The stuff that I love the most about Atlas O is also the stuff that I hate the most when it comes to taking locomotives apart to install DCC decoders or converting 3-rail rolling stock to 2. Something as simple as removing a locomotive shell or swapping out hi-rail wheels for scale wheels can be a real chore. The details get in the way and require extra care but it's well worth it. Many is the time where I spent 30+ minutes just trying to hook a brake chain or remove an RS-1 shell. But, there is a real sense of accomplishment once the job is done.
After acquiring and dissecting lots of Atlas O products over the years I have a real sense of appreciation for the research and craftsmanship that went into making each item. It's a credit to the wealth of knowledge that Jim Weaver had about railroading and his desire to present it to O scale.
