Atlas O California Zephyr Passenger Car Sets Available for Order

At $1600 for Golden Spike members, that's a TERRIFIC price for 12 world-class O-Scale passenger cars -- not to mention folks get the ENTIRE train (vs. those of us who've walked this journey for nearly 7 years!!!).  That's roughly $130 per car and no hassles of a multi-year wait... or slight paint variations from cars built at different times or by different factories.  For CZ enthusiasts not already invested in the earlier cars, this "commemorative set" is a no-brainer with superb price/performance.

That's also a cool D&RGW paint-scheme for the F-3's.  I have Atlas-O's prior version on order (from their F-7 production run), but this yellow/black combo is a real eye-catcher too.  Hmmm... might need to give Steve at MrMuffins Trains a call for more motive power.     Decisions... decisions...  

David

I'm waiting for the Twin Cities 400.

Nice... but I have my set already... and yes it took 7 years... worth the wait in my opinion.

Nice to see the cars  are still being made.

We have these up for pre-order already, here is the link.

http://www.nassauhobby.com/Pre-Order-Atlas/

Nice deal, especially considering how much time, effort and money it took for those who anguished through obtaining the first edition. 

Just wish it were available in a more useful size, for those who have smaller layouts. The 12 cars with an A-B-A stretch about 24.6 feet. (For comparison, that's 6 feet longer than a 2016 Chevy Suburban.) 

breezinup posted:

...  Just wish it were available in a more useful size, for those who have smaller layouts. ...

For folks ordering thru dealers, I think they can order two of the three 4-car sets that are made in each road-name.  So an 8-car train can be assembled too.  Still a sizable train with 21" cars, but every little bit helps.

David

 

Hey, All

Patrick's Trains is now taking orders for the New Atlas California Zephyr Passenger sets and Engines. 

Thanks

Pat

PATRICK'S TRAINS

WWW.PATSTRAINS.COM

142 29TH STREET

WHEELING WV 26003

304-232-0714

E-MAIL PATSTRAINS@AOL.COM

Image:	Price:	Title:	Details:
	$593.82	3007019C ATLAS O California Zephyr “C” Western Pacific 4-Car Set - Commemorative Edition http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 3007019C Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Passenger Cars Availability: Pre-order
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	$575.82	3007019B ATLAS O California Zephyr “B” Western Pacific 4-Car Set - Commemorative Edition http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 3007019B Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Passenger Cars Availability: Pre-order
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	$575.82	3007019A ATLAS O California Zephyr “A” Western Pacific 4-Car Set - Commemorative Edition http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 3007019A Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Passenger Cars Availability: Pre-order
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	$593.82	3007018C ATLAS O California Zephyr “C” D&Rgw 4-Car Set - Commemorative Edition http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 3007018C Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Passenger Cars Availability: Pre-order
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	$575.82	300701B ATLAS O California Zephyr “B” D&Rgw 4-Car Set - Commemorative Edition http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 3007018B Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Passenger Cars Availability: Pre-order
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	$575.82	3007018A ATLAS O California Zephyr “A” D&Rgw 4-Car Set - Commemorative Edition http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 3007018A Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Passenger Cars Availability: Pre-order
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	$593.82	3007017C ATLAS O California Zephyr “C” Cb&Q 4-Car Set - Commemorative Edition http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 3007017C Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Passenger Cars Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$575.82	3007017B ATLAS O California Zephyr “B” Cb&Q 4-Car Set - Commemorative Edition http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 3007017B Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Passenger Cars Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$575.82	3007017A ATLAS O California Zephyr “A” Cb&Q 4-Car Set - Commemorative Edition http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 3007017A Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Passenger Cars Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$467.96	1641-3 ATLAS O Burlington 9962B F3B Phase 2 “Early” Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1641-3 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$467.96	1640-4 ATLAS O Burlington 9962C F3A Phase 2 “Early” Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1640-4 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$467.96	1640-3 ATLAS O Burlington 9962A F3A Phase 2 “Early” Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1640-3 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$467.96	1638-4 ATLAS O Western Pacific 803C F3B Phase 2 “Early” Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1638-4 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$467.96	1638-3 ATLAS O Western Pacific 803B F3B Phase 2 “Early” Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1638-3 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$467.96	1637-3 ATLAS O Western Pacific 803A F3A Phase 1 Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1637-3 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$467.96	1616-4 ATLAS O Rio Grande 554C F3B Phase 1 Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1616-4 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$467.96	1616-3 ATLAS O Rio Grande 554B F3B Phase 1 Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1616-3 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$467.96	1615-4 ATLAS O Rio Grande 554D F3A Phase 1 Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1615-4 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$467.96	1615-3 ATLAS O Rio Grande 554A F3A Phase 1 Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1615-3 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order

This is great news!!! Talk about the ultimate passenger set. 

All,

As I had mentioned on another post to get correct information in your hands about this train as our Executive Chairman Tom Haedrich had mentioned to me when we were working on bringing these train sets to market that there are no guarantees in life (other than a couple) so if you ever had the inclination to own a premium model of what many consider was one of the greatest passenger trains in American, don't hesitate and order your version today.

Speaking of versions we've made it easy to order what are actually 10 sets counting the Limited Edition Golden Spike Club version (need to be a member), which has two cars that are still in service today. You can read about these two cars here:   http://www.calzephyrrailcar.co...s/Silver_Rapids.html and here: http://www.calzephyrrailcar.co...s/Silver_Rapids.html

If you have any questions about how this train in particular or how to order it please contact me, thanks.

Jerry Kimble

jkimble@atlaso.com

Coordinator Sales/Marketing/Product Development

My apologies on the second car that is still in use today as I duplicated the first one. The second car that is still in use today can be found here: http://www.calzephyrrailcar.co...Silver_Solarium.html

Thanks - Jerry Kimble

Neat stuff I just might be swayed; these cars eat up a lot of real estate. That said I really like them. A 4 pack might do it for me.

Will there be any unpowered F units?

Traindiesel posted:

Will there be any unpowered F units?

Good question.  Atlas-O offered unpowered F-7 units in the last announced production run.  I have an ABBA Rio Grande configuration (with 3 powered units) coming out of that production run.  I'm really taking a liking to this new Rio Grande paint-scheme... but might need to settle for an ABA 'cause I don't want -- nor do I need -- 4 powered units.

I'm also not crazy about the F3/F7 horn sound on these ERR sound boards.  For the $$$ spent, I wish Atlas-O or ERR would bite the bullet and put a richer sounding diesel horn in these locomotives.  The one that's there now -- even in the demo video in the original post -- has that "sick cow" sound to it, with little if any depth or presence to it.  I don't care if what's there is prototypical or not.  Sound is such an important element of enjoying today's model trains, I'd look the other way if art didn't necessarily imitate life to every rivet... or in this case, every note of the horn sound/chord. 

David

P.S.  I much prefer the ERR Railsounds for the C420 diesels, as per their website.  Does anybody know if these boards can just be swapped out for a soundboard that we prefer?  I know we can't "update" Railsounds by downloading our own sound file.  But I'd pay the extra $85 or so for the sounds I prefer, if a simple ERR board swap does the trick!  

2 questions,

Will the WP F3s have the plated stainless panels like the yet to be delivered ATSF WB F7s?

Will the 2-rail diesels have QSI or ESB electronics?

Hi,

Atlas says,"Car names for the commemorative and limited edition sets will not be duplicated across the GSC and dealer/distributor sets. "

So, will the names on the dealer sets be correct?

Thanks,

Ed

Ed Kelly posted:

...  Atlas says,"Car names for the commemorative and limited edition sets will not be duplicated across the GSC and dealer/distributor sets. "

So, will the names on the dealer sets be correct? ...

I can't imagine why Atlas wouldn't use accurate CZ names.

You might want to keep this website bookmarked, as it's a terrific reference for lots of info related to the California Zephyr.  Appears that there would be plenty of car names to go around without duplication.

David

The CB&Q F3A units had MARS lights. Do the Rio Grande and WP FA units also have MARS lights.Thanks.

Thank you, David, for the link to the CZ website - it has an amazing wealth of information.

This set seems destined to become one of the collectible classics of the hobby.  I appreciate the way Atlas O is offering this set.  The four car sets provide a number of options and make a really nice way to get a smaller train that still captures the look and feel of the whole trains.   I don't model the roads over which the CZ ran, but the PRR Silver Rapids sleeper gives me an opening to go for this train.  

All,

I'll try to address as many questions and concerns that I've seen thus far starting with other passenger train sets being issued on the California Zephyr tooling even though it wouldn't be prototypically correct. As someone once said to me the model railroad hobby is a big tent that everyone can fit under, a statement I completely agree with. Having said this I don't want anyone to take offense to what I'm about to say and that is Atlas prides itself on doing scale models as realistic as possible for a given price point. We find that this is what the majority of our customer want from us and not toy models that are incorrect.

On the California Zephyr taking up too much real estate on a given layout. Again it's what we do, scale models which we don't make any apologies for. How many of you have purchased a scale "Big Boy" steam locomotive based on the excitement of Union Pacific putting #4014 back into service? Now raise your hands on how many of you have a layout that will support that beast, probably not many. You bought it because it represents an important part on American railroad history and you didn't know if the opportunity would ever present itself again and you now have it as your own. This same principal applies to the California Zephyr in that it represented an important part of American railroad history with some historian considering it to be the most beautiful passenger train of the streamline era, hence having the nickname of "The Silver Lady". It's the only passenger train that has two Websites dedicated to it and four very well written books about it as well, with one of those books commanding monster money on e-Bay if you can find it. Think positive that one day you could join a club that has a layout that would support this beauty or start your own modular club where you can run what you brung (hot rod term). If you're financially able don't let this opportunity pass you by either just like with the "Big Boy".

Will there be any none powered diesels offered with the sets? No as we wanted these sets to be special in every way so we elected to forgo offering dummies, which we always find someone down the line wanting to buy the parts to power them anyway. I personally own two dummies in my entire collection of locomotives and that happened because I had to buy extra pieces to provide myself with an all powered CB&Q ABA set and the same with the Western Pacific ABB set. I will be selling these as soon as I can because I'm the only dummy in my locomotive consist. Needless to say I won't have to do this with the Denver Rio Grande & Western set of ABBAs as they are all powered. We're well aware that for the three rail models with traction tires two powered locomotives in the consist will in most cases be sufficient enough power to pull the consist on most layouts. Two rail is a different story altogether with those modelers needing the extra power for the California Zephyrs length.

Will the Western Pacific units have the stainless finish that we're offering on the Santa Fe Warbonnet F7s with the answer being no as we didn't have the time to make that change. For those of you who were at the York TCA event in October of 2015 and saw the complete train run with the Western Pacific F3s on the led those were my engines (all powered of course) and I heard nothing but compliments about the appearance of this ABB set.

Are the names correct for the various sets with the answer being absolutely! We'll be holding yet another seminar at York in April to go over how to order these sets which by the way numbers 9 different sets for Dealers and 1 special set for our Golden Spike Club members. We'll also discuss how how we chose the names for the various sets as well.

We thank everyone for their enthusiasm over these California Zephyr passenger train sets and for those of you who have already ordered them.

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company

Since I'm a confirmed PRR nut. I tink I found a way to not have too build all those domes.

   If I join the spike club I get the 10 6 PRR car and then wait for The GGD PA announcement  and pray for the Yellow Jacket DRGW to get done  so I can spread that hit out over 2 years. Oh Why did they have to make these in 2 rail????

   All the info here is pushing me toward purchasing a train I admired as a kid in HO .  I remember the MR issue with was it the Sunset lines and the pictures of the CZ in Winter Park in the snow.   Guess I better start figuring.

Jerry Kimble posted:

...

I'll try to address as many questions and concerns that I've seen thus far starting with other passenger train sets being issued on the California Zephyr tooling even though it wouldn't be prototypically correct. As someone once said to me the model railroad hobby is a big tent that everyone can fit under, a statement I completely agree with. Having said this I don't want anyone to take offense to what I'm about to say and that is Atlas prides itself on doing scale models as realistic as possible for a given price point. We find that this is what the majority of our customer want from us and not toy models that are incorrect.

...

Jerry, thanks for jumping in to respond so quickly to some of the questions that were posed.  Great job!!!  Since I raised the possibility of Atlas-O issuing another road-named passenger train based on the CZ tooling, let me add a few comments:

I certainly wouldn't be opposed to Atlas-O providing road-name unique, accurate scale models for future passenger trains.  The over-riding issue for me, however, is time-to-market at a reasonable price-point.  I was one of the early CZ enthusiasts who jumped on board this journey in 2009.  And we all know it's now 2016.  Yes, a lot of unanticipated events occurred during those 7 years.  But the over-riding message I would send back to Atlas-O's executive team is that I would never -- and I do mean NEVER -- sign up for another multi-year wait to assemble a complete passenger train consist a few cars at a time.  If that's part of what it would take for Atlas-O to modify existing tooling to make 100% accurate scale models of another train, then I am not interested.  Perhaps some enthusiasts have that kind of fortitude and patience.  I did it once, and won't do it again.  A lot can happen in one year.  A TREMENDOUS amount happens in 7 years -- especially given the aging demographics of your target market, as well as instabilities of the overseas manufacturing environment(s).

Just sayin... I agree the majority of your customers would like model trains with as many correct details as possible.  However, I don't believe a majority of your customers would want to wait 7, 5, or even 3 years to get those results.  Make whatever tooling changes need to be done... perhaps overlap that slightly with a product announcement... and then deliver the ENTIRE train in 12-18 months MAX.

David

Someone asked inasmuch as the CB&Q F3A units had MARS lights. Will the Rio Grande and WP F-units also have MARS lights? The answer is yes. I forgot to answer the second part of another question which was will the 2-rail diesels have QSI or ESU electronics? I'm not trying to be elusive with my answer but presently that decisions hasn't been made, but whether it's QSI or ESU it will be the best sound set and decoder that either manufacturer has to offer... and David we hear you loud and clear.

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company

Jerry wrote,

"We'll be holding yet another seminar at York in April to go over how to order these sets which by the way numbers 9 different sets for Dealers and 1 special set for our Golden Spike Club members. We'll also discuss how how we chose the names for the various sets as well."

Not everyone goes to York.  Can you explain this now?

Regards,

Ed

The fact that the decision has not been made between QSI and ESU is a positive thing to me.  At least it is not the QSI default as on the F7s.

And it is not the sound that is the determinant to me, it is the motor control.  If sound is a big deal then you should consider talking to the TCS folks.  I think their sounds are the best and they are coming out with a 5 Amp decoder.  So far their motor control seems on par with ESU to me.

Pardon my ignorance, but what is ESU?

 

Will these model locomotives have command control?

Ed Kelly posted:

Jerry wrote,

"We'll be holding yet another seminar at York in April to go over how to order these sets which by the way numbers 9 different sets for Dealers and 1 special set for our Golden Spike Club members. We'll also discuss how how we chose the names for the various sets as well."

Not everyone goes to York.  Can you explain this now?

Regards,

Ed

Ed, That is a great suggestion. 

Jerry, Please consider posting that information here on the forum. Even if you wait until post York that is fine, but it would be great to get the ordering logic.

Thanks!!

Bringing in the sets for around $130 a car should drive the cost of the cars already out there down.   Seven years of buying cars and now the prices will come down.   Plastic is a petroleum product so perhaps we are finally seeing the benefit of lower oil prices.

Good day.... Our pre-order discount pricing with free shipping is up on our website as well.... Thanks very much....

https://mrmuffinstrains.myshop...ollections/187311877

Here's a summary of the CZ Car Sets for your reference:

VGN64 posted:

Bringing in the sets for around $130 a car should drive the cost of the cars already out there down.   Seven years of buying cars and now the prices will come down.   Plastic is a petroleum product so perhaps we are finally seeing the benefit of lower oil prices.

That pricing applies to GSC members only and appears to undercut any posted dealer discount pricing at this point,just saying!

hibar posted:

VGN64 posted:

Bringing in the sets for around $130 a car should drive the cost of the cars already out there down.   ...

That pricing applies to GSC members only and appears to undercut any posted dealer discount pricing at this point,just saying!

True.  Atlas-O hasn't done the early CZ enthusiasts any favors with this pricing.  But they're to be commended nonetheless for making a complete 12-car set available at a dynamite price.  Folks nowadays aren't typically "investing" in trains anyway, so it doesn't bother me one iota that folks can get a complete train today for basically the same price early CZ enthusiasts paid over time.  The advertised dealer pricing thus far is coming in at roughly 10% off MSRP, and as you noted is more than the GSC members will pay if ordering a 12-car CB&Q set directly from Atlas-O.  Should be interesting to see how the dust settles.

I suspect folks choosing the dealer route (for the cars) might do so if they want a train with mixed liveries (i.e., CB&Q, D&RGW, and WP), or a train with less than 12 cars (i.e., 4 or 8 cars, or individual cars if dealers break up the sets later).

As good as pricing is for GSC members ordering a 12-car set, pricing for the locomotives most certainly reflects an increase.  The most aggressive dealer prices last year for the F7's were around $420 per powered unit (on $499 MSRP), and under $200 for unpowered units.  The new F3 advertised prices thus far are around $467, which is $47 more street-dollars on an MSRP increase of just $20 to $520.  Seems a bit odd.  So in that regard, dealers should be able to achieve an actual selling price below $467... perhaps closer to $435 each -- maybe even slightly less for somebody buying an ABA or ABBA config.  

Best deal is the 12-car set via the Golden Spike Club.  Locomotives are a different story though, since Atlas-O isn't offering them to GSC members directly.  Should be interesting to see how dealers eventually set themselves apart there, with everyone advertising powered F3 units at $467.

David

All,

Ed commented not everyone goes to York.  Can you explain this now? Yes I can and Mr. Muffin has helped in that regard by his post clearly showing all the cars in each 4-car set. The three railroads that partnered to take this car cross country bought a total of 77 cars all starting with "Silver" as part of the name with the one exception being the "Silver Rapids" purchased by the PRR to offer transcontinental service all the way to New York City. What many don't know is the PRR partnered with the NYC to offer this service as well and both railroads use this car. Between the Golden Spike Club CB&Q 12 car set and the other three pure 12 car sets being offered to Dealers for the CB&Q, DRG&W and WP 48 of the 77 names are being used.

You can purchase any combination of an A, B or C set of cars and you'll still be prototypically correct in how this train operated over its 21 year and 2 day life span, which gives you 9 different sets. We know from our research as well as having a discussion with a conductor who worked this train for 15 years that the cars stayed pure to their railroad for about two or three weeks of operation before they started being intermixed because of servicing needs or just general maintenance. The sets were pure on and off again throughout the life of the train as well as on the last run of March 22, 1970. Of course for those of you who already own some of these cars and have been on the hunt for others that you needed a Dealer can sell you just a 4-car set that hopefully will have the names you're looking for. We know some Dealers may go further and break the sets but no guarantees there as that's strictly up to a Dealer. Hopefully this clears up the mystery of how to order, if not e-mail me at jkimble@atlaso.com for a color brochure I can send you that will help.

RoyBoy asked what is ESU? ESU stands for Electronic Solutions Ulm GmbH & Co KG and you can read all about them by clicking on this link: http://www.esu.eu/en/start/ .

Someone posted that bringing in the sets for around $130 a car should drive the cost of the cars already out there down. The fact is these cars have only gone up $10.00 since there introduction in 2009 with the exception of the Dome Observation Car at retail. The $130.00 price is based on where we priced our Golden Spike Club set, which again shows it pays to be a member of this club, but the reality is a Dealer can sell at that same price if he or she elects to do so and make a profit, just saying!

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company 

 

I believe Atlas has put out a "suggested" min discount Advertised price to dealers on all products ,obviously you and your dealer can make a deal beyond that. You are correct on buyers wanting less than a full set or the other Rd names than the GSC set and buying from dealers. Ever rising prices are a fact of life, it seems BTO works for the MFGs/Importers.JMO

So why the sets?? Why cant we buy any 4 for $ or any 8 for $.

Atlas not the way to market when single cars were available in the last years as single purchases. 

Alan Rail,

See my above post which explains a Dealer can sell you a 4 or 8-car set if that fits your needs over and out as I'm done for the weekend.

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company

 

For Jerry When He Comes Back on Monday,

Will the CZ cars have KD's or coupler mounting holes spaced for KD's?

Thanks,

Ed

Ed Kelly posted:

For Jerry When He Comes Back on Monday,

Will the CZ cars have KD's or coupler mounting holes spaced for KD's?

Thanks,

Ed

I would assume that any/all of the 2-Rail cars would come equipped with Atlas' own "Kadee compatible" 2-Rail coupler. Their 2-Rail freight cars all come with the Atlas coupler.

Question - this is a "commemorative" edition.  From the names and drawings offered by the dealers in this thread vying for everyone's pre-orders, it's hard to see what if any differences there are between the set that Atlas delivered piecemeal over 7 years and any of these "commemorative" sets.  Do all these differently named "commemorative" sets look identical to each other (other than the names of the cars themselves) or are there differences between them?  And which set most closely resembles the one delivered by Atlas piecemeal?   Thanks. 

Just a guess but, there were/are a lot of different individual car names for each of the three railroads, that Atlas didn't use with the previous productions. The CB&Q especially has LOTS of different car names since they added so many other "Zephyr" trains in addition to the CZ.

PJB posted:

... And which set most closely resembles the one delivered by Atlas piecemeal?   ...

Keep in mind...  Atlas-O never delivered a CZ "set" piecemeal, per se.  They're in the final phase of delivering on their plan to produce all the CZ car styles that made up the train.  It was up to buyers to assemble the train based on their preferences.  That CZ website I mentioned earlier in this thread has all kinds of good information -- including different CZ consists over time.  Some people purchased one (or more) of each car style that Atlas-O produced (resulting in a 12-13 car train more common in the CZ heydays), while others selected a subset based on their layout size or one of the smaller prototype CZ trains during different years of the train's operation.

I'm guessing it was Atlas-O's original "plan" to complete their CZ project within two years... Three MAX.  But unforeseen events prolonged that period to 7 years.  These latest "commemorative edition" sets are giving folks an excellent opportunity to quickly assemble something that many of us here have been waiting seven years to do.  Quite unprecedented in this hobby when you think about it.

David

nice idea.  i hope those who buy, enjoy the sets.  i have mine "built" and may pick up one other car but not interested in the set.

Is the current Atlas KD compatible coupler metal or plastic?  Do you think it will perform under the strain of 12 heavy cars behind the engine?

Thanks,

Ed

Ed Kelly posted:

Is the current Atlas KD compatible coupler metal or plastic?

The ones I've seen on new/current Atlas freight rolling stock are metal.

 Do you think it will perform under the strain of 12 heavy cars behind the engine?

If the Kadee metal couplers handle that load, I can't see why the "new & redesigned" Atlas couplers wouldn't also.

Thanks,

Ed

 

Hot Water,

Thanks.

Ed

Dave has already said he cannot walk away from the CZ cars as he is more than $0.5M into them.  And they are now in their 10th year as they were first announced in 2006.  It was originally expected they would be delivered before Altas's first predicted delivery date for their first cars.

In the model train importing business it is pay as you go and if it doesn't come out right you pay again and if the builder screws up you pay again.  E.g., $20K upfront to get the designs done. $50K upfront to get the molds made, another $50K up front to buy the materials, another $50K for the initial manufacturing/assembly, another $50K up front to do the painting and lettering, and another $50K upfront for the final assembly.  And at any one of those steps if they screw up its another $25K upfront for them to fix it.  They go day by day and when they run out of money the choice is to give them more or walk away with nothing.  Until you have a container of goods on a ship leaving the country you have nothing.  Not even a container still in China is safe.  The builder can call it back and demand more money to release it.

PJB posted:

Question - this is a "commemorative" edition.  From the names and drawings offered by the dealers in this thread vying for everyone's pre-orders, it's hard to see what if any differences there are between the set that Atlas delivered piecemeal over 7 years and any of these "commemorative" sets.  Do all these differently named "commemorative" sets look identical to each other (other than the names of the cars themselves) or are there differences between them?  And which set most closely resembles the one delivered by Atlas piecemeal?   Thanks. 

The only difference is the names, and which railroad owned which cars, which was true of the prototypes.  They were all built to the same spec, even Silver Rapids.  The initial complete train was 11 cars long, the 6-5 sleepers came several years later, and there were 6 (or 7) complete trainsets.  There was never a WP or CBQ or DRGW complete trainset as they were not manufactured in that order and CBQ added the cars to the Exposition Flyer piecemeal as they were received from Budd.

As near as I can tell Atlas has not previously released any cars with the specific names used on these sets.

Where on Atlas-O's website is the above information available on the details of the car sets and locomotives ?  

Thanks in advance !

Is there a specific order of the cars in the train?  If so, what is it?

Thanks,

Ed

Ed Kelly posted:

Is there a specific order of the cars in the train?  If so, what is it?

Thanks,

Ed

Come on Ed!  Checkout all the various CZ sites, not to mention all the various books that have been published about the CZ, which include many, many photographs.

I'm glad I have no interest in these. My brains are already scrambled trying to put together "period correct" Chessie freight trains. And that should be easy.

I have found the info on Atlas-O's website.  It is one the right side associated with the Golden Spike thread (but not under "new products" on the left side).  

Although these are great models of the CZ, I will not order any of these because the 85' full scale (21") cars are simply too big for my eventual layout.  I also prefer the plated finish on many of the 60' (15") & 70' (18") semi-scale aluminum cars from Lionel, MTH, & Williams.  I do believe that the current prices of the semi-scale aluminum cars are now more reasonable at shows due to the availability of these Atlas-O scale cars.  

Here is a comment of Atlas-O's CZ offering of CB&Q's dome observation car Silver Lookout.  The Silver Lookout was manufactured in 1952, a few years after the initial six CZ dome observation cars from 1948-1949 (CB&Q's Silver Solarium, Silver Penthouse, & Silver Horizon; D&RGW's Silver Sky; and WP's Silver Crescent & Silver Planet).  Silver Lookout was identical to the initial six cars with the exception of its drum head.  Instead of the CZ drum head, it had an Aksarben Zephyr drumhead.  This is because CB&Q would place the incoming CZ dome observation car at Chicago on its overnight train to Omaha, the Aksarben Zephyr.  The car would return the next day and would then go west on the afternoon departure of the CZ.  

Lionel's 2003 60' (15") aluminum CZ CB&Q Silver Lookout model had the regular CZ drum head, which was fine with me.  However, Atlas-O is known as a stickler for prototypical detail.  Therefore, maybe Atlas-O would want to include both the regular CZ drum head & the prototypical Aksarben Zephyr drum head in the box with their Silver Lookout model so that the owner can select either version.  

Rebel Rails has a 6" x 6" aluminum sign with the Aksarben Zephyr logo (if you wish to view it).  This train was named after the Nebraska service organization "The Knights of Aksarben" .   If anyone wants more info, I can dig up the reference regarding Silver Lookout's drum head.  

645 posted:

Mr. Kimble - does Atlas plan to offer ex-CZ cars in Amtrak Phase I (pointless arrow) livery in 4-car sets in the future? An Amtrak set made up of a baggage, dome coach, diner and 10-6 sleeper would make for a nice Amtrak overnight train for smaller layouts.

I'll second that request!!!

I am interested in the D&RGW engines and the CZ cars.  I have looked on the internet for pictures of the Rio Grande diesels pulling the CZ cars.  My question is...''which configuration of diesel engines did the Rio Grande actually use to pull their share of the load on their mountain run?  I have seen some ABA's and some ABB's at the head end.  My question to the folks on the forum that are familiar with this time period would you please give me the benefit of your opinion on what is typical ?

Thanks for your help

Tommy

 

Which time period?  DRGW F-units were used from the early '50s through 1970.  During the yellow jacket period, from the late 40s through about 1952 they would have a been ABBA, 6K horsepower to replace the 6K horsepower of the PAs.  Atlas is only doing the Phase I F3s for DRGW and I have not seen any photographs of those early (not upgraded) F3s ever pulling the CZ.  The few yellow jacket photos I do see are all Phase II F3s.  After about 1952 they would have been more likely, over time, to have been pulled by the 4 stripe Prospector F units for the next decade or so, still ABBA.  3 units would be still later in the '60s as the train shrank.

Atlas advertises the coming F3 units as Phase I and Phase II models, I assume they will have the corrected fuel tank that the F7s are coming with.

Time period?  I was looking at the 1949's to late 60's. I know very little about the western rr's and the passenger service.  The only time out west was in 1952 when I boarded a Southern in Columbia SC and ended up in San Diego CA.   Southeastern USA is more what I'm used to. Two quick questions if I may.  What's the difference between the phase 1 & 2 F3's and a 4 stripe Prospector F unit.

Thanks,

Tommy

Phase I F3s (also called F2s) have 3 portholes on the sides of the A-units, all subsequent F-units have 2 portholes on the side of the A-units.

You will have to choose the time period; '49-'52 Phase II F3s (but mostly PAs were used on the CZ), post '52 to about ~'64 yellow jacket or 4-stripe silver/gold (Prospector) F3s and F7s, (PAs were used less and less), post ~'64 single stripe silver/gold like the F7s Atlas currently has on their to do list.

Where's Erik Lindgren when you need him, he's much, much more the DRGW expert here.

I had never seen the D&RGW "yellow jacket" paint scheme until Atlas-O's recent announcement, but I really think it's gonna look sharp leading a train of silver passenger cars.

The "yellow jacket" appearance lends itself to a terrific contrast against the all-silver cars, whereas the "prospector" paint scheme blends in nicely with the silver cars for days when you want a completely different look.

Definitely an unexpected expense for 2016.  

David

rdunniii posted:

Phase I F3s (also called F2s) have 3 portholes on the sides of the A-units, all subsequent F-units have 2 portholes on the side of the A-units.

You will have to choose the time period; '49-'52 Phase II F3s (but mostly PAs were used on the CZ), post '52 to about ~'64 yellow jacket or 4-stripe silver/gold (Prospector) F3s and F7s, (PAs were used less and less), post ~'64 single stripe silver/gold like the F7s Atlas currently has on their to do list.

Where's Erik Lindgren when you need him, he's much, much more the DRGW expert here.

The F3s  with 2 portholes per side were the original Phase Is that within a few years of delivery were sent back to EMD for upgrading to F7 specs, side panels and fans were the external mods, check Utah Rails.net Rio Grande diesel roster for all the info there are pics of the 553A in original paint and the 5531[same unit] renumbered and newer paint scheme it appears you can mix and match any number of F paint schemes  with the CZ train and be correct at some point in time.

So what was the paint scheme for the DRGW ABA PA's?  

aterry11 posted:

So what was the paint scheme for the DRGW ABA PA's?  

Honey bee, tiger stripes and aspen leaf. 

The Atlas trucks for the f3 are plain wrong. If they produce a rio grande f7 in black honey bee I'd be all over those.

All,

Ed Kelly asked is there a specific order of the cars in the train and if so what is it. Ed the order of the cars for the 12 car sets is the following behind the locomotives: Baggage car, Chair Dome, Chair Dome with Conductor's Window, Chair Dome, Dome-Buffett-Lounge, Diner, 6/5 Sleeper, 10/6 Sleeper, 10/6 Sleeper, 16 Section Sleeper, 10/6 Sleeper and the Dome-Observation-Lounge car.

Another member asked if we planned to offer ex-CZ cars in the Amtrak Phase 1 (pointless arrow) livery in 4-car sets in the future. The answer is no for a variety of reasons. E-mail me if you want further explanation.

Someone asked about the DRG&W F3 diesel consist along with someone else stating the color scheme for these never pulled the CZ, along with someone else saying the trucks are wrong and I think finally would they have scale fuel tanks. DRG&W pulled the train with a consist of ABBA F3s after about a year of using Alco PAs in an ABA configuration. The paint scheme we're using did pull the CZ, which you can verify by clicking on this link: http://calzephyr.railfan.net/locos.html and scroll down for a picture. The book "Portrait of a Silver Lady  The Train They Called the California Zephyr" by Bruce A. MacGregor and Ted Benson verifies this information as well on page 133. If you really want to be thrilled click on this link: http://www.californiazephyr.org/index.phtml scroll down just a little and behold the four 12 car CZ trains running at the bottom of the screen. Guess what paint scheme for the DRG&W F3 locomotive consist the creators of this Website chose? These locomotive have the Blomberg "B" trucks on them which is correct. To learn more click on either of these links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blomberg_B or: http://trainiax.net/metruck-gp.php . These F3s will have scale fuel tanks just like we tooled up for on our F7s.

I'm headed for the 2-rail show in Lombard Illinois (Chicago suburb) and it may be a while before I check this post again. For quicker answers e-mail me, thanks.

Jerry Kimble Atlas Model Railroad Company 

 

All,

If the first link on Blomberg Trucks in my previous message gives you an error message try this one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blomberg_B

Thanks,

Jerry Kimble Atlas Model Railroad Company

Those trucks are correct for f7, as the feature Hyatt roller bearing journals, but not for f3's. The F3's had friction journal (square type) journals and square type speed recorder.  

... and some of you wonder why many of the manufacturing representatives have abandoned posting on model railroad social sights.

Relatively few changes occurred during the more than thirty years between the introduction of the original Blomberg truck and the introduction of the single-shoe "M" type Blomberg. Minor changes to the brake rigging during F-unit production and again in the 1950s did not result in major visual changes. Later versions (after 1954) lacked the square wear plates mounted under the arch of the truck frame next to the inboard brake arms1.

Several types of wheel bearings have appeared on Blomberg trucks. Most were built with oil-lubricated Hyatt roller bearings, which had cylindrical rollers. The axles were held in place laterally by rubber blocks inside the end caps, which did not rotate. Very early bearings used a larger, boxier housing with springs inside the end caps to center the axles2. Later trucks were built with sealed/greased Timken bearings, which used tapered rollers that eliminated the need for end thrust on the axles from the end caps. On these bearings, the end caps rotated and were tightened to apply the correct load to the bearings3. Some older trucks received newer bearing designs as replacements.

 

Jerry, Thank you for all of the amazing detail and links you've provided. I appreciate the extra effort to explain your truly awesome project. Can't wait to get the full set!!! 

 

SANTIAGOP23 posted:

Those trucks are correct for f7, as the feature Hyatt roller bearing journals, but not for f3's. The F3's had friction journal (square type) journals and square type speed recorder.  

Sorry but you are NOT correct1 The "original" Hyatt roller bearings, referred to as the J-1 Journal Box (square) were indeed oil lubricated cylindrical roller bearings, i.e. NOT "friction". There were two distinct styles of the J-1 Hyatt journal box; one being the "plain box" and the other being the "Combination Box", which was the larger square box, to allow for speed recorder drive mounting.

The later, or more modern Hyatt JMRA oil lubricated journal boxes, carried through well into the 1980s, when railroads began specifying the Timken "cartridge" design of sealed grease lubricated roller bearings (model GG). 

Jerry,  Thanks for the information!  Can't Wait to get the set I ordered!

 

Big Truck Pete and A. Infinito,

Thank you for your kind responses along with the purchase of a set. To others on the periphery don't let some of those that think they're the experts on this train or any portion of it that have no intention of purchasing it ruin your decision process. It's highly doubtful that you'll ever see this offer again and if so at a much higher price point. As a matter of fact there is a brass version of this passenger train being offered at this link: http://www.keymodels.net/id9.html and here: http://www.keymodels.net/id13.html . Atlas Dealers that are also Key Import Dealers tell me the cars list for $1000.00 each and the locomotives list for $3000.00 each. This isn't a put down but recognition of another premium California Zephyr 12 car passenger set on the market.

The deadline to order our set is April 4, 2016, but I would strongly advise not to wait until the very last minute. I'm a Santa Fe enthusiast personally, but even the Super Chief in my opinion didn't match this train for it's beauty. I've collected the cars since they first hit the market in 2010 (not 2003 as someone previously noted) and have acquired all the ones that I've wanted to make my CZ set, but I've still purchased the Golden Spike version as well because I know of all the details going into it. If you can afford it, just do it as you won't be sorry. For now I'm out of here until after I return from Chicago and have had a chance to answer e-mails and catch up on my other duties.  

My apologies as I just realized I put the wrong deadline for our sets, it's May 4, 2016, thanks.

Jerry,

Thanks.

Ed Kelly

Ed Kelly,

You're welcome.

Jerry Kimble Atlas Model Railroad Company

Jerry Kimble posted:

 

... I've collected the cars since they first hit the market in 2010 (not 2003 as someone previously noted) and have acquired all the ones that I've wanted to make my CZ set, but I've still purchased the Golden Spike version as well because I know of all the details going into it. If you can afford it, just do it as you won't be sorry. ...

Jerry, I was almost gonna do just that... Until you guys also announced a new D&RGW F3 ABBA in the yellow-jacket paint scheme.    With all units powered, that pretty much took the funds (and then some) I might have used on the Golden Spike CZ set.    Decisions... decisions.

David

Interesting the yellow-jacket paint scheme  was the as delivered scheme for FTs, F3s, F7s [except last delivered 5700 series] and PAs [2 years]

Another California Zephyr car that is still in regular service is the DRGW Silver Bronco.  Silver Bronco runs on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

The car was briefly named "Emerson" for a short time due to its corporate sponsor.   It was renamed Silver Bronco again recently and is well cared for by the CVSR.  

New graphics "Silver Bronco" applied to the #1105 by the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Hey, I've got a stupid question: Do we pay upon filling out the request of the golden spike club limited edition 12 car set from Atlas or when the set comes in?

thanks,

Sam

Sam,

The only stupid question is the one not asked. The answer is you don't pay until the set is ready to ship which we're counting on December as the target time frame for shipments. We will ask for a credit card that won't be charged as a show of goodwill, other than that you're good to go. If you decide on the locomotives they won't ship until late the first quarter of 2017.

Speaking of locomotives, David sorry to hear the D&RGW F3 ABBA will deplete your funds for the set, but do remember the F3s aren't going to ship until late the first quarter of 2017 if that will help any.

Vista Dome Scott, thank you for the heads-up on the Silver Bronco still earning its keep as I didn't have a clue that it was in service for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

Jerry Kimble Atlas Model Railroad Company

Thanks Jerry.

Fair enough for wanting my MC. 

I'll probably be flogged for this but I'm considering using my Williams E-7 Burlington A-B-A (both A's powered) for motive power to keep the cost down (flog, flog, flog), although an F3 A-B-B-A would look cool!

Sam

645 thank you for the awesome link to the Silver Pony! Sam no flogging allowed as you're free to use whatever power you want on the front of the California Zephyr passenger train set :->

Jerry Kimble Atlas Model Railroad Company

Jerry Kimble posted:

...

Speaking of locomotives, David sorry to hear the D&RGW F3 ABBA will deplete your funds for the set, but do remember the F3s aren't going to ship until late the first quarter of 2017 if that will help any.

...

Question for Mr. Kimble:  Atlas stated in a related OGR Forum thread that a sample of the numbered metal certificate and the special inner carton design that will come with the GSC Limited Edition CZ train will be made available for viewing.  I was hoping that these could be posted on the OGR Forum for review.

I am trying to decide whether to order the GSC edition or the dealer commemorative edition, for me a very difficult choice.  One offers these great cars in a limited edition set having the PRR special car, while with the commemorative edition one has great flexibility in ordering car sets among the three railroads that participated in the CZ.  

Everyone I know raves about the CZ cars Atlas has released, especially the detail and quality.  This train is a true American "native son" and among the most historically significant of American trains.  It represents the greatest of passenger train service that America had to offer.  I for one want to thank Atlas for making this train and the appropriate motive power of the three railroads available to collectors and modelers.  It may be hard on the budget, but an opportunity like this does not come along too often.  Well done, Atlas.

PFERDDY,

Thank you for your very kind words about our California Zephyr passenger train as I couldn't have said it better.

In answering your question about the metal certificate and the special inner carton design for the Golden Spike Club 12 car Limited Edition set, we'll definitely post the pictures on the forum once they're ready.

While you mention the PRR special car the "Silver Rapids" don't forget as part of the set also is the "Silver Solarium" which is the signature end of the train Dome-Observation-Lounge Car. Both these cars are back together again and are enjoying a fourth life in charter service that you can read about by clicking on both these links: http://www.calzephyrrailcar.co...s/Silver_Rapids.html and http://www.calzephyrrailcar.co...Silver_Solarium.html . Make sure once you've clicked on each link with your computer pointing device (usually the mouse) and the information has loaded on your computer screen that you scroll down the page just a little and click on another link that says "Download a brief history of the Silver Rapids" and "Download a history of the Silver Solarium", which will download a pdf file to your computer screen giving even more information on both these cars. If anyone wants a hard copy of either of these e-mail me with your request, thanks.

Jerry Kimble Atlas Model Railroad Company

JSilver Solarium Dome Sleeper Observation Car

 

 

 

I hope to see samples at York

Has anyone pre ordered the GSC cars?

Forgive me if I'm misunderstanding, but I read this entire thread and it sounds like ordering from a dealer allows me the flexibility to buy 4, 8 or 12 cars, whereas, joining the GSC and ordering through Atlas this way, I am limited and must buy all 12 cars?  

If this isn't the case, and I order say 4 or 8 cars via GSC, do they still come with the numbered metal certificate and the special inner carton design that is stated above to come with the GSC Limited Edition CZ train?  

Thank you,

Peter

Jeff -- Thank you very much for your reply to my question.  Most appreciated.

PJB -- Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I think the Golden Spike Limited Edition is a 12 car set only.  Its is a limited edition 12 car set that will come with the metal certificate and the special boxing. The dealer commemorative editions come in 4 car sets that the customer can order as he chooses.  That is my understanding.

PSU 1980

The California Zephyr 12 car set will be running at York along with seminars being conducted to discuss how the train is ordered as we're still finding much confusion over it and yes there have been many orders for the 12 Golden Spike Club Special Edition set.

PJB nailed the answer to one of the many questions we've had on ordering the California Zephyr passenger car sets, which is the Golden Spike Limited Edition is a 12 car set only.  It is a Limited Edition 12 car set that will come with the metal certificate and the special boxing. The Dealer Commemorative editions comes in 4 car sets that the customer can order as he chooses.

PFERDDY, you're welcome.

Jerry Kimble Atlas Model Railroad Company

Talk to me when you guys do the east coast trains,  PRR,  B&O,  RDG, and O ya that west coast road the ATSF.

Jerry,

Thanks for answering the question. When we spoke at Fall York about these car's you provided some details. The GSC letter and this has helped quite a bit.

Talk at York and I am looking forward to seeing the samples.

Kevin

Jerry Kimble posted:

PFERDDY,

Thank you for your very kind words about our California Zephyr passenger train as I couldn't have said it better.

In answering your question about the metal certificate and the special inner carton design for the Golden Spike Club 12 car Limited Edition set, we'll definitely post the pictures on the forum once they're ready.

While you mention the PRR special car the "Silver Rapids" don't forget as part of the set also is the "Silver Solarium" which is the signature end of the train Dome-Observation-Lounge Car. Both these cars are back together again and are enjoying a fourth life in charter service that you can read about by clicking on both these links: http://www.calzephyrrailcar.co...s/Silver_Rapids.html and http://www.calzephyrrailcar.co...Silver_Solarium.html . Make sure once you've clicked on each link with your computer pointing device (usually the mouse) and the information has loaded on your computer screen that you scroll down the page just a little and click on another link that says "Download a brief history of the Silver Rapids" and "Download a history of the Silver Solarium", which will download a pdf file to your computer screen giving even more information on both these cars. If anyone wants a hard copy of either of these e-mail me with your request, thanks.

Jerry Kimble Atlas Model Railroad Company

JSilver Solarium Dome Sleeper Observation Car

Download a history of Silver Solarium

 

 

Download a history of Silver Solarium

 

Hi Jerry,

I plan on purchasing a set of or two. Out of curiosity how many individual CZ cars or 4 pack sets will Atlas make in this run? And does this number include both 3 rail and 2 rail O?

Thanks,

You know, I probably sound like a shill, but here goes:

 I own no Atlas passenger cars and thought the price of the CZ set was steep.  And then on top of this, I don't have the layout for 12 scale cars, so was looking closely at the dealer CZ offerings, as you can do 4 or 8 if you prefer.  Unrelated and in parallel, I was deliberating hard over whether to preorder the Lionel UP Excursion train.  I then took a really close look at both offerings and started comparing.  

It seems the Atlas cars have a much higher level of overall detail and accuracy.   And, Lionel no longer installs passengers so this "plus column" check mark is now gone.  And, street price for the UP 4 car set is almost the same as vendor pricing on the 4-car CZ set.  Also, if I were to buy all UP excursion cars, which is a total of 7, street price would be around $950 - or more with shipping.  The GSC price for CZ cars is around $1,600 - but for 12 CZ cars and this includes shipping.  Finally, buying through dealers is, on a per CZ car basis, more pricey than via GSC, and who says I must run all 12 cars at once?  The one item in favor of the UP cars is the RS car, which should be really cool.  So, to me, who isn't beholden to a particular road, it's a no-brainer. 

Peter

 

George,

For the Dealer Commemorative Sets there are nine 4-packs available or 36 cars from the three railroads partnered on this train with no overlap of names. If you include the Golden Spike Club 12 car set it makes 48 car names we're using of the 77 cars purchased by the railroads to have 6 train sets to cover the schedule of this train again without any overlap of car names. What's unique about the Dealer sets is that as long as you order any combination of an A, B or C set you'll be prototypically correct for a 12 car California Zephyr train passenger train that would've had these mix of cars sometime in its 21 year and 2 day lifespan. It's highly doubtful that these combinations of CZ cars will ever be offered again by another manufacturer or ourselves because as I've explained before this has be a complex project to put together by Atlas. No other manufacturer in any scale has offered this flexibility of ordering the California Zephyr probably because of the complexity involved in doing it. Yes these sets do include 3 and 2-rail offerings. I'll be doing in depth seminars at York on the nuts & bolts of ordering these CZ sets with a brochure handout to those attending. Please know we've set-up the Dealer sets so that if you decide not to order a Golden Spike Club 12 set (the only way you can get it) and you want to go through a Dealer the Dealer can price a 12 set at exactly the same price as the Golden Spike Club set and be profitable. The Dealer advertised price is called M.A.P which stands for Minimum Advertised Price and is our way of trying to help the Dealers maintain a profit on their sets (long story no room to go into it here).

Peter, you're correct in that to purchase one of these sets is a no-brainer if the budget will allow it, thanks.

Jerry Kimble Atlas Model Railroad Company

PJB posted:

 

....  So, to me, who isn't beholden to a particular road, it's a no-brainer.   ...

 

When I purchased Lionel's new Texas Special 21" passenger cars earlier this year, I showed a side-by-side picture here of a Lionel coach next to an Atlas-O CZ coach.  The difference in detail is like night and day.  For the price, you will not find a better passenger car on the market today than Atlas-O's. They are close in detail level to cars from GGD, but GGD's are aluminum and you're paying a premium for that.

David 

Sam

  I will be joining you with pulling these great cars with Williams power.   I ordered a mix of CB&Q DRGW WP 4 car sets  (Silver Bronco DRGW pack for sure) and will be pulling with Williams CB&Q E-7, DRGW Alco PA, and WP F-3 ABBA.  

  Jerry....thanks for your input on the forum.  Atlas has amazing products. Great to see a manufacturer with such good communication with its customers also!

 

 

Scott,

You and Sam are prototypically correct in you choice of power to pull your California Zephyr passenger train/trains. Thank you for your purchase and kind words about our communications on the "Silver Lady" as it's a pleasure.

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company

If budgets allow, I will certainly upgrade to some Atlas power for the Zephyr cars at some point.  For now, I am thrilled to be getting the cars though.

 

Scott,

You'll find the Atlas motive power to be smooth running and reliable along with being stunning in appearance. I certainly hope you're able to achieve your future objective in adding some Atlas motive power to your fleet for the California Zephyr.

I'm leaving for York tomorrow and I probably won't post here until after the event because the days are long with set-up for the show and doing seminars. Speaking of seminars if you're attending York we certainly invite you to stop by our booth which is LL5 in the Orange Hall to see a 12 car Silver Lady run on our layout as well as to attend one of four seminars we'll be conducting on the CZ.

The seminars are being held - Thursday April 14, 2016 at 1:45pm - 2:15pm and 3:00pm - 3:30pm. Friday April 15, 2016 at 11:00am - 11:30am and 3:00pm - 3:30pm. There is no charge for any of these seminars and we're overriding our rule that you have to be a Golden Spike Club member to attend. A door prize will be awarded at each seminar. Please  make sure you check in with Patricia as early as possible if you plan on attending as seating will be limited, thanks.

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company

Jerry,

Look forward to the seminar

Looks like I will be purchasing the Golden Spike Club car. The only place I can run all 12 at one time will be at the Hirailers club.

Now - What engine?

Rocky Mountaineer posted:

PJB posted:

 

....  So, to me, who isn't beholden to a particular road, it's a no-brainer.   ...

 

When I purchased Lionel's new Texas Special 21" passenger cars earlier this year, I showed a side-by-side picture here of a Lionel coach next to an Atlas-O CZ coach.  The difference in detail is like night and day.  For the price, you will not find a better passenger car on the market today than Atlas-O's. They are close in detail level to cars from GGD, but GGD's are aluminum and you're paying a premium for that.

David 

David,

I recall seeing that thread but from memory, I don't remember seeing photos of the interior in order to assess the level of detail.  If fact, if not too much trouble, it would be much appreciated to see photos of the Atlas car's interior, given I own the Lionel 21" ESE cars but no Atlas passenger cars. 

Peter 

PSU1980 posted:

Jerry,

Look forward to the seminar

Jerry,

For those of us who cannot be at the seminar (which is likely most people), would appreciate if Atlas would give thought to filming it and posting to your home page or your YouTube page.  Would be of great benefit. 

Peter

PJB posted:

...

I recall seeing that thread but from memory, I don't remember seeing photos of the interior in order to assess the level of detail.  ...

Peter,

I wasn't referring so much to the interior of the cars... rather just the overall appearance per se.  The Atlas-O cars just seemed to have more attention to details that could be seen when viewing the cars trackside... general details, window blind details, skirting, undercarriage, ride height, etc...

As I mentioned in my thread, I'm quite happy with the Lionel Texas Special 21" Cars... but I'd be even happier if Atlas-O had produced them. 

David

PSU 1980 it's great to here you're considering purchasing the Golden Spike Club 12 car Special Edition California Zephyr set. You can read about what to power the train with by clicking on this link: http://calzephyr.railfan.net/locos.html .

Peter we will be videotaping the seminars and posting that information to our Facebook page as well as YouTube, thanks.

Jerry Kimble Atlas Model Railroad Company

Jerry and Atlas Team.

Due to a business emergency I can't make York. Will you be emailing data to GSC members on how to purchase the CZ cars? Will you be making the presentation available to folks that can't make the event?

Kevin 

Hello all,

I am arguing with myself (for now...perhaps with my wife later if I decide to buy!) about getting the GSC complete set of cars. People mention the 21" length of the cars and how they'd "fit" on a layout. I have an 072 outside loop with an 063 on the inside. I assume these cars will be OK on the 072 loop,  but would there be such overhang that it would interfere with the 063 loop? I also have a set of 18" passenger cars. If I run those on one loop with the CZ 21" cars on the other, would the difference in size look weird?

Thanks for any opinions! I have loved this train for so long (when I dabbled in N gauge a decade ago or so, the only train I bought was the KATO Zephyr), but I don't want to buy it and then have to just keep it on a shelf.

Peter

Kevin,

Sorry you were unable to attend the spring York TCA event to see the California Zephyr passenger train run, which it did for 2 and a half days with CB&Q and Western Pacific (WP) power without missing a beat.

We did send information to all Golden Spike Club members on how to order the sets, which perhaps you were missed. We'll send you another information package with that information in it.

We plan on having the video link to the seminars and the CZ passenger train running posted by Friday of this week when I'll chime in again to let you know where, thanks.

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company

Jerry - how are we doing with getting the videos uploaded? 

Peter

Peter,

Thanks for your follow-up. I saw the mostly completed version of the York TCA seminars and operation of the Atlas California Zephyr passenger train late yesterday. The final cut of the video will be used for a Dealer promotion first and then will be uploaded to OGR, our Facebook page and YouTube on Wednesday or Thursday at the latest.

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company 

Hi everyone,

I posted this a week ago and am bringing it up again in hopes of getting some responses. I'm especially curious about my concern that the 21" cars on the 072 loop might interfere with trains on the 063 loop. If folks could take a look at my original posting and offer some comments, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

Peter

 

 

Hello all,

I am arguing with myself (for now...perhaps with my wife later if I decide to buy!) about getting the GSC complete set of cars. People mention the 21" length of the cars and how they'd "fit" on a layout. I have an 072 outside loop with an 063 on the inside. I assume these cars will be OK on the 072 loop,  but would there be such overhang that it would interfere with the 063 loop? I also have a set of 18" passenger cars. If I run those on one loop with the CZ 21" cars on the other, would the difference in size look weird?

Thanks for any opinions! I have loved this train for so long (when I dabbled in N gauge a decade ago or so, the only train I bought was the KATO Zephyr), but I don't want to buy it and then have to just keep it on a shelf.

Peter

Hi Peter, I agree those cars sure look nice. The answer to your question about overhang on your inner loop depends on your distance from center rail to center rail. The only way to know for sure is take a 21" car on the outer loop and your largest car on the inner loop and hand run them around the curves checking for clearance. You may be OK, you may need to move one of your loops a bit to provide extra room.

If you don't have a 21" car you can always make a mock up by adding length to your longest car that you currently own, or borrowing a 21" car for testing.

I can't pull the trigger on these beautiful cars and somehow know I will kick myself down the road, but I made the decision to stick with 18" cars. Hope this helps.

Paul

Peter,

Your question is probably over my head, but I'll jump in to say that I think this is a non-issue. Assuming your 072 is the outer curve and the 063 is your inner curve, and that you Are going to run the 21" cars on your 072 curves - any overhang would be on the outside of your 072 curve, so it should have no effect on your inner 063 track. If you're asking about the side of the 21" car, between the wheels, bulging out toward the inner track, this occurs with my 21" ESE cars, but not very much and nowhere near enough to interfere with my inner curve activity, even when I've got my VLBB on the inner track. Only caveat is that my tightest sea level mains are 081 and 072.  I will say that I use Atlas track and leave over 5 1/2" between mains at every curve apex - but again, the "bulge" isn't anywhere near interfering with the overhang of the VLBB. 

In terms of how 21" and 18" cars look together - when they are on the same train, I am not a fan of the look (but I'm an artist at heart and aesthetics are very obvious to me).  But if they are operating next to each other, it's not an issue.  Even the passenger trains used in my local (real-life) excursion trains aren't the same length.

Peter

Jerry,

Stupid question:  Don't seem to be able to order online.

I go to this web site:

http://www.atlaso.com/ogsc-cz-set.htm   

and it only shows 'order forms' for the limited edition 12 car set (which has to be mailed in)!  

I so a search for item number 3007020S  and it says not found!

thanks,

Sam

samparfitt posted:

 ... and it only shows 'order forms' for the limited edition 12 car set (which has to be mailed in)!  

I so a search for item number 3007020S  and it says not found!  ...

Call Atlas-O.  The order form has a handful of phone numbers for Atlas-O customer service reps you can call for ordering assistance.   If you plan on paying with a credit card, they'll probably just take the number for now and charge the card when the sets ship.

David

Sam,

The online link has been a problem due to the item number being for the CB&Q Limited Edition Golden Spike Club set. Call Patricia at 1-908-687-7122 or myself at 1-908-687-7118 and we'll be delighted to take your order and we apologize for the problems you've experienced in trying to order the set online.

Jerry Kimble

All,

In case you haven't noticed the video of the train running at York along with the seminar is at the top of this OGR page or you can click on the link below to view it. By the way the curves on the Atlas modular layout are 99 on the outside and 90 on the inner one. Remember May 4th is the deadline to order, thanks.

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MIzBX38gAM

I have 16 of these great cars. I run the cal z and the RGZ.  The necessary removal of the radio antenna from the silver sky and silver banquet was made on one set to run the RGZ . Roof detail was revamped on diner and marker lamps  and covered tail sign on the SKY was made. The Grande made several changes to tail end of the SKY during its time on the RGZ.  Also the name boards were removed on all cars 

Mike,

Thank you very much for your purchase of 16 California Zephyr passenger cars and sharing how you modified some to fit into being the Rio Grande Zephyr.

I'd also like to thank everyone in advance of Wednesday's deadline for buying this piece of American  railroad history. The orders have been amazing both from our Dealers as well as for the Golden Spike Club sets!

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company

Railrunnin posted:

Hi Peter, I agree those cars sure look nice. The answer to your question about overhang on your inner loop depends on your distance from center rail to center rail. The only way to know for sure is take a 21" car on the outer loop and your largest car on the inner loop and hand run them around the curves checking for clearance. You may be OK, you may need to move one of your loops a bit to provide extra room.

If you don't have a 21" car you can always make a mock up by adding length to your longest car that you currently own, or borrowing a 21" car for testing.

I can't pull the trigger on these beautiful cars and somehow know I will kick myself down the road, but I made the decision to stick with 18" cars. Hope this helps.

Paul

Thanks for the tip! I'll check into that.

 

I know there's a video posted, but I wish there was just a photo or two of the cars somewhere to study before making a decision. It's a lot of money!

Peter

Interesting pic of the Zephyr in 1952 diverting over the SP lead by a cab forward. 

In such instances it was lead by other SP steam and diesels including FP7s as shown on page 300 of "Portrait of A Silver Lady".  That pic is cool having an SP black widow FP7 leading a WP FP7.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Mr Kimble for responding and thanking me for doing business with his company.  Have to say, this is the first time l have had this happen. This is true customer service!  I've dealt with the parts dept and received the same great service .  Great products and service, as they say It don't get much better!!!!Atlas is number one.  Thanks to all at Atlas!!!

Mike,

I'm a little late in responding with a big "Thank You" to you again. This week has really been busy for all of us at Atlas especially with the order deadline for the California Zephyr occurring on Wednesday, which I'm happy to say the orders for both the Dealer/Distributor sets as well as the Golden Spike Club set have exceeded by a wide margin what we needed to make the production run. The same occurred for the F3 locomotives which will ship after the CZ car sets.

Everyone I didn't answer the Southern Pacific post on being the 7th railroad being involved with the California Zephyr. I do have the book Portrait of a Silver Lady and I knew about the pictures that were pointed out on page 300 of a 4-6-0 SP helper on the front of the CZ along with a SP F-unit Black Widow on the point of the CZ as well. I didn't consider this another railroad involved with the CZ because they were detours and I still haven't found where SP was a friendly participant like the 6 railroad previously mentioned. This is partially explained in the next paragraph. If anyone wants the full document of where I got this send me an e-mail with your address and I'll send it to you free of charge.

Although railroads have a long history of competition, they decided long ago that it made sense to cooperate in times of crisis. To provide a contractual framework for such cooperation, the American Railway Association in 1905 adopted a "Standard Form for Detour Agreement" which railroads could sign to govern emergency operations over each others' lines. Though modified over the years, this modest document, printed on both sides of a single sheet of legal-size paper, continues to control most detour movements today.

This is not meant to insult SP fans as I'm one as well and I had never seen the photograph above with a SP Cab Forward on the point of the CZ, but I wanted to clarify why in my original answer SP wasn't included. Again thanks everyone for your participation in this successful endeavor.

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company

Jerry,

Being the 4th quarter and 'close to being due': any word on when the cars will be sent?

thanks,

Sam

Sam,  The Atlas CZ cars shipped (from China) on September 29th.  Here is the shipping schedule from the Atlas website.

 

 

As far as the the diesels... that is another story.  

 

thanks, Jim,

I hadn't thought of checking their web site!  Figuring via ship (4 weeks), through customs (week), shipping to Atlas and then shipping to us (1-2 weeks), I'm guessing they will probably arrive around Thanksgiving.

As for the engines, with the total cost, I'll be happy on a delay on when they arrive.

Sam

Guys & Gals,

FYI

If you click on the Model Item of my previous post it is a hot link to the item on the Atlas website.

Geese, and to think I got mine two at a time, the hard way. I had to wait for EVER for one of the best looking car sets made. Atlas, Thank You.

Dick

 

 

Dick,

You're welcome and this goes to anyone else who has purchased either the Atlas Golden Spike Club 12 car set 2 or 3 rail or one of the Dealer sets which could be ordered either as a 4, 8 or 12 car set.

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company

Jerry,

We ordered the entire commemorative set from Atlas. To-date, we have only owned Atlas freight cars (and, of course, our entire layout is Atlas O) and have never even seen an Atlas passenger car in-person.  So, our anticipation mounts!  

Peter

Peter,

Thank you as well for your patronage of Atlas products mentioned in your post.

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company

Jerry,

I too will be a first time atlas passenger car customer. I ordered the GSC set and I can't wait!!! I also own a lot of atlas freight cars and they are the best! 

I saw that the container shipped, when do you anticipate its arrival? 

Also, I cannot wait to find out what passenger train Atlas will be producing next... my vote is in for the Super Chief! I think it would be a home run as the Santa Fe cars could be used to make a wide variety of Santa Fe passenger trains and would provide execelent bang for the buck as far as tooling goes. 

 

Big John,

Thank you on ordering the Golden Spike Club (GSC) 12 car California Zephyr set which are expected to arrive October 31.

We don't discuss future product until the tooling is done and the product is in production, but thank you for your suggestion nonetheless.

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company

Jerry Kimble posted:

Big John,

Thank you on ordering the Golden Spike Club (GSC) 12 car California Zephyr set which are expected to arrive October 31.

We don't discuss future product until the tooling is done and the product is in production, but thank you for your suggestion nonetheless.

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company

GSC 12 car CZ set - That's the name of what we ordered - thanks Big John! 

Question for Atlas - my understanding is that the passenger cars will not come with tiny little passengers. Do y'all make little Atlas people with which to populate the cars?  From the looks of it, I'll need a bevy of folks - people who like to sit, a couple of drunkards wandering around, folks in pajamas, porters and a few with a cigar or pipe just enjoying the ride from the observation car. 

Peter

A little off topic but does anybody know if the container mounting pins are currently available from Atlas, I have sent a couple of Emails but have had no response [ I guess the span filter is set on high].

Jerry Kimble posted:

...

Thank you on ordering the Golden Spike Club (GSC) 12 car California Zephyr set which are expected to arrive October 31.

...

Jerry, that's great news about the CZ sets arriving October 31 (which is next week). 

Question though... the Atlas-O shipping schedule shows a container ship date of 9/29/2016 for the GSC CZ sets and the Commemorative Edition CZ sets.  October 31 is just 4 weeks from 9/29.  And looking thru the schedule, it seems 7-8 weeks is more the norm from the time product leaves China to the time Atlas-O ships to their dealers.  Is Atlas-O doing something different to get the product here in just one month's time?  Just curious...

David

Peter,

You're correct we didn't populate the cars with people for a variety of reasons with cost being number #1 on the list. There are model railroaders that will populate the cars for you if you don't feel up to the task such as some of the fine craftsmen that belonging to the Colorado O Scale Modeler's. Click on their website link to find out more here: http://coloradooscale.org/grou...s-modeling-projects/

Also check out this OGR link on the 2-rail scale side of the house where you can view some photographs of people inside passenger cars here: https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...a-zephyr-photo-album

David we didn't do anything different to shorten the shipment schedule other than to impress upon our supplier how important it was that we had the California Zephyr sets before Christmas and they responded by stepping on the gas, thanks.

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company

Jerry Kimble posted:

 

David we didn't do anything different to shorten the shipment schedule other than to impress upon our supplier how important it was that we had the California Zephyr sets before Christmas and they responded by stepping on the gas, thanks.

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company

Safe to say there are no red-light cameras bobbing around in the ocean.  Weather looks good, no storms, so it should be smooth sailing.  

Got a call from Atlas this morning confirming the payment & delivery of the GSC set. Was told that the shipment would be going out in the next day or two and be delivered UPS with signature required.

That's cool fellas 

California Zephyr Dreamin'

Thanks for the info.  I figured I'd save them time calling me and called them.  Talked to Steve, he took my MC and they will go out on Friday via UPS and I must sign for them.

cool.

Not sure if anyone mentioned this, but when Steve at Atlas called, he told me that the special metal plate thing that's part of the GSC 12 car set will be sent separately.  He said my set gets sent via UPS today/tomorrow and the metal plate should arrive in a week.  

My first Atlas passenger cars.  Cautiously excited.  Hoping they are as advertised and defect free.  

Peter

RootBeerRail posted:

Got a call from Atlas this morning confirming the payment & delivery of the GSC set. Was told that the shipment would be going out in the next day or two and be delivered UPS with signature required.

Good to know.  I suspect that I'll be getting an email from Mr Muffin in the not too distant future. 

Just got my UPS notice: 3 packages totaling 19 lbs due Friday.

SantaFeJim posted:

RootBeerRail posted:

Got a call from Atlas this morning confirming the payment & delivery of the GSC set. Was told that the shipment would be going out in the next day or two and be delivered UPS with signature required.

Good to know.  I suspect that I'll be getting an email from Mr Muffin in the not too distant future. 

Jim, any chance this beautiful train will be polishing the rails at the Hi Railers in Griffith IN??!!

BIGTRUCKPETE,

YES, 100% chance that the CZ will be polishing the Griffith rails.  

We already have one member running the CZ with CB&Q power.  Mine will have WP F's on the point.

WOW, I'm impressed!!! 

The Chinese factory must have added an extra propeller to help the shipping freighter get these sets here quickly.  According to Atlas-O's website, these jewels began their journey from China on 9/29... and on 11/16 or thereabouts Atlas-O will be shipping them to customers.  Not bad at all. 

David