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Post by backshophoss on Jun 5, 2016 17:18:55 GMT -5
There were 3 runs of the NMRX sets,the first run was commissioned by NMDOT,was split into gifts for
various "critters" at the state Capital,the "leftovers" were sold to various hobby/"gift" shops in the
in NM then across the US,there was still demand,so Athearn did a 2nd run,(most of my cars are from this run)
with that run the "Sandoval County" cars were produced(a F59,coach,and cab car).
Athearn "sreached" it's license a bit for the 3rd run,again due to demand,then Tru-Line Trains announced the
MP-36 model was to be done. (That was a looong wait for the MP36's to show up)
Athearn also did runs of Metrolink(SCAX),Coaster,TRE,GOT(Canada)and Sounder cars and F59's
Believe they did a run of Frontrunner(UTA)and Caltrain(JPBX era)
One of the reasons they sold well,all the schemes were "Colorful" and different
The other was the F59 foolbies were rugged and ran well.
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Post by ihphobbymike on Jun 5, 2016 18:05:12 GMT -5
Colors do sell. I could see Atlas doing some of the multilevels in paint schemes that were 'close' to move more plastic. Most people aren't that familiar with the physical vehicle enough to know the difference; that's just for folks like us!  Mike Bartel |
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Post by backshophoss on Jun 5, 2016 19:23:04 GMT -5
Mike,The MLV design is cleared to operate into GCT,so the "possibilty" of MN and LIRR schemes could happen.
IF SEPTA ever make it's mind up to go with BBD MLV's,figure on a minor change of a 2nd low level door.
MARC,s are a clone of the NJT MLV-2 order,low hanging fruit!
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timberley
Member
Posts: 189
Primary Railroads: VIA Rail Canada, AMT (Montreal)
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Post by timberley on Jun 6, 2016 7:59:38 GMT -5
I'm very excited (and surprised!) about this Atlas announcement. AMT is one of my modelling interests (some of my AMT stuff can be found over in the Canada section of this forum), and I would love to get an ALP45DP and some of the multilevels if they are able to release them in AMT paint. Athearn did a custom run of AMT bilevels and F59PHI locos several years back for a shop in Montreal, so their licensing should be do-able (assuming the situation hasn't changed too much since).
If it turns out that AMT just won't cooperate, I'll get some of the NJT ones and get custom decals made to do them into AMT.
I've been rather disheartened by the negativity and hostility about this announcement on the Atlas rescue forum - it's amazing how many people take the approach that if they don't personally want it, noone else could possibly want it and it's a huge mistake for the manufacturer.
I know it has been discussed here before, and I think there's an argument to be made that the only thing stopping a lot more people from modelling commuter operations is the lack of available models, especially in RTR (space may be a restriction too, but that doesn't stop people buying 89' autoracks and other passenger equipment). Most people model what they have some direct experience with in the real world, and for a huge number of people living in urban centres today, their primary interaction with real trains is commuter equipment. I've also noticed the crowd interested in commuter stuff seems to skew a bit younger as well - for all these people obsessed with the notion that "the hobby is dying!", you would think models attracting a younger demographic would be a good thing.
Of course there will always be limitations with commuter equipment due to the very regional variations, but I would love to see more attempts, since we're moving towards more small-focus limited-appeal models across the board anyway.
I hope Atlas does well with these!
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Post by slowfreight on Jun 6, 2016 9:31:07 GMT -5
I'm very excited (and surprised!) about this Atlas announcement. AMT is one of my modelling interests (some of my AMT stuff can be found over in the Canada section of this forum), and I would love to get an ALP45DP and some of the multilevels if they are able to release them in AMT paint. Athearn did a custom run of AMT bilevels and F59PHI locos several years back for a shop in Montreal, so their licensing should be do-able (assuming the situation hasn't changed too much since). If it turns out that AMT just won't cooperate, I'll get some of the NJT ones and get custom decals made to do them into AMT. I've been rather disheartened by the negativity and hostility about this announcement on the Atlas rescue forum - it's amazing how many people take the approach that if they don't personally want it, noone else could possibly want it and it's a huge mistake for the manufacturer. I know it has been discussed here before, and I think there's an argument to be made that the only thing stopping a lot more people from modelling commuter operations is the lack of available models, especially in RTR (space may be a restriction too, but that doesn't stop people buying 89' autoracks and other passenger equipment). Most people model what they have some direct experience with in the real world, and for a huge number of people living in urban centres today, their primary interaction with real trains is commuter equipment. I've also noticed the crowd interested in commuter stuff seems to skew a bit younger as well - for all these people obsessed with the notion that "the hobby is dying!", you would think models attracting a younger demographic would be a good thing. Of course there will always be limitations with commuter equipment due to the very regional variations, but I would love to see more attempts, since we're moving towards more small-focus limited-appeal models across the board anyway. I hope Atlas does well with these! I'm right there with you...if younger folks like it, then we should embrace it. There's a missing generation of modelers because when I was a wee tyke all the cranky old model railroaders hated kids and shooed us off--even if we were BETTER modelers than them!--so with no encouragement kids went on to other pursuits. Now we're trying to catch their interest as adults. The funny thing about the regionalism on commuter equipment is that we're moving towards two extremes. The MP36 and lozenge cars became standard fare across the US and Canada in a way never seen with past rolling stock. The Nippon Sharyo-derived bilevel did nearly the same thing. But the electrified equipment has become less, not more, standardized. The South Shore stuff is unique from the AMT, and SEPTA is different again. The MLT is at least getting repeat orders, but it was different because NJT decided the best option was to buy the absolutely. biggest. thing. ever. that would fit in Penn Station. But honestly, for manufacturers the best balance seems to be cutting 100% prototypically accurate tooling for something that can be sold in at least a few close-enough schemes to get wider sales...like Athearn's F59 and bilevels. Trains West sold more NMRX sets than anything else they ever sold, period, and I'll bet nobody but me and backshophoss knew the engine was a foobie. |
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Post by rails4dmv on Jun 6, 2016 12:05:19 GMT -5
I'm very excited (and surprised!) about this Atlas announcement. AMT is one of my modelling interests (some of my AMT stuff can be found over in the Canada section of this forum), and I would love to get an ALP45DP and some of the multilevels if they are able to release them in AMT paint. Athearn did a custom run of AMT bilevels and F59PHI locos several years back for a shop in Montreal, so their licensing should be do-able (assuming the situation hasn't changed too much since). If it turns out that AMT just won't cooperate, I'll get some of the NJT ones and get custom decals made to do them into AMT. I've been rather disheartened by the negativity and hostility about this announcement on the Atlas rescue forum - it's amazing how many people take the approach that if they don't personally want it, noone else could possibly want it and it's a huge mistake for the manufacturer. I know it has been discussed here before, and I think there's an argument to be made that the only thing stopping a lot more people from modelling commuter operations is the lack of available models, especially in RTR (space may be a restriction too, but that doesn't stop people buying 89' autoracks and other passenger equipment). Most people model what they have some direct experience with in the real world, and for a huge number of people living in urban centres today, their primary interaction with real trains is commuter equipment. I've also noticed the crowd interested in commuter stuff seems to skew a bit younger as well - for all these people obsessed with the notion that "the hobby is dying!", you would think models attracting a younger demographic would be a good thing. Of course there will always be limitations with commuter equipment due to the very regional variations, but I would love to see more attempts, since we're moving towards more small-focus limited-appeal models across the board anyway. I hope Atlas does well with these! I read some of those comments also on Atlas Rescue Forum and was a little surprised by the negativity also. I just had to glaze over the comments and hoped that any manufacturer that read them came over to this board and realized that the NJ Transit announcement is being well received. I have a buddy of mine who has a huge basement layout & besides an old Bachmann trolley that he occasionally runs, clearly stated over the last 2 decades since I've known him, "passenger rail would never touch his layout" and would angrily bash anyone, including me who owned any passenger cars. The man has well over 600 freight cars and 50 locomotives dating back to the mid 90's and claimed he never owned one passenger car. His current layout loosely models the CSX Oak Point Yard in Bronx NY, which coincidentally Amtrak & Metro North passes right by in real life on its way to New Haven, Conn. I call myself convincing him to try out a couple of my Walthers Amfleet cars on his layout a few weeks ago just to see if he would like them. To my surprise, he pulls out a box of his own brand new Walthers Phase I Amfleets he bought a couple of weeks ago from under a work bench! He got the commuter bug after all these years of only running freight cars & locomotives and calmly stated, "a little mixed traffic on the tracks isn't a bad idea". So I think a lot of the guys who are die-hard "Freight Only Fanatics" on these forums secretly own a commuter locomotive or passenger car. I suspect these guys buy one or two pieces as the prices come down, hide them under the bench like my friend did, run them on the layout when no one is looking & anonymously post it on YouTube....lol. |
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Post by backshophoss on Jun 6, 2016 17:09:12 GMT -5
Slow,then you were around when NMDOT went after Trains West around the 3rd run from Athearn,
that was Athearn's mistake that made life messy at that time.
That even made it to the ABQ Journal as news
About the time of Sandy's aftermath mess,Amtrak as a favor for NJT,made 2 special runs from BBD Factory
thru NY Penn to Newark(Harrison Yard?)via the Empire connection with MLV-2's
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Post by Amtrak207 on Jun 6, 2016 19:11:55 GMT -5
This caught me by surprise, a pleasant one as I do plan to purchase a few. I've always liked the multilevels and I am sure Atlas will do a good job!
Tom
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Post by slowfreight on Jun 6, 2016 19:41:32 GMT -5
Slow,then you were around when NMDOT went after Trains West around the 3rd run from Athearn, that was Athearn's mistake that made life messy at that time. That even made it to the ABQ Journal as news About the time of Sandy's aftermath mess,Amtrak as a favor for NJT,made 2 special runs from BBD Factory thru NY Penn to Newark(Harrison Yard?)via the Empire connection with MLV-2's MRCOG went out of his way to kill off any use of RailRunner by anyone not associated with MRCOG (not the NMDOT), and what finally shut them up was when the N Scale modular group that called themselves RailRunners pointed out that they'd been using the name for years before MRCOG--and therefore held rights to the name and could happily counter-sue if they pushed the issue with anyone else about owning the name. But don't get me started about the politics of NM. |
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Post by backshophoss on Jun 6, 2016 19:57:40 GMT -5
Somewhere in past there was a supplier of Roadrailer bogies that went after MRCOG/NMDOT over the Railrunner name That's what set Rael off,however that was settled out of court quietly. The "NM Railrunners" N scale modular group predated NMRX buy many years. There's been little changed under Susanna.   |
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mlrr
Member
Posts: 66 
Primary Railroads: Amtrak, Metro-North, MARC, METRA, New Jersey Transit, VRE
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Post by mlrr on Jun 8, 2016 7:22:16 GMT -5
I'm going to politely not get involved in the hyper-negative discussion of these things on the atlasrescueforum. I know the crowd here is dominated by east-coast modelers so these should be well-received in this group. And realistically, I don't think the price per car is too bad...unless you're Kyle and need 25 of them :-p For sure,  HEY! I only need 14 thank you very much! (Assuming they eventually do these cars in MARC, I'd get 4)  . I've budgeted for a total of 10 (two five car sets) NJT cars. I don't need as many MARC cars since they primarily operate on the Brunswick Line and while most of my MARC operations focus on the Penn Line. The Multi-levels do operate on the Penn Line mid-day however and I think they look nice in contrast to the MARC II cab cars. BTW, the announcement has re-energized progress on this project: ![]() Hopefully I can get these and the bi-level MARC III trailer done before the baby comes. I actually think the price of the Atlas cars relative to the market today is pretty good especially given the features. It looks like they have gone all out with these. One thing I noticed that was missing was the plating process. I'm going to assume that if it's not mentioned/listed, it ain't included but it would be a pleasant surprise if these cars were plated like all the other stainless steel passenger cars that are being produced today which have the same price point I might add. I'm glad Atlas has stepped up on the commuter front and I'll support with my wallet. The high quality of these cars will certainly encourage me to ramp up my NJT activity. Running only the commets with an ALP-44 was getting a bit stale for me but imagining these detailed cars with lighted interiors regularly making the circuit around my layout is too lucrative to pass up. Hopefully the ALP-46 will follow but I'll also get a DCC/Sound ALP-45DP as well. |
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Post by backshophoss on Jun 8, 2016 17:35:01 GMT -5
Mlrr,You are planning on the AL45DP's as well?  Wish Atlas had offered "undec" as an option, would have picked up a coach and coach/"restroom" and attempt a MN MLV set with a Shoreliner I(Comet) cab car for my MN P32DM  GOOD LUCK with the Baby on the way! You might need to stash a case or 2 of "5 HOUR Energy" in the pantry! |
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mlrr
Member
Posts: 66
Primary Railroads: Amtrak, Metro-North, MARC, METRA, New Jersey Transit, VRE
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Post by mlrr on Jun 9, 2016 6:07:55 GMT -5
Mlrr,You are planning on the AL45DP's as well? Wish Atlas had offered "undec" as an option, would have picked up a coach and coach/"restroom" and attempt a MN MLV set with a Shoreliner I(Comet) cab car for my MN P32DM GOOD LUCK with the Baby on the way! You might need to stash a case or 2 of "5 HOUR Energy" in the pantry! Thanks! Yeah. I figure why not. It's relevant enough to me and if I have the means to support the cause with my wallet I'll do it. It's a sure way to encourage manufacturers to do more modern passenger and commuter products that we've been asking for. The "limited marked" (there is some validity to that) has to maintain its credibility. If we don't come through on our end, we can't complain when there's nothing out there that meets our general modeling desires. |
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Deandremouse
Member
Posts: 60
Primary Railroads: Metro North, LIRR, Amtrak, ADIX
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Post by Deandremouse on Jun 9, 2016 12:55:23 GMT -5
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Post by acelaphillies on Jul 11, 2016 16:43:10 GMT -5
Ok, I placed my order today. I found Train World to have the lowest prices (tip: the prices get lower when you place it in the cart).
Between waiting on these and the AEM-7/ALP-44 I have pretty much dried up my train budget.
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HEY!
. I've budgeted for a total of 10 (two five car sets) NJT cars. I don't need as many MARC cars since they primarily operate on the Brunswick Line and while most of my MARC operations focus on the Penn Line. The Multi-levels do operate on the Penn Line mid-day however and I think they look nice in contrast to the MARC II cab cars. BTW, the announcement has re-energized progress on this project:
Wish Atlas had offered "undec" as an option,
