x

All about the community of model railroading and rail enthusiasm

COWCATCHER MAGAZINE

Atlas Model Railroad Co. adds to vehicle line, purchases HO-scale tooling from River Point Station

December 16, 2022 / Updated July 25, 2023

Model Railroading, News

HILLSIDE, NJ — Atlas Model Railroad Co., Inc. announced today that it has purchased the HO-scale vehicle tooling along with designs for certain previously unannounced products from River Point Station Fine Scale Models. The deal follows Atlas’ purchase of RPS’s N-scale line two years ago.

HO vehicle molds acquired include the Ford Expedition EL and F-250 and F-350 pickups, plus others, Atlas said in a statement. In all, tooling was acquired for 23 models.

“Previously, in December of 2020, River Point Station announced that they would be streamlining their product line and would cease producing N-scale vehicles and we did not want to see a void left in the market, so we acquired the N-scale tooling,” Atlas CEO Paul Graf said. “After a successful launch of N-scale models utilizing this tooling, we are happy to announce that we have acquired RPS’ HO-scale vehicle tooling as well and look forward to continued success with the line.”

RPS, located in Warwick, RI, was founded in 2006 by Ron Elsdoerfer to supply HO accessory kits. In the 14 years that followed, the company grew its offerings to include HO- and N-scale vehicles.

Over the past two years leading up to the acquisition, RPS scaled back certain aspects of its business. In February, Elsdoerfer said in a letter on the company’s website that RPS was idling production and seeking a buyer.

RPS operated within ITI, a technology company founded in 1985. The founders, seasoned design engineers and long-time hobbyists, have expertise ranging from aerospace and automation, to cutlery, injection molding, machine tools and metrology, according to the website.

Founded in 1924 and incorporated in 1949 as Atlas Tool Co. Inc., present- day Atlas Model Railroad Co. produces locomotives, rolling stock, track, and accessories in N, HO and O scales for its Atlas Master, Atlas Classic, Trainman, and Atlas O lines.

The company has long produced a line of officially licensed Ford vehicles, including cars, trucks and tractor cabs. One of Atlas’ early entries into modern-day vehicles was the HO- and N-scale late 1990s Ford F-150 pickup truck. The models continue to be produced, as well as a 2015 F-150 available in O scale.

According to the company’s website, current HO and N models include a Ford Fairmont, 1993 Ford Explorer, F-150 and vintage F-100 pickup. Atlas N offerings also include a Ford 9000 Tractor Cab, as well as 1992 Ford F250 and F-350 pickups in several railroad schemes.

The acquisition follows Atlas’s purchase of O-scale tooling from M.T.H. Trains in 2021.

Atlas Model Railroad Co. currently produces a line of Ford F-series pickups, including the N-scale 1992 F-250/F-350 truck set in Safety Yellow. – Atlas Model Railroad Co.

Current Issue: Mar/Apr 2025

$6.95 (U.S. Orders Only)

Coal Stragglers

North American railroads have hauled coal in quantity ever since the anthracite roads were built on the East Coast. Decades later and despite many changes that have diminished production, coal remains a top (but declining) commodity. While it has weathered shifts in power generation and other factors leading to its decline, coal still accounts for 28 percent of total rail tonnage and 12 percent of revenue. Watch a coal trains roll by and you’ll notice that most cars are painted a stripe or block of color on one end. The color doesn’t matter, but the painted end has a rotary coupler, the non-painted end a solid drawbar. Learn how this combination of couplers enable railroads to move coal efficiently.

Record Turnout

Manufacturers roll out the red carpet at January's Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show in Springfield, MA. The show set an attendance record of 27,535 at what has become the big daddy of train shows. Several manufacturers came out in full dress to tout their latest products and announce new runs. At times it appeared to be a battle of the booths, something show chairman John Sacerdote anticipated leading up to the show. Lionel and Walthers did not disappoint.

Spirit of St. Louis

After almost 20 years of top-line service, the Pennsylvania Railroad's St. Louisan and New Yorker were rechristened Spirit of St. Louis after the custom-built Ryan monoplane in which Charles Lindbergh made the first transatlantic flight. PRR’s advertising and publicity forces wasted no time capitalizing on transatlantic frenzy. The Spirit’s christening was celebrated June 15, 1927, less than a month after Lindbergh’s May 21 landing in Paris. Take a ride on the train in the Cowcatcher's ongoing series, "The Golden Age of Passenger Travel."

Plus

CN rolls out a medium horsepower hybrid locomotive that will be deployed this year across several of the railroads's yards and branch lines. Watching trains circle a layout adds a warm touch to modeling and relieves stress, say modelers. And more!