I was just wondering if anyone has received one of the new Atlas GP39-2s yet. On at least one other fourm some have but are only talking about the sound qualities. I am looking for other details like shell details and running qualites in just DC. This is new shell tooling so I was hoping for added details like separate cut levers and trainline air hoses like on their Alco S2 switcher. Thanks, Ralph
Got three coming. DC only. Not here yet. But hopefully soon. They will not have cut levers. Atlas web page shows none other than molded on.
Ron, Thanks for the reply.Yeah, I looked at the Atlas web page and saw what you were talking about. I do like the idea of it being dcc and sound ready if one day I wanted to go that route. If you don't mind, let us know what you think of them when they come in and you get a chance to look them over. Thanks again, Ralph
I got mine last week. It runs great on DCC and the sound is awesome. I also super-detailed mine with grab irons, see through fans, air hoses, brake hoses, and window wipers.
I haven't seen any ATSF dc units in stock! Seem to be sold out. Guess if you didn't pre-order too bad for you! With Atlas prices going up on every run , I guess I'll be saving money!
Oh my goodness! I think I have a new favorite locomotives. Received my non-dcc/non-sound GP39-2s today. Typically good molding and paint job. No extra details like on some locos. Only freestanding detail is the vent on the roof- which looks excellent. These are called "Sound Ready" and the speaker appears to be in the fuel tank. The new chassis design tweaks are something else. These are among the very smoothest and quietest locos I've seen. No need to "Beardenize" this loco. Wow! One very minor room for improvement is that the capacitors on the non-dcc board are not big enough. Consequently, the opposing LED flickers when the loco runs. Needs higher value capacitors. In all, these are really fabulous locos. If anyone is waiting before buying..... I'd say go for it!
I got 2 ATSF with sound and they run very well. I did get a LOK programmer and I don't know what I would do without it; much, much easier to program these decoders. One of my locos had the front LED shining through the roof of the cab; nothing a little electrical tape applied to the inside of the roof seam couldn't solve. I am curious as to where to find the various sound functions that these come with? Something tells me that it is going to be an extended period between now and the next release for Atlas; I hope I'm wrong! Brian
I recieved two ATSF and one ATSF Kodachrome. I haven't had a chance to run them yet as they were waiting for me when I arrived home from a five week vacation today. What I can say is that the 'SF' on the fireman's side of the Kodachrome unit is in the wrong position towards the front of the unit instead of towards the rear as it is on the prototype to allow room for the addition of the 'SP' should the merger have gone through. So far I have been unable to find any prototype photos of any unit of any model with the 'SF' in the position it was placed by Atlas.
Try page 15 of the following: http://download.atlasrr.com/DCC/FINAL User Manual - Atlas Gold Series Diesels with LokSound.pdf This might also help (don't forget to click on the "Demo Sounds and Functions" link at the bottom). http://projects.esu.eu/projectoverviews/search?cat=2&q=SD39 John C.
Note that this is the first N scale Atlas model I've seen that uses wired trucks for rail pickup. Be careful to note the wires if you split the frame halves. The wires appear to be crimped into the frame half. Probably removable, but not really plug-in. Undecorated DCC ready versions already have speakers in the fuel tanks.
I believe the wires are crimped to a pin like connector. The pin is then pushed/connected into the frame halves.