Upcoming Atlas U30C Order

[JohnJ]

Hi, all - I've been eagerly awaiting the upcoming Atlas U30C release in the Reading scheme, and the Atlas rep at the Amherst show told me they'd be at retailers in about three weeks. I've never pre-ordered from online retailers, since I've had good luck snagging what I need from M.B. Klein without pre-ordering, even on hot items. Their demise caught me off guard, and now I'm plotting my best approach to getting a couple of these in DC. TrainWorld allows pre-orders at this late date, but all they list is the DCC version. Several other retailers also have a "pre-order" button on their sites, along with the units I need. Any advice for getting what's sure to be a hot item this late in the game? White Rose seems a good bet, though their prices are a bit higher than some other places. Other candidates:

- Lombard Hobbies
- Tony's Train Exchange
- Factory Direct Hobbies
- HogTrainz

I'm tempted to go with HogTrainz based on price, but don't know enough about them to determine whether I can trust that I'll get what I pre-order. I believe I've seen good things about them on this site. Anybody do a late pre-order with them with success?

Thanks!

John

[cera2254]

I had good luck getting the Athearn TP&W GP38-2s from Lombard very late in the game after Maine Modelworks left me high and dry.

[lvrr325]

The pre-order period for these ended April 14th 2021. If they've ordered additional - and most order a few - you may be able to get one but there's no real guarantee, as you have no way to know if anyone else has pre-ordered between then and now.   

If you read the fine print on Hogtrainz reservation page they note much the same, that after the manufacturer's closing date there's no guarantee they'll have one for you. Or the price may go up as they may not get the same discount to get a second batch of them to fill additional orders, etc.  You could email them and ask if they will have units available; supply the part numbers in the message.


I personally have five coming (two D&H, three RDG, all DC no sound) with two or three spoken for leaving one of each available. I will probably be able to snag one or two additional if needed. Depending on whether anyone asks for them and when they show up relative to what shows I do, they usually end up on eBay, but if I sell direct I discount the 12.5% they hit me.

[JohnJ]

Jan 29, 2024 18:57:44 GMT -8 lvrr325 said:

The pre-order period for these ended April 14th 2021. If they've ordered additional - and most order a few - you may be able to get one but there's no real guarantee, as you have no way to know if anyone else has pre-ordered between then and now.   

If you read the fine print on Hogtrainz reservation page they note much the same, that after the manufacturer's closing date there's no guarantee they'll have one for you. Or the price may go up as they may not get the same discount to get a second batch of them to fill additional orders, etc.  You could email them and ask if they will have units available; supply the part numbers in the message.


I personally have five coming (two D&H, three RDG, all DC no sound) with two or three spoken for leaving one of each available. I will probably be able to snag one or two additional if needed. Depending on whether anyone asks for them and when they show up relative to what shows I do, they usually end up on eBay, but if I sell direct I discount the 12.5% they hit me.

Thanks for the replies. This is what I see on the HogTrainz reservation page:

“As new products are announced – hogtrainz will post items so that you can insure receiving the newest products in ho and g scale. As long as the item appears on this page – we will accept reservations.”

The RDG units I want appear there as pre-order items; as such, it seems they’d honor my reservation. Unless I’m somehow misinterpreting this. It does no good to accept a reservation if they can’t guarantee I’ll get what I reserved.

[lvrr325]

Like I said, email them if you're unsure, I am certain they can tell you if they have unallotted product coming. Their shipping on two would be better than I could do.

[voyager989]

Jan 29, 2024 19:46:06 GMT -8 JohnJ said:

Jan 29, 2024 18:57:44 GMT -8 lvrr325 said:

The pre-order period for these ended April 14th 2021. If they've ordered additional - and most order a few - you may be able to get one but there's no real guarantee, as you have no way to know if anyone else has pre-ordered between then and now.   

If you read the fine print on Hogtrainz reservation page they note much the same, that after the manufacturer's closing date there's no guarantee they'll have one for you. Or the price may go up as they may not get the same discount to get a second batch of them to fill additional orders, etc.  You could email them and ask if they will have units available; supply the part numbers in the message.


I personally have five coming (two D&H, three RDG, all DC no sound) with two or three spoken for leaving one of each available. I will probably be able to snag one or two additional if needed. Depending on whether anyone asks for them and when they show up relative to what shows I do, they usually end up on eBay, but if I sell direct I discount the 12.5% they hit me.

Thanks for the replies. This is what I see on the HogTrainz reservation page:

“As new products are announced – hogtrainz will post items so that you can insure receiving the newest products in ho and g scale. As long as the item appears on this page – we will accept reservations.”

The RDG units I want appear there as pre-order items; as such, it seems they’d honor my reservation. Unless I’m somehow misinterpreting this. It does no good to accept a reservation if they can’t guarantee I’ll get what I reserved.

He will - usually - email you and cancel the order if he can't cover it with what's on order, but I'd follow up with an email after placing it if you are counting on it.

[JohnJ]

Jan 29, 2024 19:52:56 GMT -8 voyager989 said:

Jan 29, 2024 19:46:06 GMT -8 JohnJ said:

Thanks for the replies. This is what I see on the HogTrainz reservation page:

“As new products are announced – hogtrainz will post items so that you can insure receiving the newest products in ho and g scale. As long as the item appears on this page – we will accept reservations.”

The RDG units I want appear there as pre-order items; as such, it seems they’d honor my reservation. Unless I’m somehow misinterpreting this. It does no good to accept a reservation if they can’t guarantee I’ll get what I reserved.

He will - usually - email you and cancel the order if he can't cover it with what's on order, but I'd follow up with an email after placing it if you are counting on it.

Thanks again, folks, and I’ll do the e-mail follow up as suggested.

[pjm20]

I can vouch for Hogz Trains honoring late pre orders. Like that has been suggested, just send an email beforehand.

[rockfan]

I don't pre order I just check Lombard hobbies every day and they normally ship same day. I think only once they didn't ship until the next day.

[prr 4467]

My local dealer was just able to pre-order me both a Reading U30C #5300 and a D&H unit from distributor Heartland Hobby (they have some available slots remaining for these models).

They have a connection to Spring Creek Model Trains, in Nebraska. I have ordered many locos from Spring Creek without hassle. Their prices have been very good.

However, right now I would not ship USPS. I just got a Rock Island U30C from the last run from Spring Creek, and through absolutely NO fault of their own it took 14 calendar days after USPS had the item physically in their possession for it to get to me. It spent 10 days NOT leaving the state of Nebraska, and other orders of mine from Texas have experienced the exact same fate in the last couple weeks.  On my next model train purchase I'll do UPS or Fedex, whichever is available in lieu of USPS.  Thankfully despite many stops on the way, the Atlas loco was well-packed from Spring Creek and arrived in perfect condition.

Note: the big distributors (7 or 8 remain in the US) routinely place pre-orders of what they think can and will sell.  Heartland in particular, being located in Nebraska, is often one of the last to receive their new product from the manufacturer/importer.  However, they almost always can and have been able to fill a late pre-order even after items are on the water.

I've actually changed my mind and will have the one D&H unit with sound available--I'd just rather get the Chessie unit instead either with or without sound.

[wmcbride]

I've had years of good luck with HogTrainz but did get shorted on preorder about 2 years ago.

I would suggest placing one with Lombard. I use them almost exclusively now (for the last 2 years).

There is no problem canceling but Andy (the guy who seems to run it there) will email you if they know they cannot fill the preorder (only happened to me once and that was for a very late preorder on my part.

Bill McBride

[jonklein611]

I've had good experiences (98% of the time) with HogTrainz, and they seem to get plenty of Atlas stock in. They are quick to respond via email, so it wouldn't hurt to check in. I did get shorted on a Rapido Order (N Scale), the reason was unclear. Luckily, I was able to pivot to another supplier for that item.

[prr 4467]

Sometimes Lombard Hobby is $20 cheaper than everybody else, if you order often and are a "member" of the site. They also do not bug me with emails like some other dealers (not Spring Creek either) do.

[middledivision]

Jan 29, 2024 18:35:03 GMT -8 JohnJ said:

Hi, all - I've been eagerly awaiting the upcoming Atlas U30C release in the Reading scheme, and the Atlas rep at the Amherst show told me they'd be at retailers in about three weeks. I've never pre-ordered from online retailers, since I've had good luck snagging what I need from M.B. Klein without pre-ordering, even on hot items. Their demise caught me off guard, and now I'm plotting my best approach to getting a couple of these in DC. TrainWorld allows pre-orders at this late date, but all they list is the DCC version. Several other retailers also have a "pre-order" button on their sites, along with the units I need. Any advice for getting what's sure to be a hot item this late in the game? White Rose seems a good bet, though their prices are a bit higher than some other places. Other candidates:

- Lombard Hobbies
- Tony's Train Exchange
- Factory Direct Hobbies
- HogTrainz

I'm tempted to go with HogTrainz based on price, but don't know enough about them to determine whether I can trust that I'll get what I pre-order. I believe I've seen good things about them on this site. Anybody do a late pre-order with them with success?

Thanks!

John

Lombard all day long.
We have had guys at my club shorted by Hogtraibz even though they preordered long before the cutoff date. Never again.

[middledivision]

I'm hoping Atlas corrected the handrail mistake they made on the PRR U28C's, painted them black instead of DGLE. I emailed them about it but have heard nothing.

[snootie3257]

Jan 30, 2024 10:23:12 GMT -8 middledivision said:

Jan 29, 2024 18:35:03 GMT -8 JohnJ said:

Hi, all - I've been eagerly awaiting the upcoming Atlas U30C release in the Reading scheme, and the Atlas rep at the Amherst show told me they'd be at retailers in about three weeks. I've never pre-ordered from online retailers, since I've had good luck snagging what I need from M.B. Klein without pre-ordering, even on hot items. Their demise caught me off guard, and now I'm plotting my best approach to getting a couple of these in DC. TrainWorld allows pre-orders at this late date, but all they list is the DCC version. Several other retailers also have a "pre-order" button on their sites, along with the units I need. Any advice for getting what's sure to be a hot item this late in the game? White Rose seems a good bet, though their prices are a bit higher than some other places. Other candidates:

- Lombard Hobbies
- Tony's Train Exchange
- Factory Direct Hobbies
- HogTrainz

I'm tempted to go with HogTrainz based on price, but don't know enough about them to determine whether I can trust that I'll get what I pre-order. I believe I've seen good things about them on this site. Anybody do a late pre-order with them with success?

Thanks!

John

Lombard all day long.
We have had guys at my club shorted by Hogtraibz even though they preordered long before the cutoff date. Never again.

I had just the opposite happen with Hogtrainz. I preordered 2 procor plastic pellets cars but decided to cancel. I e-mailed them and they responded to confirm my cancellation. Then one day I got a notification from them that the cars arrived, my card was charged and they were shipped. Never even thought about ordering from them again after that.
Steve

[JohnJ]

Jan 30, 2024 10:30:08 GMT -8 middledivision said:

I'm hoping Atlas corrected the handrail mistake they made on the PRR U28C's, painted them black instead of DGLE. I emailed them about it but have heard nothing.

They didn’t have the PRR one on display at the Amherst show. There was a Reading one, and at least it didn’t have the holes for the cab sunshades like the U28C. It also had RDG drip strips and a properly located horn.

[JohnJ]

I did as suggested and e-mailed Hogtrainz. And the reply was along the lines of what previous posters said. He won’t guarantee the reservation made after the cutoff date, but said he’d ordered a bunch of extras and that I stand an “excellent” chance of getting what I want.

[cpr4200]

Glad to hear the sunshade holes are no longer an issue. It appears that they'll be doing a re-run of the Phase II U30C's, too, hopefully with the new cab. Apparently no D&H Phase II's, sadly.

[lvrr325]

Jan 30, 2024 5:19:22 GMT -8 prr 4467 said:

My local dealer was just able to pre-order me both a Reading U30C #5300 and a D&H unit from distributor Heartland Hobby (they have some available slots remaining for these models).

They have a connection to Spring Creek Model Trains, in Nebraska. I have ordered many locos from Spring Creek without hassle. Their prices have been very good.

However, right now I would not ship USPS. I just got a Rock Island U30C from the last run from Spring Creek, and through absolutely NO fault of their own it took 14 calendar days after USPS had the item physically in their possession for it to get to me. It spent 10 days NOT leaving the state of Nebraska, and other orders of mine from Texas have experienced the exact same fate in the last couple weeks.  On my next model train purchase I'll do UPS or Fedex, whichever is available in lieu of USPS.  Thankfully despite many stops on the way, the Atlas loco was well-packed from Spring Creek and arrived in perfect condition.

Note: the big distributors (7 or 8 remain in the US) routinely place pre-orders of what they think can and will sell.  Heartland in particular, being located in Nebraska, is often one of the last to receive their new product from the manufacturer/importer.  However, they almost always can and have been able to fill a late pre-order even after items are on the water.

I've actually changed my mind and will have the one D&H unit with sound available--I'd just rather get the Chessie unit instead either with or without sound.

I ship around 95% USPS, which since Christmas has been close to 80 packages.  Most were delivered within four days, even going coast to coast.  One from NY to PA for some reason went to Michigan out of the first sorting center and added two days to delivery.   I sent a couple Ground Advantage and they took about a week, but both went to western states.  I also had an inbound order come all the way to town and then sit a full day before coming to my local PO for no apparent reason.  Sometimes they mess up.  But particularly buying postage through eBay they're the best deal, I get a good discount on the retail price.  I get discounted FedEx and UPS rates too, but they're rarely as good as the USPS price.  UPS from my distributor to me is about double USPS, but sometimes I use it because the way it works out it ends up one day shipping.  Postal adds 1-3 days to it.  And one did once sit in Springfield MA for a week. 

The only thing that adds time on postal is how many sorting centers it has to pass through.  If it only has to see 2 or 3 it gets there in three days. Each additional can add a day.  If it gets misrouted that does the same thing.  Usually it has to hit five at a max.  

That one sorting center must have some kind of problem, lack of staff, staff they can't fire, who knows. 

 
My distributor generally orders tight to the pre-orders, depending on what it is, it always used to be maybe 3 over and you had to jump immediately to get anything extra.  I suspect they've lost a couple of customers because the extra available has gone up lately.   I could have put together an entire order of the Portecs if I'd wanted.  They sold out but some other pieces they still have quantity on.  
 

[typhoon]

Jan 30, 2024 10:36:39 GMT -8 JohnJ said:

Jan 30, 2024 10:30:08 GMT -8 middledivision said:

I'm hoping Atlas corrected the handrail mistake they made on the PRR U28C's, painted them black instead of DGLE. I emailed them about it but have heard nothing.

They didn’t have the PRR one on display at the Amherst show. There was a Reading one, and at least it didn’t have the holes for the cab sunshades like the U28C. It also had RDG drip strips and a properly located horn.

Good to hear about the sunshade holes.

[Frank]

Did these get an upgrade to the new and much improved cab that came with the recent U36B run? They really knocked it out of the park compared to their old versions.

[rockfan]

Jan 30, 2024 14:38:48 GMT -8 Frank said:

Did these get an upgrade to the new and much improved cab that came with the recent U36B run? They really knocked it out of the park compared to their old versions.

I would think they would put the new cab on all new GE U boats, why invest the money to limit it just one model?

Especially when Athearn is doing mostly EMD, Bowser Alco, Atlas is doing alot of GE.

I still love the Atlas GP40!

[cpr4200]

Toy Train Heaven says they're "available:"
toytrainheaven.com/product/atlas-ho-u30c-phi-snd-dh-704-list-price-299-95-sku-150-10003913/

[JohnJ]

Jan 30, 2024 17:12:15 GMT -8 cpr4200 said:

Toy Train Heaven says they're "available:"
toytrainheaven.com/product/atlas-ho-u30c-phi-snd-dh-704-list-price-299-95-sku-150-10003913/

They have only the one RDG road # and with DCC/sound, though. Plus a single D&H unit. I doubt they’re actually in house yet, but this may be stock they ordered and will receive.

[lvrr325]

can't possibly actually have any yet, they're probably still in the container. I would expect them around Feb 25th.

[markfj]

Just check when I placed my preorder with Brian at Overland Hobbies. It was March 11, 2021. Dang!

Hopefully these lead times will get better now that Covid is in the review mirror.

Thanks, Mark

[middledivision]

Jan 30, 2024 10:36:39 GMT -8 JohnJ said:

Jan 30, 2024 10:30:08 GMT -8 middledivision said:

I'm hoping Atlas corrected the handrail mistake they made on the PRR U28C's, painted them black instead of DGLE. I emailed them about it but have heard nothing.

They didn’t have the PRR one on display at the Amherst show. There was a Reading one, and at least it didn’t have the holes for the cab sunshades like the U28C. It also had RDG drip strips and a properly located horn.

I saw that looks good.

[middledivision]

Jan 30, 2024 10:41:53 GMT -8 JohnJ said:

I did as suggested and e-mailed Hogtrainz. And the reply was along the lines of what previous posters said. He won’t guarantee the reservation made after the cutoff date, but said he’d ordered a bunch of extras and that I stand an “excellent” chance of getting what I want.

I would still do a preorder from Lombard.
If they can't guarantee it, they let you know.

[prr 4467]

I am very frustrated by sellers that claim a product is "available" when it is not yet in stock, or in the case of some, is in stock at some distributor's warehouse (that the seller does not already own). There are other businesses besides TTH that show new locos to be "available" when they are only on the water.

I trust Lombard much more than Hogtrainz.  I am very sure that in the past, several years ago, Hogtrainz charged my cc for a loco they said was in stock and then subsequently came back and said it was NOT in stock and they could NOT get it, which caused me to miss out on it entirely as I could have purchased it from others who actually did have it.  I never did acquire that loco.  Hogtrainz did refund my money, but I have never trusted them to order anything since that time.