wow!!!!!We really lit the christmas tree on fire in this thread!!!!!!I wish Atlas would reply and set us all straight. happy holidays, uptoday
To those who say Atlas never paint handrails I just went through my loco drawers and found the following with painted, ie; two colour handrails rather than one solid colour. Dash 8-40 CW BNSF Dash 8-40 CW ATSF MP15DC Texas City Terminal MP15DC BNSF GP38 Clinchfield VO1000 ATSF I'm sure I've seen others but that's all I could find in five minutes. Perhaps as someone speculated the engine in question was delivered with single colour handrails, I don't recall seeing that answered yet.
I sent Atlas an e-mail asking about the GP7/9's since it looks like most of the rest of the Master series has painted handrails. All us lazy, no-modeling, RTR, 21st century Unitrack freaks want to know! ;-) I think the only Atlas locos I have that don't have factory painted endrails are the Oakway SD60's. It's been standard issue for the most part for the Master Line type locos since at least the early 2000's.
As I noted in an earlier post, it seems that none of the engines that have the handrails and walkways as a single piece have painted handrails. I am note sure that the ones you point out are painted. To me, the color looks molded in.
They are absolutley, positively painted. The hand rails at the step wells are a different colour to the rest on that side/end and the ATSF VO100 has yellow hand rails and blue stauncions all round.
Don't know the answer to that, not being too knowledgeable on C&O - but I wouldn't be surprised if that were true. Just from experience researching L&N paint schemes, the "as delivered" scheme sometimes varied greatly from what would be considered a typical look for the unit in service - and I have a good number of L&N locos that reflect the "as delivered" scheme. On the other hand, it could have been a detail so obvious it was overlooked. Focus on the tiny ones and forget the big ones - it happens.
Bingo..Because Atlas doesn't have a paintbrush,either.Only locos with separate handrails can be painted,because they put the railing in a paint mask,and spray the second color.Impossible with a one piece railing like the GP9,ETC.Also,not all the newer or revamped locos necessarily have painted railings.I just took a look at all of mine,even "Master" Series locos like the RSD4/5 and RS1's don't have painted endrails,at least,none of mine that are still factory painted were,and are molded in color,not painted.Also,any one I saw that actually DID have painted ends had the entire railing painted loco color.
Not wanting to jump into the frypan....but my Atlas GP-38 BN, Dash8-40B BNSF and SD-50 CNW (to name just a few) all have part of the solid hand rails "painted"white. They also have the safety white painted on the edge of the steps - factory paint applied. While I predominately purchase KATO locos (you know that I have to apply my own white paint) I have purchased my fair share of Atlas locos because of the extra added benefit that they do paint the handrails. I'm really glad that they paint the edges of the steps because that is a real killer for me to do "right". My paint doesn't normally chip but I don't like the thick paint look on the rails. Atlas has had their fair share of issues because of the factory issues and hopefully not painting the handrails isn't the new norm. I should have prefaced my post by stating that I have no idea if the model in question should or should not have safety white handrails. I merely state my preference based upon past experience on models that I actually own. I appreciate the info and hope others are less critical of individual modeler's skillsets than expectations from individual model railroad manufacturers/distributors. Brian
Actually,as far as I see,it isn't the new "norm"[That Norm is such a troublemaker..] The locos that don't have painted railings NEVER had painted railings..
I think you have hit on an excellent point. NONE of the GP9s have painted handrails. I wonde why that is?
Now, I'm not questioning either your truthfulness or your eyesight, but I'm curious. If you have so many painted locomotives with flaking paint being very rare...how do you do it? Also, I'm not picking on you specifically! What do you mean by separate handrails? Do you mean handrails that aren't molded into the shell? Because in all the GP7s I have, the handrails are separate. If you mean something else, then what's the difference between the handrails on a geep and the (painted) handrails on my Trainmaster?
I've had success with the ModelMaster acrylic paints on handrails. No flaking so far. It also helps to soak Delrin hand rails in 90% alchohol.
I don't think I do anything special.I use Testor's Modelmaster flat enamels.They cover in one coat,dry nice and flat,and the paint is flexible.I even spray entire locomotives one color,railings and all,with Floquil.I flat finish all my locomotives I paint AFTER I paint the railings.I think the big deal is,I'm just,well,CAREFUL.I always pick my locos up by the trucks/tanks,not the railings. As far as "separate handrails", the geeps have the railings/walkways as one unit.All the latest releases actually have railings that get inserted into the walkway.When Atlas paints the endrails,it's east to put the railing in a paint mask,basically,a clamshell that covers all but the end,and spray it,because it's just a flat railing.On the geeps,it can't be done easily,because the walkway blocks the ability to paint them like that.For Atlas,then,it would be down to a guy with a brush,same as you doing it yourself.Here's one I painted,bye the way... View attachment 50039
As he is referring to my post, I believe he means the handrails are not molded as part of the walkway (think GP7/9/30/35 and others)
Yep, we can paint our own handrails...now! Or repaint them...if they's need it. Sorry, can't fix the problem.
It cant be done? Here is a link to a supplier showing a picture of the Atlas Master Line N GP38. Notice the handrails in two different colors. I wonder how they do that? Thats all I'm asking for. And it is a Maste Line like the GP9s. Click on the larger photo button to enlarge. http://www.wig-wag-trains.com/Atlas Pages/Atlas Pictures/LocoPictures/GP38-2/47671-xx_BNSF.jpg Or how about this Trainmaster from Atlas. http://www.wig-wag-trains.com/Atlas Pages/Atlas Pictures/LocoPictures/Trainmaster/51600-684_CNJ.jpg And just one more. An Atlas MP15DC http://www.wig-wag-trains.com/Atlas Pages/Atlas Pictures/LocoPictures/MP-15/52312-xx_LEFnC.jpg
