A 1st Look At Atlas' New N-Scale 4-4-0 Steam Locomotive

pmpexpress Aug 8, 2012

  1. pmpexpress

    pmpexpress TrainBoard Member

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    Just received one of Atlas' brand new C.K. Holliday 1955 4-4-0 steam locomotives.

    Part of the Walt Disney Carolwood Pacific Series, this "Signature Series Special Edition" model was manufactured by Atlas Model Railroad Co., Inc. exclusively for Lowell Smith and San Francisco's Walt Disney Family Museum.

    For those of you interested in a sneak peak of an Atlas production model, here a few pictures of my C.K. Holliday locomotive.

    Notes:

    1. Intended to become a "shelf queen", I have not (and do not plan to) run this model.

    2. An out-of-gauge lead truck wheel-set and paint chipped off of the out-of-gauge wheel (the outer sides of the chemically blackened wheels are painted in red, with yellow stars printed or painted on the axle centers) were the only factory defects that were visually detected.

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  2. jp2005

    jp2005 TrainBoard Member

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    I got mine in about two weeks ago. Only defect mine had was the right valve gear had become disconnected. Easily reattached the the drive rods.

    As far as running, it is absolutely a quiet runner. Slow speed creep is pretty good. I've had it pull 5 Athearn/Roundhouse 50 foot Overlands without any problems. It seems to like Kato switches and not Atlas. It looks like the tender wheels and the second set of drivers collect power. The only complaint I have design wise is that there is a lot of light bleed on the headlight, because the headlight itself is cast out of clear plastic and painted but then again I'm just happy they managed to squeeze a light in there.
     
  3. Panzer

    Panzer TrainBoard Member

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    It looks pretty good. Can you give us any particulars? Wheel diameters and spacing info?

    Any idea when the regular Atlas issues will come out?

    FS
     
  4. DaveWonders

    DaveWonders TrainBoard Member

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    Does this mean the Lilly Belle is close? I'm more excited about that release. That with the gondola that has a seat pad is the coolest thing ever!
     
  5. pmpexpress

    pmpexpress TrainBoard Member

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    Some additional observations and particulars:

    Although I have not taken the model apart, it appears that both sets of drivers are geared.

    The tender axles have cone axle point ends with pickups that resemble those that are utilized on Kato diesel locomotives.

    Neither tender truck pivots.

    Measured from the wheel thread (as opposed to the flanges) the driver diameter is .355 inches.

    The distance between the driver axle centers is .590 inches.

    Measured from the wheel thread (as opposed to the flanges) the diameter of the lead truck wheels is .155 inches.

    Measured from the wheel thread (as opposed to the flanges) the diameter of the tender wheels is .135 inches.

    Bench tested in a foam cradle, the locomotive has a functional headlight.

    Although the Atlas web site has an estimated delivery date of 3rd quarter 2012 for their first batch of standard production models, there is no further delivery information and no "add to cart" button for the "Lilly Belle" on Lowell Smith's "Disney Carolwood" site page.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 8, 2012
  6. BALOU LINE

    BALOU LINE TrainBoard Member

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    Very nice indeed. It would be hard to resist running it. I'm sure I could invent a scenario for it's appearance in Northern Arizona, maybe visiting the real Grand Canyon...
     
  7. pmpexpress

    pmpexpress TrainBoard Member

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    John,

    How's this for a plausible scenario?

    An outdoor movie shoot for a western movie or television show.

    Certainly would provide the rational behind having a street full of wooden, circa 1800s, western style structures in one's contemporary scene.
     
  8. umtrr-author

    umtrr-author TrainBoard Member

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    I suspect that they're all gone already... there is one on that Internet Auction Community right now for ~$200 starting bid and ~$299 Buy It Now. Don't know what the original MSRP or Lowell's price was.
     
  9. kverdon

    kverdon TrainBoard Member

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    You might want to call Disneyland and ask to talk to the "Disneyanna" store. I picked up one there this weekend for $130. You can also try Disney Parks Merchandise Store at 407-363-6200.

    Kevin
     
  10. jp2005

    jp2005 TrainBoard Member

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    When I ordered mine, it was $135 for the CK Holliday and $130 for the Retlaw 2 cars. With shipping and tax, it was just over $300 for the set.
     
  11. DaveWonders

    DaveWonders TrainBoard Member

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    What do the Retlaw cars look like? I just searched the Lowell Smith site and Facebook page and can't find anything. There is mention of a 3 car set, but that's it. No pictures or description or anything. Thanks!.
     
  12. jp2005

    jp2005 TrainBoard Member

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    There are three of them all together; a gondola, a stock car, and a caboose. They are painted mineral red and have Santa Fe & Disneyland reporting marks and logos on them. Sorry if the pictures are kinda blurry. There is a somewhat funny typo on the back of the package.

    2012-08-11 19.55.45.jpg 2012-08-11 19.56.10.jpg
     
  13. Cajonpassfan

    Cajonpassfan TrainBoard Supporter

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    The loco looks very nice in pictures. The "fright" cars, according to the box, were patterned after Santa Fe cars of the 1870's. These three look like MT caboose and GS steel gon, definitely not Santa Fe and not even remotely close to 1870's, and the stock car looks to me like the IM Santa Fe car, again a much more modern car which could more easily be found in the 1970's than 1870's. Frightnin' indeed...:)
    Otto K.
     
  14. jp2005

    jp2005 TrainBoard Member

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    That would explain why the gondola and caboose have MT on the jewel case and the stock car does not. I can confirm that the gondola is steel and the caboose is a wood side. I'll try to take better photos in a bit after my actual camera recharges. Still debating whether or not to open these. Hopefully those pictures have shed some light on exactly what the mysterious three car set was.

    Hopefully Lowell will have some passenger cars in store for us...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 12, 2012
  15. lapcotransit

    lapcotransit TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hmm, steel underfloors, long bodies, cast steel trucks. Only thing remotely pre1910 would be parts of the caboose body. However it's probably not unprotypical for Disney's backyard railroad circa 1950!
     
  16. jp2005

    jp2005 TrainBoard Member

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    Alright, here's a far clearer shot of the set. Enjoy!
    P1030689.jpg
     

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