The Atlas Model Railroad Company Blog

All the news fit to print from the Atlas Model Railroad Company

The Atlas Product Spotlight - N Trainman® 50' Mechanical Reefer

The Atlas Product Spotlight - N Trainman® 50' Mechanical Reefer

Following the end of World War II, the wider acceptance of frozen food nationwide caused a shift in the traditional refrigerator car (or reefer) industry. While it was possible to maintain some foods in a frozen state by using heavily insulated ice reefers over relatively short distances, for some foods such as frozen orange juice – which had a low freezing point and required constant temperatures between 0 and -10 degrees F – or for travel over longer distances, a new method for railcar refrigeration was required. Companies such as Fruit Growers Express (FGE), Pacific Fruit Express (PFE), and Santa Fe began to explore mechanical methods of refrigeration. FGE, which was more invested in the new orange juice traffic, led the way in these designs with over 175 mechanical cars operating by 1952. Through exchange of information between all three companies, mechanical reefer design underwent numerous updates and changes throughout the 1950s and 60s, with converted ice reefers and the “new” 50’ designs soon giving way to the larger 57’ designs by the mid 1960s. The 50’ reefer, however, remained a staple in refrigerator car fleets throughout the 1960s and 70s.

Features Include:

  • Colorful painting and printing
  • Equipped with AccuMate® operating knuckle couplers
 

The guaranteed order deadline is March 22, 2023. Click here to find an Authorized Atlas Dealer near you.

MSRP: $25.95 UNDEC MSRP: $20.95

 
UNDECORATED
Item #:
50 001 178
genesis
SANTA FE (SFRP)
Item #:
50 006 467
50 006 468
genesis
PACIFIC FRUIT EXPRESS
Item #:
50 006 469
50 006 470
genesis
BURLINGTON NORTHERN
Item #:
50 006 471
50 006 472
genesis
CANADIAN NATIONAL
Item #:
50 006 473
50 006 474
genesis
CANADIAN PACIFIC
Item #:
50 006 475
50 006 476
genesis
TROPICANA
Item #:
50 006 477
50 006 478

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO 36' Wood Reefer

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO 36' Wood Reefer

The 36' reefer is a highly detailed model of the car that was a mainstay in the meatpacking industry during the steam era. Based upon cars built by the General American Car Company for the Cudahy Packing Co. in 1925, the 36' wood reefer is representative of the thousands of cars that transported meat, dairy, beer and food products well into the 1960's.

Features Include:

  • Accurate painting and lettering
  • Separately-applied grab irons, ladders and stirrups
  • Two different hatch styles - road name specific
  • Truss rods appropriate per road name
  • Separately-applied door hardware
  • Opening hatches and doors
  • Die-cast chassis
  • Detailed braking system
  • 40-ton Bettendorf-style trucks
  • AccuMate® couplers

The guaranteed order deadline is March 22, 2023. Click here to find an Authorized Atlas Dealer near you.

MSRP: $74.95

 
UNDECORATED BODY STYLE 1
Item #:
20 001 678
 
UNDECORATED BODY STYLE 2
Item #:
20 001 679
 
UNDECORATED W/ TRUSS RODS
Item #:
20 001 680
genesis
BAUM'S BETTER BEEF
Item #:
20 007 195
20 007 196
genesis
MEMPHIS PACKING CORPORATION
Item #:
20 007 197
20 007 198
genesis
ST. LOUIS REFRIGERATOR CAR CO.
Item #:
20 007 199
20 007 200
genesis SWIFT (1949 SCHEME)
Item #:
20 007 201
20 007 202
genesis WILSON PACKING CERTIFIED HAM
Item #:
20 007 203
20 007 204
genesis KAHN'S
Item #:
20 007 205
20 007 206
genesis NUCKOLL'S
Item #:
20 007 207
20 007 208

Now Shipping Week of 2.16.23

The following products are now shipping from Atlas.

For a complete listing of order deadlines and shipping dates, please use the Atlas Production Schedule

The Atlas Product Spotlight - N 60' GSI Flat Car

The Atlas Product Spotlight - N 60' GSI Flat Car

Formed in 1928 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, American Locomotive Company and American Steel Foundries, General Steel Castings (GSC) quickly became the primary producer of single piece locomotive beds, car frames and other large castings for the railroad industry following the acquisition of Commonwealth Steel in 1929. While Commonwealth Steel was already well established in the industry, the joining of forces with several of the large locomotive makers (along with Pullman and the eventual acquisition of St. Louis Car Co.) enabled GSC to become a leader in the design and engineering of railcars, such as the industry-standard 53’6” Commonwealth flatcar which remained in production from the early 1950s through the 70s. In 1961, GSC changed their name to General Steel Industries (GSI) as the company diversified from solely casting products but remained a force in the railroad industry until the late 70s.

In 1956, GSC introduced their 60’ flatcar, which was purchased by many railroads, and these cars had very long service lives. Offered either as a complete car or as “kits” which could be further configured by the purchaser depending on the intended service, this car could be found hauling lumber, poles, wallboard, heavy or military equipment, and even railcar frames and aircraft parts. Many of these cars are still used in company service today hauling wrecks or in other MOW capacities.

Features Include:

  • Ready-To-Run
  • Die-Cast Metal Frame
  • Fine-Scale Detail
  • Prototypical Ride Height
  • BLMA 70-Ton ASF Ride Control Trucks
  • BLMA Low Profile 33″ Metal Wheels
  • Body-Mounted Brown Knuckle Couplers

The guaranteed order deadline is March 22, 2023. Click here to find an Authorized Atlas Dealer near you.

MSRP: $34.95 UNDEC MSRP: $26.95

 
UNDECORATED
Item #:
50 003 922
genesis
BURLINGTON NORTHERN
Item #:
50 006 426
50 006 427
50 006 428
genesis
ILLINOIS CENTRAL GULF
Item #:
50 006 429
50 006 430
50 006 431
genesis
NORFOLK AND WESTERN
Item #:
50 006 432
50 006 433
50 006 434
genesis
NORTHERN PACIFIC
Item #:
50 006 435
50 006 436
50 006 437
genesis
PENNSYLVANIA
Item #:
50 006 438
50 006 439
50 006 440
genesis
UNION PACIFIC
Item #:
50 006 441
50 006 442
50 006 443

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO 17,600 Trinity Corn Syrup Tank Car

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO 17,600 Trinity Corn Syrup Tank Car

The 17,600 Gallon Corn Syrup Tank Car was built in large numbers by Trinity Industries between 1984 and 1998. They are commonly used in the transport of corn syrup, liquid sugar and molasses from processing facilities to bulk distribution centers. Over 7,000 cars were built and most remain in active service today.

Features Include:

  • Three separate styles of manway / platform / ladder arrangements (used as appropriate per road name)
     
  • Fine scale railings
  • Separately applied brake rigging
  • Separately applied manway “clamshell”-style cover (used when appropriate per road name)
  • 100-Ton Roller Bearing Trucks

  • Accurate painting and printing
  • Full stand-alone brake system details
  • Bottom outlet valve detail
  • Stand-alone heater coil pipes
  • Highly detailed body with prototypical jacket seams
  • See-through top platform grating
  • AccuMate® couplers

The guaranteed order deadline is March 22, 2023. Click here to find an Authorized Atlas Dealer near you.

MSRP: $53.95 UNDEC MSRP: 43.95

 
UNDECORATED (ADM/MCP)
Item #:
20 001 795
 
UNDECORATED (CARGILL)
Item #:
20 001 796
 
UNDECORATED (CORN PRODUCTS)
Item #:
20 001 797
genesis
GATX
Item #:
20 007 209
20 007 210
20 007 211
genesis
TATE & LYLE
Item #:
20 007 212
20 007 213
20 007 214
genesis
TATE & LYLE STALEY
Item #:

20 007 215
20 007 216
20 007 217

genesis
ADM (LEAF AND CONSPICUITY STRIPES)
Item #:
20 007 218
20 007 219
20 007 220
genesis
CARGILL (UTCI REPAINT)
Item #:
20 007 221
20 007 222
20 007 223
genesis
GATX (SERVICE DRIVEN)
Item #:
20 007 224
20 007 225
20 007 226
genesis
MINNESOTA CORN PROCESSORS (MNCX)
Item #:
20 007 227
20 007 228
20 007 229
genesis
ONTARIO NORTHLAND
Item #:
20 007 230
20 007 231

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO & N Collectors' Series Models

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO & N Collectors' Series Models

Introducing the Atlas Collector's Series Models! These special releases are only available for purchase through the Atlas Online Store and feature unique paint schemes created by our R&D department you won't find anywhere else. In this inaugural release we have several different models to choose from.

In HO Scale we have two Atlas Collector Series 8-40BW locomotives represent an alternate history scenario where the Santa Fe Topeka shop painted 2 of the 12 premier delivered locomotives in experimental yellow and blue bonnet paint schemes. There's also an HO 6-Bay Cylindrical Hopper that represents an alternate history where a former Great Northern hopper was repainted into a bicentennial scheme for the 1976 celebrations.

In addition, there are new holiday car releases on the HO & N Trainman® 40' Plug Door Box Cars celebrating the 4th of July and Halloween with awesome new artwork that will get you in a festive mood.

The guaranteed order deadline is March 22, 2023. Click here to find an Authorized Atlas Dealer near you.

genesis
HO DASH 8-40BW SANTA FE [YELLOW BONNET] #502
HO Silver Item #:
HO Gold Item #:
10 004 340 10 004 342
genesis
HO DASH 8-40BW SANTA FE [BLUE BONNET] #503
HO Silver Item #:
HO Gold Item #:
10 004 341 10 004 343
genesis
HO 6-BAY CYLINDRICAL HOPPER BN BICENTENNIAL #443045
HO Scale Item #:
 
20 007 232  
genesis
2023 4TH OF JULY BOX CAR
HO Scale Item #:
N Scale Item #:
20 007 233 50 006 479
genesis
2023 HALLOWEEN BOX CAR
HO Scale Item #:
N Scale Item #:
20 007 234 50 006 480

The Atlas Product Spotlight - N 17,600 Trinity Corn Syrup Tank Car

 

The Atlas Product Spotlight - N 17,600 Trinity Corn Syrup Tank Car

The 17,600 Gallon Corn Syrup Tank Car was built in large numbers by Trinity Industries between 1984 and 1998. They are commonly used in the transport of corn syrup, liquid sugar and molasses from processing facilities to bulk distribution centers. Over 7,000 cars were built and most remain in active service today.

Features Include:

  • Three separate styles of manway / platform / ladder arrangements (used as appropriate per road name)
     
  • Fine scale railings
  • Separately applied brake rigging
  • Separately applied manway “clamshell”-style cover (used when appropriate per road name)
  • 100-Ton Roller Bearing Trucks

  • Accurate painting and printing
  • Full stand-alone brake system details
  • Bottom outlet valve detail
  • Stand-alone heater coil pipes
  • Highly detailed body with prototypical jacket seams
  • See-through top platform grating
  • AccuMate® couplers

The guaranteed order deadline is March 22, 2023. Click here to find an Authorized Atlas Dealer near you.

MSRP: $38.95 UNDEC MSRP: $31.95

 
UNDECORATED (ADM/MCP)
Item #:
50 001 148
 
UNDECORATED (CARGILL)
Item #:
50 001 149
 
UNDECORATED (CORN PRODUCTS)
Item #:
50 001 150
genesis
GATX
Item #:
50 006 444
50 006 445
50 006 446
genesis
TATE & LYLE
Item #:
50 006 447
50 006 448
50 006 449
genesis
TATE & LYLE STALEY
Item #:

50 006 450
50 006 451
50 006 452

genesis
ADM (LEAF AND CONSPICUITY STRIPES)
Item #:
50 006 453
50 006 454
50 006 455
genesis
CARGILL (UTCI REPAINT)
Item #:
50 006 456
50 006 457
50 006 458
genesis
GATX (SERVICE DRIVEN)
Item #:
50 006 459
50 006 460
50 006 461
genesis
MINNESOTA CORN PROCESSORS (MNCX)
Item #:
50 006 462
50 006 463
50 006 464
genesis
ONTARIO NORTHLAND
Item #:
50 006 465
50 006 466

Winter 2023 O Scale Premier Announcements

Welcome to the Atlas OWinter 2023 Premier Announcements. The deadline for placing your order/reservation with your Atlas Dealer on the product listed below is Wednesday, March 29, 2023.

Click Here for the consumer version of the Winter 2023 Premier Announcements

Want to Find a Dealer or Order Online? Click here to go to the Atlas Online Store

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO DASH 8-40B/BW & 32BWH Locomotives

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO DASH 8-40B/BW & 32BWH Locomotives

Built in the late 1980s by GE, the DASH 8-40B diesel locomotives were identified by their dynamic brake gear located along the roof line between the cab and engine compartment, with ventilation provided by large roof-top grilles. These four-axle, high horsepower engines are still in service today in North America.

By the early 1990s the North American Cab had begun to replace the “standard” cab on regular production GE 4 and 6-axle locomotives. The only order for 4-axle Dash 8-40Bs with this new cab came from Santa Fe, and thus the Dash 8-40BW model was unique to that road. A total of 83 units total were built and many are still in service today for BNSF.

In 1991 Amtrak, faced with a motive power shortage, turned to GE for an order of 20 Dash 8-32BWH locomotives. This unique model was basically a Dash 8-32B locomotive equipped with a North American Cab and built on the longer Dash 8-40BW frame. Some additional modifications for passenger service were included. A total of 20 units were built and they are still in Amtrak service today.

The guaranteed order deadline is March 22, 2023. Click here to find an Authorized Atlas Dealer near you.

Features Include:

  • Operating ditch lights where appropriate per road name!
  • Realistic die-cast underframe
  • Standard cab or gull wing cab as per the prototype (HO DASH 8-40BW/8-32BHW only)
  • Five-pole skewed armature motor with dual flywheels for optimum performance at all speeds
  • Directional lighting
  • Factory-equipped with AccuMate® knuckle couplers
  • Painted crew figures
  • Separately-installed scale windshield wipers, metal grab irons and fine scale handrails
  • Highly detailed coupler cut bars
  • Multiple unit hoses and trainline hoses
  • Snowplow
  • Shock absorbers
  • Piping on trucks

Atlas Master® Series Silver Additional Features:

  • NMRA 21-pin plug for DCC (Decoder-ready)

Atlas Master Series Gold Features:

  • ESU LokSound decoder, supporting all DCC programming modes.
  • Flexible mapping of function keys F0 to F31.
  • Follows all NMRA DCC standards and recommended practices.
  • Over 20 sound effects are available, including engine start-up
    and shutdown, prime mover sounds through all eight notches, bell,
    air horn, air compressor and more.

 

SILVER UNDEC MSRP: $179.95 GOLD UNDEC MSRP: $289.95
SILVER MSRP: $189.95 GOLD MSRP: $299.95
SILVER W/FRONT DITCHLIGHTS MSRP: $194.95
GOLD W/ FRONT DITCHLIGHTS MSRP: $304.95
SILVER W/FRONT & REAR DITCHLIGHTS MSRP: $199.95
GOLD W/ FRONT & REARDITCHLIGHTS MSRP: $309.95

 
UNDECORATED
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
10 001 797 10 001 819
genesis
CSX* (YN2) (FRONT DITCH LIGHTS)
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

10 004 344
10 004 345
10 004 346

10 004 314
10 004 315
10 004 316
genesis
LMX (GENERAL ELECTRIC LEASING)
(FRONT DITCH LIGHTS)
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
10 004 347
10 004 348
10 004 349
10 004 317
10 004 318
10 004 319
genesis
SOUTHERN PACIFIC
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
10 004 294
10 004 295
10 004 296
10 004 320
10 004 321
10 004 322
genesis
PAN AM (MEC)
(FRONT AND REAR DITCH LIGHTS)
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
10 004 297
10 004 298
10 004 299
10 004 323
10 004 324
10 004 325
genesis
PROVIDENCE WORCESTER
(FRONT AND REAR DITCH LIGHTS)
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
10 004 300
10 004 301
10 004 302
10 004 326
10 004 327
10 004 328
genesis
RJ CORMAN
(FRONT AND REAR DITCH LIGHTS)
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
10 004 303 10 004 329
genesis
WESTERN MARYLAND SCENIC RAILROAD
(FRONT AND REAR DITCH LIGHTS)
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
10 004 304 10 004 330
 
UNDECORATED
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
10 001 809 10 001 831
 
UNDECORATED - GULL WING CAB
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
10 001 810 10 001 832
genesis
AMTRAK CALIFORNIA
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
10 004 305
10 004 306
10 004 331
10 004 332
genesis
AMTRAK PHASE V (WHITE SILL)
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
10 004 307
10 004 308
10 004 309
10 004 333
10 004 334
10 004 335
genesis
BNSF (WABTECH REBUILD)
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
10 004 310
10 004 311
10 004 312
10 004 336
10 004 337
10 004 338
genesis
RJ CORMAN 
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
10 004 313 10 004 339

The Atlas Product Spotlight - N GP-38 Locomotives

The Atlas Product Spotlight - N GP-38 Locomotives

Atlas' high quality N Scale locomotive is modeled after Electro Motive Division's 2000 horsepower GP-38 diesel introduced in the late 1960s and built through the early 1970s and is still in service today throughout North America. The GP-38 is usually identified by its two radiator fans located on top of the long hood and two small exhaust stacks.

The guaranteed order deadline is March 22, 2023. Click here to find an Authorized Atlas Dealer near you.

Features Include:

  • Directional lighting
  • Walkway safety tread
  • Blackened metal wheels
  • Scale Speed™ motor
  • Factory-equipped with AccuMate® knuckle couplers
  • Dynamic brakes (as appropriate by railroad)
  • Golden-white LEDs

Atlas Master® Series Silver Additional Features:

  • Atlas Silver Sound Ready models are equipped with a speaker for easy conversion to sound with the addition of a decoder.

DCC Operation Features GOLD LOCOMOTIVES ONLY)

  • Supports all DCC-programming modes
  • DCC includes RailCom and RailComPlus, with 14, 28 or 128 speed steps and with 2-digit and 4-digit addressing.
  • Flexible mapping of function keys F0 to F28.
  • A total of 6 DCC function outputs are available, and all can be function mapped (disable, brightness, light effects) individually
  • Follows all NMRA DCC standards and recommended practices.

 

SILVER UNDEC MSRP: $129.95 GOLD UNDEC MSRP: $239.95
SILVER MSRP: $149.95 GOLD MSRP: $259.95
SILVER W/DITCH LIGHTS MSRP: $159.95
GOLD W/DITCH LIGHTS MSRP: $269.95

 
UNDECORATED W/DB
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
40 002 738 40 004 131
genesis
CENTRAL MAINE & QUEBEC RAILWAY
(FRONT AND REAR DITCH LIGHTS)
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
40 005 600 40 005 620
genesis
CHICAGO & NORTH WESTERN
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
40 005 601
40 005 602
40 005 603
40 005 621
40 005 622
40 005 623
genesis
CONRAIL (SPIRIT OF CONRAIL)
(FRONT AND REAR DITCH LIGHTS)
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
40 005 604 40 005 624
genesis
FURX
(FRONT AND REAR DITCH LIGHTS)
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
40 005 605
40 005 606
40 005 625
40 005 626
genesis
INDIANA HARBOR BELT
(FRONT AND REAR DITCH LIGHTS)
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
40 005 607
40 005 608
40 005 627
40 005 628
genesis
PROVIDENCE & WORCESTER
(FRONT AND REAR DITCH LIGHTS)
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
40 005 609
40 005 610
40 005 629
40 005 630
genesis
ROCK ISLAND RAIL
(FRONT AND REAR DITCH LIGHTS)
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
40 005 611 40 005 631
genesis
ROCK ISLAND RAIL
(FRONT AND REAR DITCH LIGHTS)
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
40 005 612 40 005 632
 
UNDECORATED W/ DB
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
40 005 613 40 005 633
genesis
NORFOLK WESTERN
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
40 005 614
40 005 615
40 005 616
40 005 634
40 005 635
40 005 636
genesis
SOUTHERN 
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:
40 005 617
40 005 618
40 005 619
40 005 637
40 005 638
40 005 639