DCC Atlas RS3

[OldEastRR]

What am I better off doing -- buying the factory DCC model, or getting the silver one and putting in my own decoder? And if so, which one?

[Lemosteam]

No less than four Atlas RS3 install threads listed here.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=31981.0

[John]

What am I better off doing -- buying the factory DCC model, or getting the silver one and putting in my own decoder? And if so, which one?

It really depends on your skillset in this area, and what you are willing to do.  Personally, at our stage of life, the factory installed my preferred option..

Also the threads in the post above are very informative

[jdcolombo]

If you want sound, there is little reason not to get the Atlas Gold version with the ESU LokSound decoder.  It won't be quite as good-sounding as doing your own installation with a custom-designed speaker enclosure, but it will be a LOT less work, and if you have never done a complete sound installation on your own, the RS-3 isn't the locomotive I'd start with.

John C.

[reinhardtjh]

Assuming you want a sound decoder (Otherwise why ask about Gold?) then go for the Gold.  It's cheaper (in most cases).  Example: HOGtrainz Atlas RS-3 Gold - $172, Silver $97 - Difference 75$  The cheapest you will find an ESU Nano to plug into the Silver is around $98 (Example https://sbs4dcc.com/products/esu-58925-loksound-5-nano-nmra-dcc-sound-decoder-esu-e24-integral-connector.html) so buying separately costs you an extra $23,

If you don't want ESU sound, Digitrax does make an e24 socket sound decoder for around $55 street price.  But I have no experience with it.

Also, if you're getting the latest release, then the DCC installs for the Atlas RS-3 that have been posted previously won't be very accurate.  As shown in this thread: The New Atlas RS-3s Decoder Installation and Shell Swapping Atlas has modified the RS-3 mechanism quite a bit.

One other thing to consider is that Atlas apparently hasn't released the RS-3 Gold model yet.  I looked around and the Silver ones are available but nobody had the Gold in stock.  I think a situation similar to the GP-20 where Atlas had to fix something with the Gold versions before shipping them out to distributors.

The point of that being, if you're in a hurry and want it now then getting a Silver and adding your own ESU decoder is currently the only way to go, albeit slightly more expensive.  If you're willing to wait for Atlas to release the Gold version, then that's the cheaper way. 

[GGNInNScale]

Hi  I have converted old Atlas RS and GP7 models with ESU 58923 decoders (the little ones).  I buy ESU decoders from TEE-USA.   It does take some Dremel work and filing, of course.  I make my own backcases for the speakers using resin printing.  I buy OWS speakers from DigiKey.  I customize the cases for each engine.  The sound quality is a lot better in these conversions than my Atlas diesels with "speaker in the fuel tank" models.  Sadly...  I have tried various methods to improve the sound, but to no avail.  In the end, it is all in how you view the effort needed.  The expense will differ if you buy used engines and/or used decoders.  I usually buy used on eBay, then clean up and add a new decoder (that way there is a warranty).

[rickb773]

If you do not want sound the ESU recommendation for both locomotives is the ESU 59925.
(Saves you about $40 per unit verses buying the Gold)
I have put it in 3 new Atlas gp7/9s and 5 new Atlas RS3s.
(And I am a total DCC dummy.)