Atlas GP-35 DCC decoder

[BOK]

Can anyone tell me if there is a simple plug and play decoder for this locomotive? Decoder manufacturer/product number?

Thanks,

Barry

[Ike the BN Freak]

which frame?  Atlas has redone the frame to make it DCC ready.

[ryan_wilkerson]

Hi Barry,
I know of two versions of the GP35, there may be more. I have 3 of the first generation and have not yet converted them to DCC. They are the Kato/Atlas units which are not DCC ready and can be easily identified by having 2 small light boards. Is that the one you have? Or does it look different?
-Ryan

[Bendtracker1]

Barry,
If you have the older Non DCC chassis [the one with the two small light boards] you can use the TCS CN-GP
If it is the newer DCC ready frame, then you have at least two choices:
Digtrax - DN163A4
or
TCS - ASD4

Hope this helps

[peteski]

Neither is a true plug-n-play ready.   

[central.vermont]

Don't you mean "Plug and Pray". 

Jon

[robert3985]

Don't you mean "Plug and Pray". 

Jon

So far, all my prayers have been answered converting my non-DCC Atlas Geep 30's, 9's and 7's using the TCS CN and CN-GP decoders.  I've got a mill, so removing as much of the chassis for clearance is not a problem.

Other than the color of the LEDs (too blue), all the TCS decoders have been good to me.

[sizemore]

So far, all my prayers have been answered converting my non-DCC Atlas Geep 30's, 9's and 7's using the TCS CN and CN-GP decoders.  I've got a mill, so removing as much of the chassis for clearance is not a problem.

Other than the color of the LEDs (too blue), all the TCS decoders have been good to me.

Use Tamiya clear acrylics, yellow and orange to taste. I have had to do this multiple times on the CN/CN-GP. They changed the production on the boards using two different LED's. One end was white the other super-white/blue. Thin it on the brush like a pinstripper and coat till you get the desired color range.

A note on the TCS ASD4, I've found that if I program reset the decoder then CV29 first, it has little issue with the addressing. I went on a rampage last year upgrading all my DCC ready stuff to include a multitude of GP-30's/35's. I would perform the Digitrax SOP for addressing, everything would read back great. I didnt let out the "magic smoke". As soon as I would plop it on the main it wouldn't move. As soon as I figured out the magic touch worked like a champ.

The S.

[BOK]

Thanks, to all of you for your helpful information. I looks like the Digitrax decoder is the one to use but sadly I think i have the older version which may not work.

Barry

[mmyers]

Remove the shell. If it has a small light board at each end, you have the non-DCC ready model. This included the 'Classic Engines". If it has a single circuit board that runs on top of the frame for the whole length, it's the dcc ready version.

Martin Myers

[peteski]

This should help in identification: http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/loco/atlasgp3035.html

[BOK]

Thanks, peteski for the link to spookshow's website it answers a lot of questions.

BTW I have a pair of GP-40s which are DCC ready so I will probably use them in place of the GP-35s for my project.

Thanks,

Barry

[ryan_wilkerson]

Barry,
I have some GP40s and have installed the decoders (very easy) but want to do the GP35s since they are heavier (pull more) and operate more smoothly, at least that's how mine compare.