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Altlas O F2/F3 Phase 1 w/ Cruise (Tach) Slows on curves and inclines, almost to a crawl! (Solved)

Daniel J. GonzalezDaniel J. GonzalezOGR Forum Member

Hi guys,

I have recently acquired three Atlas O F2/F3 Phase 1 Powered A-B and Non-Powered B EMD Demonstrators (Only available to Golden Spikes) with Cruise.

I have taken the units apart to replace a few fallen porthole windows and noticed that the units indeed have cruise, all though Atlas shows the units has ERR Cruise, I doubt that is actually the case as the rear motors have the Tach and sensor attached to them. The electronics looks very similar to another Atlas GP60 I have which I believe has a TAS board.

The cruise switch is on and tested with a multimeter to confirm continuity and it is working, I also tested this on the board to make sure the cable was intact. All tested fine.

The strange part is that the unit slows down when going down hill which leads me to believe the cruise feature is somewhat working but going up hill with no cars behind them or even turning on curves will cause the unit to slow down to a crawl.

I also thought it might be a power issue but the curve in question has a power feed directly soldered to the track.

Do any of your great minds have a clue as to what I can search for next?

My layout is fairly small, 12x5 and I use a PH180 w/ DCS Rev L. and obviously a TMCC Base. I do not have a TMCC Remote and run the A-B-B units in mu "Lash-up". Yes all three are added to DCS, I installed a Mini Commander EX in the dummy and converted the rear fixed coupler to an electro-coupler.

Any help will be greatly appreciated, I LOVE these engines and fixing this small inconvenience will really put the icing on the cake with these units.

Here is a link to a video I made on how to disassemble the units so that you folks can see it internally.

Thanks for the help!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rMHdYzWfrsE" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

https://youtu.be/rMHdYzWfrsE

Last edited by Daniel J. Gonzalez
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Norm CharbonneauNorm CharbonneauOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

You have factory EOB in those engines. Sounds like the cruise is off. Use the following sequence to turn cruise on in 128 step mode:

ENG + ## + DIR + AUX1 + AUX1 + AUX1 (you will hear whistle/horn blast) + 2 (you will hear whistle/horn blast)

In this mode, you can hit BOOST and the engine should start and run in speed step 1. Holding onto the coupler, you should feel the engine try to pull harder. 

Attached you will find instructions for accessing the different EOB modes in command mode using the CAB-1 or CAB-2.

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Daniel J. GonzalezDaniel J. GonzalezOGR Forum Member

Thanks Guys,

Norm, I only have a DCS remote but since I don't need the "SET" button for this procedure, I believe I can perform this. Just need to toggle AUX1 vs simply pressing it like one would with a CAB remote. I will keep you all posted when I try this tonight.

I think this may be the smoking gun.

Pete, I will look at this to but never saw rub marks on the body. Maybe its a wire or something similar but still worth a look.

Again, thank you all so much.

Daniel J. GonzalezDaniel J. GonzalezOGR Forum Member
Norm Charbonneau posted:

You have factory EOB in those engines. Sounds like the cruise is off. Use the following sequence to turn cruise on in 128 step mode:

ENG + ## + DIR + AUX1 + AUX1 + AUX1 (you will hear whistle/horn blast) + 2 (you will hear whistle/horn blast)

In this mode, you can hit BOOST and the engine should start and run in speed step 1. Holding onto the coupler, you should feel the engine try to pull harder. 

Attached you will find instructions for accessing the different EOB modes in command mode using the CAB-1 or CAB-2.

Well, I got home and went straight to the layout to give this a try. Selected the engine with the DCS remote, pressed Direction, Toggled AUX1 on and off three times (fast) and heard the horn, lastly presses 2 key, heard horn blast again and voila!!! She runs smooth as glass.

You my friend are a gentleman and a scholar!

I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate everyone on this forum. This has to be the best tool in the O Gauge Hobby.

P.s. I saved the document in my "Train Docs" folder

Thanks!

Daniel J. GonzalezDaniel J. GonzalezOGR Forum Member
Norm Charbonneau posted:

Glad to hear that worked for you. Those engines are nice runners with the factory EOB. I have the NYC F2s from the first run.

Norm,

They are my current favorite set of engines and I have a few modern engines as well, so that says a lot about the quality of Atlas Master Locomotives. They sound just right to me and look fantastic. Now they run just as amazing as they look thanks to you. I spent 3 hours running them last night, I just couldn't bring myself to turn them off!!

BTW, your layout is spectacular!

I appreciate your attention and help with this matter.

I am a Trekkie so, Live Long and Prosper my Friend!

Thanks!

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