I have two Atlas Dash 8-40BW and both are BNSF 509. They both run like crap compared to any of my Kato stuff. One had a factory decoder which I think is a LE063XF, but I could be wrong. I installed a DN163A0 in the other one. I only have 6 Atlas locos total and none of them really run that great, but the Dash 8-40s are embarrassing. I bought both of them brand new years ago before I had DCC so the DCC equipped model sat on the shelf inside its plastic case until just last month. I don’t know if this model is just a lemon or if there is something I can do to tune it up. These are actually my first new out of the box Atlas locos that I ever bought and I bought them on the advice of many other forum members after experiencing some bad Bachmann diesels. I’m afraid to buy any more Atlas diesels and in fact I have a couple of Bachmann’s that runs circles around both of these. I bought the other 4 Atlas locos off eBay and I don’t know the history behind them so I’m not going to include them in “BAD” list. So can someone explain to me how I might be able tune these up or point me in the right direction? I know that there is a burn in time and I’ve had them running or tried to keep them running as long as I can and I have only been able get about 8 hrs out of them.
Give the doctors some idea of exactly what the symptoms are for each. Failure to start? Cogging? Stalling? Lack of throttle response? Other?
I don't know I'd say all of the above except for starting. It starts most of the time but I have to give them a nudge once in a while. I actually have them both in a consist right now just so that they can help each other limp around the track. I know that the track does not need cleaning, because I cleaned the track so much in the past couple of weeks that the paint came off the ties. I’ve been running it on my Unitrack layout and I just pulled it all up and soldered feeders onto every other section of track. And besides I can run my Kato locos at a craw without so much as a shudder.
First hint I got: I bought both of them brand new years ago... Lubricates dry out. Besides...Atlas especially was/is known for putting what looks a lot like 'vaseline' in their running gear. Drop a truck off one...see if the lube looks more runny clear...or a gunky milky white yuck. If its the later...you know what you have to do:tb-wink: .
You should be able to buy another at 6X the cost. Win win for atlas! So much for buying more than one engine! They must be putting brass parts on them now! dave t
Johnny I've got 2 8-32 BHWs and they were awesome out of the box. they look like easy open, easy clean units. Hope they clear up for you
I personally always take the older Atlas locos apart since the grease tends to dry up in them after I remove the grease I just lube the loco with some plastic safe oil from Labelle's. Then I run each loco separate for half hour and then I couple them and run them together for another half hour these always work and make the locos run smooth and quiet. I have over fifty Atlas locos and they all run quiet and smooth.
I bought an Atlas lube kit years ago and it came with a bottle of cleaner. I wonder if this is what that’s for. Anyway I was just about to make a video of them running around the track when I noticed I couldn’t get either one of them to move. Then as I started to fool with them the computer that controls everything went black. Not the dreaded blue screen but a black screen.
A dumb question- Are the wheels clean? As to overgreasing or aged greasing- It is a definite possibility. Take a look, clean off and relube if applicable. I had a 30 year old diesel that was resurrected. It wouldn't budge. I cleaned the wheels. It wouldn't budge. I took it apart and had to dissolve the caked on grease. It runs fine on the Code 80, but will not do the Code 55 because of the flanges.
Since you have to nudge them every now and then, I'd check the contact between the motor tabs and the bottom of the decoder. Often,the contact is poor. I have two of those engines. One with a factory decoder that I added a wire from each motor tab to it's matching decoder pad, one that I put one of the newer decoders with slots in the top. Just slide the tabs into the slots and you're set. While not the strongest locos I own, they are two of the smoothest.
Thanks guys, I’m definitely going to have to take these babies apart and clean them up some. I whish I would have checked the one out while I was installing the decoder last month. Anyway I got other DCC problems to tend with now so I’m going to have to put it up with the rest of my projects for now, because my whole layout is down at the moment.
Up and Running Great Got them working pretty decent, but I think there is coating or something on the wheels. I broke down and bought a TRIX wheel cleaner yesterday, because I hate cleaning wheels. I tried that method of using an alcohol soaked rag laid on the track, which did help but it took the paint off of my Unitrack ties and still was a lot of work. I used the plastic package from a Code 55 straight track as a dipping tank and set the loco into a puddle of alcohol to soak the wheels. Then I set it on the TRIX wheel cleaner and let them babies run at high speed. That was an immediate improvement. Then I took them apart to check on any dried up grease and couldn’t really see any evidence of lube at all so I used some Labelle 108, which I also bought yesterday. Also, I noticed that the two brass truck contacts were almost black with something. I’d say it was corrosion but it was black. Now both of these locos weren’t really run and the one with the DCC was never run. So I’m wondering if the factory lube ended up on the wheels and contacts while setting on the shelf all these years. It does get hot and dry here in the desert. Anyway I’ve had both of them running at snails pace for about 2 hours now and I’m real happy with them.[FONT="]:tb-biggrin:[/FONT]
