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Post by Amtrak207 on Mar 14, 2017 23:34:00 GMT -5
I wish I knew why Atlas chose to skimp on certain details (windshield wipers/grabs, etc) and yes, there is a literal template that fits over the nose where you can drill out holes for the grabs. Luckily, this model doesn't have many but as I said, for the price paid, this should come standard as other manufacturers (cough BOWSER cough cough RAPIDO.)
I have absolutely no issue with the beige interior, as long as it keeps costs down where (as you said) lets them produce models we normally would not have. I actually enjoy detailing the interiors.
As far as the wipers, at first glance, it looks like a separate detail, until you look up close. In regards to the grabs, another modeler pointed out as per Atlas, they did not stay when packaged or kept falling off. I do not know how valid that is and am tending to not agree with that statement as look at a typical Athearn Genesis SD70ACE, everything is where it should be.
I do not want to detract from a beautiful model, because it is. It just seems to me that for a few bucks more, all this could have been included. As I also stated, with all the advancements now, to use silver paint really detracts from what could have turned a fantastic model into a GORGEOUS model. But for what it's worth, it is NOT bad at all.
Perhaps this is the tradeoff when producing regional commuter equipment. In that case I will take it, but I also would have no problem paying a few extra $$ for this little fixes (ESPECIALLY installed grab irons).
For instance, if they did produce Arrow III single and married sets, I would buy a FLEET of them and would have no issue paying a higher price IF.... *grabs are installed *detailed pantograph *a GOOD finish that has reflective properties (Alclad.) Perhaps they should talk to Rapido in regards to plated finishes.
I will say it again, if you want these changes, PLEASE let Atlas know here: hoscale@atlasrr.com
In regards to this series, the NJ Transit Series #1 has sold very well I have been told. I don't know what their projections were with this series, but "very well" is MUCH better than "did not meet our sales expectations."
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Post by backshophoss on Mar 16, 2017 19:40:03 GMT -5
Did you swap the factory couplers for KD-118's?
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Deandremouse
Member
Posts: 60
Primary Railroads: Metro North, LIRR, Amtrak, ADIX
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Post by Deandremouse on Mar 16, 2017 22:35:00 GMT -5
Did you swap the factory couplers for KD-118's? Yep. It's something I've been doing to my passenger and commuter equipment as of late.
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Post by Amtrak207 on Mar 17, 2017 19:50:52 GMT -5
They are TRULY gorgeous models aren't they? A LOT of people are very impressed by them it seems. Things may be brightening up for us commuter/passenger modelers! For those that know of my crazy detailing (putting safety cards in the Amfleet's, etc), I will be detailing these cars and engines down the line. Perhaps some surprises are in store! Tom
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Post by fl9m2026 on Mar 19, 2017 19:07:05 GMT -5
I ended up getting 2 ALP's. 8 coaches and 2 cab cars. These things are gorgeous!! I had intended to only do one ALP and a four-car consist, but they were just too good looking. For grins I started scouting around after the first delivery and I found better prices elsewhere from Factory Direct Trains where my first order was placed. Klein had better prices so I scored another ALP for $114.99 I was going to buy additional cars from them also, but did ONE more search.. found that Nicolas Smith Trains has the ALP (Silver Series/DC) for $109.99 (though I still got mine through Klein for $6 more because they had the road number I wanted and Smith didn't), the Cab Cars for $56.99 and the Coaches for $47.99. Scored the second cab car and remaining coaches from Smith.
The Gold Series/DCC ALP's are $194.99 at Nicolas Smith Trains for anyone still interested and it looks like they still have a decent stock on hand of ALP's, Cab Cars, Coaches with and without toilets, "safety slogan" coaches and some assortment sets too.
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Post by fl9m2026 on Mar 19, 2017 21:07:10 GMT -5
Did you swap the factory couplers for KD-118's? Yep. It's something I've been doing to my passenger and commuter equipment as of late. Did you have to modify your KD-118's (shave off the top as recommended to produce a "H" style passenger coupler and/or insure no interference with the draft gear or body) and use the cars cast-in coupler pocket/draft gear or did you substitute Kadee's gear box? Looking to do the same conversion to my fleet and want to make sure I order the right option from Kadee...
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Deandremouse
Member
Posts: 60
Primary Railroads: Metro North, LIRR, Amtrak, ADIX
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Post by Deandremouse on Mar 19, 2017 21:26:31 GMT -5
I used the coupler pocket that came with (which is a Kadee coupler pocket itself).i don't have any interference and I didn't modify it for this engine on others I have but sometimes messes with the couplers functionality.
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Post by backshophoss on Mar 19, 2017 22:21:02 GMT -5
Tend to leave the KD-118's as is(stock),have had to file some diaphragms to clear the upper shelf on some Walters cars Generally put the KD-118's on the "B" end of the cars used in "Push-Pull" consists. Some of the "modern" tank cars have KD-118's on both ends
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Post by fl9m2026 on Mar 19, 2017 23:51:08 GMT -5
Many thanks gentlemen!
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Post by fl9m2026 on Mar 26, 2017 17:50:13 GMT -5
Well, I went ahead and ordered Kadee 118's to replace the provided couplers on the Atlas ALP45-DP and Multi-levels. I was hoping for a more prototypical close-coupling of the cars. The couplers just arrived yesterday and I began the task of swapping out the sets. I completed two cars and noticed that they appear to be no closer coupled with the 118's mounted than they did before.
I "eyeball" compared the supplied couplers to the Kadee 118's and the shanks appear to be the exact same length, or at least incredibly close. Should I have gone with Kadee 153 Short-Shank Centered Whisker Couplers to get prototypical closer coupling? Guys, please enlighten me as I'm new to the "coupler swap crowd"... would the 153's do the job? It seems according to Atlas's page they would be a clean swap-out for the supplied couplers like the 118's were. Would there be an issue with 153's? Should I use a different coupler? HELP!!!
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Post by backshophoss on Mar 26, 2017 20:37:18 GMT -5
It all depends if you are planning to run the cars as push-pull sets as the prototype does. As I run on modules with 36 and 33 radius curves,I tend to use the KD-118's only on the "B"ends of the cars, and a regular coupler on the "A" ends. You could use a "short shank" coupler on the "A" ends. Have yet to see pics of the car ends to see if the coupler mount are like the Walters mounts used on their passenger cars. The only hang up would be less than 28 inch radius curves or some "detail" that limits the how close the cars can be coupled together Also anything that limits the "swing" of the coupler to the extreme(that # 4 switch in the yard to a yard track,for example). and some of the "tight" fit locations on the layout/moduler setup Its possible you can use a "mix" of short shank couplers and KD-118's and the consist runs fine. The diaphrams can be also the reason not to close couple,on 24" radius loop at the RGV state fair layout, they slip past each other and then "hook" back together,that turns into a derailment at the yard ladder!
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Post by fl9m2026 on Mar 27, 2017 17:05:29 GMT -5
It all depends if you are planning to run the cars as push-pull sets as the prototype does. As I run on modules with 36 and 33 radius curves,I tend to use the KD-118's only on the "B"ends of the cars, and a regular coupler on the "A" ends. You could use a "short shank" coupler on the "A" ends. Have yet to see pics of the car ends to see if the coupler mount are like the Walters mounts used on their passenger cars. The only hang up would be less than 28 inch radius curves or some "detail" that limits the how close the cars can be coupled together Also anything that limits the "swing" of the coupler to the extreme(that # 4 switch in the yard to a yard track,for example). and some of the "tight" fit locations on the layout/moduler setup Its possible you can use a "mix" of short shank couplers and KD-118's and the consist runs fine. The diaphrams can be also the reason not to close couple,on 24" radius loop at the RGV state fair layout, they slip past each other and then "hook" back together,that turns into a derailment at the yard ladder! Thanks backshophoss! Right now, I'm basically displaying and not running the cars (no layout), so no worries about negotiating the radius on curves. I may try 153's on the A end and 118's on the B end to see if that will bring them closer to prototype closeness.
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Post by backshophoss on Jun 16, 2017 21:18:21 GMT -5
In the July'17 issue of MR on pg 60 is their review of the Atlas ALP45-DP and the MLV II Coach/Cab car. OF NOTE: Atlas set the cars up to run on 22" radius curves,hence the "gap" between cars, using a "short shank" KD coupler on the "A" end and a KD-118 Shelf coupler on the "B" end should close that "gap" between cars and run well on 33"-36" radius curves.
On pg 63 of the same issue is their review of the Rapido 8600 class NH coaches.
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Post by fl9m2026 on Jun 22, 2017 2:32:06 GMT -5
Okay "purists" and "rivet counters"... here's one that will drive you nuts. In doing some research on the ALP45-DPs to gauge the accuracy of the Atlas model, I went through scores of photos of the individual units. I discovered something amiss on one unit they produced. The Atlas version of 4527 looks just like all the others they modeled. Only problem? The real 4527 has a "glitch in the Matrix", unknown if accidental or intentional (like maybe someone at Bombardier did it on purpose to see if anyone would catch it )... It seems that the real 4527 has the colors of it's "Disco Stripes" inverted on the firemans side of the carbody. From the cab door back, instead of starting off blue and transitioning to orange, it is vice versa. Now while that's copacetic on the engineers side, it is not normal on the firemans side. This is the only unit in the ALP45-DP fleet to have this discrepancy. Now my question is, is there anyone out there so anal that they'll try to correct it on their 4527?? The attached photos demonstrate what I'm talking about (credit to original photographers):
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