Atlas 3 rail SW9 Reverser Issues

Difficulty reversing was a known issue with these engines. Power has to be interrupted very briefly to get them to reverse. A quick push on the direction button...

MELGAR

One that I acquired at a train meet.  Operated as you described, eventually wouldn't reverse.   I purchased, used, TAS electronics from the "for sale" forum, did an extensive upgrade, with 18 volt lighting, electro-couplers, speaker in the fuel tank, etc., where Atlas went, with the SW's when TMCC became available.  Current Atlas SW's have ERR electronics.  Atlas was pretty good at suppling mounting parts, and the articulated couplers.  You would have to get current electronics from ERR, as an upgrade kit.   It's a nice project, but time consuming.  Biggest part of the project was cutting the speaker hole in the fuel tank. 

History: When Atlas did the TMCC version of the SW, TAS (Train America Studios) offered a retro-fit, for SW models that had the Dallee control system.  TAS had Atlas make them pre-painted frames that accommodated the speaker, in the fuel tank, and other upgrades, like the mounting holes for the TAS electronic boards.  Send your Dallee controlled, SW, to TAS and it was upgraded and returned, TMCC.   

Slideshow of the upgrade. Click on the underlined phrase to link.

 I was aware of the frame change, that TAS had done, but was still concerned about the fit of the electronics under the hood.  With a little luck, I dremeled some of the Dallee speaker mounting, from the hood area, near the top exhaust grills, to fit the front electronics board.   Still a tight fit, but all my Atlas SW9s are a tight electronics fit.  

Thanks for the responses, Melgar and Mike. The conversion is probably a bit beyond my level of ability, but interesting none the less. Looks like a lot of cutting and repositioning of parts.

Mike, as your photos show, it is a really great looking unit. Too bad mine functions so poorly. 

Thanks again, for the responses.

Tom