New Product Announcements (HO)

Some of you are aware that I have been working with two major manufacturers over the last two years to bring more Frisco models into the market. This has not been a singular effort as Rick McClellan, Nick Molo, and others have been more than generous in providing me slides and information to "fill in the blanks". So far those efforts have assured us that Athearn will use the correct color of orange on their diesels starting with the already released SD40-2 and SD45 and continuing with the upcoming GP15-1 in December. There was one very special project that I have been persuing that I felt that almost every Frisco modeler no matter what era they model would consider owning one. Last week I was contacted by the manufacturer letting me know that we could expect an announcement on this release as early as October. Stayed tuned to this thread and as soon as it is officially announced, I will let everyone know.

I might add that Rick worked with Brian Marsh at Overland to gain a whopping 15 choices in the upcoming Overland International Car Co. Wide Vision Caboose and Ken Wulfert has been working with Kadee for several years to bring us an abundance of those beautiful cars. Also Nick worked with Tangent of the recent Tangent Covered Hopper release. If I inadvertently left anyone out, please let us know.

If I sound excited in this message, I am because the above mentioned upcoming release is going to be a really special and unique model.

 

Is it Atlas finally announcing the U30B? If so it'll be a tough choice between it and the GP15-1.

 

I am pleased to announce that Atlas will be producing the U30b in HO scale in 4 road numbers in both Silver (decoder ready) and Gold (QSI Decoder Equipped). The official announcement will be made in the next several days and delivery is expected in June 2011. The prices will be announced at that time.

The road #'s and item #'s are as follows:

Road # Silver
#846 10 001 154
#848 10 001 155
#851 10 001 156
#853 10 001 157


Road # Gold
#846 10 001 176
#848 10 001 177
#851 10 001 178
#853 10 001 179


Please note that one of the road #'s is 846 which was delivered from GE with the special "XR Series" logo on the sides below the cab signifying the first unit delivered in the companies new Xtra Reliable Series. The model will also carry this logo!

As a matter of background, I started working with Atlas on this project almost 2 years ago and specifically asked that the 846 be produced in the as-delivered scheme. Both Rick McClellan and Nick Molo helped me by providing high quality prortype photos and opinions.

I want everyone to know right up front that there will be a minor feature that is not 100% prototypical on this model. Early on Atlas informed me that they only had two nose castings, one with a dual horizontal headlight and one with a blank nose and I would need to choose between them as they would not produce a new casting that was only used by one road. I felt that was very understandable. Since the lights on the Gold version will come installed and wired, after consulting with both Rick and Nick, it was unanimously agreed that replacing this with the correct single lens casting should merely involve sanding down the dual lens face and replacing it with the correct one.

This should be a welcome addition to any modern era modelers roster and hopefully XR #846 wil be considered as a valuable shelf model for any Frisco modeler regardless of what era they model.

 

I will have to eat a case of peanut butter to afford these beauties but they are worth it. All I need is a good place to buy them . . . .

 

HUSA.com, whole sale trains, toy train heaven and LHS.

 

To All:

OK everyone, here is the location of the official announcement fom Atlas on the U30b's including #846, the XR locomotive. I will let you open the document and scroll down to the November announcements where you will find all of the pertinent informtion. They are showing May 2011 delivery with an MSRP to be announced later.

http://download.atlasrr.com/Oct10Catalog/63-84.pdf

 

Any one else having trouble opening this?

 

I'm going to go broke buying all these new releases

 

I finally got it to open. I did notice one thing, and that's they had the gyro light drawn in, but no beacon.

 

It's now |-|official|-|

http://www.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/hou30b1.htm

Numbers are 846 (the XR locomotive), 848,851,853.

As always it comes in Silver or Gold (with or without sound)

MSRP: Silver: $190 Gold: $300

 

Wholesaletrains.com will be the lowest price. One problem. I have preordered stuff before and didn't get it because it was back ordered. The SD45 fiasco comes to find.
On the other hand toytrainheaven.com is a little bit higher but the have always delivered.
It's always better to support your local shop if you have one.

 

I noticed the Atlas Frisco U30bs are now listed on Wholesaletrains.com. May have been up for a while but just noticed them myself. Steve.|-|

P.S. Anybody wanna buy a kidney?

 

Thanks Steve, I got my U30Bs ordered this morning from Wholesale Trains. Pretty good price too.

What do you need to get for your kidney?

 

Atlas has posted two artwork renderings of the upcoming U30b. Enjoy without drooling on your keyboard!