Review

Three years ago, Atlas blew everyone away with the introduction of the SD35 in O scale. But Atlas didn't just produce the standard SD35, they also delivered a high-nose version and the passenger version, or SDP35 - all in O scale. Shortly after that, they brought out N scale renditions, and the HO modeling community anxiously held their breath waiting to see if Atlas would follow suit in HO. It took a little longer than we may have wanted, but Atlas has come through for HO modelers with the recent introduction of HO versions of the standard, high-nose, and passenger versions of the SD35. And this modeler has been doing backflips ever since!

Why is it that so many HO modelers are so excited about the new Atlas HO SD35s? Truly that can only be answered by each individual modeler. However, it may have something to do with the fact that the SD35 has always been a favorite with modelers. I remember discussing this with a fellow modeler some years ago, and he explained it this way. The SD35 is a heavy duty 6-axle diesel locomotive that works very well on layouts due to its smaller wheelbase. That is to say, a modeler can use these locomotives on a smaller layout and smaller radius curves easier than, say, an SD40-2 or other larger 6-axle locomotives.

In my case, I have always liked the short, beefy look of the SD35s. They have always looked like a powerful, heavy duty locomotive, while locomotives like the SD40-2 have always appeared more sleek to me. For whatever the reason, modelers like SD35s, and we have been waiting for a high quality version of these locomotives to come along for quite a while now.

The Prototype

The prototype SD35 was first introduced by the Electro Motive Division of General Motors (EMD) in 1964 as part of a family of locomotive types that included the 4-axle GP35, and the 8-axle, dual-engined DD35 and DD35B. They developed 77,000 lbs of tractive effort at 9 miles per hour which translated into 50% more tonnage at drag speeds then its 4-axle counterpart. This meant that the SD35 was well suited to use on heavy tonnage trains. This was especially true in hilly terrain where a locomotive would have to get down and really pull up a grade. The first standard SD35s were built for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (ACL) in July of 1964. Upon delivery they were put to work on pulling freight on their hilly Western lines out of Waycross, GA.

At the same time that the ACL was experiencing the advantages of 6-axle SD35s on heavy freight trains on the Western lines, their rival, the Seaboard Airline Railroad (SAL), was receiving new SD35s of a slightly different design. The SAL was in need of replacing again E-units on their extensive fleet of passenger trains. EMD came forward with a dual-purpose passenger/freight locomotive based on the SD35. This became known as the SDP35. The "P" designating this unit as a passenger unit. The main difference between a freight version SD35 and the passenger version SD35 was the inclusion of a steam generator in the passenger unit, and different gearing. Adding the steam generator was accomplished by moving the cooling fans forward about two feet, and extending the carbody back about two feet. This made room for a vapor steam generator unit at the rear of the unit. Needing a little more room for the unit, it was mounted cross-wise , and a bulge was added to the long hood on the fireman's side, all of this while maintaining the standard SD35fram and wheelbase length. The gearing was changed from a 62:15 gear ratio for speeds up to 71 mph to a 59:18 gear ratio allowing for speeds up to 90 mph.

High-nosed SD35s were constructed in response to design requirements of both the Norfolk & Western (N&W) and the Southern Railway. High short hoods were a standard design feature to both roads' hood-type locomotives (usually operated long-hood forward), and this became an option on the SD35.

In terms of total production for the SD35 and its variants, there were a total of 360 standard SD35s built for twelve different railroads. Of that number, 190 were built to the high-nose configuration for two railroads. Thirty-five of the passenger SDP35 variation were built for three railroads. Giving us a grand total of 395 SD35 type locomotives being built.

The Models

The new Atlas HO models of the SD and SDP35 are state-of-the-art diesel locomotive models in the area of performance, detailing, and finish. Those of you that are familiar with the older Roco SD35s that Atlas imported many years ago, will see a noticeable difference between the two. For its day, the Roco model was an excellent model, but with the level of detail and performance of today's HO diesel locomotive models, something better was needed and wanted, and Atlas has smacked a home run right out of the park with these new locomotive models.

In the area of details, each of the three versions comes with a detailed cab interior with crew, separately installed windshield wipers, metal grab irons, scale handrails, scale size lift rings, and separate cab sunshades. The grab irons measure out to be .014 inch, or about 1-1/4 inch scale size. The handrails measure out to be .016 inch, or about 1-3/8 inch scale size, and are supported by scale-sized and very accurate handrail stanchions. Basically, you can't do better than these handrails for size, and accuracy. The windshield wipers are accurately detailed, but are a little oversized. The cooling fans all have see through grilles with rotating fan blades. The individual rings of the grilles are all very near scale size. To get any closer would render them far too fragile in plastic. However, I give them high marks, none the less. They are some of the best-looking and most realistic-looking fan grilles produced to date in plastic.

Other details include either a flat or raised dust bin hatch. The type included with the model is based on the road name. The airhorn type included with the model is again based on roadname. For instance, the CSX and N&W units come with a Leslie 3-chime horn, where as the SAL model is equipped with a Hancock Air Whistle which is accurate for that road name. Two additional details that are included based on road name are a snowplow and the Multiple-Unit (MU) receptacles. Compare this detail on the CSX model versus the SAL model.

There is one area of discrepancy on all three versions of the Atlas SD35. The cab roof is approximately 5 scale inches too wide. This causes the slope angle on the sloped sides of the cab roof to be slightly too steep. Some people have made a big deal about this dimensional discrepancy, but when we look at this issue as it compares to the whole model it is neither that noticeable nor does it detract from the overall appearance of the model to any great degree.

Some of the details listed above have to be installed by the modeler. These include the front and rear handrails, cab sunshades, and the snowplow. There is not a lot to install as you can see. However, a word of caution when applying the handrails, and handling the models in general. Due to the scale size of the handrails, they tend to be a little on the fragile side. They can withstand a moderate amount of handling, however they can be easily broken, so take care in handling these models.

The tooling of the shell is nothing short of incredible. Take a close look at detailing, such as the bolt head detail and the door latches, and you will see what I mean. In addition, detailing such as the inertial screens and the radiator screens are also state of the art for injection molding tooling.

Additional detailing that needs to be examined resides below the side sill. Starting with the pilot areas we find scale -"sized coupler cut lever bats, full width pilot hand-grab, scale-sized MU hoses, accurate pilot steps, and coupler draft gear. While we are here, a close look at the MU cable receptacle detail reveals detailing as good as the best after market detail part. Also, you will find a functional drop step that again is as good as the best after market part. Extending on to the walkways you will find the best rendered walkway anti-skid tread pattern produced on a ready to run plastic diesel model to date. I say this because of the fact that it is scale in size, and extremely accurate.

Moving on to other areas below the side sills, we find a beautifully detailed and accurate early fuel tank. The fuel tank included with the Atlas model is modeled after the tank style that the earlier SD35s came equipped with. Later SD35s came equipped with a sloped style tank that was common on SD40s, and later EMD diesels. Included in the detailing of the fuel tank is a fuel site gauge, fuel filler, air reservoir tanks and associated plumbing. In addition on the fireman's side, there is an accurately rendered frame mounted bell.

Atlas has modeled the earlier 3-axle Flexicoil truck. This design of flexicoil truck is a hold-over from the SD7s, 9s, and 24s: Unfortunately, this style of truck is only applicable for some of the SD35s built. The later units came equipped with a later style flexicoil truck that looked much different.

However, for those roadnames where this earlier style truck is applicable, this is a fantastic model of it. The Atlas sideframes include separate sanding lines, airlines, brake cylinders, and a speed recorder.

As mentioned earlier, there are certain detail features that only apply to the different variations. There were only two railroads that opted for the high-nosed option on their SD35s. Those were the Norfolk & Western, and the Southern Railway. Henceforth, the high-nosed version of the SD35 is only applicable for those two roads, and any roads that subsequently picked up high-nosed units second-hand. A close examination of photos of N&W and Southern SD35s reveals that the Atlas model is very accurate for the N&W's units. Detailing is consistent with that of the N&W's SD35s down to the number of louvers on the battery boxes, and the corrugated inertial filter grilles. I have not had the opportunity to compare the Southern decorated model to the prototype Southern locomotives, so I will reserve comment there.

As you might have guessed, the biggest difference between the standard SD35 and the high-nosed SD35 is the extended height short hood. To this, Atlas has added the characteristic high mounted bell that was found on all N&W SD35s. In comparing photographs of prototype N&W units with the model shown here I find no inaccuracies with the exception of the radiator grilles. The N&W units had a later style grille than what is modeled on the Atlas model. This is a minor point, but one that needs to be noted.

Turning to the SDP version of the SD35, we find quite a few differences between it and the standard SD35. Looking at the Atlas model SDP35, I found that it matches the SAL units perfectly with only two minor exceptions. These are the MU receptacles on the rear of the unit, and the steam generator details on the top of the long hood extension at the rear of the unit. The MU receptacles on the prototype were mounted on a beveled bracket with the electrical conduit angling out of the bottom. The model has this bracket rendered as a straight rectangular block. On the steam generator details, they are rendered rather simply. There is not the definition and accuracy of the tooling there that is present throughout the rest of the mode. However, there are after market detail parts that could be substituted by the modeler.

When we talk about the SDP35 as it compares to the standard SD35 we need to zero in on the rear end of the unit. As mentioned earlier, this is where EMD made the modifications to allow for the inclusion of the steam generator. Upon comparison with numerous photographs, and a copy of EMD blueprints for the SDP35, I found that Atlas really did their homework. Everything matches up exactly.

Operation

How do these models perform in operational use? Simply fantastic! I have been using the three models shown on my layout just as they come out of the box, and I am overwhelmed at how really good these models run. They are extremely smooth and quiet. The days of pulse power for exceptional slow speed operation are a thing of the past. This has everything to do with the under-the-hood design. These models come with a five-pole skewed armature motor with dual flywheels. Tied to that is directional lighting, and a pre-installed dual mode decoder for DCC operation. This does not mean that these models are meant for strictly DCC operation. On the contrary, the dual-mode feature of the decoder allows operation on a straight DC powered layout which was how all three were tested.

Appearance and Finish

Now that we have completed a look at the detailing and performance of the three new SD35 models being offered by Atlas, we should take a look at the finish work of the three models shown here. These models are incredible. The color separations are as sharp as I have ever seen on a model. All of the lettering is legible, even down to the verbiage on the trust plate on the SAL model. The EMD builder's plates are better then any decal I have seen or used. The overall finish of the paint is smooth with a semi-gloss and no puddling, thick spots, or blemishes. The other facet of the finish that has become more and more important is the accuracy of both the paint scheme and the color rendition.

Starting with the CSX model, I reviewed photos of the prototype unit #4586, and found the paint scheme to be right on the money. The problem I have is with the rendition of the CSX gray color. To my eye, it is a shade too dark as compared to photos. The blue, however, looks very accurate. As a side note to the CSX model, it is my opinion that Atlas should have chosen a different unit to model. The #4586 does not match the detailing of the Atlas model in the areas of the truck sideframes. However, it is still an attractive model, and well-executed.

The N&W model is done in the as delivered paint scheme of solid black with "full moon" herald, and NORFOLK AND WESTERN spelled out on the sides of the long hood. Again, comparing the model to photos of the prototype N&W SD35s reveals that it has been done very accurately. It is a simple paint scheme, but Atlas has taken the time and effort to get it right.

Of the three models, the prettiest is the SAL model, hands down. The model comes in the as delivered Citrus Scheme. Placement of all of the elements is accurate as compared to prototype photos. The difference in colors of the lettering and road number versus the wide yellow stripe is accurate. At first, I thought it was not, but again close examination of prototype photos shows this to be correct. The yellow and orange colors used for the body stripe are accurate. However, it appears to me that green that Atlas used is a shade too light. The green used by SAL for this paint scheme was a very dark green. However, under layout lighting the model will look much more accurate.

The models in this review are from the initial release of roadnames from Atlas for the three models. That initial release includes the following roadnames for the standard low-nose version; CSX, Pennsylvania, Southern Pacific, and Western Maryland. The high-nose version includes Norfolk & Western, and Southern. The SDP version includes Seaboard Air Line and Union Pacific. As of this writing, Atlas has released the roadnames for the second run of these models, and they are as follows. The low-nose version will come in Atlantic Coast Line, Chessie System, Conrail, and Jersey Central. The high-nose version will come in Montana Rail Link and Norfolk & Western. The SDP version will come in Louisville & Nashville and Union Pacific.

Summary

Atlas has successfully raised the bar once again with the release of their HO scale SD35. I have to take my hat off to a manufacturer that would invest the time and capital to do an HO model the way Atlas has approached the SD35. The SD35 was a locomotive that was built in significant numbers, and has long been popular with modelers. That alone is reason enough to produce a standard version of the SD35. However, Atlas has done us not one, but two better. They have produced every major variation of this locomotive in doing models of both a high-nose version and the passenger SDP version. As a modeler that counts himself among the ones that have long liked the SD35, I feel as though Atlas has truly outdone themselves with this model. These are easily some of the best HO diesel models ever produced. This is evident as soon as you take the model out of the box, set it on the track, and put power to it for the first time. It is true that there are a few minor problems with color rendition on the units shown here, and the cab has a problem dimensionally, but those elements pale in comparison to the overall quality and excellence that these new models exhibit. The only question that comes to mind is, where does Atlas go from here?