Atlas GP Drive

[BobRunty]

Forgive me if this has already been mentioned, but when did Atlas change the GP drive? I was installing a decoder in the latest run of GP-7's and was going to do the Ron Beardon trick when I came across this. There is now a universal joint in the gear shaft so I left it as is. They also changed the handrails. Instead of it being all one piece the end rails are now separate castings and the railings are noticeably thicker than previous runs.


Bob

[wazzou]

Well, thicker handrails are not a great development.   

[Ngineer]

Please correct me if I am wrong, but didn't a black motor saddle (or  brush housing) indicate a fast speed motor?

The gray motor saddles (or  brush housings) are used on scale speed motors, right?

   Javier

[Cory Rothlisberger]

Please correct me if I am wrong, but didn't a black motor saddle (or  brush housing) indicate a fast speed motor?

The gray motor saddles (or  brush housings) are used on scale speed motors, right?

   Javier

If you've purchased a locomotive from us within the past 10 or so years, it has a "slow speed" motor in it. The motor casings went back to black when we changed suppliers.

Well, thicker handrails are not a great development.   

The handrails are the same. It's the same tool, just modified (due to some old age damage. Long story...) The handrails appear thicker because they are painted unlike in the past.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Could the handrails be the GP9 style with the grooved stantions? Those did appear thicker than the "pipe" style of the GP7.

[u18b]

We may no longer have to "Beardenize" locomotives????