What up Dudes,

Have any of you noticed the recent Atlas N-Scale announcements?  Dash 8-40C's priced at $140, yet another run of RS-3's priced at $120 and today they announce a gondola (a plain looking run-of-the-mill gondola) priced at $19.00.  Talk about sticker shock.

A few years ago Atlas said they were outsourcing everything to China so they could lower prices.  Now their stuff is more expensive than Kato who manufacturers in Japan which has more expensive labor cost than China.  So Atlas is charging higher prices than Kato and their stuff isn't as good. 

Atlas has always been a very arrogant company but this kind of pricing in the current economy is foolish.  If Bachmann can offer good prices producing models in China then Atlas should be able to do the same.  Sounds like those boys at Atlas have gotten mighty greedy in recent times.  I don't know about you guys but I rather buy Bachmann than Atlas.  Bachmann's quality has improved dramatically and their prices are still excellent.

Mike

Dudes,

Check it out.  Kirk Reddie scooped all of the forums and I can't believe no one noticed this yet.  According to his "NSR Horizons" column on page 58 in the May-June NSR Magazine . . . and I quote . . .

"08-09/08 should see a new set of Santa Fe Super Chief starter sets with an F7A and 3 Super Chief cars (sleeper, diner and observation). Available separately are the F7A, F7B, Pleasure Dome and 4 car sets."

HELLO!  Santa Fe Pleasure Domes coming from Kato!  I remember when all the Santa Fe modelers panned Kato for not offering this car in the sets.  Well, they are now answering the call.  Looks like the Super Chief can now be accurately modeled.

Mike

What up Dudes!

I bought all three road numbers of the HHP-8's when they first came out and finally got a chance to run them today (I know, I know - I've been real busy at work and also taking care of my girlfriend who unfortunately is very sick ).  I'm running them with an MRC Prodigy Advance Squared DCC system and all three locos don't start moving until speed step 3 or 4 (28 step mode).  I'd like them to start moving on speed step 1.

I've tried setting the starting voltage to logical choices (12, 24, 48, 64, 128 and even 256) but whatever number I put in there doesn't seem to make a difference.  Does this decoder even have a starting voltage CV?

The documentation that came with these locos is a little thin in regards to their DCC capabilities.  If anyone knows more about the decoder that Bachmann put in these models or where to get more documentation on them I'd appreciate your help.

Mike