Question for Altas guys

[Albert in N]

I own only one Atlas SD-24 and one Atlas H-16-44, and both were returned for repair and now run.  All of my Atlas GP units and U-boat series never had any problems, other than being the first to stall when a speck of dust is on the track.  None of my Kato diesels, or even Walthers diesels, had driveshaft issues and continue to run even when track cleaning is postponed.  I cannot fault someone for complaining when they have problems with design issues on a relatively expensive N scale locomotive.  Even Bachmann beginner trainset locomotives normally run reliably. 

[phil55]

Seems like Atlas is untouchable on this forum however there is no problem bashing Bachmann,Intermountain, etc.

[bman]

I have been replacing the male universal on my SD7's and SD24's. 90% of them came cracked from Altas. My question is what locomotives used this crappy design flaw. So far, I know these locomotives have used them:
SD7
SD9
SD24
H15/16
C630/C628

Am I missing any others?

Steve

I think your list is complete.  Had to do a major edit as I was looking at the wrong part.  I was looking at the universal ball joint used in the mechanism.  Sorry......

I've not the number of loco's you have using this design, but my  Alco 628 and the original run SD9(that took an ill advised 50" vertical escape attempt off the layout once and owned until recently) andhave never experienced this  The SD24's that I see in our club have not either.  Wonder it depends on the run and not the design?  I believe a lot of HO loco's use a similar design don't they?  Wonder if those experience the same issue?
I've had more problems with the universal ball joint on the other end cracking.  But then only on my SD35's that I bought used at a train show.  The main reason they were dirt cheap I guess.   A few pennies and shipping charges, a dab of loctite, and back in business.  Sorry to hear of your issues.

[Hamaker]

Nice. That says a lot about you. You can down vote me as much as you like. I could care less. This isn't high school, nor is it a popularity contest.

Okay.....with your permission I down voted you.  I have SD 7s and 9s and a fleet of SD 24s.  They are without question my best operating locomotives.  Perhaps you can tell me what I'm doing wrong ?

[coosvalley]

You're right. I should not have used the word crappy to describe the locomotives that 90% of the parts are broke and have to be replaced for the locomotive to even run properly. My mistake.

How does a universal equate to 90% of a locomotive?? And I like how you're now just assuming locos you've never run to be defective...Jeeze, at least run them first!

I think you would have better luck getting a response if you avoid using the term crappy as well. The guys at Atlas used to have their own forum as you might recall, and know to avoid trolls.Sorry to be so honest, but your first post was clearly a "troll".

The old saying goes....You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.....

But I think some folks use the hobby of model railroading to mask their real hobby.....complaining ...Heck, I've probably been guilty of this myself a few times...

Now that I've said that, write a nice e-mail to the folks at the Atlas parts department telling them the problems, and the will send you the parts..They do their best to try to take care of their customers, and they have yet to let me down. You have to let them know, not just assume they sold you junk on purpose..

[woodchip]

What I'd suggest is find a prototype to model that uses GE and EMD 6 axle power and stick to Kato only.



     Until some design deficiency comes up to screw up that plan. Then convert to H0 get a bunch of new old stock proto 2000 engines and then find out they all have cracked gears. Then sell all the train stuff take up fly fishing tie your own flies but get mad at the crappy hooks that poke your fingers. Then have a ah hah moment and realize the Atlas issue wasn't that bad and Atlas had a reason to change from a hex to a ball and socket.

       Hugh

[delamaize]

Why hasn't this bullshit been locked yet?

It's a WELL known that some Atlas locomotives had this problem. and they changed the design in future Models. In addition, the fix for this issue has been discussed on several different forums, an I'm sure here also, and has been beat in the the ground. This is another case of 5 minutes in the search bar, or 5 minutes on google saving someone from looking like an a$$. 

[fcnrwy23]

The splitting coupler is a design flaw in the plastic used in it's makeup. 
The main reason is the design change in the Universal all together.

Atlas changed the interior design of the cavity in the Brass flywheel.  Instead of the hex-design bore (also the flywheel was a direct-fit to the motor shaft), it is now a smooth-bore.  They added an internal plastic Adaptor? for the transition between the motor shaft and the brass flywheel.

They should have maybe, gone with an early design (kato/atlas, on their U25Bs) that had a four-toothed plastic end on the motor shaft end.  This meshed with a similar design on the plastic adapter that was inserted into the "smooth-bore" brass flywheel.

The B23/30/36-7; U23B; Dash8-40B/C; SD35; C-420; GP-38/40/40-2; SD50/60/60M all have the "Hex" brass flywheel.
I know, I have had everyone of these apart over the last 20+ years.   

Jerry G.


Jerry G.

[CBQ Fan]

Seems like Atlas is untouchable on this forum however there is no problem bashing Bachmann,Intermountain, etc.

Atlas does participate here on the forum whereas I am not aware of anyone from Bachman ever participating here.  So I take the point as being, you could have potentially gotten help here instead of being ignored.

[phil55]

I don't need the help. I have quite a few Atlas locomotives and with the exception of one H1644 all run great.The point I was making is Atlas seems to be above the bashing other manufacturers get.

[bbussey]

@CBQ Fan wasn't referring to you specifically @phil55. It was the general "you" in respect to the original post.

And it's not that Atlas is above criticism. It's the way in which that criticism was presented. Others have been called out similarly in the past for inappropriate phrasing of criticism directed toward other manufacturers' products specifically and other manufacturers in general.

[Missaberoad]

Remember when @TiVoPrince got banned from trainboard for calling the Intermountain tunnel motors "steaming yard loafs"?  Pepperidge Farm remembers... 

[Dave V]

Remember when @TiVoPrince got banned from trainboard for calling the Intermountain tunnel motors "steaming yard loafs"?  Pepperidge Farm remembers... 

From that day forward, "steaming yard loaf" has occupied a sacred place in my own lexicon.   

[phil55]

"Steaming yard loaf"? That's funny stuff right there!

[CBQ Fan]

@CBQ Fan wasn't referring to you specifically @phil55. It was the general "you" in respect to the original post.

And it's not that Atlas is above criticism. It's the way in which that criticism was presented. Others have been called out similarly in the past for inappropriate phrasing of criticism directed toward other manufacturers' products specifically and other manufacturers in general.

Yes, mine was a generic statement not intended foe any one person.