Atlas sd-24 running problem

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I just got an early Christmas present Atlas sd-24 . It is my first Atlas and while running it noticed it started jerking a little and noticed rear light flickering while it was doing this. It has directional lighting removed body did not see anything noticable any suggestions? Puzzeled and dissapointed. I would take it back to hobbytown but it was the only southern roadname. Thanks in advance. This is a great forum.

2

First, keep the shell, and get the body changed over if they have a set with trucks the same colour, otherwise, get them changed too!
Second, it could be that circuit board in the top isn’t properly attached, so push it forward, that might be explain the back light going off while she’s moving forward, and that means there’s a short circuit, and that’s why she’s stopping too. Hope it helps, let us know what you do with her, Danny

3

Best to contact Atlas customer service and they will help you.Atlas stands behind their products.
www.atlasrr.com

4

Thank you for the advice Brakie and Dannydd I may call atlas see what they say. Since last night i cleaned the wheels and my track i wiped track down with Maas metal polish my track is new atlas code83. After this problem seems to be gone all my other engines ran fine guess ill keep my eye on it. Thanks again this is a great forum.

5

So it was probably a problem of dirty track?

6

Well i thought cleaning the track was it but the rear light is still flickering when going forward. But the jerking doesn’t seem to be as noticable. Guess i need to call atlas . I had body off no chaffed wiring that i could see Maybe circuit board problem i run on dc mrc pack all my stuff is new track etc have no problems with my Stewarts or Athearns. Thanks for your replies.

7

You could try looking at the board with a magnifying glass at all the solder joints for a “cold” joint. If you have a hot pencil iron and are skilled and comfortable doing this, you can reheat the joint till the solder melts. Also look for any excess solder that could be causing an intermittent short. If all looks good it may be a bad component on the board. Atlas is a great company so I am sure they will make it right. I am just wondering if they will mail you a board or want the loco back? Let us know how they handle it. I am surprised the LHS did not swap out the shell, as has already been suggested.

Jim