The Atlas Model Railroad Company Blog

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

The Atlas Product Spotlight - O Premier Coalporters

The Atlas Product Spotlight - O Premier Coalporters

The Coalporter was developed by Bethlehem Steel Car in 1978, in an effort to create a higher-capacity, more efficient coal car. The traditional bottom hoppers were replaced by twin tubs, or troughs, that filled the space between the trucks. These increased the cubic capacity of the car and gave the added advantage of a lower center of gravity for better tracking. These original Coalporters were steel-bodied, but a drop in aluminum prices in the mid-1980s opened the door to the introduction of the aluminum-bodied BethGon Coalporter in 1985.

Our highly detailed Premier model duplicates this prototype feature and also offers separately added metal grab irons and a removable coal load.

  • Intricately Detailed Durable ABS Body
  • Metal Wheels and Axles
  • Die-Cast 4-Wheel Trucks
  • Colorful, Attractive Paint Schemes
  • Operating Die-Cast Metal Couplers
  • Fast-Angle Wheel Sets
  • Needle-Point Axles
  • 1:48 Scale Dimensions

The guaranteed order deadline is March 29, 2023. Click here to find an Authorized Atlas Dealer near you.

3-RAIL MSRP: $79.95 2-RAIL MSRP: $84.95

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BURLINGTON NORTHERN
3-Rail Item #:
2-Rail Item #:
3001380
3001381
3002380
3002381
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CSX* (SOLID BLACK REBUILD)
3-Rail Item #:
2-Rail Item #:
3001382
3001383
3002382
3002383
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DAVID J JOSEPH
3-Rail Item #:
2-Rail Item #:
3001384 3002384
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PENNSYLVANIA
3-Rail Item #:
2-Rail Item #:
3001385 3002385
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READING & NORTHERN
3-Rail Item #:
2-Rail Item #:
3001386 3002386
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SANTA FE
3-Rail Item #:
2-Rail Item #:
3001387 3002387

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO Scale Viaduct

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO Scale Viaduct

 

Throughout the history of railroad structural engineering, the viaduct has long been a favored way to cross steep valleys or wide rivers. Consisting of a series of elevated arches or piers supporting a long flat roadbed between two points of roughly the same elevation, classic viaducts were impressive structures made of stone or reinforced concrete construction. Although taking more time to build than a wooden, iron, or steel open frame bridge, masonry viaducts could safely span greater distances and handle greater loading with less maintenance over their lifetimes. Indeed, the longest stone masonry viaduct railroad bridge in the world (at 3820 feet) is the famous Rockville Bridge across the Susquehanna River, which was built in 1902 by the PRR and is still in use with Norfolk Southern. Other stone masonry viaducts still in use include the Santa Ana River Viaduct on the UP and the Starucca Viaduct on the NYS&W.

single track viaduct
(Single track version)
double track viaduct
(Double track version)

The Atlas Viaduct will be available in three different surfaces – Concrete, Cut Stone, and Rough Stone – and in single and double-track widths.


(Concrete detail)

cut stone detail
(Cut stone detail)

Features Include:

  • Available in single track or double track widths
  • Kit contains single arch and two half-arch ends – combine kits for longer applications
  • Can be used w/o pier units for lower heights such as in urban settings
  • Concrete double track viaduct also suitable for O scale single track applications
  • Length - 18”
  • Width – overall (Single) = 3 ¼”, (Double) = 5 ¼”
  • Width – btw. walkways (Single) = 2 1/8”, (Double) =4 1/8”
  • Height (w/ piers) – to deck = 9 5/8”, to top of railings = 10 3/8”
  • Height (w/o piers) – to deck = 3 ½“, to top of railings = 4 ¼”

Single Track MSRP: $39.95 Double Track MSRP: $49.95

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

The Atlas Product Spotlight - O Premier PS2 2-Bay Hoppers

The Atlas Product Spotlight - O Premier PS2 2-Bay Hoppers

The PS-2 offered railroads and private companies alike a car that could be loaded and unloaded quickly and freely interchange between railroads across the country. Although capable of hauling several different commodities, most found their way into single service use so as to avoid a complete cleaning of the interior of the car if different load types were hauled.

  • Intricately Detailed Durable ABS Body
  • Metal Wheels and Axles
  • Die-Cast 4-Wheel Trucks
  • Operating Die-Cast Metal Couplers
  • Colorful, Attractive Paint Schemes
  • Fast-Angle Wheel Sets
  • Needle-Point Axles
  • 1:48 Scale Dimensions
  • O Scale Kadee Compatible Coupler Moutning Pads
  • Unit Measures: 10” x 2 9/16” x 3 3/8”
  • Operates On O-31 Curves

The guaranteed order deadline is March 29, 2023. Click here to find an Authorized Atlas Dealer near you.

3-RAIL MSRP: $84.95 2-RAIL MSRP: $89.95

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CHICAGO & NORTH WESTERN/CGW
3-Rail Item #:
2-Rail Item #:
3001340 3002340
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DULUTH MISSABE & IRON RANGE
3-Rail Item #:
2-Rail Item #:
3001341 3002341
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FULL-O-PEP FEEDS
3-Rail Item #:
2-Rail Item #:
3001342 3002342
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JERSEY CENTRAL
3-Rail Item #:
2-Rail Item #:
3001343 3002343
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SOUTHERN PACIFIC
3-Rail Item #:
2-Rail Item #:
3001344 3002344
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US BORAX
3-Rail Item #:
2-Rail Item #:
3001345 3002345

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO & N Mobile Office Container

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO & N Mobile Office Container

(Pre-production model shown)

To fulfill the need for portable, on demand office space at construction sites, railroad yards and many other places, companies began offering purpose-built and/or converted shipping containers for rent. These containers were fitted with office interiors, entrance/exit doors, lighting as well as air conditioning and other creature comforts. They are very versatile and are seen virtually everywhere. This new Atlas model replicates a typical 40-foot version of the purpose-built office container.

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

Features Include:

  • Accurate Doorway, Window and Light Fixture detail
  • Separately applied parts include air conditioner units and electrical equipment
  • Crisp Painting and Decoration
 

N Scale MSRP: $24.95
HO Scale MSRP: $29.95

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ARIES
N Scale Item #:
HO Scale Item #:
70 000 233 70 000 229
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MOBILE MINI
N Scale Item #:
HO Scale Item #:
70 000 234 70 000 230
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TRIUMPH
N Scale Item #:
HO Scale Item #:
70 000 235 70 000 231
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WILMOT
N Scale Item #:
HO Scale Item #:
70 000 236 70 000 232

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO 3 & 6-Bay Cylindrical Hoppers

The Atlas Product Spotlight - HO 3 & 6-Bay Cylindrical Hoppers

Introduced in 1961 by ACF® to haul sand, clay, salt, grain and bulk plastics, the Cylindrical Hopper was the first commercially successful tank-type covered hopper car design. A few of the more than 4,000 cars of this type built through 1966 can still be seen in service today across the United States.

Features Include:

  • See-through roof walks
  • Blackened metal wheels
  • Free-rolling 100-ton trucks
  • Detailed brake gear
  • AccuMate® couplers
  • Fine painting and printing

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

STANDARD MSRP: $42.95 UNDEC MSRP: $34.95

 
UNDECORATED (3-BAY)
Item #:
20 001 870
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CARGILL SALT
Item #:
20 007 171
20 007 172
20 007 173
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CEMEX (MEXICO)
Item #:
20 007 174
20 007 175

20 007 176
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J.M. HUBER
Item #:
20 007 177
20 007 178
20 007 179
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SASKATCHEWAN MINERALS
Item #:
20 007 180
20 007 181
20 007 182
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WILKES-BARRE MILLING CO.
Item #:

20 007 183
20 007 184
20 007 185

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ZIEGLER CHEMICAL
Item #:
20 007 186
20 007 187
20 007 188
 
UNDECORATED (6-BAY)
Item #:
20 001 883
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KAISER ALUMINUM
Item #:
20 007 189
20 007 190
20 007 191
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NORFOLK & WESTERN
Item #:
20 007 192
20 007 193
20 007 194

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
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SANTA FE (SFRP)
Item #:
50 006 467
50 006 468
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PACIFIC FRUIT EXPRESS
Item #:
50 006 469
50 006 470
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BURLINGTON NORTHERN
Item #:
50 006 471
50 006 472
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CANADIAN NATIONAL
Item #:
50 006 473
50 006 474
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CANADIAN PACIFIC
Item #:
50 006 475
50 006 476
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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
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BAUM'S BETTER BEEF
Item #:
20 007 195
20 007 196
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MEMPHIS PACKING CORPORATION
Item #:
20 007 197
20 007 198
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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
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BURLINGTON NORTHERN
Item #:
50 006 426
50 006 427
50 006 428
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ILLINOIS CENTRAL GULF
Item #:
50 006 429
50 006 430
50 006 431
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NORFOLK AND WESTERN
Item #:
50 006 432
50 006 433
50 006 434
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NORTHERN PACIFIC
Item #:
50 006 435
50 006 436
50 006 437
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PENNSYLVANIA
Item #:
50 006 438
50 006 439
50 006 440
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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
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GATX
Item #:
20 007 209
20 007 210
20 007 211
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TATE & LYLE
Item #:
20 007 212
20 007 213
20 007 214
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TATE & LYLE STALEY
Item #:

20 007 215
20 007 216
20 007 217

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