FYI BLW has posted this update on their website: ===== http://blwnscale.com/MT-EMD%20FT%20Diesels.htm ===== June 7th Update: BLW is pleased to pass along the latest information regarding these locos. This is not "internet chatter" ... it has been verified by Micro-Trains®. Mechanism Information: The actual mechanism will be manufactured in China and will be comparable to the latest Atlas low friction drive trains. All painting, printing and assembly on the body will be done in the US of A in Micro-Trains® own plant. Paint Schemes being offered: The ATSF scheme selected is an experimental paint scheme used by the ATSF. It is not the "Cat's Whiskers" nor the "Warbonnet" scheme -- both of those will be offered further down the road. The New York Central scheme being offered on the first run is the all black (late) version with white "Cigar Band" stripe on the nose. Again, the full blown "Lightning Stripe" scheme will be offered at a later date. I hope that this clears up any confusion or mis-understandings regarding these matters. ========== eNjoy
Sorry to hear that about the mechinism. So we'll get just another purty loco to look at and not run to often.
It's the phrase "Comparable to the latest Atlas low friction drive trains" that has me wondering. Is it just marketing hype or really true?
Both the MT & Intermountain drives will be top of the line and very very smooth. The only problem you will have is deciding which version to buy. I'm looking at what road names are being offered rather than which model is better.
======== Pray tell, friend, how many "100% Made in the USA N locomotives" do you own? Agreed that the first N locomotives to come out of China were mostly j*nk, but recent offerings from LifeLike and Atlas are, IMHO, excellent runners. It would be better to wait and test run them rather than slam the new model sight unseen. ========= My .02 worth........ eNjoy [ 12 June 2002, 10:55: Message edited by: dbn160 ]
I'm kind of fuzzy on the date, but I think it was around the same time ATSF was painting some of the F units in the yellow bonnets and blue bonnets. I know the ATSF painted up only one F unit in a yellow and blue war bonnet, similar to the standard frieght scheme of other units of the late 1960's to pre BNSF. I don't remember the unit number, but I remember that Athern had this locomotive in their HO fleet years ago. I thought the engine in question was an F7, I know someone in here probably has a picture of it.
Too true it would be best to wait and see on this, but I can't get my hopes up after my last Atlas purchase's. I bought four of the FM's and right out of the box I had to rebuild three them. Then there was their version of the Kato RSD 4/5 to be polite about it it stinks and I've tested others since then, the B-23-7's and now the GP 38-2's and as others have found out they do not hold a candle to even the old Kato engines. As to how many "U.S.A." loco's I own sad to say that kind of product can't be made here, the average American worker demands to much of the profit margin for themselves which is another reason not to "BUY" from Atlas. Profits belong to the CEO so you take your production off to a communist country and fire your american staff, maenwhile you get american modelers to buy yuor cheap stuff at the old amercan price while increasing your profit. That is why I won't buy Atlas's cheap MT nock-offs
This version was used for a short time from 1951 to 52. The locomotive is solid blue with the cigerband on the nose. No other yellow is found on the unit which makes for a rather plain looking model.
