Question for Atlas on overdue MP15DC engines

This has been brought up alot. The factory in china shut down on atlas. That is why its taking so long to produce there product.

The new factory shutdown? Or, are we still talking about the same one about 5-6 years ago that basically dropped everyone but Lionel?

Fred

No it was just a year or two ago. I got a email about it plus they posted it on the OGR  

I love Atlas but gee, when it comes to manufactures in China Atlas just can't win for losing. It's sad to hear that Atlas will not give you an answer. They usually are pretty good about responding to customer request.

Richard 

Get in line, I've had three dash 8/40C's on order for 5 years. I dont even want them anymore

Atlas usually goes on "Summer break" in early July and kind of shuts down for about 10 days. They're supposed to be at a trade show in Indianapolis next week according to Atlas' website. I suspect that when they return they will answer any inquiries. The July - December catalog should be out by then as well.

That's news to me about Atlas' factories shutting down on them recently. I know they were left scrambling to find new factories to make their models about 5 years ago when Sanda Kan bailed on them.

I think they're all in for these California Zephyr trains. Everything else will get pushed back to see that there are no long production delays for the CZ sets.

I am upset that I couldn't purchase the Conrail MP15's as well as the Conrail U23B's in 3 rail. I wonder if in this generation they will ever get around to reissuing them.

December 16th, 2014

An Open Letter to Atlas Dealers, Distributors and Consumers

Dear Atlas Customers,

In this season of caring, giving and hope, I would like to sincerely thank you all for the past and continued support you have given to Atlas Model Railroad Company during recent turbulent times.

As many of you know, Atlas dissolved its relationship with a primary overseas supplier due to their request for excessive, across the board price increases. These increases would have placed Atlas and our dealers and distributors in a no-win competitive position, resulting in more severe business disruption, and potential business failure for Atlas. We, of course, could not allow this to happen.

Following this decision, Atlas needed to transfer thousands of its proprietary molds and tools from multiple factory and warehouse locations to multiple new supplier locations. This was easier said than done. Mold transfers were delayed, incomplete, damaged, etc., which necessitated Atlas to remake needed molds and tools, acquire new machinery, and in some cases go through a steep manufacturing learning curve.

The chosen path, while painful for Atlas and our customers, has eventually allowed Atlas to reconfigure its supplier base and resulted in a stronger and wiser Company. At this point in time, Atlas is close to the healthy production levels reached prior to market disruption. Dealer and distributor fulfillment is currently averaging 70% and many of our products are at much higher levels. 2015 will be better, as our new suppliers work smarter and more productively to deliver needed products.

Let me be crystal clear regarding any rumors about the imminent demise of Atlas Model, Atlas O, and our products.  Setting aside the wishful thinking of a few competitors, these rumors are baseless and without merit. I will admit that some of the O scale product re-development efforts were more difficult than some of the N & HO. This was caused by complex and lengthy re-creation of needed molds and tools, as well as the additional opportunity to upgrade all 2 & 3 rail switches. Be assured that the added time to market for any Atlas product is well worth the effort.

Atlas has re-established consistency in the production and shipment of HO & N track and accessories, and a 100% effort is now being given to O scale 2 & 3 rail track and accessories. We are totally committed to the complete return of all scales in all categories, including rolling stock, locomotives, track and accessories. The overwhelming majority of all Atlas product categories in every scale have had molds and tools fully restored to equal or better quality. Initial production and reproduction is proceeding on schedule, and an active new product development plan is being carried out.

The resolution of the above situation could not have occurred without the hard work and dedication of all Atlas team members, as well as the understanding and continued loyalty and support of our customers. I sincerely apologize for the effects this disruption may have caused your business and, or hobby pursuits, and I look forward to increased mutual development and growth in this great hobby of model railroading both now and in the immediate future.

Happy Holidays to All,

Thomas W. Haedrich
Executive Chairman
Atlas Model Railroad Co. Inc.

I will take the C40-8Ws if you do not want them.

Andrew

I ordered one of the SW locomotives; announced Feb. 09/16, orders closed Mar. 09/16, estimated ship from China 4th QTR 2016.

Given this relatively short production delivery cycle, I would think that Atlas O is back on track. 

"Given this relatively short production delivery cycle, I would think that Atlas O is back on track."

It took years for me to get my PC U23B - went through 3 dealers from pre-order to delivery - and I still had to pay more than my original pre-order price.  Don't hold your breath.  That cycle doesn't look realistic at all.

Fred

Just so everyone is clear about Haedrich's letter from December 2014, he was referring to the move by Sanda Kan to raise prices several years earlier. (That was after Kader, which owns Bachmann and Williams, purchased Sanda Kan in a strategic move to dominate production of model railroading products out of China.) So there was no closure of a factory a year or two ago.

Atlas is still trying to get back on track in its various product lines at this point, and still hasn't been able to do so in terms of specific products, such as the Dash 8-40C models in O gauge. I'm guessing that's one of the models that had to be retooled, and maybe even redeveloped, given the huge delay.

Sanda Kan was a quality factory as well -- better than the Hong Kong facilities in which a lot of Kader (Bachmann) product was produced for decades. The switch in suppliers for various importers has resulted in quality control problems in multiple scales since Sanda Kan stopped making products for them.

Jim R. posted:

Just so everyone is clear about Haedrich's letter from December 2014, he was referring to the move by Sanda Kan to raise prices several years earlier. (That was after Kader, which owns Bachmann and Williams, purchased Sanda Kan in a strategic move to dominate production of model railroading products out of China.) So there was no closure of a factory a year or two ago.

Atlas is still trying to get back on track in its various product lines at this point, and still hasn't been able to do so in terms of specific products, such as the Dash 8-40C models in O gauge. I'm guessing that's one of the models that had to be retooled, and maybe even redeveloped, given the huge delay.

Sanda Kan was a quality factory as well -- better than the Hong Kong facilities in which a lot of Kader (Bachmann) product was produced for decades. The switch in suppliers for various importers has resulted in quality control problems in multiple scales since Sanda Kan stopped making products for them.

Bear in mind it has been 18 months since that letter was published and motive power production continues to be very sporadic at best, with a major commitment to full Cal Zep sets and there matching power it remains to be seen how well the regular monthly products will get made let alone other motive power.JMO

Well, I believe that it has all been sorted out; if not, than I am the fool.

Well,  I figured that I'd wait until Atlas was done with their summer shows and breaks before trying to contacting them again about these engines.   Phoned Atlas today and I was able to speak with the lady in the consumer sales dept.   She did some checking and told me that "unfortunately the MP15DC engines will not be coming until sometime in 2017".   There was no reason or explanation given.   So,  I have my answer even though it's not what I wanted to hear especially since I've already bought the URR cabooses for these engines 9 months ago.    So,  for anyone who has MP15DC engines on order,  this is the latest update from Atlas.

Nick

Nick,

My most recent conversation went like this:

Are you making them? "Yes we are making them"  When? "no time soon"

What does that mean? "no time soon"

OK  

Dave

machinist posted:

...... She did some checking and told me that "unfortunately the MP15DC engines will not be coming until sometime in 2017".   ..... So,  for anyone who has MP15DC engines on order,  .....

Nick

---

 

Thanks for the info, Nick.

Bad news, but .... at least we know.

I don't blame Atlas, but ... really stinks. I've been waiting for my two.

My understanding is that we will see the RS-3's and then the F's and that will be it for 2016..... 

The Napierville Junction RS3, a Golden Spike Club offering in June of 2010, is still not available.

If according to the above post Atlas does bring in the RS3s later this year the NJ one for the Golden Spike club would probably be part of that run if sufficient GS members had reserved it otherwise consider it a dead issue. JMO

I ordered a U-23B diesel engine over a year ago and had to wait almost 7 months for delivery. I know that some of you have waited a few years on an engine to be delivered by Atlas O, personally I would have cancelled my order at 10 months out and asked for a refund.

I won't be buying any new engines unless I can document that they are in stock, I don't care who makes the engine.

Lee Fritz

In short, I stopped waiting for an Atlas MP15dc a long time ago due to constant production delays from China. With the exception of Scott Mann at 3rd Rail models, who by the way tells it like it actually is, I have little or no faith in what any of the other importers say or do with respect to production schedules. Plus I absolutely refuse to give any importer money to reserve anything - period!

nyccollector1 posted:

In short, I stopped waiting for an Atlas MP15dc a long time ago due to constant production delays from China. With the exception of Scott Mann at 3rd Rail models, who by the way tells it like it actually is, I have little or no faith in what any of the other importers say or do with respect to production schedules. Plus I absolutely refuse to give any importer money to reserve anything - period!

I basically agree with you! I have NO faith in catalogs put out by any company anymore because of production delays. If I can't see it or get it shipped from somebody within a week it's an absolute NO sale!!

FYI; I have not dealt with 3rd Rail models, so I can't comment on them.

Lee Fritz

Yes, 

The good old days with Bob at AM Hobbies, new products announcement from Atlas, and the brown truck with boxes from Bob are sorely missed.

At least we are fortunate to have Mr. Muffin and what few products Atlas is able to get out into the market.

Thanks,

Richard