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simon1966
Fireman
USA
2861 Posts |
 Posted - 08/17/2012 : 9:17:17 PM
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I have had one of the Yellow Box Atlas HO scale GP7's sitting in the closet for quite some time. I beleive that this is a late 80's early 90's era model. It has the Kato chassis and motor/drive. I decided it was time for it to see the light of day and get a DCC decoder installed, LED lighting and Kadee couplers. I had forgotten how fiddly the springs are on a Kadee #38!
I have just put it on the track for its first run, and what a wonderful smooth running locomotive it is. Nice and hefty, great slow response, quiet and smooth. Detail, not on par with the latest super detailed plastic, but not at all bad either. For its day, it was a darned good locomotive, and frankly I would say that it runs a lot better than many of our more recent purchases. Certainly it is a lot better runner than current production Athearn R-to-R.
Every now and then I see these at train-shows and they seem to be selling at relatively low prices. If you can get them for a bargain, go for it, they are way better than I expected.
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brakie
Moderator
USA
6937 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2012 : 05:41:18 AM
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Simon,I suspect the older Atlas/Kato engines smooth running is a little known because they're not up to today's so called "standards"-like Athearn's RTR locomotives which are good little engines in their class..Neither are first class engines like Kato,P2K,Atlas and Genesis and its folly to compare the older Atlas/Kato or Athearn RTR engines with the first class locomotives.
Another smooth runner is the Atlas/Rocco Alco switchers but,again they're not up to today's so called "standards" and overlooked.
There are many older locomotives that is overlooked because they fail to meet today's "standards" which is good because you pay a lower price for these jewels. |
Larry
Engineman
Slate Creek Rail.
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George D
Moderator
USA
9899 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2012 : 07:51:40 AM
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I sold an Atlas/Kato GP7 a couple years ago, and now regret that I didn't keep it and put DCC in it. It was a sweet running loco.
George
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Graffen
Crew Chief
Sweden
861 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2012 : 07:54:51 AM
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I recently sold my Atlas RS 1......
I realised that I wouldn't need it, but I loved the way it ran!
They are very easy to sell though......
:-) |
Swedish custom painter
http://sites.google.com/site/graffairbrushart |
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desertdrover
Engineer
USA
11258 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2012 : 08:43:18 AM
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| That's when the hobby was affordable, you could add a few details, and have a whole lot more fun. Todays equipment you can't beat with the applied details and tooling, but lack in gearing and other areas (Bachmann for one). |
 Louis
Pacific Northwest Logging in the East Coast |
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simon1966
Fireman
USA
2861 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2012 : 08:54:25 AM
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| I picked the Geep up at a local swap meet. One chap had a table full of them. I don't think this one had been out of the box, it is absolutely mint with clean wheels. He was selling them for $50 each. Larry, the loco behind it is one of the Atlas Chinese made S2's from about 15 years ago. It was the next version after the Roco I believe and is one of my favorite locos. It was my first US prototype loco so has some sentimental value as well. Just for kicks I did an eBay search and see that they seem to be going in the $100 range now. I guess if it says Kato on it, then it has to be worth a lot more? |
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brakie
Moderator
USA
6937 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2012 : 11:58:48 AM
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I guess if it says Kato on it, then it has to be worth a lot more?
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That seems to be the current trend for the Alco switcher and GP7 on e-Bay..
I've seen the Alco/Roco Alco switchers for $30-45.00 and $45-60.00 for the GP7.
The thing is Atlas said on their forum the GP7 dies was worn out and may not be replaced.
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Larry
Engineman
Slate Creek Rail.
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Mike Hamer
Engineer
9343 Posts |
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Jim from Valencia CA
Engine Wiper
USA
133 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2012 : 5:46:57 PM
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| I have a number of comparable vintage Atlas locomotives that I plan on converting to DCC when I reture. They run better than most of my Athearn RTR locos. |
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simon1966
Fireman
USA
2861 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2012 : 9:38:36 PM
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This evenings project was to do the same thing to another Atlas Yellow Box. This time an Austrian (Roco) SD24. I'm not sure of the age difference between this and the Kato GP7, but this loco is much more of a second hand loco, not nearly as smooth a runner. So here are the brethren together.
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simon1966
Fireman
USA
2861 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2012 : 10:15:56 PM
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Now I'm just playing! Actually having a blast this evening with the camera and my "new" old toys!
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Dutchman
Administrator
USA
23228 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2012 : 07:50:06 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by simon1966
Now I'm just playing! Actually having a blast this evening with the camera and my "new" old toys!
Playing around and having a blast is what it is all about, Simon. Nice pictures.[:-thumbu] |
Bruce
Modeling the railroads of the Jersey Highlands in HO and the logging railroads of Pennsylvania in HOn3 |
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Zephyrus52246
Engine Wiper
USA
269 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2012 : 7:52:20 PM
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I think I have one of those Blackbirds around here somewhere. Looking good, Simon!
Jeff |
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petey
New Hire
30 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2012 : 5:12:58 PM
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Not that my comments are necessary, but it is a KATO, they run like a warm knife through butter.
As for the ROCOs, they were much better than what was available at that time; check out a Model Power E series loco. |
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Ollie
Engine Wiper
Sweden
340 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2012 : 08:10:43 AM
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I have loads of Kato units, katos own, Kato/Atlas and Kato/Stewart they all run well and ment to run well for long time. they did have issues with the first batches of SD 40-2.s but had excellent support on line and from the factory. I like the fact that they are returning to H0-scale and if they do a mid phase SD40-2 in UP paint the way they have thse Santa Fe, BNSF and CN units, they will sell quite a few units at least to me. I have a Kfew atos also in N-scale and they are running atleast as good as many H0-scale units.
Ollie |
www.olaviahokas.com/trainstuff |
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A quick nod to an old classic.
