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What's the final word on EOB cruise from 2006?

A forum search shows lots of different opinions.

Some say it works well, others say it's prone to failure, still others say the locos have trouble getting up to speed.

I'd like to add an early diesel to my steam layout, but don't want any headaches. I know the first non cruise Rs1's ran poorly.

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Rick, I had a NYC from the very 1st run. Couldn’t wait to sell it. Nice looking but seemed to have about 3 usable speed steps for prototype running. Their SW got such rave reviews I figured this would be the same performance wise. Even without cruise.  I  added EOB in a few engines and as long as they are in passenger service they run okay. I recently pulled a Lionel 4-6-0 out of storage. I had added EOB and remember it being an okay runner. I’m making into a engine to be used on locals and switching work. The Rutland did this in the late 40’s when they weren’t needed in road service and what was working the locals was ancient. I couldn’t believe how bad it ran. I know I’m spoiled by Legacy. The slow ramp up doing any kind of switching moves just didn’t work for me. It’s getting a ERR Cruise M.
I added a Atlas 0-6-0 a while back. Also with EOB. I played a lot with the settings and it’s acceptable for the time being. With the free spinning throttle knob it’s hard to tell where you are speed wise. You keep turning it trying to accelerate and next thing you are going to fast when it ramps up and it de accelerates just as slow. Then you wind up hitting the direction button with an abrupt stop. EOB does respond to boost and brake. But only changes 1 speed step for each button push. I find it almost easier to run it with a DCS remote with a throttle with a detent.

My opinion for what it’s worth. I’m guessing you don’t have DCS. The MTH Proto 3 maybe is only slightly less detailed. But is a way better runner with 4 pickup rollers and much easier to work on. You could sell the MTH electronics and change it over to TMCC and maybe not come out to bad on the deal. Changing out the EOB. Not so easy a resell. Although there are some followers.

Last edited by Dave_C

Like you’ve said you’ll get many answers. I still have three engines using TAS EOB. All are still running great. I did have to replace the tach tape on one which out of nowhere started to run erratically. Yes, they have momentum built in which takes several seconds to come up to speed but you will certainly get used to it.
I have changed out other EOB units for ERR  Cruise simply because it’s newer technology and better performance.

The RS-1 may have been one of the first EOB models, It took awhile, as my foggy head remembers.  I have Atlas 21 Century track.  Center rail cleaning, and pick-up roller cleaning,  was/were the first step(s).  Eventually I had to clean the wheels/flanges to get good low speed control.    My Atlas SW9's  have (4) four roller, center rail, pick-up-s), a huge ++ (plus).

Somewhere buried in the technical section, of this forum, is the EOB, installation, and adjustment(s), from Train America Studios. (TAS).  At one time TAS sold upgrade kits, and did speed control upgrades, at their shop, Youngstown, Ohio, when we were a lot younger.

Most common problem:  A loose/mis-aligned, tach sensor board, a key part of the system.

Some where in the instruction manual:  If you still have a Cab1 remote, you can turn the EOB off.   Run conventional.

Have fun, Mike CT

Do a forum search for Atlas EOB.   Or EOB installation.   

Last edited by Mike CT

I have one of those early Atlas RS-1's with EOB and would not recommend anyone buying one unless they are prepared to do some modifications. From the get go mine had problems picking up power from the track. Track, rollers, and wheels had to be perfectly clean to get good operation. Some years later I talked with one of the Atlas people and he said there was a problem with the manufacture of the wheels and they did not pick up power from the outer rails as good as they should. The recommendation was to clean the  wheels that didn't have traction tires and rub some of their conductive lubricating oil on the wheel tread. This helped a lot but is was only a temporary solution as the wheels got dirty faster.

I had purchased an Atlas dummy GP35 which came with a spare set of geared wheel sets. Eventually I tore down the RS-1 trucks and replaced the old wheel sets with the spares from the GP-35 and it worked. The power pickup problems were largely solved except that this model came with only 2 pickup rollers and I've always had problems with 2 roller Atlas engines (no issues with the 4 roller pickup models). Many years later I bought a beat up newer model RS-1cheap that had trucks with 2 rollers per truck. Swapped those trucks to my older RS-1 and pretty much cured all the power pickup issues.

It still has EOB and other than the low speed motor whine which is characteristic of EOB. It runs fine set at 128 speed steps. Its not Legacy or PS3 but its good enough. My recommendation is if you find a PS3 RS-1 you would be better off buying that.

Ken

My experience with Atlas O masterline locomotives is they feel like a German engineered machine:exquisite attention to detail, overbuilt, but prone to problems  

I don't own a RS1, but I have a SD40 which has many common parts and problems

EOB is a mess, Upgrading to ERR is definitely a improvement but expensive. Still not as good as Legacy or Protosound 3 in my opinion  

To improve connection with common outer rail, get rid of at least one set of traction tire wheels and replace them with solid metal wheels. Replacement solid wheels are hard to come by

Inspect wire connection to trucks, I have seen problems with wire breaking, or ring connector becoming loose....beware of brass worm gear bearing and nylon washer which can fall out when removing truck



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@RickO posted:

... I'd like to add an early diesel to my steam layout, but don't want any headaches. ...

@Dave_C posted:

... My opinion for what it’s worth. I’m guessing you don’t have DCS. The MTH Proto 3 maybe is only slightly less detailed. But is a way better runner with 4 pickup rollers and much easier to work on.

I have an Atlas CNJ RS-1 from many years ago, 2-rail though. And a MTH Railking CNJ RS-1 from earlier this year. The MTH is just as nice as the Atlas ... in ways, nicer. The Atlas has a brake chain hanging across one of the four trucks, but that's it. Easy to add, if you wished.

So, don't let details stop you from getting the MTH. This is my first MTH engine, so I don't know how the other Railking engines are, but their RS-1 is very nice, and scale.

Good luck.

Last edited by CNJ Jim
@CNJ Jim posted:


So, don't let details stop you from getting the MTH. This is my first MTH engine, so I don't know how the other Railking engines are, but their RS-1 is very nice, and scale.

Good luck.

I'm strictly a Tmcc/Legacy operator. That's why I figured I'd look into the Atlas version first.

Having said that. I've seen videos of the Mth and it sounds fantastic. I can operate it conventionally via my Legacy handheld with my TPC unit.

It also appears the Mth engine is more "service friendly" when it comes to smoke unit maintenance etc.

The biggest snag is. The NYC 30-20248 version is now impossible to find.

There have been multiple dealer "special runs" but the NYC isn't that special😕

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