The Atlas Model Railroad Company Blog

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

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO 5250 Covered Hopper

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO 5250 Covered Hopper

ACF introduced the 5250 cubic foot size covered hopper in 1964, and has since built nearly 20,000 cars. Most of the cars were equipped with pneumatic outlets and eight 20” round hatches for use in transporting plastic pellets. In addition to the plastics cars, a number have been built or converted with gravity outlets and elongated hatches for grain type products. As with most things with long production spans, the design has evolved with changes in the physical features of the body and fixtures. The Atlas model features three unique body style variations to represent those changes from the 1960s into the 21st Century.

Features Include:

  • Updated tooling
  • Ready to run
  • Injection molded plastic
  • Fine scale detail
  • Etched metal roof walk
  • Metal knuckle couplers
  • Road specific hatch and outlet configurations
  • Road specific roof walk variations
  • Three body style variations
  • Separately applied wire grab irons and wire brake lines
  • Crisp painting/printing
  • Free-rolling 100-ton trucks

The guaranteed order deadline is October 4, 2023. Click here to find an Authorized Atlas Dealer near you.

genesis
ACFX 
Item #:
20 007 361
20 007 362
20 007 363
genesis
BF GOODRICH
Item #:
20 007 364
20 007 365
20 007 366
genesis
CHESSIES SYSTEM (B&O)
Item #:
20 007 367
20 007 368
20 007 369
genesis
CITIES SERVICE COMPANY 
Item #:
20 007 370
20 007 371
20 007 372
genesis
DUPONT
Item #:
20 007 373
20 007 374
20 007 375
genesis
EL REXENE
Item #:
20 007 376
20 007 377
20 007 378

The Atlas Product Spotlight - N 70 Ton Hart Ballast Car

The Atlas Product Spotlight - N 70 Ton Hart Ballast Car

Built by ACF® from 1940-1953, the 70-Ton Hart Ballast Cars were formally known as “Hart Selective Service Ballast Cars”, due to the use of specially-designed doors which allowed the lading to be discharged one of three ways: to the center of the rails, to the center and sides of the rails, or to the side of the rails only.

Features Include:

  • Die Cast Chassis
  • 70-ton friction bearing trucks
  • Accumate® offset shank coupler
  • Fully detailed interior, including cross-bracing and side stiffeners
  • Accurate painting and printing
 

The guaranteed order deadline is October 4, 2023. Click here to find an Authorized Atlas Dealer near you.

genesis
ALASKA RAILROAD
Item #:
50 006 602
50 006 603
genesis
CONRAIL
Item #:
50 006 604
50 006 605
genesis
RIO GRANDE
Item #:
50 006 606
50 006 607
genesis
SOUTHERN
Item #:
50 006 608
50 006 609
genesis
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Item #:
50 006 610
50 006 611
genesis
CANADIAN PACIFIC
Item #:
50 006 612
50 006 613
genesis
GREAT NORTHERN
Item #:
50 006 614
50 006 615
genesis
UNION PACIFIC
Item #:
50 006 616
50 006 617
genesis
WISCONSIN CENTRAL
Item #:
50 006 618
50 006 619

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO & N 11,000 Gallon Tank Cars

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO & N 11,000 Gallon Tank Cars

Propane or Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is both a naturally occurring product and a by-product of the refining process. During the 1940s, the petroleum industry began marketing LPG as a cleaner and more efficient fuel than the existing coal and oil. Transporting LPG requires specially designed high-pressure tank cars. During the early 40s the only ACF tank car that qualified was the 10,500 gallon high-pressure tank car. After the war, ACF set out to design a whole new car for the emerging industry. As a result the 11,000 gallon tank car was introduced by ACF in 1947. Many thousands were built up through the mid-1950s.

The Atlas model faithfully reproduces this late steam/early diesel era tank car in two versions (with and without platform rails). The cars with top platform rails were used where there was no elevated loading/unloading facility. The cars without the top platform rails were often specified for customers that had access to elevated loading and unloading facilities.

Features:

  • Finely molded handrails
  • Tank fittings and safety placards
  • 50-ton friction-bearing trucks with AccuMate® couplers
  • Accurate painting and lettering
  • Platform where appropriate

 

The guaranteed order deadline is October 4, 2023. Click here to find an Authorized Atlas Dealer near you.

11,000 Gallon Tank Car
AIRCO CARBON DIOXIDE (PCIX)
N Item #:
HO Item #:
50 006 584
50 006 585
20 007 343
20 007 344
11,000 Gallon Tank Car
ARCO (UTLX)
N Item #:
HO Item #:
50 006 586
50 006 587
20 007 345
20 007 346
11,000 Gallon Tank Car
ATLANTIC REFINING (UTLX)
N Item #:
HO Item #:
50 006 588
50 006 589
20 007 347
20 007 348
11,000 Gallon Tank Car
GATX (ISOBUTANE)
N Item #:
HO Item #:
50 006 590
50 006 591
20 007 349
20 007 350
11,000 Gallon Tank Car
POLYSAR (PCLX)
N Item #:
HO Item #:
50 006 592
50 006 593
20 007 351
20 007 352
11,000 Gallon Tank Car
PPG COLUMBIA SOUTHERN (GATX)
N Item #:
HO Item #:
50 006 594
50 006 595
20 007 353
20 007 354
11,000 Gallon Tank Car
SMITH DOUGLASS (UTLX)
N Item #:
HO Item #:
50 006 596
50 006 597
20 007 355
20 007 356
11,000 Gallon Tank Car
TENNECO CHEMICALS (VENX)
N Item #:
HO Item #:
50 006 598
50 006 599
20 007 357
20 007 358
11,000 Gallon Tank Car
UNION PACIFIC MOW
N Item #:
HO Item #:
50 006 600
50 006 601
20 007 359
20 007 360

 

Atlas Master Line locomotives and rolling stock are highly detailed models that faithfully recreate the prototype down to the paint scheme and even railroad-specific details. These 11,000 Gallon Tank Cars are no exception and provide fantastic detail and value for the price. Order yours today from your local Atlas dealer!

The Atlas Product Spotlight - N DASH 8-40C Locomotives

The Atlas Product Spotlight - N DASH 8-40C Locomotives

First built for Union Pacific in the late 1980s by General Electric, the DASH 8-40C diesel locomotives were identified by an enlarged exhaust stack and the mounting of the dynamic brake grids in a square-like unit behind the cab, which housed an enlarged equipment blower fan. These six-axle, 4,000 hp engines are still in service today in North America.

The 4,000hp Dash 8-40CW was produced by General Electric between 1989 and 1993 as a follow-up to the successful Dash 8-40C locomotive. The most distinguishing feature of this model was the introduction of GE’s version of the wide-nose “North American Safety Cab.” This style of cab would become a common sight on railroads across the country. Four major railroads purchased the Dash 8-40CW in fairly large quantities, including Conrail, CSX, Santa Fe and Union Pacific. Most of these units are still in regular mainline and heavy-haul freight service today. Due to various mergers, they can also be seen operating for new owners Norfolk Southern and BNSF.

The guaranteed order deadline is October 4, 2023. Click here to find an Authorized Atlas Dealer near you.

Features:

  • NEW! Ditchlights where appropriate
  • Separate coupler cut lever
  • Directional lighting
  • Golden white LEDs
  • Painted safety rails
  • Blackened metal wheels
  • Dual flywheel equipped 5-pole skewed armature motor with a low friction mechanism
  • Factory-installed AccuMate® magnetic knuckle couplers

SILVER SOUND READY FEATURES (SILVER LOCMOTIVES ONLY):

  • Sound ready & equipped with speaker for easy conversion to DCC sound.

 

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.

SOUND FUNCTIONALITY FEATURES (GOLD LOCOMOTIVES ONLY):

  • Over 20 sound effects are available, including engine start-up and
    shutdown, prime mover sounds through all eight notches, bell, air horn, air compressor, dynamic brakes and more.
  • There are up to 16 user-selectable horns, 2 user-selectable bells, and 2 user-selectable synchronized brake squeals.
  • Equipped with ESU’s Exclusive “Full Throttle” features for ultimate realism in prototype running.

SILVER MSRP: $149.95 GOLD MSRP: $259.95
W/FRONT AND REAR DITCHLIGHTS
SILVER MSRP: $154.95 GOLD MSRP: $264.95

N Dash 8-40C
CIMARRON VALLEY
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

40 005 641
40 005 642

40 005 665
40 005 666
N Dash 8-40C
CSX* (YN2) WHITE ROOF
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

40 005 643
40 005 644

40 005 667
40 005 668
N Dash 8-40C
PROVIDENCE & WORCESTER
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

40 005 645
40 005 646
40 005 647

40 005 669
40 005 670
40 005 671
N Dash 8-40C
ROCK ISLAND RAIL
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

40 005 648

40 005 672
N Dash 8-40C
CANADIAN NATIONAL
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

40 005 649
40 005 650
40 005 651

40 005 673
40 005 674
40 005 675
N Dash 8-40C
CSX* (YN2)
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

40 005 652
40 005 653
40 005 654

40 005 676
40 005 677
40 005 678
N Dash 8-40C
PAN AM
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

40 005 655
40 005 656
40 005 657

40 005 679
40 005 680
40 005 681
N Dash 8-40C
NORFOLK SOUTHERN
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

40 005 658
40 005 659
40 005 660

40 005 682
40 005 683
40 005 684
N Dash 8-40C
UNION PACIFIC 
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

40 005 661
40 005 662
40 005 663

40 005 685
40 005 686
40 005 687

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO & N Trinity 64' Reefers

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO & N Trinity 64' Reefers

The refrigerated box car has long been a staple of railroading, delievering a wide variety of perishable goods from coast to coast. TrinityRail’s 64’ reefer is a modern take on the reefers of yesterday.  Built by TrinityRail starting in late 2003, the ultra-modern 64' Refrigerated Box Car was designed to replace aging reefer cars.  Large enough to fit the equivalent of four 53' trailer contents, these excess height, plate "F" cars have given new life to the once flourishing rail transport of refrigerated produce and other perishable goods.  These cars feature modern refrigeration to transport produce, orange juice, frozen contents and more across the country while keeping the temperature constant. These cars have distinctive end platforms with an A/C unit and a fuel tank underneath.

N Scale Features:

  • Carrier Reefer Unit
  • Ready-To-Run
  • Fine-Scale Detail
  • Accurately Painted/Printed
  • Prototypical Ride Height
  • BLMA 100-Ton Trucks
  • BLMA 36” Metal Wheels
  • Brown Knuckle Couplers

HO Scale Features:

  • Ready-To-Run
  • Fine-Scale Detail
  • Accurately Painted/Printed
  • Prototypical Ride Height
  • 100-Ton Trucks
  • Fine-Scale 36” Metal Wheels
  • Body-Mounted Kadee #156 Couplers
  • Carrier Reefer Unit

The guaranteed order deadline is October 4, 2023. Click here to find an Authorized Atlas Dealer near you.

N Trinity Reefer
UNION PACIFIC (HIGH NUMBERS/PATCH)
N Item #:
HO Item #:
50 006 545
50 006 546
50 006 547
50 006 548
50 006 549
50 006 550
50 006 551
50 006 552
20 007 310
20 007 311
20 007 312
20 007 313
20 007 314
20 007 315
20 007 316
20 007 317
N Trinity Reefer
UNION PACIFIC (LOW NUMBERS/RED NUMBERS)
N Item #:
HO Item #:
50 006 553 20 007 318
N Trinity Reefer
UNION PACIFIC (LOW NUMBERS)
N Item #:
HO Item #:
50 006 554
50 006 555
50 006 556
50 006 557
20 007 319
20 007 320
20 007 321
20 007 322
N Trinity Reefer
TROPICANA (SAFETY STRIPES #1)
N Item #:
HO Item #:
50 006 558
50 006 559
50 006 560
50 006 561
50 006 562
50 006 563
50 006 564
50 006 565
50 006 566
50 006 567
50 006 568
50 006 569
20 007 323
20 007 324
20 007 325
20 007 326
20 007 327
20 007 328
20 007 329
20 007 330
20 007 331
20 007 332
20 007 333
20 007 334
N Trinity Reefer
CEDAR GROVE LOGISTICS (CGFX)
N Item #:
HO Item #:
50 006 570
50 006 571
50 006 572
50 006 573
50 006 574
50 006 575
50 006 576
50 006 577
20 007 335
20 007 336
20 007 337
20 007 338
20 007 339
20 007 340
20 007 341
20 007 342

The Atlas Product Spotlight - N S-2 Locomotives

The Atlas Product Spotlight - N S-2 Locomotives

Built by the American Locomotive Company (Alco) the low-hood S-2 was introduced in 1940 to replace Alco’s earlier high-hood switchers. The 1000 horsepower S-2 was a turbocharged version of the S-1. There were 1,502 S-2s sold to North American Railroads. The versatility of the S-2s was evidenced by their service on mainline, shortline and industrial railroads.

The guaranteed order deadline is October 4, 2023. Click here to find an Authorized Atlas Dealer near you.

Features Include:

  • Scaled from actual prototype measurements
  • Option for horizontal or vertical radiator shutters
  • Fine scale handrails
  • Separately-applied coupler cut levers, air hoses, piping, etc.
  • Directional LED lighting (includes cab rear headlight)
  • Die-cast hood & chassis for improved pulling performance
  • Digital-ready chassis
  • Dual-flywheels for maximum performance at all speeds
  • Factory-equipped with AccuMate® knuckle couplers
  • Exceptional painting and printing
  • Atlas Master® Gold version features ESU LokSound Decoder
DCC Operation Features :
  • Supports all DCC-programming modes
  • Flexible mapping of function keys F0 to F28.
  • A total of 4 DCC function outputs are available
  • Follows all NMRA DCC standards and recommended practices.

Sound Functionality Features (GOLD LOCOMOTIVES ONLY):

  • Over 20 sound effects are available, including engine start-up and shutdown, prime mover sounds through all eight notches, bell, air horn, air compressor, dynamic brakes and more.
  • There are 16 user-selectable horns, 2 user-selectable bells, and 2 user-selectable synchronized brake squeals.
  • Manual and Automatic Notching modes with the ability to change modes ”on the fly” are provided for true realism.

SILVER MSRP: $139.95 GOLD MSRP: $249.95

genesis
ATSF
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

40 005 688
40 005 689
40 005 690

40 005 710
40 005 711
40 005 712
genesis
CP RAIL
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

40 005 691
40 005 692
40 005 693

40 005 713
40 005 714
40 005 715
genesis
CNJ
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

40 005 694
40 005 695

40 005 716
40 005 717
genesis
CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

40 005 696
40 005 697
40 005 698

40 005 718
40 005 719
40 005 720
genesis
GREAT NORTHERN (SIMPLIFIED)
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

40 005 699
40 005 700

40 005 721
40 005 722
genesis
NEW YORK CENTRAL
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

40 005 701
40 005 702
40 005 703

40 005 723
40 005 724
40 005 725
genesis
NDEM
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

40 005 704
40 005 705
40 005 706

40 005 726
40 005 727
40 005 728
genesis
FORD
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

40 005 707

40 005 729
genesis
US STEEL
Silver Item #:
Gold Item #:

40 005 708
40 005 709

40 005 730
40 005 731