Odd Atlas Loco Trend

[CBQ Fan]

 Just received an RS-3 today in the mail from MBK.  Threw it on the layout and all I get is lights each direction.  Doesn't run at all.  What is more odd to me is that the last two Atlas engines I purchased did the exact same thing.  In that time span I have purchased 18 different locos from Kato, Walthers, Intermountain, Broadway Limited, and Arnold wi th no issues what so ever.  I did send an email to the shop about exchanging it.

What is going on?  Oddest thing I have seen.

[Doug G.]

You shouldn't throw it on the layout.



Doug

[peteski]

Well, since the light boards get power then the electrical connectivity is lost between the light board and the motor.  Or the motor is bad. Maybe hardened grease on the commutator is causing an open circuit. Mechanically, maybe the lubricants hardened up in the mechanism and caused it to bind.

[mecgp7]

Seen it a lot. Peteski is right, the motor contacts aren't making contact with the light board. The lights work because they are part of the board. Pretty easy fix. Take the board out and put the motor contacts where they need to be.

[mu26aeh]

With the shell off, push down on the center of the board, where the tabs would be.  That should tell you if it is poor contact with the motor. 

[djconway]

Been seeing this issue since the first Alco 628's. 2004 or so.

[CBQ Fan]

MBK's awesome customer service to the rescue!!  Exchanging it for another unit!

[Ike the BN Freak]

MBK's awesome customer service to the rescue!!  Exchanging it for another unit!

Curious, did you try any of the things the others mentioned? Or just straight to swap it out?

[CBQ Fan]

Honestly with my work schedule I will have little to no time to try and fix it it.  In fact my wife had to ship it back for me cause of my travel schedule. I have filed this one away for future reference.  Great info. Wish I had the time to try out the ideas.

[jagged ben]

Known issue with Atlas' design.   Some people even swear by soldering the motor contacts to the board.

[AVR Mark]

None of the four RS-3s that I have are DCC ready. I have two older Atlas/Kato ones and two Atlas (made in China) ones with the "new and improved" chassis. They all have two light boards instead of the one full length "DCC ready" board like are on most of my Atlas Locos. On these four locos, the motor contacts directly touch the frame. Kind of odd because the "new and improved" Atlas chassis for the RS-3 came out after the Kato RS-2 did and the Kato RS-2 does have  a full length DCC ready board.

Mark

[peteski]

None of the four RS-3s that I have are DCC ready. I have two older Atlas/Kato ones and two Atlas (made in China) ones with the "new and improved" chassis. They all have two light boards instead of the one full length "DCC ready" board like are on most of my Atlas Locos. On these four locos, the motor contacts directly touch the frame. Kind of odd because the "new and improved" Atlas chassis for the RS-3 came out after the Kato RS-2 did and the Kato RS-2 does have  a full length DCC ready board.

Mark

I thought that none of the Kato/Atlas chassis had full-length light boards (only the Atlas-China chassis' had full-length boards).

[Joetrain59]

I too had trouble with a new Atlas RS-3. See my old post;
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=36885.0

I had to crimp the ends of contact strips, and bend them downward fairly well. They fit tighter in frame, and stay in place when putting shell back on. Contact with truck p/u tabs is solid, and loco runs like a swiss watch now.
 Joe D