Atlas AEM-7 to TMCC or DCS?

I don't see any particular issue converting this to command, which system to you favor?  If you want it converted, drop me an email to my profile address.

I have the MTH AEM-7, looks good pulling my Amtrak cars.

What makes the Atlas a little trickier is a lack of room under the hood. This model has one large, centrally-located horizontal motor that drives a tower gear train above each truck. Two weights cover the drive shafts and the large twin flywheels.

An ERR cruise commander worked (no sounds), but it was tough keeping the wires out of the mechanism. I also seem to remember having to remove one of the plastic cab detail assemblies and at least one weight to get more room, but I'm sure a more experienced installer like John could do much better than I did.

Wiring the numerous sets of lights on both ends of the engine is also a challenge.

But, it is a great running engine - well worth converting.

Jim

I have one of these engines in undecorated kit form that I haven't gotten around to painting and assembling yet. Jim is right, it is very tight in there. I am considering whether I even want to attempt installing a conversion in the locomotive or just put the electronics and speaker in a baggage or RPO car and connect the motor and lights with a tether. That is an alternative if the space is too tight for the conversion you want. 

PS/3 might also be an option. It's a little more compact and you don't have to find a place for the battery. There are no kits available, but I've picked up two cheap Rail King engines with PS/3 (one steam and one diesel) for the price of a PS/2 kit or less.

The one problem with any DCS installation would be figuring out how to mount the tach reader. This can be an issue in any non-MTH DCS installation, and from Jim's photo it looks like the flywheel is kind of hard to get at. An ERR kit for TMCC wouldn't require a tach reader. 

If you got the Cruise Commander in there, the sounds shouldn't be an issue.  The tricky part is where to direct the speaker sounds.  The new ERR RS Commander board is very small.

A good friend of mine is considering the same upgrade. One of the things we discussed is loosing the unique horn sound that matches the AEM7 very well.  Any ideas? 

Conductor Earl 

Unless you do the DCS route and figure out how to fit the boards and the flywheel in, you're stuck with the limited selection of ERR sounds.

I converted a couple of my original MTH units to TMCC with the UCUB boards.  Too bad they are no longer available.

I have one of these too in NJT.  I took the shell off and just stared at it for a long time as I considered a PS3 upgrade.  It looks very daunting.

Ron