Atlas 3-Rail Dummy f3 Phase 2

Bob,

When I bought my dummy GP9 it did not come with the "Power Transfer Gear Assembly" and coasted quite well.  Here's a link to the 3-rail trucks and gear assy:

http://www.atlaso.com/partspdf...truck%20complete.pdf

I can't imagine Atlas putting the PTGA in the F3 dummy because of what you have stated (and cost).

I bought the PTGA and equipped my GP9 with MTH motors and mounts and now I have a powered, nice running Geep.  The MTH motors and worm gears(correct term?) fit like a glove!

If the engine you have is one you want to use as a dummy I would check it and remove the PTGA if necessary.

I have a single powered Atlas SD40 pulling a 30-unit train with no grades. Behind the powered unit is another 6-axle unpowered SD40 with the geartrain intact on both the front and rear trucks. One powered locomotive is sufficient with lots of power to spare.

Bob, I don't have an Atlas engine.  I can buy a dummy direct from Atlas, but don't know if it has the PTGA.  Maybe just the gears on the trucks, or maybe neither.  If I buy a dummy from Atlas, then I may have a hard time finding a matching powered unit.  On the other hand, dealers don't seem to carry the dummy A.  But, if the dummy is heavy and creates drag, then I would be better off with two powered As.  The powered units are very expensive.  That's my dilemma.  I guess the simple answer is to call Atlas.

Bob,

That's what I would do, call them and ask if the unpowered unit has the PTGA (part number for the GP9 is on that link) I would think it shouldn't and it's probably the same truck used on their F3.

Bob Delbridge,

Apparently the f3 phase 2 dummy unit has geared trucks and power pickups on front and back trucks.  I don't know, and neither does the person I talked to know if it has the PTGA.  Probably not.  Anyway I ordered it from Atlas, because I am afraid the dummy units will be hard to find.  Dealers don't stock them.  I'll email you after I inspect it.  Has not shipped and my credit card has not been charged.

bob

Apparently the f3 phase 2 dummy unit has geared trucks and power pickups on front and back trucks.

Bob, That would be the same as what my GP9 dummy came with.  When the PTGA is installed it meshes with the gears between the axles (which then mesh with the gears on the axles).  I don't recall if I tried rolling the truck when I installed the PTGA, but I know with the motor installed (meshing with the PTGA) it won't turn unless power is applied to the motor.

My GP9 also had lighting, which needed the center pickups.

If it does come with the PTGA, it's easy to remove if you feel it's creating too much drag.

You can always power it with a couple of MTH motors (need the motor mounting blocks too) if you wish, they're not expensive I don't think.

I actually powered my GP9 at first with the PS2 guts from the Railking F3, including the complete truck assemblies.  Once I got the (2) PTGAs and found I could use the MTH motors on the Atlas trucks, I put the Atlas trucks back on (they had better detail).

I'm finding there's a lot of commonality in these engines, not just in one manufacturer but between them too.  Wish there was a database that showed cross-references/commonality of parts, I suspect there's a number of shelf-queens that could be made to run again if folks only knew.

The Atlas GP7 and GP9 use the exact same parts, except for the body and the 2 lower side pieces under the cab, at least according to the parts lists.  I want to get these 3 parts so I can turn my GP9 into a GP7 (already have a Legacy GP9 but no GP7).