The model. The Atlas car is a superbly detailed replica. It has a two-ounce die-cast metal trough enclosed within the plastic body shell. The plastic running boards and end platforms have a see-through effect. The plastic underbody is light on brake system details, but this is concealed behind the side sills. The steps, vertical grab irons, brake wheel, and brake housing are separate parts.
The model includes a removable one-piece hood, which prototype railroads often mix between similar cars. The hood is molded plastic with added metal details. Its center lift bracket and both storage brackets are individually applied, as are the wire side railings and corner grab irons. The hood also has a concealed two-ounce steel weight. Small guides are located in the four corners of the body to position the hood, but it’s a tight fit, so care is required to avoid damage as you add or remove the hood.
Our model came smoothly painted in the bright red and silver of the Columbus & Greenville RR (CAGY). Its heralds and data panels were clearly printed and legible under magnification.
Our sample has rigid-frame acetal plastic 100-ton roller bearing trucks with needle-point axles. All of the wheelsets have RP-25 contour metal wheels that matched the National Model Railroad Association gauge.
Body-mounted Accumate couplers are included, but they were .020″ low,
so some adjustments will be necessary.
With the hood in place, the sample car weighs 4 ounces, which is close to NMRA Recommended Practice 20.1.
Overall, Atlas has done an excellent job of capturing the prototype’s simple design and interesting details. Modelers of today’s railroads and heavy industries will certainly want a few of these modern steel coil cars on their layouts. Well done!
Price: decorated models, $36.95; undecorated, $29.95
Manufacturer
Atlas Model Railroad Co.
378 Florence Ave.
Hillside, N.J. 07205
atlasrr.com
Road names: Columbus & Greenville RR; Canadian National (gray); Chicago, South Shore, & South Bend; Grand Trunk Western (brown with CN herald); Laurinburg & Southern (ex-Norfolk Southern gray); Providence & Worcester; and undecorated
Era: Mid 1990s to present
Features
- Accumate knuckle couplers
- Interior crossbars and floor detail
- Prototype paint schemes
- Removable hood
- See-through running boards
- Uncoupling levers
Jim – I played cards with a pretty old deck. On the players' side there were various railroad cars. One showed a coil car with a separate compartment for each coil. Lots of extra tare weight and labor, I'll admit. Any comment on the pros/cons of having one large cover vs. several small covers?
I bought the four different numbered cars for SeverCorr. I thought that their weight was a bit on the light side, but these cars are very nicely detailed with brake hoses and uncoupler levers. A few coils inside and that will get the weight up. Paint looks great.
my son and I bought a Norfolk Southern car and are very pleased with the overall look and quality. A very good addition to modern railroading. Many single cover cars are seen and we plan to add several more.
As a modern railroader, I bought two. I normally replace both trucks and couplers, preferring Athearn Genesis 100 ton roller bearing trucks and Kadees. I was very pleased to find that for this car, Atlas moved to a standard bolster/truck design from their proprietary one, enabling a very easy swap. Hope this continues for all new Atlas cars.