To All: Atlas has just announced production of an N Scale VO-1000 in the modern O&W scheme for the Frisco. The model will be available in 2 road #'s in either a regular or DCC equipped version. The announcement points out that the step guards and exhaust stacks will be railroad specific. It also states it will have a slower speed motor for closer to scale speeds. Directional lighting will also be a feature. Below are the specifics as to item #'s, price, and road #'s: Standard Item # <Road #> DCC Item # 40 000 543 <222> 40 000 557 40 000 544 <226> 40 000 558 The MSRP for the Standard Version is $109.95 and the DCC Version is $144.95 with an estimated delivery date of Second Quarter 2013. http://www.atlasrr.com/NLoco/nvo1000b.htm#.UKzxf3bnZD4
Unit # 226 is pictured in Marre's Frisco Diesel Power book in Orange & White at Ft. Smith, AR. It clearly shows it to be one of 2 exhaust stack units. It is also pictured on Mike Condren's website switching cars at an undisclosed location.
Yes, 226 was a two-stacker. See my earlier posted "Enid Photos" for another confirmation picture. And, 222 was a one-stacker. Ken
Need to build a unshrink ray so I make em HO scale size Did anyone send atlas pictures so they know they are 2 stack units? Glad to see that they are making another N scale model. I know that sometimes N scale can get neglected for HO scale products. Ethan
I was thinking about the TRRA locos as well. I am not sure I can justify them, since I do not model the St Louis area, but they certainly are tempting. Paul
Doesn't someone make a VO1000 in HO? I sent them an e-mail asking if they knew that 222 was a one stack unit and 226 is a two stack unit. I asked if they were going to use the correct number of stacks on each one. I also ask if they would be doing the metal plate attached to the handrails on the radiator end of the hood. I know they did not do that on the back and yellow units, but not all of the VO1000s had it. 222 and 226 definitely did have this. I was thinking about this when I wrote to atlas, I do need to add a proper number plate to the radiator end of the hood. I don't think atlas included that detail.... Paul
For you N-scalers who might be interested in the new Atlas Frisco and/or the new TRRA Baldwin VO-1000 units, attached are the appropriate locomotive diagrams for them. The SLSF 222 was a one-stacker, the 226 was one of the few two-stackers. The TRRA 592 and 596 were both one-stackers. The HO Baldwin VO's, along with several other BLW switchers, were produced by Bowser, and are very nice models. I predict on the Atlas, you will likely need to add the end railing plates and the nose coonskin number plate, as we HO'ers needed to do on the Bowsers. Ken
Expanding on Oldguy's post above: In HO, as I recall, Stewart (now Bowser/Stewart) made a whole bunch of early Baldwin switchers: four Frisco VO-1000's: SLSF 213, 214, 224 and one with no number, plus they also offered the VO-660 as SLSF 600 and 601, and the DS-4-4-1000 as SLSF 238 and one other number (239?). In addition, they offered the VO-660 and the DS-4-4-1000 in TRRA colors, both in gray and in red. They also offered the S-12 and the S-8 in various other road names. They are all excellent models. Being a fan of the early Baldwins, I bought all the Frisco's plus at least one example of each of the other non-Frisco models in TRRA and PRR colors. I had a source for them at a few bucks over cost. Realizing that this resulted in way too many Baldwins for any possible use by me, I sold off all of them on eBay around 2005 except for VO-1000's SLSF 213 and 224, VO-660's SLSF 600 and TRRA 533, and DS-4-4-1000's SLSF 238 and TRRA 603. The two TRRA's are in the gray colors, and look terrific. The b/w Frisco's also look good, but Stewart's Frisco lettering and number font is too thick, so I replace them with Microscale decals, making them look terrific as well. In my narrow world, all SLSF diesels should be in b/y and TRRA diesels should be in grey. Well .... at least most of 'em! They are a little light, so the addition of a bit of weight makes them pull better, but they all run like a purring kitten. You have to add your own end platform plates and nose number plates if your specific model had them. (Most of the Frisco's had the end plates, and all of the Frisco's and TRRA's had nose number plates.) Nice models! I would expect the Atlas N's to be as nice. Ken
