How to power and Atlas dummy engine

I wonder if you might be better off buying a powered Atlas engine and just swapping the shells. If you run command control then you could lash them up too/

I have two Atlas, A-B Erie Builts that I foolishly ordered with only one unit powered.  Both of these engines are trying to pull moderately long passenger consists (7 or 8 MTH plastic cars or 5or 6 car K-Line 21" consists) and both are having a heck of a time pulling these trains up about a 1 1/2% grade.  I realize that I made a mistake in ordering these engines with only 2 motors but from what I have learned, there is no easy way to fix the problem now that the engines are about 10 years, or so, old.  Both are TMCC equipped with the generic sound system that was available to manufacturers other than Lionel themselves.  I'm not too big on all the conversation or talking that some of the engines are now capable of, and the engine sounds and single note horn are OK,  but I really would like more pulling power from the units.

So, if any of you guys come up with a fix to power the dummy "B" units, count me in to pick up whatever solution you come up with.  I'm tired of having my "crack" passenger trains get stalled out on a moderate grade.

Paul Fischer

Do you realize that Atlas O Master Series diesels are very hard to find? 

There are no Undecorated Models left anywhere.

Andrew

I would think you could find a used (whatever the engine is) swap shell  and then sell the other engine as a non-powered to offset some of the cost.

I powered an Atlas dummy GP9 a couple of years back.

You'll need the transfer gear assembly and whatever motors and motor mounts you use (I powered mine with motors/parts from a MTH Railking F3, a perfect fit).

Here's their parts link:

http://www.atlaso.com/parts.htm

Hey Bob,

 What did you do for reversing unit and what was the cost?

Sean,

I won the RailKing off Ebay for $100, it had PS2 in it so I took the guts and put them in the Atlas unit.  It's a tight fit, but it runs like a dream.

At first, I used the MTH trucks, but once I got the transfer gear assy I was able to stick the Atlas trucks back under the engine.

I don't know if every MTH motor and mount will fit in every Atlas engine, but this one sure did.  I ended up with a fine running atlas engine for less than $300.  the RK F3 is 2" (8 scale feet) too short so I felt I wasn't out much.

Have you considered contacting Frank Timko?  He does motor swaps and I'm sure he can machine the proper worm gear for the trucks.  I have no idea on price, but some of his other stuff is pretty reasonable.

A couple of years ago I did power an unpowered GP-35 with parts from an Atlas Trainman GP-15.

I pulled the trucks and the motors from the GP-15 (as well as the electronics) and put them on the GP-35 and then put the trucks and lighting from the GP-35 onto the GP-15.

This was a very economical swap, as I picked up the new conventional Trainman engine for about $110.  Atlas doesn't sell unpowered Trainman locomotives and I wanted one to "lash-up"  (hehe) to my other powered Trainman locomotive.  So, basically I got free power for my GP-35.

Jim