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So, the fun with my Atlas NJ Transit ALP-44 continues.  So, I decided to keep the locomotive and put in an order for screws and the new side frames for the trucks.  Last week I put the train on the track for first time and all it did was make engine noise. No bell, no horn, no lights, no start-up procedure using my conventional transformer. I don’t have DCS or Lionel TMCC/Legacy at the moment, but all information I read about this Atlas locomotive was that it would run both conventionally and with Lionel TMCC/Legacy in addition to Atlas’ discontinued LocoMatic control.

So I took it to my local hobby store, Ready to Roll Trains in Miami, to see what Bill Lucas and friends could do as they have all O Gauge control systems on its track.  Bill put the locomotive on the track and saw the same result I did, just engine noise and nothing else, whether the track was being powered conventionally or with a remote system. Bill even removed the Roof Electrical Box Cover – I didn’t know that could be removed – and pointed out to me a panel that looked like it needed codes to input and maybe the locomotive was locked.  The unit that I purchased didn’t come with a manual or the LocoMatic control box and there was no information available on the Atlas website so everyone was at a loss as to what to do. 

OGR Atlas ALP-44 07

OGR Atlas ALP-44 08

So, I’ve gone ahead and purchased a LocoMatic control box on FeeBay to see if that will make it work or unlock the codes.  If anyone has an owner’s manual, I would greatly appreciate it if you could scan a copy of it and e-mail it to me.

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  • OGR Atlas ALP-44 07
  • OGR Atlas ALP-44 08
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Kevin:

They are not 'codes' per se, they just need to be in a certain sequence to run conventional or LocoMatic.  From your picture, it appears that that you are in LocoMatic mode, (first 2 dip switches ON), especially given you are hearing sound but no movement.  If you normal the first 2 dip switches (to OFF, as the rest are), I'll wager she will run.  I know these units quite well, and have several manuals right in front of me.  Try what I am suggesting, but I will also scan the manual (or at least the good parts) for your reference.

Last edited by Pantenary

Kevin:

Please see attached.  Your area of interest will be page 12, (PDF page 5).  If you set all those dip switches to 'OFF", I think the unit will work for you unless there is some board level issue.  Let me know how it turns out; I'll be happy to help you troubleshoot further.

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Last edited by Pantenary

Apologies for the delay in responding but was moving this weekend which consumed all of my time.

Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

Funny thing Kevin, I had the same situation on a MTH loco...  After hours trying to reset and no results.  I turned the poweron, (conventional transformer) and laid a screwdriver across the tracks'..  The loco came to life, and has never had another problem...

Quarter Gauger - Funny indeed 

Nate, thanks for the information, and thank you for the Owner's Manual.  Interesting enough, this morning, Atlas responded to an e-mail I sent them last week and in that e-mail was a scanned manual.  Just waiting for the LocoMatic box to arrive (ETA Sep 3rd) and I will be set. 

Everything is packed away, but I can't wait to put up a small loop with manual and LocoMatic on hand to see the ALP-44 run its paces with a couple of coaches behind it

Last edited by Amfleet25124

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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