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I have an Atlas Item #6844-1 Providence & Worcester 3 Rail Powered Dash 8-39B Locomotive that doesn't want to run.  I removed the shell to see if any of the electronics were burned and everything seemed fine, no burning smell.  Sometimes it powers up starts to run then dies.  I am running it conventional with a ZW-L transformer, I don't know where to start or who is good at repairing Atlas engines.  Any help with what could be wrong and I appreciate any advice.

Thank you.

George

 

 

 

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When I have a problem engine, I first check for any shorts with a meter. Then if good, I'll test the motor with a battery to see if it runs. I usually disconnect everything else to narrow down any problems. Like a smoke unit short or lighting short that may take out the board. I test those also. I put it on a test track with a smaller in-line fuse attached from the transformer. So If it draws to much, the fuse will blow first.

After it runs I start attaching things in sequence and re-checking for any issues. After awhile, you start having a feeling of where to look for issues by what it's doing.

After that, try attaching wires directly to the engine. Maybe the rollers just need to be lubed?

Does your power supply show amps drawn? (too many?) Does the loco stall on curves? etc.

http://www.atlaso.com/odash840b1.htm

Last edited by Engineer-Joe

Eventually Atlas, and most manufacturers, went to double rollers on both pick-ups, similar to the pick-ups on the SW-9 models, pictured.  Clean and oil.  I had one unit, that after oiling, showed a fair amount rust/dirt from the pin, holding the roller(s).   I clean the rollers with a scotch-brite pad.  You can also get a fair amount of crude/build-up on the flanged wheels, which can also be a problem, electrically.     

Last edited by Mike CT

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