Would buying new Atlas frames avoid having to mill for sound

[kevlarcat]

Been reading through alot of the sound install threads for N scale atlas locos, many times it requires milling, which I don't have a machine for.  I do not have any new atlas engines since they started putting sound in from the factory to compare, but my theory is that if I were to order frames from the atlas parts department, I would be able to do a drop in of the ESU sound decoder? Frames can be ordered for under $10, and considering the time spent milling along with the high cost of a machine, this seems alot more economical way. 

Anyone tried this or know if it would work?

[EL3632]

Yes, but it requires more than a frame, it would require the frame, motor, speaker, drive assembly, trucks, and truck pickup wires/wipers. The $10 price is likely just for the frame, and none of the other necessities mentioned above. I have swapped over almost every sound mechanism that has come out to old shells, so it can (and has) been done; though the units I convert to are new factory equipped sound units.
An alternative would be to buy new DCC Sound ready frames with everything in them, and buy a decoder (ESU 73199) to go with them.
I shall swap as it is (generally) the same price as buying the loco and decoder separately.

The best thing I can tell you is to weigh your options and see which one works best for you: putting sound in the existing loco/mechanism; buying the DCC/Sound unit in "kit" form, buying a DCC/Sound ready unit & decoder, or buying a DCC/Sound equipped unit.

[wazzou]

I think what the OP was asking is, could all of the guts from a non-DCC/Sound unit be made to fit into one of the DCC/Sound frames purchased from Atlas.

That was my interpretation anyway.  I don't know the answer, TBH.

[Steveruger45]

You don’t have to have a milling machine.  I don’t have one and all my own sound installs in older non sound ready locos, IRO 40 now, have been done with some metal files and a junior hacksaw.  If you can get the sound ready atlas frames they would likely fit in older shells Of same loco type but the drive worms, bearings, trucks and universals may not transplant so easily. If you check out the Atlas parts diagrams it could be possible to determine though.
Some I know for example, got An Atlas gp39-2 with sound installed but in the wrong road name when on sale. The trucks were the right color etc etc and swapped the shell from an older Atlas gp38, then sold the left-overs.

[conrad]

I also note that the newer Atlas sound locos have a different frame layout.  No more nuts and bolts to hold the halves together (now it's clips) and the trucks are wired to the frame.  No wipers.  The speaker is tank located with copper strips running up through the motor cradle to the decoder.

Not sure if older shells would fit.

I've done two old atlas locos so far.  Used Steve Ruger's filing technique.  It's not too bad and, as he has stated, quiets the mind.

Conrad

[EL3632]

I think what the OP was asking is, could all of the guts from a non-DCC/Sound unit be made to fit into one of the DCC/Sound frames purchased from Atlas.

I did not get that interpretation, thank you.
No. Every part is very different. The mechanisms are completely redesigned.

[EL3632]

I also note that the newer Atlas sound locos have a different frame layout.  No more nuts and bolts to hold the halves together (now it's clips) and the trucks are wired to the frame.  No wipers.  The speaker is tank located with copper strips running up through the motor cradle to the decoder.

Not sure if older shells would fit.

I've done two old atlas locos so far.  Used Steve Ruger's filing technique.  It's not too bad and, as he has stated, quiets the mind.

Conrad

Only older shell fit issue I had was fitting an SD60M on to a new SD60. One of the shell mounts (small metal dongles) is in a different place, perhaps it is like this on the original. I am unsure.
For everything else, I have had zero issues swapping old shells onto new frames.

[kevlarcat]

I did not get that interpretation, thank you.
No. Every part is very different. The mechanisms are completely redesigned.

Yea sorry to not be clear enough.  I have 20ish Atlas locomotives from the 2000's and was hoping to swap the frame yet keep everything else.  I guess based on everyone's replies there's more parts that are different, too bad. 

Was worth a thought at least, now I know why nobody has done it.  Thanks!

[pedro]

But to be clear... do the shells from previous Atlas/China locomotives circa late’90s/2000s directly swap to the new DCC/Sound mechanisms? The most recent GP35s and C-420s come to mind.

If so, I would think Atlas would have some sales by offering complete DCC/Sound mechanisms sans shells, wouldn’t they?

[EL3632]

But to be clear... do the shells from previous Atlas/China locomotives circa late’90s/2000s directly swap to the new DCC/Sound mechanisms? The most recent GP35s and C-420s come to mind.

If so, I would think Atlas would have some sales by offering complete DCC/Sound mechanisms sans shells, wouldn’t they?

Yes. The older, non-sound ready shells directly swap on to sound mechanisms.
I have converted 2 C420 and 3 GP35 this way, as well as practically every other sound mechanism made this far.