AtlasO Engines

I particularly liked the Ann Arbor GP-35s they came out with a few years ago.  Nice engines.

They do seem to pull more than others.  One thing I do notice about them though is that you cant run them too long pulling some weight.  They seem to overheat and start slowing down after about 1 hour

Atlas is fond of using those nice heavy die cast frames which adds a lot of weight. But they do tend to run a little warm if run solo for a long time with a heavy load. Like the real thing, you need to add more power for longer trains.

Atlas O locos are wonderful.

On the subject of pulling power, ever see a Lionel die cast ES44AC?

 

It is so powerful, it could pull a mother-in-law right out of a train room.

 

Eliot

Yes but can it pull YOU out of the train room?   

I've got 4 in various Canadian Pacific liveries - MP15DC, GP-9, SD40 and C630. I've never had the opportunity to really test to fail, their traction effort capabilities. Just don't have the room, to get a good load on...

 

I love their heavy die-cast frames!  Substantial! A real man would appreciate these iron workers.

 

Rick

My guess is that the same Mubachi motor is in every manufactures two can verticle drive. My Atlas models do appear to be heavy.  

 

The SW9 is the most interesting design with one horizontal motor with two flywheels so well equipped it doesn't need speed control. Pilots, cab, smoke stacks, and some of the trim pieces of the SW9 are plastic, everything else is diecast. Been around for 12 years. 

My Atlas fleet.

 

Add a few more.

 

 

There are (4) of the Bicentenial paint Shawmut Line

 

A look at the horizontal motor drive.

 

The smoke stacks are plastic, but the hood assembly pictured is diecast.

I only have 1 Atlas locomotive, a Ann Arbor RS1 and it is super detailed and runs great.  The only issue I have is the couplers.  One broke on me and I sent it to Atlas.  They fixed it and I had it back the same week but the 1st time running it after I got it back the front coupler broke the same way. 

 

I am sure I could send it back and they would fix it again but I am surprised they didn't replace them both when they had it if they knew they had an issue with their couplers.

I think the Atlas look great, but I have heard that the sound systems are not so good, that's what I heard.  I have not listened to them myself so I wonder if anyone could comment on their sounds. Thanks, Fred

Sounds like zinc rot. I have an RS1 that lost both couplers. I'm taking it and its twin apart and fitting them with Kadees.

I have the same Atlas Rs1 lettered for Ann Arbor.  Both of my couplers crumbled when new out of the box.

 

I'm hoping to talk to them about it at York, cause they dont seem to get emails...

I also have had that "crumbling coupler" issue but it was always fixed well and promptly by Atlas O.  Good service every time.

What good is a locomotive without couplers. It's purpose is to push or pull. My dealer would make sure the broken coupler issue was taken care of; I wouldn't be emailing Atlas.

 

Speaking of metal... the handrail stanchions on my Atlas O GP-9 are remarkably soft. None of them look completely straight. A bit wavy looking. I was wondering about that... They're still supporting the handrails, though.

 

BTW, I believe the sounds are Lionel's older sound files. I've got no complaints.

 

There's something special about how they finish their products, that has a nice sharp crisp appearance to it. I especially like the appearance of their trucks. A great finish, that freeze-locks the visual details. Very, very nice!

 

Atlas O are masters when it comes to the final finish. It's like you put on a brand new pair of prescription glasses. I consider my four... as something special.

 

 

Rick

 

 

"Speaking of metal... the handrail stanchions on my Atlas O GP-9 are remarkably soft. None of them look completely straight. A bit wavy looking. I was wondering about that... They're still supporting the handrails, though".
Atlas does a lot of detail specific to the model or the Railroad. They attempt to be accurate. A difference between a GP-7 and a GP-9 is the handrails. The handrails on the GP-7 model are even more fragile, a round post instead of the C-channel used on the GP-9. Atlas also has three different headlight parts listed for these two models.  Another significant parts detail is MU or Non-MUed pilots and end handrail assemblies.
GP-7 handrails.






Look closely at the lift eyelets on top they are metal.  The detail is beautiful but fragile. Yes, I lost both couplers on my RS-1.  I replaced them myself, but Atlas has been exceptional on other service projects.

Another interesting detail that was started with the SW9 model was the (4) roller pick-up which appears to have been added to other models.

The power on this ATSF 991 train is Atlas, two Dash 8-40BWs and two GP60Ms. The sounds are indeed the older Lionel Railsounds 4. I rate them "so-so." Now back in their day, they were supposed to be grand symphony (because that's what everybody is always supposed to say about Lionel sounds). I've always thought the horn on the Dash 8 was weak. At any rate, I'm a big Atlas fan, and put a lot of time and effort into converting my Atlas engines to full fixed pilots and handrails and Kadee couplers.

RM

I'm hoping to talk to them about it at York, cause they dont seem to get emails...

 

Super O Bob - The only way to get a hold of Atlas is by calling.  My emails never got answered, my calls always get a returned.  They are very nice guys.  If they have couplers available, I'm sure you will be able to get them. 

 

Rich - Excellent, and where ever the sound was coming from it was great!

Mike,

 

Re; your last post, your second picture, those stanchions appear to have some similarity to mine... a little wavy.

 

Forum,

 

Prior to buying my C630, my dealer warned me that my Canadian Pacific C630's long hood(the upper rear corners) wasn't prototypical; he said, the Atlas O model has those distinctive Alco notches... whereas CP's C630's, didn't.

 

I still bough the 630, because I like that trademark Alco feature. I liked being forewarned, though.

 

Another thing worth mentioning here, re: Atlas O locomotives, is their lighting features. I especially, like my SD40's ditch lights... in particular, how they fade as they oscillate on and off. The best I've seen!

 

Rick

 

 

Weren't the CP 630's built by MLW  not Alco

Ben.

 

HW is correct. Possibly of interest, to you, Canadian Alco production lasted awhile longer, after the American parent company ceased production.

 

Rick

Another Atlas video.  Click on the image to access a Photobucket video. Decent sound but there are five engines.

Thanks Marker...  I will call...

The Atlas SW units are a joy to operate and switch with - very, very smooth.

 

Bob 

Both Atlas locos I have are strong pullers (SD40 & SW1200).  I agree with the sentiment that the heavy die cast frames may be the reason.

 

I've never had heating problems with extended running nor any crumbling couplers.

 

The sounds are okay, Railsounds 4.0 chips.

 

The SD40 is one of my favorites, a very smooth, powerful runner.

 

 

 Rich, Great looking train again! Someday I'll build my layout like yours.

I have a GP60 M and B and it can't seem to pull a 7 car aluminum passenger set with the speed maxed out.  It will take it about a minute to get to a decent rolling speed.  Not sure if it's the underpowered CW-80.  Also, when I pair the powered M and B units (Legacy Lash ups), it doesn't move at all but moves individually.  Kinda strange...

If you have a problem with any Atlas engine call Bill Serratelli, at Atlas O and ask for an RGA and return it new or used.   They will give you an estimate of repair on out of warrant units and have been exceptionally fair with me on units that approach 10 years with lots of self-done ungrades.

Bill Serratelli

Phone: 908-687-9590

While we are hashing over Atlas engines, many years ago there was an electronic drive board from TAS termed the SAW Gen 2 board. It had some really interesting lighting effects but more over had a flaw, in that the boards tended to go south on the user often. Both Dash 8's pictured above had SAW Gen 2 boards and were upgraded to now obsolete EOB boards.   Speakers, and the (3) Lionel boards are easily moved from one mother board to the other. This goes back (8 to 10 years)   Once in a while on the forum you will see question about start up procedures related to the SAW Gen2 which was slightly different.
Another Early Dash 8 that had SAW Gen2 that was upgraded to EOB  was my friend Anthony's Conrail unit.

Thanks again for fixing her up for me Mike, she's still a solid runner!