I am sure some of the other power road names will be in the second run, which I would expect 1st quarter of 2014 if the first release is on time. I am really hoping for a CB&Q unit in the next run. I need an ATSF but I really need the black and silver not the blue and yellow scheme.
I think the price is reasonable, Loksound decoders retail for around $160 and the street price will probably be considerably less than Atlas's MSRP. I'm interested in whether the sound version has any modifications over the non-sound version such as extra space anywhere for a speaker. I'll probably shell out for a pair of Santa Fe's. I'd like to wait for a second run to see what they sound like but who knows when Santa Fe will get rerun. I don't understand those whining about no non-sound DCC equipped version, the S2's will have a standard 6 pin NEM plug, you just buy a decoder for around $20 and plug it in, the simplest DCC installation ever in N scale. It's the way DCC should be.
They are doing a DCC-ready version that will use a 6 pin plug. Equipping one of these with a decoder is a no-brainer, so there is no need to offer what probably would be an inferior decoder in a non-sound-but-DCC-installed version. As for the sound version, putting a sound decoder in a locomotive as small as the S-2 is not something you'd want to do on your own. It's hard enough to do an install in a steam loco, where you have the relatively vast expanse of an empty tender to work with; I can't even imagine trying to do it in something like an S-2 without a decoder and speaker specifically engineered for the space. I wouldn't try a sound install in something like an S-2 even though I've done nearly 20 in steam locos. I suspect that Atlas has worked directly with LokSound to engineer this installation; I can't wait to hear one, even though I'm not a huge fan of diesel sound (I tend to tire of the "drone" of the prime mover after a short while, though having the bell and horn is a big plus). And Cory (Atlas): the NKP owned a bunch . . . (please?) John C.
I'd be more Woohoo if the earlier Santa Fe versions, black or zebras, were in this run. But I'm still excited, I'll paint my own, with sound of course.
Just to be fair to Lenz, Atlas started with very good Lenz decoders, made by Lenz. Along the way, the bought the firmware rights from Lenz and had a Chinese company make the decoders. These were the really crappy decoders from Atlas. Lenz had nothing to do with their manufacture. Heck, one of Lenz guys told me that they tried and tried to get Atlas to upgrade the firmware, but Atlas never did. Hence the garbage decoders.
You may be the first and only person to call the eDMD decoder 'good' much less 'very good'. It didn't even have independent lighting, only directional. Jason
SO, where is the Bmann S-4??? I can't believe all the mooing going on about sound, dcc, blah blah. Come on, just be happy for finally an updated mech, vs Arnold. Though, we've yet to see guts, but I'm sure it won't disappoint. Joe D
I've been wondering about the Bachmann S4 too, weren't they originally due back in September? You make a good point though, as is usual with new releases we are told everything about it by the manufacturer except for one thing, we never get to see the mechanism or how well or otherwise it runs until we are able to buy one, if a switcher doesn't run smooth as silk and just start to move when you crack the throttle it's not worth all the detail on the shell or the sound inside.
ESU has hands down the best n scale sound decoder out. It's not a mystery to me at all why Atlas chose loksound. This is going to be a home-run for atlas.
You guys are gonna have to just custom paint and buy you own decoders. IMHO, it's not the end of the world having to install a decoder (especially since there's a 1-in-5 chance "your" decoder brand will be in there). It's also a first release. I will do my best to support them on a GN with sound; if these sell, they'll do new artwork and make more. Simple Atlas math, guys..... they re-run nearly everything (to maximize tooling use) and this is not a complex model (a la shay), so you can bet your sweet caboose there'll be more paint schemes down the road! Have faith.
I can tell ya that at least 2 of the Pennsy units have my name carved in them - with Loksound! Too cool!! And I must add like several others some of this snivelling and whining is a bit much.
I am thinking an undec or two done up as SP&S would be best for me, as I have already mentioned. Since I am going to be painting them anyway, and since I don't care for molded on grabs, I think I'll go ahead and add wire grabs. (THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT HERE.) Does anyone have experience sanding off molded on grab bars on a die-cast shell, as this one is reputed to be? I have shaved off quite a few with a hobby knife on plastic shells, but never on a die cast shell. I am curious as to how much trouble I am asking for, or what techniques people who have done this have used.
No One is P&Ming ! I just made a simple statement on how odd I found it. Geeezzzzzzzzzzz..so many people read so much into a simple statement...LOL.
Hey SteamD, Here is a close-up of the nose area with grabs - there's a LOT of detail you will have to either sacrifice or try to rebuild it get those grabirons off this puppy. Having been a decent machinist/moldmaker for 15 yrs, all I can say is Better You Than Me!
So you are saying that it is difficult to sand off detail in such a tight space on a die-cast shell, am I right? I can see now with the door hing detail and rivet detail that this isn't just something I can do by spinning a dremel sanding drum over the area. I suppose I could still drill the holes an add grabs and just hope nobody focuses too much on the molded ones already on the shell.
