Atlas O Original AEM-7 - Ahead of it's time?

I also have one of those and always thought it was a terrific running, and looking engine. Actually I think mine is the Amtrak version.

I don't know about the battery or capacitor question but I'm sure someone will chime in with the answer.

Paul

had one for ages...still runs great

I absolutely love the Atlas version of the AEM-7s and, although I don't have an NJT Alp-44, I appreciate that Atlas didn't just paint NJT colors onto an AEM-7.
The sound system uses a capacitor in order to keep the sounds running when you switch directions or into neutral. That's also why you can leave it in the attic for a decade and pull it out with no problems! It also pulls a little better than an MTH model and far better than a Lionel HHP-8

They are truly beautiful models.

If only Atlas did a production run of them with tmcc.... Darn motors took up too much space

Bryce

@CharmCityAirLine posted:

It also pulls a little better than an MTH model and far better than a Lionel HHP-8

I fixed the HHP-8 and it pulls as well as any other engine now.   It's amazing what an extra pound of weight will do!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I fixed the HHP-8 and it pulls as well as any other engine now.   It's amazing what an extra pound of weight will do!

I like your handywork! I still regret letting my Rhino go (#656).

I have AEM7s in Amtrak, MARC, and SEPTA while having the ALP44 in NJT and car sets to go with all of them.  I think they are outstanding models and great runners.  I don't mind the lack of command control. 

Here are photos are the Amtrak and NJT models showing the difference between the EMD/ASEA/Budd AEM7 and the ABB ALP44. 

Kept my Lionel Hippo too even though it is a little small. Still a good model.

I concur!

Thanks!

- Mario

Revisiting this thread -

Sounds like these were not equipped with TMCC out of the box?

Is it possible to install TMCC board in these or is internal space a concern?

From what I understand there is not enough room for neither TMCC nor Protosound. Best way is to do what @Ron045 did and use a Bluerail board, or one of the new Blunami boards.
Thanks!

Someday when they offer one for sine wave AC instead of square wave, I’ll get one installed.

- Mario

Since you're probably not going to be switching freight with one of these, why not put the TMCC receiver in a trailing passenger car?  Much easier to fit, and a plastic-bodied car won't create any special challenges with the radio signal.  Of course you'll have to sneak a small tether out of the loco (maybe near the coupler?) for motor control.  I would leave everything else in the loco as-is.  My $.02.

@Ted S posted:

Since you're probably not going to be switching freight with one of these, why not put the TMCC receiver in a trailing passenger car?  Much easier to fit, and a plastic-bodied car won't create any special challenges with the radio signal.  Of course you'll have to sneak a small tether out of the loco (maybe near the coupler?) for motor control.  I would leave everything else in the loco as-is.  My $.02.

A good idea! Could the module fit in that middle space in the café car where there are no windows? Or how about a material handling car? Sure that means every run would have an MHC, but that was very common all through 90s

@Ted S posted:

Since you're probably not going to be switching freight with one of these, why not put the TMCC receiver in a trailing passenger car?  Much easier to fit, and a plastic-bodied car won't create any special challenges with the radio signal.  Of course you'll have to sneak a small tether out of the loco (maybe near the coupler?) for motor control.  I would leave everything else in the loco as-is.  My $.02.

Well said, just think of them as a steamer………the trailing car/tender carries the electronics. I had to do this with my Lionel scale turbine. Small tether and poof we have TMCC

I had that Atlas AEM-7, and when I popped the hood thinking about an upgrade I found that big horizontal motor taking all the space.

@ThatGuy posted:

Well said, just think of them as a steamer………the trailing car/tender carries the electronics. I had to do this with my Lionel scale turbine. Small tether and poof we have TMCC

Hard to believe you couldn't fit something in a scale turbine, what exact "turbine" was it? The scale S2 has more than enough space for electronics.  Of course, with a steamer, there's no downside to putting the electronics in the tender, you are going to have that with the locomotive anyway.

I'm loath to put the electronics in a trailing car for a diesel or electric, that really limits what you can run with it.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I had that Atlas AEM-7, and when I popped the hood thinking about an upgrade I found that big horizontal motor taking all the space.

Hard to believe you couldn't fit something in a scale turbine, what exact "turbine" was it? The scale S2 has more than enough space for electronics.  Of course, with a steamer, there's no downside to putting the electronics in the tender, you are going to have that with the locomotive anyway.

I'm loath to put the electronics in a trailing car for a diesel or electric, that really limits what you can run with it.

The Lionel Turbine 6-18010 has four Seuthe units and a pullmor motor. The shell is large but closes tight at the bottom. I just converted mine a few years back, it’s much easier to install everything in the large tender. As for installing electronics in a trailing car. Yes it is not optimal but if you want TMCC in this AEM7 you have no choice.

also the large tender is isolated from the track since the wheel ride on plastic bushings.