Prototype Info

The 1930’s ushered in a “sea change” in the concept of passenger car design. As the United States was striving to come out of the Great Depression, images of renewed power and progress became those of speed, technical innovation, and forward motion exemplified by the Streamline Moderne school of industrial design. Aerodynamic shapes such as horizonal fluting and rounded or curved surfaces made of smooth, bright materials such as welded and polished stainless steel began to replace the staid and solid concepts that had governed passenger car designs since the turn of the century. While safe, smooth riding, and often quite luxurious, the riveted side framing and cover plates and massive steel underframes (supporting a floor of poured concrete in most cases) could cause a typical “Heavyweight” passenger car to weigh as much as 1 ton per linear foot!

The ”Streamliners”, by contrast, eliminated heavy underframes and adopted methods of construction where the entire car body and roof contributed to the structural integrity – much the same as what is now referred to as “unibody” construction. The use of lighter materials both inside and out also contributed to these cars weighing as much as 20-25 tons less than that of a comparable heavyweight. Gleaming aluminum fixtures, cut and frosted glass, and even decorative celluloids replaced the dark woods and veneers and heavy cast iron and brass fittings heretofore common to car interiors – further reducing weight and contributing to a modern, glamourous style which was readily accepted by the traveling public. The lighter designs proved to be much more economical as well and were adopted by Pullman-Standard and a newcomer to passenger car design – the Budd Company of Philadelphia.

Since 1913, Budd was a well-known supplier of auto body stampings but by 1930, rapidly became a major force in railroad passenger car design. Budd was among the first to grasp the potential of stainless steel, however the inability of stainless steel to be fabricated with normal welding techniques was an issue. Budd’s chief engineer, Colonel Earl J.W. Ragsdale, spent five years developing the key process needed to make stainless into a viable structural material: the patented Shotweld electric welding process. From the groundbreaking Pioneer Zephyrs in 1934 through the Amfleets of the1980s, Budd designed cars have carved out a unique and lasting legacy which carries on today in cars produced by Bombardier.

Features:

• The perfect match for Atlas O Premier E6 Locomotives
• Based on Budd designs
• Intricately Detailed, Durable ABS Bodies
• Stamped Metal Floors
• Detailed Car Undercarriage
• Colorful, Attractive Paint Schemes
• Metal Wheels and Axles
• Die-Cast 4-Wheel Trucks
• Fast-Angle Wheel Sets
• Needle-Point Axles
• (2) Operating Die-Cast Metal Couplers
• O Scale Kadee-Compatible Coupler Mounting Pads
• Constant Voltage Overhead LED Interior Lighting
• End-of-Car Diaphragms
• Separate Metal Handrails
• Detailed Car Interiors
• Sliding Baggage Car Doors
• Detailed Brake Wheel
• 1:48 Scale Proportions
• Unit Measures: 19” x 2 7/16” x 3 1/2”
• Operates On O-42 Curves

About Atlas O Premier Rolling Stock

Atlas O Premier Rolling Stock is prototypically accurate and includes a wide array of car types, from box cars, to passenger cars to cabooses. In addition to being intricately detailed, Atlas O Premier Rolling Stock features crisp painting and lettering, perfectly recreating the colorful paint schemes found on their real-world counterparts. Atlas O Premier Rolling Stock is ready to run right out of the box, so you can go straight from the hobby store to using the model in your fleet.

About Atlas Model Railroad Company

The primary mission of Atlas is to produce and offer to the public, multiple scale lines of high quality, model railroad products based on prototype information. Atlas’ philosophy is based on a dedicated commitment to prototype research, design and construction. The desired and demanded goal is to create, market and distribute durable operational scale models utilizing the full range of exacting detail which accurately depicts life-sized objects, while providing exceptional service to Atlas customers. In 1999, Atlas O was founded so that the hallmark of Atlas products in HO & N could be offered to O scale modelers. Since then, the product line has expanded to include a vast library of track pieces, accessories, as well as rolling stock and locomotives.

By keeping up the high standards set by Steve Schaffan those many years ago, Atlas will remain a leader in innovation and technology in the model railroading industry for years to come. Although many things have changed since Atlas incorporation in 1949, they follow the tradition and values of their founders. As Atlas have for the last 50 years, they will continue to produce quality, precision products for the model railroad enthusiast.

Order Due Date: June 27, 2025

Anticipated Delivery Date: March 2026

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