Hi all. We just won an older style Atlas GP40 on Ebay. The description says “like new in original box”. This is our first Atlas loco. Are the older ones any good? What should I expect as far as running characteristics? I know it’ll need a hardwired decoder, that’s no problem. BTW, this one sold for $23 plus $6 shipping!!! [:0][:0][:0]
In their day they were the top of the line. I have several of them. They will be noisier than any current production stuff, but they are a lot quiter than their contemporary Athearn blue box locos. They always ran with less current draw than the Athearns. If you keep the weights in they should pull well. I have a SD24 that pulled about 60 cars up our steepest grade. They remotor easily. The electrical pickups wipe the backs of the wheels so they need extra attention to clean them.
Hardest thing is putting Kadee couplers on them. There isn’t a lot of room behind the coupler mounting post for the coupler box - As I recall I used #7s. But now the #30 series should work well. They will be low so you will need to file a lot or use the underset shank type.
I own three older Atlas units with the Roco motors. Two FP7s and a Santa Fe GP40.
For 1970s standards, these were excellent plastic units. I remember them selling at $25 new for several years. Back then, for Athearn locomotive owners, buying an Atlas unit was considered a “Step Up”.
IMHO, with today standards they would still be decent runners if the mechanisms have been properly maintained. Noise levels should be relatively low as should be the current draw. If pulling heavy trains, to improve traction, NWSL wheel sets can replace the factory wheels.
I used to enjoy hearing Roco powered Atlas units run because instead of “growling” like my Athearns, Atlas units would make a smooth, pleasant “hum” sound at medium and higher speeds.
As for detail realism on the FP7, the irony was that while on the Athearn F7s the windshields were too big, Atlas made theirs too “small”, which gave them that “Squinty eyed” look that carried on over to the newer Kato powered Atlas FP7s as well.
The Roco powered GP40 is a decent looking unit. The dimensions were reasonably close to the prototype and the hood is the correct width. For many modelers the one ANNOYING body feature was the squared off “split” fuel tank. An easy remedy is to fill the gap in with body filler, wet sand, primer, and repaint black.
Adding “See Thru” fans from Details West as well as other body details can also make them look sharp.
To be honest, while the older Roco powered Atlas locomotives are not as quiet or efficient as today’s Atlas units, they can most certainly hold their own and IMHO still out perform Athearn BB locomotives. I’m keeping my 1979 GP40, intend to detail it and give it the DCC treatment.
Have fun Grande Man!
Good info, guys. Sounds like $29.00 well spent.
The best way to fix the fuel tank problem is buy an new undec Atlas and use the extra fuel tank from it on the old Atlas after milling away the outside of that hideous fuel tank.
Rick
grande man, you bet it was the best $29 you spent. i have several atlas engines, and wouldnt give up one of them, old or new [;)]. there like a timex, take a licking, and keep on ticking.[;)][:D]
I got one of thoes about a month ago on Ebay myself, it runs quiet enough but has some problems with spinning on grades, (I have also seen it bog down and stop, something time will help once it’s broken in good). My grades well above what 's suggest by most but some of my Athearns actually pull better, with alot more noise!! Still they are a fine runner. I had to pay about $35 bucks to get a GP40.
If we have any problems, we’ll do what the real Grande did, add mo power!
What is this? Really beefing up your fleet? New Atlas power, new Stewart FTs, whats next a Hobby Town RS3?
Nope, P2K GP20 in CB&Q livery. [:)]