Educate the simpleton (Atlas S-2) or beating a dead horse

[w neal]

I've got this "friend" with an Atlas S-2. Itsa spittin' and sputterin' right outta the box. I've heard it needs 2 hours break in time. How should I clean the wheels? And are there any decoder settings that might help?

Ta.

(I know - use the damn search feature. Sorry) 

[peteski]

The Atlas S2 is a relatively new model (first batch was sold just few months back) and I don't recall much discussion about its running qualities or any problems.  SO there probably won't be much found in a forum search.

In this day and age I believe that all the models are test ran at the factory during the final inspection. So if this one is not working right, there is a problem.  Assuming that this friend has no problems with other locos running on the same track using the same DCC or DC throttle then the simplest solution would be to return the model to the place of purchase (or even to Atlas) for service or exchange. 

[rrjim1]

The two I purchased acted the same way, cleaned the wheels, problem solved!

[GN Fan]

I spoke with Paul Graf (Atlas big-wig) at the N Scale Enthusiast convention in Sacramento.  He said that for reasons unknown to him the wheels arrive with a slight oil coating.  He said clean the wheels and it should run just great.

Tom Todd

[central.vermont]

A fellow Forumer and friend of mine had to do the same thing and clean the wheels. Ran good after.

Jon

[Roger Holmes]

I talked to a layout operator at the Galesburg (IL) Railroad Days two weeks ago and they had an S-2 on the layout.  I asked him how he liked it and he said it was erratic out of the box and then he made the same comment about the two break-in time.  He said they were very happy with performance after the two hour break-in.  Sounds like he just should have cleaned the wheels and saved time.

[reinhardtjh]

Since we seem to have some kind of thread clone going on between here and over in "Product Discussion" I will repeat my last post from there:

Some kind of coating, that's for sure.  Both of my sound units that I have run so far started out very herky-jerky, but 2-3 hours of running on the Unitrack test loop smoothed them out considerably.  I should try cleaning the wheels as well.

The interesting thing was when I was sliding them around on some track to take photos comparing them to my Arnold S2's and other recent switchers (MT SW1500, LL SW1200, Bachmann S4) I noticed that they definitely had a lot more drag to them than the others did.  This was before the break in period so the wheels still had whatever coating on them.  Odd that if it was an oil that they should feel more "draggy".  I was hoping it translated into a really good pulling capacity, but if it wears off then it probably won't make a difference.  Not that they don't pull well to begin with.

By the way (pun intended),  here are the weight comparisons I came up with using our electronic kitchen scale:

Model	Weight (grams)
Arnold S2 w/DCC	61
Atlas S2 w/sound	58
MT SW1500	49
Life Like SW1200/900	48
Bachmann S4 w/DCC	45

[w neal]

I talked to a layout operator at the Galesburg (IL) Railroad Days two weeks ago and they had an S-2 on the layout.  I asked him how he liked it and he said it was erratic out of the box and then he made the same comment about the two break-in time.  He said they were very happy with performance after the two hour break-in.  Sounds like he just should have cleaned the wheels and saved time.

Yeah, I talked with that guy too. The locomotive was new to him and he was having the same issue.

[Puddington]

Just finished breaking my DC unit in - after 45 minutes it ran like a smooth champion. I "accidentally" cleaned the wheels before setting it to running so I guess I avoided the herky jerry stage.... Love the unit; looks and runs great.

[VonRyan]

I cleaned the wheels on my sound-equipped one and it was good to go. Those wheels like to pick up a lot of dirt though. Like way more than I'd expect from 10hrs of running.

[atsf_arizona]

My Atlas Alco S-2 sound loco also out of the box runs bit herky-jerky.  Nice to hear I'm not the only one.  I cleaned my S-2's wheels, she ran much better.  Thx for the tips.

[w neal]

What is the preferred method for cleaning the wheels?

Also, any decoder settings that need tweaking?

Thanks

[jdcolombo]

What is the preferred method for cleaning the wheels?

Also, any decoder settings that need tweaking?

Thanks

I use the Minitrix wheel cleaner for diesels:

http://www.amazon.com/Locomotive-Wheel-Cleaning-Brush-Minitrix/dp/B0000WRG6E

However, if the problem is just oil on the wheels, use some 90% isopropyl alcohol on a strip of paper towel laid over the rails crosswise, so that one set of wheels picks up power while the other set turns against the wet paper towel.  This should clean off any oil.

As for decoder tweaking, on the sound version, make sure that CV2 is set to 2.  There is a LOT of other tweaking one can do with both the sound and motor control, but if the engine is running well and sounds good to you, don't fix what ain't broke.   You might want to download the ESU LokSound Select users manual from the ESU web site.   If it is a non-sound DCC version, then I have no clue.

John C.

[peteski]

Sounds like I use method similar to John.

From old Atlas forum threads: http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=66203
First, I use a brass bristle brush.



Then final cleaning is done using a paper towel moistened with 99% isopropyl alcohol.  This is also how I clean rolling stock wheels (like lighted passenger cars).

[jdcolombo]

Hi Peteski.

Interesting way to keep the paper towel in place.  Is that just brass rod?  How big (both diameter and length)? Set into holes drilled in the wood?

Might have to try something like this.

John C.