Vintage Diesel Power! - Retro Review and Unboxing of the HO Atlas Southern Pacific Train Master!

Vintage Diesel Power! - Retro Review and Unboxing of the HO Atlas Southern Pacific Train Master!
This HO scale DCC & sound equipped model train locomotive from Atlas is painted in the SP scarlet and gray scheme. This model is from the 2017 production run. Atlas recently released another run of these distinctive diesels.
Southern Pacific’s Fairbanks Morse H-24-66 Train Master locomotives were delivered in 1953 and 1954 in the SP Black Widow scheme.
The railroad rostered a total of 16 of these units, initially numbered 4800-4815. 4800 and 4801 were ex demo units with some detail variations from the rest of the SP Train Master fleet.
The latest run from Atlas offers models in this number range. The scarlet and gray scheme was adopted in 1958. SP’s Train Masters were repainted between 1959 and 1962, so the newer Atlas models are most appropriate for the early to mid 1960s era.
In 1965, SP renumbered these units 3020-3035. My model of 3020 is from the older Atlas run. These best represent the units from 1965 through 1974.
The Train Masters spent the majority of their careers on the San Francisco peninsula pulling commute trains. All of them were withdrawn from service by 1974.
Most of the units were subsequently scrapped.
SP set aside four units to be converted to unpowered brake sleds. Only one unit was actually completed, SPMW 9100, formerly number 3027. 9100 served in West Colton for a few years but was scrapped by April 1983.
As usual, Dan evaluates the model train's packaging, prototype accuracy, paint & detail, and how well it operates and conforms to applicable standards.
This model features an ESU LokSound Select DCC and sound decoder.
If you love unusual vintage diesels, SP commute trains, or just model trains in general, be sure to check out this unboxing and product review!
#train #modeltrains #hoscale #scalemodels #trainvideo #atlas #southernpacific #commute

[@magnuswettermark8293]

Atlas is great. Still have many Roco built "yellow box" from early 80's and they all run perfect. Yes..i am a proud dc runner😁

[@DanielCortopassi]

I like the running qualities of Atlas models, too. They're nice locomotives. Thanks for watching!

[@markwilliams2620]

I agree on the screw mounted boxes. I have the Atlas HH600 and sure enough, I had to order a replacement air tank casting from Atlas to replace the one that walked out of the box. It covers the frame/box mounting block. Side note, I was able to walk around one of these at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. It is a massive piece of equipment.

[@DanielCortopassi]

The screw mount boxes eliminate the need for some tighter packaging around small details, but I think the inconvenience outweighs the advantages. The boxes are also next to useless if you lose the screws. I haven't been to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. I'll have to put that one on my list! Thanks for watching!

[@jeffwhite3679]

If only they would re-release the factory demonstrator scheme. I need one more to have a pair to put in front of the dynomometer car. I agree with you about the screw mounting in the box.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Maybe Atlas will re-run that color scheme in the future. I hope they redo the packaging to eliminate the screw box. Thanks for watching!

[@YourLocalRailfan]

Atlas models are very impressive

[@DanielCortopassi]

Atlas is usually pretty consistent with good detail and the locomotives run well. Thanks for watching!

[@J3scribe]

fmnut has some great video of SP Trainmasters hauling commuters. Those things were beasts and sounded amazing.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm sure that would have been something to see. Thanks for watching!

[@stoveapple]

I can’t wait to get it in the mail, I’m going to get some southern pacific bi level to make a prototypical train

[@DanielCortopassi]

I hope you enjoy it. I have a couple of kits for SP commute bi-levels that I may list again in the near future. Thanks for buying it!

[@stoveapple]

@@DanielCortopassi when you do list those I’ll buy them from you

[@davidwallace6877]

wow so cool

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked the review. Thanks for watching!

[@PhilBender612]

Very nice model and nice review. I'm a fan of Atlas models, they usually seem to get it mostly right.... How ever Dan, the 4-digit number boards would be correct for the early Black widow scheme. I read that SP extended these to a 5-digit number board which would be present on the "Bloody nose" scheme. I always look forward to your reviews, you seem to be quite knowledgeable on SP/SSW equipment, 2nd only to Charles Smiley, lol Thanks Dan,

[@DanielCortopassi]

According to SP Historic Diesels Vol. 22, the Train Masters were delivered without the train number indicators. SP installed these after delivery, and only in the front. Most of the photos in that book show them, in both color schemes. I'm not sure how long it took SP to install the front number boards after the units were delivered, but it's possible they operated for a while without them. Thanks for watching!

[@lucgagnon5241]

Hey Dan, Thanks again for sharing your work with us. I'm really not a fan of Trainmaster's engine. But it's always interesting to watch your reviews. Atlas maybe train's "masters" but not on super detailing. Their engine from my point of view are mostly reliable. Like a good not pretty girl friend. The thing I didn't like on your engine is the big gape under cab numbers. Fitting should be a lot better and snug. I'm a bit surprise because Atlas engines rarely have that issue. It's easy to see that the model is already 7 years old. A lot of details are missing like see thru grills and stacks and sunshades !!! But it's an Atlas engine... I will always forgive them no matter what ! Keep on your good work.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked the review. This engine's detail level isn't up to the same level as some newer models, but the actual price paid is less, so there's a trade off. It is a nice running engine, like most Atlas models. Some people said that the newer run has some improved details, but I haven't seen one so I can't really say. Thanks for watching!

[@jimmyseaver3647]

I've been meaning to pick up some Atlas "Yellow Box" locomotives, but the shows are few and the eBay listings are thin. Shame, really. There was an SD35 in Conrail livery I was eyeing that was selling for a decent price before someone snatched it.

[@DanielCortopassi]

The older Atlas engines are pretty good runners from what I understand. I have an RSD5 somewhere that I inherited from friend, but I haven't really had it out of the box much. I hope you find the ones you're looking for. Thanks for watching!

[@sophiekadams]

Are you planning to get the new run to compare it to this one? I heard they updated some of the details and such. Maybe even a plow.

[@JRPRailways]

No plow on my Reading one but the number boards are lit up and have number decals.

[@DanielCortopassi]

No, I'm not planning to get any more of these. I actually want to sell this one. The Atlas website shows the newer SP units without a plow. I haven't seen one in person so I'm not sure about the other details. It would be cool if they updated the model. Thanks for watching!

[@sophiekadams]

@@DanielCortopassi I heard about some other improvements but I have yet to see one. Sad that it doesn't fit your era. I hope it'll go to a good home

[@ZombieSlayer-dj3wb]

Apprently athearn made them long ago

[@DanielCortopassi]

Yes, there was a blue box version at one time. I never had one, but if I recall, they did do the SP version with the correct lights on it as well as the version used by most other railroads. Thanks for watching!

[@clintonpringle8537]

Will you make a review of the new PIKO Krauss Maffei?

[@DanielCortopassi]

I don't have plans to buy one, so probably not. It's too far out of my era of interest. If I had the opportunity to borrow one I'd do a review, but I don't know anyone who has one. Thanks for watching!

[@fritzochs5512]

Nice review Daniel how much you selling it for

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'll probably post an announcement when it's listed. I haven't set up the eBay auction yet. I will probably start it at a little less than I paid for it and see what happens. Thanks for watching!

[@estebanmartinez7428]

Atlas tends to make decent models but drops the ball on road/number details

[@DanielCortopassi]

I think that's a pretty fair assessment. The running quality is usually really good, especially in HO, but the details can be a little crude compared to some other brands. Thanks for watching!