Atlas Dash 8- 2 rail

Nice! Happy day. Enjoy her, John.

Hopefully we'll see a steady stream of Atlas engines.

I'll say this again, they look very sharp!

These locomotives run really smooth, even at a crawl. They're a bit on the light side since they don't have diecast frames like the Master Line but they're excellent pullers nonetheless.

I hope this is an indication that Atlas is beginning to work out its production delays. I have 2 Master SD40's on order from August 2016.

The LokSound decoders are a major upgrade in sounds and performance from previous models with QSI boards.

catnap posted:

The LokSound decoders are a major upgrade in sounds and performance from previous models with QSI boards.

 

Yes they are. Scott Mann would be wise to switch over his decoders to ESU. They are better than the QSI boards in all respects. Buying a 3rd rail model and immediately having to rip out the electronics has become really irritating. Atlas has the right idea using the LokSound L which has a Motherboard/Daughterboard design. Thus allowing them to offer a DC and DCC model. Upgrading the DC model is just as simple as plugging in the daughterboard.

I hope this is a sign that Atlas is getting "back on track"

Not to argue Jon, but I find the QSI Q3 Emulator comparable to the LokSound in both running characteristics and sound sets. It may require some CV adjustment to achieve perfection, but I've handled that with ease.

My only concern with QSI is the time it will take QS Industries to get up to speed replacing QSI Solutions for customer service.

I also own several units with LokSound. They are stellar performers, and I will use more of them.

PRR Man posted:

Not to argue Jon, but I find the QSI Q3 Emulator comparable to the LokSound in both running characteristics and sound sets. It may require some CV adjustment to achieve perfection, but I've handled that with ease.

My only concern with QSI is the time it will take QS Industries to get up to speed replacing QSI Solutions for customer service.

I also own several units with LokSound. They are stellar performers, and I will use more of them.

CC, 

You and Jon both know what a HUGE QSI devote' and cheerleader I was a few years ago, but not so much anymore. 

Back then, the market was virtually WIDE OPEN, QSI could have totally dominated, but no one in the Oregon or Vermont locations wanted to do the leg work or spend the $$$ to make that happen. 

The Titan is a superb decoder in every respect. The only thing I take slight issue with is your statement about sound sets.  QSI has 12...ESU has over 100. I pinged QSI repeatedly about the need to expand on what they had, by going on new recording trips, but that fell on deaf ears. 

The EMD 645 comes in 6, 8, 12,16, & 20 cylinder configurations; ESU offers them all. QSI offers a single file; the 16 cylinder version. That prime mover is wrong for a 20 cylinder SD45, just like it's wrong for an 8 cylinder SW1000. So even though it's a superb decoder, the current (and probably future) lack of appropriate sound files for various locos,  and the difficulty in obtaining the Titan hardware is going to continue to relegate it to secondary status...

Matt Forsyth

Forsyth Rail Services  

Has anyone had one of these apart?  I'm encouraged by the reports of good performance, but I'm curious about the gear ratio...  Anyone brave enough to take the shell off and count the turns?  

PRR Man posted:

Not to argue Jon, but I find the QSI Q3 Emulator comparable to the LokSound in both running characteristics and sound sets. It may require some CV adjustment to achieve perfection, but I've handled that with ease.

My only concern with QSI is the time it will take QS Industries to get up to speed replacing QSI Solutions for customer service.

I also own several units with LokSound. They are stellar performers, and I will use more of them.

That's ok Chris. I know you and Matt have been big QSI supporters. So was I at one point. But when you look at the variety of sounds, the plug and play smoke units, the easy to use programmer, the modular motherboard/daughterboard design, company support, continued development and innovations, and now the CAB control system that allows you to have a software defined DCC control that uses icons instead of recalling Function numbers AND it automatically recognizes all ESU decoders and loads them into the system... ESU is hands down my favorite. Not to mention that Matt is a fellow railfan and is very responsive.

To each their own, but I had so many issues programming my Titans that I gave up. I won't run them anymore. Not when I can run LokSound and get all the benefits that I mentioned. Unfortunately, that means I have a real problem with 3rd Rail engines. I know I'm not the only one that rips out QSI for ESU.

I think Atlas is really on to something and I hope they can bounce back. I'd hate to see them exit the O scale market.

PRR Man posted:

Not to argue Jon, but I find the QSI Q3 Emulator comparable to the LokSound in both running characteristics and sound sets. It may require some CV adjustment to achieve perfection, but I've handled that with ease.

My only concern with QSI is the time it will take QS Industries to get up to speed replacing QSI Solutions for customer service.

I also own several units with LokSound. They are stellar performers, and I will use more of them.

My friend has an Atlas O GP7 from years back, it came from Atlas with some kind of QSI system. It runs extremely slowly, and smoothly. No more than 1 mph. Very cool.

Still, I'm glad that Atlas switched to ESU. Seems a very much more robust company, and I have their LokProgrammer from HO. I look forward to their end-cab switchers coming out next year (hopefully lol).  I wish the best for QSI in the future …. competition is a good thing.

And John Dunn, once again, NICE engines! I keep going back to look at them. Cool way to pull a train!

Jim

8 years and no one posts decent pictures lol

SANTIAGOP23 posted:

8 years and no one posts decent pictures lol

John Dunn posted some very decent pictures when he started this thread.

They look great indeed! Would love to see a full set of pictures. Nice golden LEDs too.

Gosh, 2 rail just looks so much better

Matt, I agree with the dearth of QSI sound files. I should have stated sound quality rather than sound sets.

Penn Division posted:

PRR Man posted:

Not to argue Jon, but I find the QSI Q3 Emulator comparable to the LokSound in both running characteristics and sound sets. It may require some CV adjustment to achieve perfection, but I've handled that with ease.

My only concern with QSI is the time it will take QS Industries to get up to speed replacing QSI Solutions for customer service.

I also own several units with LokSound. They are stellar performers, and I will use more of them.

CC, 

You and Jon both know what a HUGE QSI devote' and cheerleader I was a few years ago, but not so much anymore. 

Back then, the market was virtually WIDE OPEN, QSI could have totally dominated, but no one in the Oregon or Vermont locations wanted to do the leg work or spend the $$$ to make that happen. 

The Titan is a superb decoder in every respect. The only thing I take slight issue with is your statement about sound sets.  QSI has 12...ESU has over 100. I pinged QSI repeatedly about the need to expand on what they had, by going on new recording trips, but that fell on deaf ears. 

The EMD 645 comes in 6, 8, 12,16, & 20 cylinder configurations; ESU offers then all. QSI offers a single file; the 16 cylinder version. That prime mover is wrong for a 20 cylinder SD45, just like it's wrong for an 8 cylinder SW1000. So even though it's a superb decoder, the current (and probably future) lack of appropriate sound files for various locos,  and the difficulty in obtaining the Titan hardware is going to continue to relegate it to secondary status...

Matt Forsyth

Forsyth Rail Services  

 

Agree. One size does not fit all.  Modelers who like accuracy and sound will want their sound to be correct as much as any other detail applied to an engine.

noticed Gold one  for sale on Ebay and the new packaging involved. They seem like they are placed between black bookend. Any easier removing them from the box.

Dear Phil,

Locos are easy to remove from packaging- a couple of philips head screws attach to cradle, remove them and on to the layout.

Just like to other Trainman series packaging.

Check and see if mr.Muffins trains if he has any left. His pricing and service was excellent.  John

John(s) , Great looking locomotives!   Thanks for sharing.  I finally got mine from Caboose Stop at Galesburg RR Days.  I have 2 more that I need to pick up. Those are the locomotives with ESU Loksound.  Looking forward to them.  In the meantime, I am working on installing Tsunami 2 4400 decoders in a couple of the DC versions I picked up.  I may try and add some details and perhaps see if I can grind off those 3R grabiron holes on the sides of the locomotive.  Worst case I will fill them.

Please share your upgrades, Mike!

According to the tracking I have, mine is taking a trip around my country because of the incompetence and stupidity of the french postal service!!!!!!  

Something's wrong here!!!!! on marche sur la tête, sorry, it's in french!!!!!!!

jpv in France

Finally here!!!!

I really like this engine; fine details, colours ; as beautiful as I wished!

Now, she has found a sister to play with!

Tomorrow, test track and sounds!

jpv in France

I am looking to buy one of these Atsf, if anybody has one to sell in good condition.

@Martin H posted:

I am looking to buy one of these Atsf, if anybody has one to sell in good condition.

@c.sam has an MTH 2-rail one for sale over on the sale / trade forum.  Looks nice.

@CentralFan1976 posted:

@c.sam has an MTH 2-rail one for sale over on the sale / trade forum.  Looks nice.

That would be a 3-rail.  

@Martin H posted:

That would be a 3-rail.  

Sorry; fixed pilots and scale wheels would be 2-rail.

Touché it is 2-rail.  I was mislead by his thread title indicating 3-rail.

but if I bought it I would have to weather all the cars behind it. Like grxxxiti, it’s an all or nothing thing.

I bought this from Doug (Laid off sick) a few years ago and it is set now for 3 rail and runs very well. Look closely at the description on the box posted showing 'scale wheels'. Evidently it is 2 to 3 rail convertible

Does this Atlas model use the MTH tooling?  Reason I ask is the 2/3 rail conversion comment.  (If it is, they have a winner.)