Has anyone tried the Bmann RS-3 mechanism under an Atlas RS-3 shell? How about an Atlas RS-1 shell? Does anybody have one that would be willing to measure the mechanism width and length? I have found that the Walther’s RS-2 mechanism fits nicely under the Atlas RS-3 shell, making DCC much easier (yeah, I have used the TCS CN type lightboards, but I hate the motor mounts and getting the motor back in the mechanism properly can be a b****) The Kato RS-2 mechanism is shorter and will work, but requires shimming to center the mechanism. Basically I am looking to power a couple of RS-1 shells I have and want DCC without the curse of those motor mounts, hence the curiosity over the Bmann mech.
Just a question, is the Bachmann stuff in N scale that good you would voluntarily put one of their drives under a shell? In other scales/gauges, we look for different drives to put under Bachmann. Just interested. Dave
Hey John, I do have one of the Bachmann RS-3s that you are refering. Bare with me as not the best at this but from what i measured...length wise its about 3 1/2 inchs and wide its about a CM. Can post a picture if you'd like. I unfortunately don't have any atlas shells to test the fit with for ya. Hope this helps, and lemme know if you need more info and such...
Basically since the introduction of the 4-6-0 they have been fairly consistent in the quality of the newer stuff. So much so that the 44 and 70 tonner mechanisms have become my go to for my critter mechanisms over the old LL SW mechanism. While I don't have any of thier GP-7 or RS-3 locos they are in the same production timeframe and I have heard little if any negative comments on thier running qualities.
I just got back from a train show this weekend, and there was a super fanatic Pro-Bachmann Spectrum guy there, who sounded like Billy Sims, the Tidy Bowl cleaner commercial guy. He demonstrated some of the Bachmann Spectrum diesels on his small loop, and even with his hype, they ran OK, but to me even the old Atlas/Kato RS3 from the eighties was the superior mechanism, in all areas, performance, smoothness, noise (or lack of it) and drawbar power. My rule of thumb is that Spectrum makes a fine roster of steamers, but diesels are still a couple of strides back. I am not denigrating the diesels, but at the show, older Atlas RS-3's and similar locos sold for $20-$30, while the newer Bachmanns sold for $50 and up. Considering my past experience, and present observation, I would take the Atlas/Kato mechanism in a New York minute, 24/7. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman
Bachmann's RS-3 comes with a factory-installed decoder. Atlas's RS-3 isn't even DCC ready (not to denigrate Atlas's fine model, but that's a pretty big difference). -Mark
Having owned several of the older AK RS-3's I must say they were ok for their time. As for the Spectrum diesels, I have owned 3 of the SD45's and the ran great and while not up to modern Atlas or Kato standards, still beat the older AK mechanisms in my book. Though I have not owned the 44 or 70 ton lokies, I have seen them in operation and they are nice runners as well. Which of the newer Spectrum diesels are you comparing to?
I have a couple/few Atlas Classic RS's in NP, which run literally smoother than greased butter farts. You can pry my Atlas Classic RS-1's (and their beautiful damn riveted roofs) from my cold, dead hands. That bein' said? Those Bachy decoders are the literal bare minimum for DCC guys. Do they even do headlight rules? I'll take an Atlas with a TCS CN-GP decoder any day of the year, for the extra $10-25 it "may" cost me......
