Doors on Atlas Multi-Max

This is the notice that was posted:

"The Atlas O Multi-Max represents one of our most ambitious and challenging O scale rolling stock models to date. Due to the difficulties that Atlas encountered during the design of the high quality end door details, Atlas found it necessary to have the doors glued shut. This was not an easy decision, but multiple engineers and test shipments all indicated that to maintain the integrity of this model, without shipping or handling damage, secured doors were our best option. To prevent damage, please do not attempt to open them. Thank you for your understanding and support. "

Unfortunately, we could not find a way to consistently keep the door and hinge assembly intact during shipment, having gone through multiple modifications of the car and the packaging design.

The separate sale inner decks have not been shipped, as there is currently no application for them.  We will continue to look for solutions for future production.

@Paul Graf posted:

This is the notice that was posted:

"The Atlas O Multi-Max represents one of our most ambitious and challenging O scale rolling stock models to date. Due to the difficulties that Atlas encountered during the design of the high quality end door details, Atlas found it necessary to have the doors glued shut. This was not an easy decision, but multiple engineers and test shipments all indicated that to maintain the integrity of this model, without shipping or handling damage, secured doors were our best option. To prevent damage, please do not attempt to open them. Thank you for your understanding and support. "

Unfortunately, we could not find a way to consistently keep the door and hinge assembly intact during shipment, having gone through multiple modifications of the car and the packaging design.

The separate sale inner decks have not been shipped, as there is currently no application for them.  We will continue to look for solutions for future production.

Thank you for the update, Paul. I can't wait to receive mine. I know they're going to be beautiful models.

- Jason

@JFC454 Thanks for the heads up on the door.  After seeing the product samples at the last couple York shows, I have also been awaiting in eager anticipation (expecting my BNSF to be delivered tomorrow). While the doors are not an issue for me, it will be interesting to see the broader Atlas users response that may have had plans to load up with vehicles to accompany the Lionel scale autoracks.

-Ed 

If someone can post some photos Id love to see them. Still waiting on mine

I had no plans on putting cars inside, so it's not an issue.

I will only have an issue if it is not properly weighted. The other brands of scale auto racks are grossly underweighted and prone to derailing in long consists.

IMO Atlas O Master line rolling stock is the standard in quality, detail, accuracy and operation. I am confident these will be the finest mass produced scale auto racks.

I ordered 3 of these and hope to see more runs of these in the future. I would love to add a few CN multi max auto racks to my collection 😬.

@Cogen1981, I picked up my cars on Saturday from my LHS (in NJ). The first thing I noticed was the weight. These cars appear to be about 4 lbs. Someone at Atlas wants to sell us more engines to pull these cars.

The next thing I noticed was how the trucks sit under the car.

I would like the doors to open but these are nice cars.

Pictures??  

My concern is tunnel height clearance and curve overhang.

John

These are some big cars and probably some of the most detailed I've seen. I wish the doors opened. Regardless Atlas did a great job.

I agree, these cars are absolutely stunning! Very nicely detailed in all regards. Some awesome models for sure-

Alot of us have the Lionel versions and the Atlas articulated sets. Do these new Atlas versions look right with those?

Here are pics of the BNSF car, including next to a Lionel scale autorack. The one thing I never liked about the Lionel version is the height of the trucks. In terms of weight, the Lionel car is 1 lb 9 oz whereas the Atlas car is 3 lb. 2 oz.

-Ed

Paul, these cars are superb imho and I think you guys hit a home run with them. I'd be interested in models with operating doors too but it's a moot point with me. I hope you all offer another run of these cars asap.

Thanks!

John

@jbmccormick posted:

Pictures??  

My concern is tunnel height clearance and curve overhang.

John

Thats where building a layout using scale standards, Not toy train standards come into play .

@calsz06 posted:

@Cogen1981, I picked up my cars on Saturday from my LHS (in NJ). The first thing I noticed was the weight. These cars appear to be about 4 lbs. Someone at Atlas wants to sell us more engines to pull these cars.

The next thing I noticed was how the trucks sit under the car.

I would like the doors to open but these are nice cars.

@calsz06 posted:

@Cogen1981, I picked up my cars on Saturday from my LHS (in NJ). The first thing I noticed was the weight. These cars appear to be about 4 lbs. Someone at Atlas wants to sell us more engines to pull these cars.

The next thing I noticed was how the trucks sit under the car.

I would like the doors to open but these are nice cars.

My scale length passenger cars  ( 20"s  - 80 scale feet ) all weigh about 4 lbs,  , these cars are a little longer yet.  Scale size cars are usually heavier

too bad the doors are glued

Beautiful cars, but wow are those massive, especially in comparison to the engine as shown in @biscuitag97pics.  My layout is 054, didn't really think of it as toy vs. scale standards, and so yes some larger items don't look so great/fit.  Sorry I didn't consult when my layout was built, but I am still pretty happy with it.

Good-looking cars for sure!! I call cars of this size, "Layout Shrinkers"! The AtlasO description says they will operate on 042 curves. IMO, they are not going to look right on those curves due to excessive overhang. I would think they would look and operate much better on 072 or greater curves. I have more than enough Auto Racks (MTH Premier & Lionel), that I passed on ordering these. I'll need to sell a few of my current inventory to fund the purchase of just one of these cars They are definitely not "inexpensive", but AtlasO quality comes with a cost and their attention to detail is tough to beat. Those who have these cars, enjoy!

Kind of wish I pre-ordered a few of these back when I saw them, but I managed to snag one online today after seeing how nice they are. I wasn't expecting to hear they're double the weight of my NMRA weight modified Lionel Autoracks, that's very impressive from Atlas. I may have to try to find a second one for my collection now, heh.

Here's a couple shots of the NS version. Was afraid I was going to break something, removing one of the shipping blocks from the underside. Looks like somewhere along the way UPS dropped the box - the individual Atlas box on one of the cars (not the NS ones, which were in a container of four) was a bit crumpled on one end. Car seems to be OK.

Nice Job on the cars, Atlas. Hoping for a rerun. David