Atlas Gold RSD-4/5 Initial Experience

[peteski]

Bryan,  there is a small removable metal slug (attached with a screw) on the bottom of the fuel tank. That frees up some space but also makes the loco lighter.

[bbussey]

Bryan,  there is a small removable metal slug (attached with a screw) on the bottom of the fuel tank. That frees up some space but also makes the loco lighter.

Yeah, that was the first place I looked for space. It turns out that bottom piece is there solely for the fuel tank to lock in place. My initial plan was to mill out a cavity in those two components until I realized there was room in the cab if the clearance was cut in the roof. Much easier than milling the frame and making clearance to rout wires to the top, especially since I have at least a half-dozen to do.

[bbussey]

Dang, this thing is slow - 15 minutes to go about 10 feet so far. Probably take an hour+ just to make one lap 

-Mark

Yeah, I was impressed when I tried it initially, both by the slooooooooow creep and that both units started/stopped/creeped in unison and maintained their distance.

[spookshow]

I doubt the problem is with my analog throttle. I've used it to test literally dozens of other decoder equipped models.

-Mark

[peteski]

I doubt the problem is with my analog throttle. I've used it to test literally dozens of other decoder equipped models.

-Mark

I have the new RS-3 on my workbench for a decoder install (and general tuneup). Once I install the ESU LokSound 5 nano E24 I will report on analog operation, but I really can't imagine why that wouldn't work.  I'm assuming that Atlas is using Loksound decoders.

[reinhardtjh]

Speaking of not stalling … the mechanism fills every cubic millimeter of space under the bodyshell, so there is no room for a keep-alive module. But there is if the top of the body covered by the cab is removed. I haven’t finished wiring yet, but this was a test to confirm the configuration. The KA is visible through the front and rear cab windows if you look for it, but is not obviously noticeable.

This doesn't bode well for my desire to make an RS3m low nose.

I don’t have the RSD4 but I did pick up a few undec RS3s to repower vintage bodyshells. I joined two in consist and ran them at Notch 1 uncoupled a quarter inch apart, and they crept along in perfect synchronization.

@bbussey  Just out of curiosity, where id you get your from?  I tried getting undec but my usual supplier was unable. but I did not order back when they were announced.

[bbussey]

I have the new RS-3 on my workbench for a decoder install (and general tuneup). Once I install the ESU LokSound 5 nano E24 I will report on analog operation, but I really can't imagine why that wouldn't work.  I'm assuming that Atlas is using Loksound decoders.

Correct, LokSound Nano E24 decoders for the gold units, LokPilot Nano E24 decoders for the silver units.

This doesn't bode well for my desire to make an RS3m low nose.

@bbussey  Just out of curiosity, where id you get your from?  I tried getting undec but my usual supplier was unable. but I did not order back when they were announced.

Correct, no room for a low nose.

I pre-ordered undecs with Atlas back when they were announced however many years ago. No one was more surprised than I when they showed up.

[spookshow]

I tried the 9V battery test on the RSD-4, it did not budge. Tried resetting the decoder, no change. I tried the same test with an Atlas SD7, it budged.

It seems odd to me that CV29 would have analog operations disabled by default. Perhaps that's a clue that the decoder doesn't support it?

-Mark

[GM50 4164]

Any luck yet at running below Step 4?

Speaking of not stalling … the mechanism fills every cubic millimeter of space under the bodyshell, so there is no room for a keep-alive module. But there is if the top of the body covered by the cab is removed. I haven’t finished wiring yet, but this was a test to confirm the configuration. The KA is visible through the front and rear cab windows if you look for it, but is not obviously noticeable.

Brian, where did you end up attaching your KA wires to on the Atlas board? Would you mind removing the shell and showing us?

[chessie system fan]

And is there now any light bleed in the cab?

[bbussey]

@peteski authored an extensive write-up on how to add KA to the narrow Atlas motherboards with the Nano decoder.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=58111.0

I haven’t finished the installation but I don’t believe there will be any light bleed.

[peteski]

I tried the 9V battery test on the RSD-4, it did not budge. Tried resetting the decoder, no change. I tried the same test with an Atlas SD7, it budged.

It seems odd to me that CV29 would have analog operations disabled by default. Perhaps that's a clue that the decoder doesn't support it?

-Mark

Assuming that it uses ESU LokSound decoder more likely scenario is that the sound project installed in the decoder has CV29 configured with DC model disabled. That would be something done by the author of the project. If it is an ESU decoder then manually setting CV29 to 4, 6 or any other value where bit 2 is high should allow it to run on DC.

[spookshow]

If it is an ESU decoder then manually setting CV29 to 4, 6 or any other value where bit 2 is high should allow it to run on DC.

It does not. As previously stated, I've already tried.

Any of you other owners want to give it a try?

-Mark

[spookshow]

The RS frame is much lighter than previous vintage releases as half of it was removed for the new electronics.  I’ve always run them in pairs so the lighter weight doesn’t affect how I utilize them.

Are you comparing them to the old Kato-made version from 30+ years ago? This new DCC-friendly version weighs exactly the same (2.35 oz) as the previous Atlas Classic releases.

-Mark

[spookshow]

-Pulling power is only OK--it seems to max out at around 10-11 cars around 13" curves--but adequate for my needs. It wouldn't even pull 10 right out of the box but did better after some break-in, so maybe it will do a little better after some more break-in.

What sort of cars are you using? I've got mine pulling 32 cars and it's not showing any signs of slipping, but they're all fairly light Atlas and MTL 40' freight cars.

-Mark