Atlas California Zephyr Sets

Brian,  I had/have the same problem on my Atlas O Century Track Layout with minimum O-72 curves.

I spoke to Bill S at Atlas O, who suggested adjusting the couplers outward four more notches. (a total of six) The reason is the knuckle coupler is hanging up on the undercarriage by the vestibule.  Moving the coupler head past the end of the car sometimes helps.

It helped some, but two of my Dome Chair cars continue to rock to the outside of the curves. The rear truck may have a problem on my "Silver Colt" and "Silver Pony".  The truck turns to the inside of the O-72 curve, jumping the track.  All the other 37 Amtrak and California Zephyr cars work fine.

I oiled my cars, especially the coupler pivot. Work it back and forth. You may feel it sticking. Keep working it.

I lowered many of the couplers by removing the adjustable coupler, and loosening the two screws that hold the coupler on the vertical adjustment rack.  (Lowering the coupler too low will cause the coupler magnet to touch the center rail and spark)

Run the cars that operate smoothly. Put one dome at a time on the end of the train. For me, the problem is the rear truck on the dome cars.  The final problem could be a twisted truck, causing a front wheel on a truck to "surf" above the rail, jumping the track.  I have a new truck coming from the store where I bought my cars. I will send them my old truck.

I did a lot of swearing, moaning and crying.  It did me some good, but nothing for the two cars. Good luck. You are not alone.  Have a good weekend running what works as you work to add other cars.

Note: Add four more notches, to bring six notches out past the end axle.  I use the end axle as a sighting guide for adjusting the coupler bar length.  As I read my previous post, I realized I had not indicated how I counted the notches.  I use the end axle as a guide.  Good luck.

Thanks got the suggestions John. I've moved them out 4 notches and it's helped on one section I was having trouble but I started having trouble in a different section. 

When you say 4 notches, how many notches are visible in the backside of the truck?  I see 7.5 on mine.  

Brian, I see 7.5 of the notches past the rear axle.  I brought some of my couplers back to 6 notches and they were fine.  This should be enough to get the large knuckle coupler past the end of the car. You will see that the knuckle coupler does not move all they way side-to-side on the silver coupler arm extension.  I used an Exacto knife to scrape the high edge on the two mold circles in the silver coupler holder. The circles prevented the coupler from going all the way left and right.  Then I worked the coupler all the way left to right many times with oil.

I found that the sleepers, baggage, and observation are usually OK.  The dome cars: Lounge, chair, chair w/conductor are the challenges.  I did oil axles and coupler pivots again.

Run half a train at a time to allow the wheels to wear in, the trucks to turn, and the couplers to flex left and right.  Out-of-the-box, the cars are a bit stiff.  If a particular car consistently jumps the track, run it by itself for a while.  It might be a twisted/warped truck. Call Bill S. about any car that persists in jumping the track, especially if it does by itself behind an engine.  Finally push the one car by itself.  My cars travel backward better than forward.

 Good luck.

John,

After a bit of playing, I have the consist running successfully.  Thus far, the magic number has been 5.5 (or 6) notches extended out past the rear axle.  In other words, I extended out another 2 notches.  Which brought the total extension out 6 notches.  Each time I extended the arm, I cringed a little...but a larger gap is a fair trade for a smooth running train.  

Even with the gap, this set is stunning.  I've been enjoying having it on the layout.  Thanks again for your help!!!

Very difficult to get them to run consistently on every turnout. Changing consist order or number helps. I was fine until I added a ninth or tenth car. After that, trouble. Changing coupler notches helps with some and creates issues with others. SLOW speed helps. 

I haven't had any problems running mine

Matt Makens posted:

I haven't had any problems running mine

Hey Matt!  Did you have to make any adjustments for them to run smooth?

Nope, ran a 16 car train once and it ran really well

After running for a year with the prototype 1950 set 11 cars,two of the cars are separating with out the couplers opening,this is happening on straight track,I have all 096 curves.Has any one had this problem.

Mikey