FA's from atlas

[OldEastRR]

Now ... how long before Atlas runs another batch with different road names? I hope not years ... FAs were used almost everywhere by every kind of RR. There should be an infinite market in N for them.

[haasmarc]

I just received my LV FA1's today.  I can report that the shell is completely unchanged from the LifeLike release.  I plopped on a Reading shell and thought, this is going to get even more expensive.

Just running them for 10 minutes, they run nice.

[wmcbride]

As soon as one of you purchasers opens one up, could you let us know what kind of decoder it takes -- Next18 or the not-yet-arrived ESU EN24 ... or?

Thanks.

[haasmarc]

Ok, I'm not peteski so I am not going to take apart a perfectly running loco, so here is what I can show you.

I thought for a moment that they did add lit numberboards to the shell, but I looked at an old LifeLike shell and sure enough it had them too.  I guess I never noticed them since the headlight was so bad, barely any light came out of them.


It looks like a Next18 connector.  At least there appears to be 9 connections on the exposed side so double that... 







Notice the notched flywheels and they got rid of the wires to the trucks.

[wm3798]

Looks like it's still a brick, even with all the electronics milled out.
I also like the pickups being installed with screws.  Gotta be more reliable than press-fit spring clips or flexi wires.

Just more screws to launch into space during routine maintenance!  Be careful out there!
Lee

[peteski]

Interesting.  The decoder does not look like ESU. Probably Soundtraxx? At least Next 18 connector gives modeler choice of using different brand decoders.

Also interesting way of affixing the circuit board to the chassis.

Funny how Atlas keeps flopping on how to electrically connect trucks to the chassis.  From their long standing (and quite reliable) Kato-like pickup strips, to using wires with plugs and sockets in the chassis, to somewhat going back to the original pickup strips.  As if someone at Atlas seems to be having identity crisis because they could have easily used their most recent wired with plugs design.

I'm not thrilled about this design because of how short the springy pickup strips are, and that they are mounted at an odd angle (not level).   To me this seems to hint that it was designed by someone without much experience in designing N scale model locomotives.

[haasmarc]

Atlas says it's ESU.


SOUND FUNCTIONALITY FEATURES (GOLD LOCOMOTIVES ONLY):

Over 20 sound effects are available, including engine start-up and
shutdown, prime mover sounds through all eight notches, bell, air horn, air compressor, dynamic brakes and more.
There are up to 16 user-selectable horns, 2 user-selectable bells, and 2 user-selectable synchronized brake squeals.
Equipped with ESU’s Exclusive “Full Throttle” features for ultimate realism in prototype running.

[dem34]

Interesting.  The decoder does not look like ESU. Probably Soundtraxx? At least Next 18 connector gives modeler choice of using different brand decoders.

Also interesting way of affixing the circuit board to the chassis.

Funny how Atlas keeps flopping on how to electrically connect trucks to the chassis.  From their long standing (and quite reliable) Kato-like pickup strips, to using wires with plugs and sockets in the chassis, to somewhat going back to the original pickup strips.  As if someone at Atlas seems to be having identity crisis because they could have easily used their most recent wired with plugs design.

I'm not thrilled about this design because of how short the springy pickup strips are, and that they are mounted at an odd angle (not level).   To me this seems to hint that it was designed by someone without much experience in designing N scale model locomotives.

From personal prying, a big part of the issue is that a major chunk of their warranty returns is dirty wipers. Most experienced modellers know to double check that as part of regular maintenance if their locomotive with clean wheels still has iffy pickup.

[wm3798]

I have far fewer issues with dirty wipers than I do with the axle cups being caked with carbon and crud.
Maybe I run my trains more often to cause that, while those who "buy and hold" suffer more from simple oxidation from disuse...

Lee

[peteski]

Atlas says it's ESU.

Yes, you're right.  I took out one of my ESU LokSound micros with a Next 18 connector and it looks like the one Atlas used. But wasn't Atlas supposed to switch to Soundtraxx, or was it just Kato?

Why did they shrink the flywheels?  Needed clearance for the decoder?

[spookshow]

Wow, Atlas is all over the map these days. The last couple of new releases I've looked at (SD7 and Train Master) don't use the chassis to route current at all (IE, truck pickup wires go straight to the PC board).

-Mark

[bigdawgks]

Does anyone know if Atlas will still have parts for new products available on their website? I still don't see anything for the new products (FAs included).

[haasmarc]

But wasn't Atlas supposed to switch to Soundtraxx, or was it just Kato?

I think Atlas is only going with Soundtraxx in the redesigned SD-45.  I believe I saw locos announced after the SD-45 still are going to have ESU decoders.

[bbussey]

I Like the design.  Looks like they didn't deviate much from the last Life-Like mechanism design.  And best, the old Life-Like shells fit without modification.

[spookshow]

Wow, they really went overboard with the wheel blackening on these things (or at least they did on mine). I finally had pull out my Minitrix wheel scrubber to get the thing to make some speed 7 laps around the layout....

-Mark