I have a Atlas FM Trainmaster with sound. I have owned this for about a year with no problems. Just put it on the track and it started ok but than about 10 feet into running it started to serge forward than slow really fast than serge again like it was connected to a rubber band. I slowed it down and tried to excellerate again and only the sound went up but it just sat there. Also none of the normal automatic sounds work air letoff, fans, ect. Cant reverse direction either. I turned off power and it was back to normal till it started to serge again. Turned off power to it and restarted it 4 or 5 times same problem. Took the wheels off cleaned them, cleaned the track checked for binding all is smoth as glass still same problem. none of my other sound engines do this ever so I am not suspecting the track at all. Anyone ever have this problem? I opperate this on DC.
Did BLI ever make such a model? I am aware of Atlas’ versions of this, but not BLI’s. Hmm…
In any event, about all you can do is to try a reset of the decoder. It could be a voltage regulation problem in the decoder, but no matter what the issue is, I am no electrical engineer and could not hope to do more than suggest you contact a repair facility if a reset fails to right it.
??? I didn’t know BLI made a Trainmaster.
I’ve had a similar problem with some BLI & QSI sound installed locomotives, but I only run DCC. I’ve discovered that the issue is usually caused by two throttles trying to talk to the same channel number. Since you are running straight DC this could not be your issue. Is there some new piece of electronic equipment (lilke a computer, cell phone, wireless phone, baby monitor, wireless camera, etc.) in the room or close by that could be emitting electronic interference and jumbling its little brain into momentarily thinking it is DCC?
Is this one of the units where you can set a jumper on the electronics for DC/DCC/both? If so make certain it is set to DC only.
OOPS this is an Atlas. Was just running one of my BLI. I have 2 Atlas sound units this is the only one with the problem.
Atlas??? email address csdept@atlasrr.com
You can also contact at the following address:
Atlas Model Railroad Company
378 Florence Avenue
Hillside, NJ 07205
Phone: 908-687-0880
Just a suggestion. You might want to change the Subject line of the thread to Atlas…
Tom
Thanks Tom. Done
There is a computer next to the throttle and all my kids computers in the room also some are new. Ill try with all the computers off and recheck. The Atlas unit detects automaticly Dc DCC. Joe A.
I have an Atlas GP38 that I bought just before I switched to DCC and ran it on DC, the decoder died and I to replace it. Contact Atlas, they’ll take care of it.
Well I tried the loco with all the stuff in the room off and no change. I just sent a email to Atlas. Ill let you all know how it goes. Thanks for all the tips and the email address for Atlas. Joe A.
Im presuming that this is a QSI unit here.
Have you attempted a complete CV reset of the engine?
BLI’s reset is CV 49 = 128; CV 50 to 255; CV 56 = 113 and either three toots of the horn on reset complete or a small voice saying “reset” as it does in my Proto QSI E units when finished.
You should have a instruction manual with your specific engine that has a reset procedure in CV’s the numbers may vary from my post here because the numbers I got are from the BLI reset paragraph in the Desiel manual.
Usually a reset settles the cranky engine down and makes it ready to be fed more cookies.
I found my manual and performed a reset. It did’nt help. Still the same. Some other observations; it seems to have the problem only at high speed. If I slow to a crawl it does’nt do it. It also starts acting up on the same side of the layout, although once it starts it does it anywhere after that. I used a volt meter to check the voltage in different areas of my track and it is within 1/10 of a volt all the way around (i have alot of feeder wires attached). I checked all my sound engines and this is my only Atlas. All other ones work fine but there all BLI’s Joe
Did you get some feedback from Atlas? I have exactly the same problem
Hi vienna-reinhard:
I’m not trying to be critical, but I would point out that you have asked a question on a thread that has not been active since 2007. Even though some of the respondents to the older thread are still active, I would suggest that you start your own thread and give as much detail as you can about your locomotive problem as you can. Of course, you can refer back to the older thread but you will likely be further ahead simply stating your problem clearly on a new thread so people are not forced to go back and read the whole 2007 thread to figure out what you are asking.
By the way, in case nobody has said it, [#welcome] to the forums.
Regards
dave
vienna-reinhard may or may not have realized that he was replying to an 8-year old thread, but I blame the forum software for this happening.
I have long held that the software should be set up so that replies cannot be made to a thread that has been inactive for over a year.
I agree with Dave that a new thread should be started and, if appropriate, provide a link to the old thread.
Rich
Resurecting old threads can be a problem. vienna-reinhard should contact Atlas by phone. Their customer support is very helpful. I recently purchased a used sound equipped Atlas diesel. It came with no paperwork and the seller couldn’t remember the address. The loco # and 03 didn’t work. Atlas tech support told me where to wave the reset wand and walked me through the reset process. I couldn’t be happier.