6's, the 1950 SUNSET LTD?

But I could live with something Tuscan.....

......or the CONGO?

My bet for the next car set would be the 1948 smoothside 20th Century Limited/Broadway Limited. They shared external design and could be authentic for 2 big RR's NYC and Pennsy. The distinctive Observation car even survived to the American Orient Express luxury service in the 90's.

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Originally posted by Silver Lake:
My bet for the next car set would be the 1948 smoothside 20th Century Limited/Broadway Limited. They shared external design and could be authentic for 2 big RR's NYC and Pennsy. The distinctive Observation car even survived to the American Orient Express luxury service in the 90's.

do you think Atlas will go head to head against Golden Gate Depot?

I didn't know they were making those cars. I know next to nothing about that Company.

Silver Lake
I was asking the question in a broader sense; do you think there is enough market for $150 scale passenger cars to support 2 manufacturers.

Seems to me they would have to select different trains, different railroads to make it profitable

Charlie:

It should be no surprise that Atlas is getting into scale passenger cars in a big way. Lionel has cut back in it's passenger car production opening the door to 3rd rail, Weaver, and now Atlas to capture this market. It appears that 3rd Rail's Golden gate subsidiary is having great success with it's passenger cars and it didn't take long for Atlas to respond. With Lionel's new pricing of $ 650 plus for a four pack of 18 inch coaches, the $ 150 retail is a bargain.

I am a Lionel fan, but they should take notice of what's going on around them. " If you build it, they will come", and conversley, if you don't build them, they will go away!

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Seems to me they would have to select different trains, different railroads to make it profitable

Now there's a thought!!! Instead of PRR, NYC, ATSF, or N&W maybe we can get some SAL, ACL, Southern, or L&N. Those big RRs have been done to death and what does Atlas and 3rd Rail do...go down the same old path.

In all honesty I don't mind them re-doing the same old RRs, but like you said, "select something different" even if it's every 5th year or so.

I'd like to see more undecorated models if they're not going to do different RRs. At least that way folks won't have to take them apart and remove paint/decals.

A great idea is for Atlas to make some LIRR
Long Island Railroad car to go with all of the LIRR Engines that are available.

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Originally posted by Bob Delbridge:

quote:

Seems to me they would have to select different trains, different railroads to make it profitable

Now there's a thought!!! Instead of PRR, NYC, ATSF, or N&W maybe we can get some SAL, ACL, Southern, or L&N. Those big RRs have been done to death and what does Atlas and 3rd Rail do...go down the same old path.
...

I wouldn't be the surprised to see at least Southern. The Atlas Passenger F3 must have done very well including the Southern ones cause you very rarely see any available anywhere. I would suspect the success of those F3s played a big role in the this decision. I found it interesting that while the cars are now "announced" the WP F3s are not.

Will Atlas go head to head with Golden Gate? Given Atlas's philosophy of not copying others; no, they wont. The GGD 20th Century cars are sold out 3-rail with a few 2-rail possibly available so that market is pretty much up to speed for the time being. To flip the coin over Scott tried doing a partial Broadway version (I think it was 5 cars) and didn't get much interest so that has gone by the by.

These CZ cars are a great start because the Dome coaches, baggage car, diner and I think some of the sleepers can be used for Twin Cities, 2nd Denver, KC, aksarben and Texas Zephyrs. Cars are also appropriate for the Rio Grande Zephyr and most cars survived to Amtrak. Many ended up in Canada and some have been to Alaska and maybe even Auto Train.

What concerns me and some others I have spoken to is Atlas's commitment to the CZ as a train and to producing the lesser recyclable cars like the Dome Lounge and other sleepers before moving on to more fertile ground saying they plan to get to them "eventually".

Richard

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producing the lesser recyclable cars like the Dome Lounge and other sleepers

Richard,
That's what I mean by "go down the same old path". There weren't a whole lot of dome cars used east of the Mississippi River.

I would think someone would kick off a series of affordable Pullman or Budd cars that most all RRs used.