In the post for DCC or not to DCC, I stated we weren't having problems with our Atlas engines recently purchased in the last year. But I have to take that back. We have been having problems and out of 6 engines purchased recently (SD60's and 35's); only two run well. All were either decoder equiped (SD60's) or a decoder was installed (SD35's). So I am wondering if others are having problems with Atlas engines (recent in last year or two).
You're going to have to be more specific than "we're having problems". There are a number of problems I have experienced over the past couple of years, but most were quick, simple fixes that required no parts to fix. Let us know what the loco is doing (or not doing), and we'll try to help out. MOPAC 1
I have heard of people having trouble with their atlas engines... the more recent ones. I also hang out in the Atlas forum for n scale. I am fortunate that we have good people here willing to help us out if we are having problems. I really didn't want help with the problems (although I am appreciative of your offer), but rather was hoping to hear of other's problems. For example two I have heard of are 1) incredible over lubrication 2) problems with decoder contacts. Oh yes, and 3) cracking shells (some think this has to do with the extra lubrication which may not be plastic friendly. So I was wondering if others are experiencing problems.
I've got all non-DCC Atlas locos, so I don't have those problems. I've got a couple with a little of the cracking paint (SD60 series in UP yellow) and a GP40-2 that leans quite a bit to the left, for some reason. I must say, however, that all 5 of my Atlas engines run like Swiss watches Russ
There are actually two "contact" problems I'm familiar with. 1) Poor contact between the pick-up wipers and the contact "nubs" at the top of the trucks. This is cured by slightly bending the wiper strips down to increase the "spring" contact force. 2) On my first SD-60's with decoder, Atlas did not insulate the pick-up "arms" that run up along-side the motor and make contact with the underside of the decoder board. Occasionally, the arm vibrates out and touches the bare metal frame, which causes the "Runaway Loco Syndrome". I cut small strips of black electrical tape to prevent this. I then discovered on later versions, Atlas had addressed this problem with a amber plastic protective strip. I have never had a over-lubricated loco from the manufacturer (at least not yet). I'm usually more likely to be guilty of this, but I've learned my lesson. Hope this helps you or others with similar problems. MOPAC 1
A couple of days ago I took the shells off all of my Atlas(china) locos(about 20) to clean the oil out of them with cotton swabs. I did this after I discovered all the excess oil in my UP SD60M that I sent back to Atlas because the paint was cracked. After cleaning my BNSF SD60M, the paint started cracking on the walkway/sidesill. How much fu*king oil does Atlas need to put on their engines!!!! There is oil in between the cab and body, it is all over the place!!! They shouldn't need hardly any oil at all. My Atlas/Kato Burlington GP35 has 200+ hours of running on it and it runs just as good as the day I bought it and I never had to lube it once. I am sick of these stupid problems with Atlas(china) locos. It is my mission to destroy Atlas' reputation, I am sick and tired of them.
