FA's from atlas

[brokemoto]

Question for anyone who bought the DC-only versions: will they run acceptably with the older LL FAs?

[spookshow]

Simply cleaning the wheels wasn't enough, I also had to clean the axles and the axle cups in the wipers (all of which were slathered in blackening). Now it will creep around the layout without a hitch, but yikes what a pain. It's a good thing the trucks aren't wired!

-Mark

[spookshow]

Question for anyone who bought the DC-only versions: will they run acceptably with the older LL FAs?

Old and new run virtually the same, so yes.

-Mark

[spookshow]

I would recommend adding some lube to the gears. They don't appear to have been delivered with any from the factory and they definitely quiet down quite a bit once added.

-Mark

[spookshow]

Any guesses as to why they added the windows to the sides of the chassis? That one has me stumped.

-Mark

[brokemoto]

Old and new run virtually the same, so yes.

-Mark

Thank you for the update.  Further, thank you for the heads-up on the blackening.

[OldEastRR]

What non-sound decoders fit this thing? Or is it so new no DCC mfgr has a board for it yet?

[bbussey]

My first three arrived today, a set of L&NE units. I bought them to upgrade my LL vintage L&NE units. Since the body tooling is unchanged and the deco quality of the vintage shells is comparable to the new units, I just swapped the bodies out.  The new mechanisms illuminate the number boards on the vintage shells also.  I had upgraded the flat-face vintage wheels with the better-detailed and low-flange RS-2 wheelsets. Since these new units also have flat face wheels, I swapped in the RS-2 wheels which also solved the gauge issue. Mine were adequately lubricated. The three run together well. Very pleased and looking forward to receiving my remaining units this week to upgrade my New Haven units.

[peteski]

I had upgraded the flat-face vintage wheels with the better-detailed and low-flange RS-2 wheelsets. Since these new units also have flat face wheels, I swapped in the RS-2 wheels which also solved the gauge issue. Mine were adequately lubricated. The three run together well. Very pleased and looking forward to receiving my remaining units this week to upgrade my New Haven units.

If these are standard Atlas wheelsets they have been using for long time in their Kato-clone trucks, then you can adapt even better looking wheels.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=33107.msg596466#msg596466

[bbussey]

If these are standard Atlas wheelsets they have been using for long time in their Kato-clone trucks, then you can adapt even better looking wheels.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=33107.msg596466#msg596466

The RS-2 wheels are the good wheels.

[spookshow]

What non-sound decoders fit this thing? Or is it so new no DCC mfgr has a board for it yet?

I ordered an ESU LokPilot 5 for my B unit, but I imagine any Next18 decoder will do.

-Mark

[peteski]

The RS-2 wheels are the good wheels.

Well, the wheels are pretty much hidden by the sideframes.  So they are not like the wheels Atlas has been been using for decades?  Any chance to have a photo of the wheelset showing the wheel face?

[prr7161]

What non-sound decoders fit this thing? Or is it so new no DCC mfgr has a board for it yet?

For non-sound decoder, I am using an NCE Next18 and it works great.  Word to the wise though - on sound decoders, the Soundtraxx TSU-N18 is 25mm long, vs. the ESU Loksound 21mm...so Soundtraxx does not fit (the end of the decoder would wind up in the rear flywheel).  For Next18 sound boards, the Loksound seems to be the only game in town.

[Jim Costello]

Can anyone advise whether or not the A & B chassis units are totally inter-changeable or is there a difference in the boards between the A and B units.

[bigdawgks]

They are the same but the As have an extra board for the headlight and numberboard lights. If you remove this then they're identical.