Today I got the latest Atlas -8, a Conrail Q wide cab. Been waiting for this for
a long time. Take it out of the box to wear off some of the new, dead short.
Try a different engine everything works great, but the -8 back on same results.
Oh well; After 7 great engines one problem child isn’t that bad. I have to take it
apart to install a decoder anyway. Now I notice the brake chain attatched to the rear
truck, gotta remove the sideframe before I can pull the shell. Is it just me or are
Atlas and P2K real pains to dissassemble. Anyway one at a time removed front and
rear truck jumpers, lights, motor, ditch lights. Nothing still dead short. Trimmed and
filed a few questionable solder points. Still nothing, removed DCC dummy plug, short
went away. HUH?? 1 1/2 hours later frustration sets in, I’m just gonna put in a decoder
and see what happens. I know better but just don’t care at this point. Half expecting to
see the magic smoke released as soon as I power up. No short and we have movement.
What the??? Don’t understand, but I’ll take it. 45 minutes to get the shell back on.
Open up the throttle, sounds like a blender with a bearing failure. Take it back apart
running without the shell 20 minutes each direction; still sounds terrible.
Anyone else seen these types of problems with the Atlas DCC dummy plug?
Like I said I have 3 Gold QSI, and 4 regular Atlas engines all have performed
flawless for several years. This one looks like potential display case queen.