This loco has been a problem since new two trips to atlas and still the worst loco I ever bought. Today it just took off a full speed and caused a derailment. Reset didn't fix things. I'm going to install an ERR board. Has anyone had this or similar problems with the old atlas locos?
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I can relate.
Last Fall I bought a new SD40 that would randomly slow down or come to a complete stop. I, too, sent it to Atlas twice and they said it was fine. Each time it was returned it did the same thing - slow down or stop. It's the absolute worst engine I have.
It's now with forum member Boxcar Bill getting a complete ERR upgrade along with another SD40. I want to have at least 2 engines with a Cruise Commander and Railsounds Commander to MU together. I'm also doing a 3rd one myself.
In my opinion, the TAS boards are hit or miss. Some run great while others have operating issues, either with the EOB, Railsounds 4.0 or lighting.
Two things to check. Make sure the antenna wire is secure. I like to solder the wire from the board to a length of copper tape attached to the underside of the hood. Also check that the speed sensor is centered on the tach strip and within .1" or so.
Pete
I had the exact same problem as Catnap.
If you want to keep all the features, installing a Cruise commander is kind of a pain, and expensive. Along with the cruise board, you also need a new sound board, or a Railsounds commander and a Lionel smoke unit.
Clearly I will never buy another Atlas loco. Thanks for the advise I will be installing a cruise commander. I will do without the smoke of sound for now. With the performance of the TAS board I could not sell it and keep a my integrity so I guess I will fix it.
The full speed launch with EOB is usually the tach encoder, either a wire broken, encoder slipped out of alignment, etc.
The conversion to PS-2 is possible, I have done a few for a customer. Added smoke on 2 and the other already had it.
They do have nice drive trains and smooth motors/gear combinations.
A few I did were Lionel Motherboards and boards. Only one was TAS. G
I checked the sensor at the flywheel and it was in place. I removed the TAS components and am awaiting the ERR unit. I have other ERR units and they have performed to perfection. They are great with customer service too. The upgraded sound is great also. That will be added to the GP 35 later. Thanks to all for the great responses. The OGR community is the greatest. I will be selling the TAS stuff to anyone who wants it for repair or what ever. What is it worth or should I just trash it?
I'd take it off your hands for the right price, I repair them. It's always nice to have a spare, I don't currently have any of them. 
Let me know what it is worth and we can make a deal. My email is jschim1257@usfamily.net. Could I use the atlas smoke unit with the ERR electronics?
It the Atlas smoke unit the Seuthe unit? You can wire it's regulator to the smoke output of the ERR boards and enable/disable the smoke from the remote. Is that what you're asking?
Personally, I'd put a fan driven smoke unit in there if you like smoke.
Bill, Yes to Smoke. I believe it is a TAS Fan driven unit, so you do need to power the fan from a 5VDC source and the resistor might need to be changed to a 22-27ohm depending on how much smoke you like. I believe the TAS is 8 to 10 ohms. G
The TAS unit does not work the fan runs but no heat. I was hoping that it could be wired up with out the regulator, I guess I will leave it out unless there are other units to be had.
Like George says, if you replace the resistor with a TMCC compatible value, you can wire directly to it from the smoke output of the ERR Cruise Commander. I use a 20 ohm 3W wirewound resistor in many upgrades. Is the fan power supply on the TAS smoke unit, or on the regulator board? You can add a simple 5V power supply from a couple of components if necessary to run the fan.
Is the resistor element open? May be as simple as that. G
Bill,
This pcb will fit your smoke unit, you can wire it to the commander and have control of the smoke unit via switch or cab 1,2. For more smoke change the resistor. You can use your existing fan motor.
Bill
I am doing the exact same conversion on a Atlas SD40. I found the same thing, you can't use the original TAS smoke unit, or the control board. Bill has the correct solution.
As a first step, you'll want to cut that sock off the resistor. 
where can I get the pcb smoke unit?
where can I get the pcb smoke unit?
Check our web here,
We have good prices on Lionel and ERR parts
A short video of two Atlas Sd-40's upgraded with ERR cruise and smoke
I'd take it off your hands for the right price, I repair them. It's always nice to have a spare, I don't currently have any of them.
I sent you an email about ten days ago, never got an answer. I assumed that was it.
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