N Scale Friday Atlas Rio Grande GP30

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

Man, I have an earlier release of a UP Atlas GP30 and I love it. I may be a WP modeler, but there's a photo of 3 Grande GP30s in front of the depot in Portola, so I need a couple!

[@jolliemark6294]

Wow, Atlas is really stepping up these days and even in n scale. Wish they had some more road names too....thanks for sharing....Jack 👍

[@shiftintohigh5564]

Wow! I want that! It’s crying out, weather me!! Runs and sounds great to me!

[@Trains-With-Shane]

Nice review, John! I am looking at picking one of these up in KCS colors. I was originally wanting to do a DCC install on one of my older units but by the time you factor in cost of the encoder, machine work on the frame, electriclally isolating, soldering, smoking at least 1 decoder because my soldering skills are horrible, and frustration I decided to just pick up one of these with DCC already installed, lol.

[@CONTAINERMAN68]

I always liked the Rio Grande locos!

[@Vman7757]

The fans do look good. You know if you paint fan blades white, or silver, then apply a dirty wash will add shading. Let dry. Then dry brush black to catch only the screen detail. It look like you had added 3d fans to the model. A whole lot less work than cutting them out and adding the fans from say BLMA or Train Works. Just a thought. Oh On one of your N scale Fridays? Can you detail and maybe weather and N scale engine. May this one? Also just a thought. Thanks for sharing. I look for these every Friday.

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

Smooth runner at low speeds. Bob

[@jonnyspeed]

Nice. Need to lower volume on PM and increase it on the Horn, but really pretty good.

[@lyndonfoster1090]

Hello, very useful review and I really appreciate them. But something missing from many reviews is the actual manufacturer's part number of the model reviewed. Going forward if this could be included that would be very useful as Altas and many others make a particular prototype but offer it with different options, such as in this case dcc and sound or just dcc ready, they also have different levels, master, standard etc. Why this becomes important is when ordering from retailers online which often shorten the product descriptions leaving out various bits of information making ordering more difficult, but one thing that doesn't change is the actual model sku number as that is linked to a pricelist and inventory list. So if reviewers could remember to add the specific product sku to the review it will help everyone and provide maximum information.

[@tsgmultimedia]

That's not a bad idea! I mean, it's easy enough to look up, but the fact is I have that information handy when I produce the videos.

[@ModularRailroading]

I just noticed that apparently the additional head light lenses on the nose are specific to the BN models in this run.

[@melialutrousil8819]

John, thank you for your review of the Atlas GP-30! I have the "DCC Ready" version, with speaker already installed. Looking at purchasing a Lok Sound decoder; it is either an ESU 73100 or 73199 decoder. Do you know which decoder your locomotive has? Thank you!

[@rdanscale3416]

Looks Great John.. I myself got a GP30 my Unit is the Union Pacific when it Backs up the Rear Number Boards light and what's an added Coolness is not only do the Boards light U.P. also painted the Numbers on the Engine.. And as you pointed out this Engine Runs pretty smooth.. It does well Running through the Kato Turnouts on my D.M.R.R Layout, I seen 4 of these Engines Run together On Mr. Robert Simmons WKR you talk about Cool seeing 4 of those little Engines Teamed up together.. And having no issues working together or pulling the cars they where.. it makes feel Real good knowing you have one of these Great little pullers.! Thanks for sharing the Video John & stay safe During this trying Time where all going Through.! Allen D.🚂🚂🚂🚂

[@tsgmultimedia]

We're doing our best!

[@Simon-Davis]

The low weight is bit of a repeated concern, I had a couple of these from an earlier run in ATSF, which due to their low weight really were poor performers. The slow speed was good, but the haulage was desperately poor, neither of mine would manage more than 7 cars on a 2% grade. My cars use Fox Valley wheelsets in microtrains or intermountain trucks, so the rolling resistance isn't the issue, especially when an IM SD40T-2 will take 30+ cars on the same grade. I had to consist my GP30s with other units, alone or as a pair they were unable to perform well enough.

[@tsgmultimedia]

More power is good. Nothing looks better than multiple units lashed up to pull a long train!

[@SGTGhost]

I like Rio grande locomotive, for me with Patch UP am buying it

[@tsgmultimedia]

Good choice!

[@BritanniaPacific]

If you wanted a paint scheme that says d&rgw, this is the one for you.

[@dennisnicholson952]

Which is the better option; buy a DCC-ready model and upgrade it yourself OR buy a loco already so equipped? Basically, I'm poverty stricken so I guess I'm asking which is cheaper to do. You also seem to be impressed by this model's slow running. Back in d.c. times, there was a feature on many power packs called pulse power which helped with running at slower speeds. Could something similar, but not exactly the same thing, be involved here?

[@ModularRailroading]

I'd say get factory sound if you can provided it's the decoder type you prefer. Sound decoders are kinda expensive and can easily eat up any up front savings.

[@IrishTrains]

Didn't you notice that Atlas forgot the nose light and the snow plow?!

[@tsgmultimedia]

This is a product spotlight, not a critical review. It is produced in a way that if someone cares about these things, you can see for yourself what is present, and what is missing. If the details you're looking for are a deal breaker for you, now you know!

[@pzavis25]

Hi

[@MilePost106]

Every time someone comes out with a great locomotive they sell out! The only thing out there in N scale is garbage nobody wants.