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Post by rails4dmv on Mar 23, 2018 10:14:33 GMT -5
I just grabbed a pair of the new Atlas AEM-7's in Phase III & V, with DCC/Sound. I was going to hold off on Phase V, until the Bachmann ACS-64 come out but most shops are already sold out, so it forced my hand to grab one.
Atlas did a good job on them & well worth the wait. Love the rooftop strobes. When the prices start to come down, I might buy one & swap the shells so my Phase IV Northeast Corridor model can get DCC/Sound. After taking off the shell on the new model, it's an exact fit to the older model.
It seems I might only have to replace the inner rooftop window glazing if I do the body swap for the Phase IV model. I'll keep everyone updated.
However, I have noticed my older AEM-7's seemed to have better pulling power than the newer ones. My older model can pull six Walthers Proto Amfleets with no problems.
The newer ones seem to struggle pulling 4 cars. I'll do a thorough cleaning of my tracks just to make sure that's not the problem.
Has anyone else who purchased these noticed any pull/push issues?
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aem7
Member
Posts: 32
Primary Railroads: Amtrak, B&O, Chessie
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Post by aem7 on Mar 23, 2018 16:00:16 GMT -5
I ran the new Atlas AEM-7 with DCC/Sound and was also only able to pull/push 4 Walthers Proto Amfleets adding a fifth resulted in excessive slip. I tried adding additional lube to the passenger car wheel sets and didn't get any improvement. I ran an older Atlas AEM-7 converted to DCC and that too, was only able to pull/push 4 Walthers Proto Amfleets. I also ran older one in just DC and likewise, was only able to run 4 Proto Amfleets so I got the same results between the older and newer Atlas AEM-7s. I was able to run 6 of the older Walthers Amfleet coaches without any modifications with no problems with the DCC/Sound AEM-7.
For those who haven't seen them, Atlas is putting their newer single arm pantograph that they used on the ALP-45DP on this release AEM-7s, and they also released it with a much more accurate Nathan K5LA horn so there is no need to replace them with a detail part horn like the past runs. Unfortunately no ditch lights but there was no retooling on the shell so the "Phase V" models have the HEP and MU cable sockets reversed because the shell is still based on the original configuration. The "Phase V" models also have accurately sized number boards on the car body, the previous run with 907 and 914 have number boards that are smaller. The blue paint looks a little light but it could be that I just got used to seeing them covered in dirt. The paint and markings otherwise all match prototype photos including the high voltage warnings for HEP and pinch point warnings by the doors. Overall I think they're great models. I will probably add ditch lights and will post results if I do.
2 of the 3 AEM-7s I got were missing a mirror or pilot step but I got a very prompt response from Atlas Customer Service and replacement parts at no charge from Atlas. Great customer service at Atlas.
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Post by rails4dmv on Mar 23, 2018 19:31:43 GMT -5
I had to do a total tear down of the Proto Amfleets wheelsets to get one locomotive to pull a fleet of 5-6 cars.
I had to very, very slightly open up the bolster holes, put a drop of Labelle 107 into the bolsters and reassemble. In some instances, there were some tiny burrs on the bolsters that were easy to remove.
After reassembly of the wheelsets, I can get one locomotive to pull 6 Amfleets. But if any oil or dirt gets on the tracks, I'll be lucky if one loco will pull 3-4 cars.
Not having ditch lights was a major disappointment but I understand why. It was hard to get a decoder into the older model, so I can imagine how hard it was to get a ESU decoder and speaker in these.
I only wish Atlas did the Phase IV Northeast Direct model in this release instead of the fantasy schemes. Excluding the Kato Anniversay P42 & the Walthers Mainline F40PH, there aren't any Phase IV locomotives with factory installed DCC & Sound on the market.
Which is why I'll do a body swap on the older NE Direct AEM-7.
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aem7
Member
Posts: 32
Primary Railroads: Amtrak, B&O, Chessie
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Post by aem7 on Mar 24, 2018 12:11:20 GMT -5
Just did a total tear down of 2 trucks on a Walthers Proto Amfleet cleaned up the bolsters and re-lubed, with just one car redone was able to pull 5 Proto Amfleets with the Atlas DCC/Sound AEM-7 with no problems. Thanks for the tip! I will probably be able to pull six if more of the Amfleet trucks get redone.
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Post by rails4dmv on Mar 24, 2018 20:27:16 GMT -5
Glad I could be of help. Just be careful not to pull on the sides on the trucks too hard, as the brake shoes can pop off easily.
It's a pain to try to glue the shoes back into place, if at all.
I did a thorough cleaning of my tracks today with iso alcohol and also used a 100 grit sandpaper sheet. Now my (2) AEM-7's are pulling (6) Proto Amfleets with no problems now.
With all the new commuter locomotives on the market or soon to be released, I hope that more commuter passenger cars are coming soon.
Pretty soon, I'll have HO locomotives that I purchased within the last 2 years with all the bells and whistles pulling Walthers passenger cars from the late 90's...woohoo.
New Bachmann SEPTA ACS-64 ---- old Walthers SEPTA Horizon cars.
New Atlas NJ Transit ALP-44 ---- old Walthers NJ Transit Horizon cars.
New Rapido Metro North FL9 ---- old Walthers Metro North Horizon cars.
New Rapido Conn DOT FL9 ---- old Walthers Conn DOT Horizon cars.
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Post by slowfreight on Mar 25, 2018 16:42:14 GMT -5
Pretty soon, I'll have HO locomotives that I purchased within the last 2 years with all the bells and whistles pulling Walthers passenger cars from the late 90's...woohoo. New Bachmann SEPTA ACS-64 ---- old Walthers SEPTA Horizon cars. New Atlas NJ Transit ALP-44 ---- old Walthers NJ Transit Horizon cars. New Rapido Metro North FL9 ---- old Walthers Metro North Horizon cars. New Rapido Conn DOT FL9 ---- old Walthers Conn DOT Horizon cars. I hear ya, but there's lots that can be done to improve those Walthers cars. And it's probably worth doing because we don't know how long until you can get a $100 Comet model. Most of the failings are on the underbody, except for the step wells. I have the Shapeways part to fix the steps, and IHP has the trucks on Shapeways, too. I am finding that my old IHP metal trucks will have to go, as the axle spring is deforming the trucks over time. Far and away, I think the biggest challenge in upgrading the Walthers cars will be adding an Alclad finish. I still don't have the recipe right. It is turning into a very long-term project, due to a combination of funds and motivation. |
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Post by backshophoss on Mar 26, 2018 2:04:27 GMT -5
100 grit sandpaper! OUCH!!    Not going into detail about cleaning track as everybody has their own methods,but that will leave dirt catching scratches behind!! Try finding some "crocus cloth" at a local hardware store/Lowes/Home Depot,that has a very fine grit and wont leave scratches behind. Worse case I had after moving to a new place,used a wire brush in a motor tool to clean off some crud on the rails. |
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Post by rails4dmv on Mar 27, 2018 0:49:13 GMT -5
Pretty soon, I'll have HO locomotives that I purchased within the last 2 years with all the bells and whistles pulling Walthers passenger cars from the late 90's...woohoo. New Bachmann SEPTA ACS-64 ---- old Walthers SEPTA Horizon cars. New Atlas NJ Transit ALP-44 ---- old Walthers NJ Transit Horizon cars. New Rapido Metro North FL9 ---- old Walthers Metro North Horizon cars. New Rapido Conn DOT FL9 ---- old Walthers Conn DOT Horizon cars. I hear ya, but there's lots that can be done to improve those Walthers cars. And it's probably worth doing because we don't know how long until you can get a $100 Comet model. Most of the failings are on the underbody, except for the step wells. I have the Shapeways part to fix the steps, and IHP has the trucks on Shapeways, too. I am finding that my old IHP metal trucks will have to go, as the axle spring is deforming the trucks over time. Far and away, I think the biggest challenge in upgrading the Walthers cars will be adding an Alclad finish. I still don't have the recipe right. It is turning into a very long-term project, due to a combination of funds and motivation. Got my NJ Transit ALP-44 today and between swapping out couplers, adjusting the coupler heights, and tweaking the wheelsets on the Horizon cars, I got all my NJT cars running pretty good with the ALP-44. It pulls 6 cars with no problems. But compared to the newer Atlas MLV II's passenger cars, the Horizon cars look whoafully old. I can do without the super detailing on the bottom of new production passenger cars if it means I can get a close to accurate, good rolling, lighted car with interior seating at a reasonable cost. I am definitely not ready to pluck down $100 for a passenger car if they roll like crap, and use the same inner bearing wheelset design that was used for the Proto Amfleets. Atlas must have gotten a great production deal from the factory on the NJT MLVII's. I paid $55 a car and they are excellent rolling, lighted passenger cars. So, I have fingers crossed that Atlas will do the Comet cars. Just got to keep coaxing them. I am curious to see how the rerun of the Bachmann Amfleets that was announced in the 2018 will be tweaked for the MSRP price they are asking. Hoss, thanks for the recommendation on cleaning the tracks. I, very, very lightly went over the tracks with the sandpaper so as to not get them too scuffed up. The alcohol and the Brite Boy I had just didn't seem to be doing the job of getting the tracks clean. I'll stop in Lowe's during the week and look up the stuff you recommended. |
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Post by backshophoss on Mar 27, 2018 1:56:01 GMT -5
An old,used Bright Boy,if stiff as a board might need to be "retired" to trash bin,and get a new one at the hobby shop.
Nickel silver rail can scratch real easy if using a coarse grit,a fine grit will knock off the crud without creating scratches.
IF the layout location is in an unfinished space,keeping the tracks clean is an ongoing battle/chore as will cleaning loco wheelsets
as needed.
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Not going into detail about cleaning track as everybody has their own methods,but that will leave