Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Which decoder for Atlas S-2 (DCC ready)?

4908 views
10 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,238 posts
Posted by tstage on Friday, September 11, 2015 5:25 PM

rrinker

I'm all about good motor control, because I like doing switching at prototype speeds.

                         --Randy

You and me both, Randy...You and me both. Yes

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, September 10, 2015 12:10 PM

 ESU has the 539T as well. Which is a brand new file created for the Atlas S-2.

          --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 10, 2015 11:32 AM

middleman

I've got all the switchers I need,but I'm still tempted to pick up one or two of the UP S2's with DCC/sound(Loksound) installed.

Ditto what Randy said about the Lokpilot/Loksound decoders. TCS is also known for their excellent motor control,and I'm very happy with the TCS WOWsound decoders I've installed(but they're all steam,maybe someone else will comment on the diesel WOWs).

I have some Tsunami's that are good overall,but the horn sounds are very weak. From what I've read on other threads,the micro-tsunami's can get very hot.

I've been disappointed with the motor control of the QSI Titans I have.Also the sound(at least on the steam versions)has an occasional,annoying "phase shifting" quality.

Mike

TCS just came out with a new Alco 251 engine sound.   They do not have a Alco 539T which is the prototypical engine for the S2.   The 251 goes in the RS-11, S-5 and later alco products.  I believe Soundtraxx has a decoder that produces a 539T sound.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, September 10, 2015 10:09 AM

Mark R.

Don't the new S2s have the 21 pin plug ? 

Mark.

 

 The RS-1's and RS-3's do, but even the latest run of the S-2 (from November) still say 8 pin NMRA socket. I think that was Atlas' transition period switchign to Loksound, so not everything got the 21 pin system board. Same with Bowser, the newer models have the 21 pin board, but my DS4-4-1000 just has a Select plugged in to the 8 pin socket.

              --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    April 2012
  • From: Denver, CO
  • 771 posts
Posted by middleman on Thursday, September 10, 2015 9:44 AM

I've got all the switchers I need,but I'm still tempted to pick up one or two of the UP S2's with DCC/sound(Loksound) installed.

Ditto what Randy said about the Lokpilot/Loksound decoders. TCS is also known for their excellent motor control,and I'm very happy with the TCS WOWsound decoders I've installed(but they're all steam,maybe someone else will comment on the diesel WOWs).

I have some Tsunami's that are good overall,but the horn sounds are very weak. From what I've read on other threads,the micro-tsunami's can get very hot.

I've been disappointed with the motor control of the QSI Titans I have.Also the sound(at least on the steam versions)has an occasional,annoying "phase shifting" quality.

Mike

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: East Central Florida
  • 480 posts
Posted by Onewolf on Thursday, September 10, 2015 7:51 AM

Mark R.

Don't the new S2s have the 21 pin plug ? 

Mark.

 

 

Redesigned model with all new tooling:

  • NMRA 8-Pin Socket for DCC (Silver Series Model)

http://www.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/hos2.htm#.VfF8kJdgq60

 

Modeling an HO gauge freelance version of the Union Pacific Oregon Short Line and the Utah Railway around 1957 in a world where Pirates from the Great Salt Lake founded Ogden, UT.

- Photo album of layout construction -

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Ontario Canada
  • 3,574 posts
Posted by Mark R. on Thursday, September 10, 2015 7:31 AM

Don't the new S2s have the 21 pin plug ? 

Mark.

¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, September 10, 2015 6:47 AM

 Top notch BEMF motor control and fully configurable functions. Lokpilot Standard with the 8 pin plug, #53611. And it matches with Loksound for motor drive so if you do one sound and one non-sound, it will be easy to have them consisted.

 For Loksound, the regular Loksound Select comes with an 8 pin plug. A Select Direct may also fit, replacing the factory board, which in that small model should leave a bit of additional space for a slightly larger speaker.

Edit: I thought it was an RS-2, not S-2. You'll want a Loksound Select Micro. Atlas board format decoders won't fit.

 I'm all about good motor control, because I like doing switching at prototype speeds.

                         --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: East Central Florida
  • 480 posts
Posted by Onewolf on Thursday, September 10, 2015 5:33 AM

Why Lokpilot and which specific decoder for the Atlas S-2?

Modeling an HO gauge freelance version of the Union Pacific Oregon Short Line and the Utah Railway around 1957 in a world where Pirates from the Great Salt Lake founded Ogden, UT.

- Photo album of layout construction -

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 4:37 PM

Lokpilot for non sound, Loksound Select for sound.

             --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: East Central Florida
  • 480 posts
Which decoder for Atlas S-2 (DCC ready)?
Posted by Onewolf on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 4:01 PM

I just received two Atlas S-2 Silver Series locomotives. I would like to add DCC decoders.  I would like to know the best decoder options for a) no sound and b) sound.

Thanks.

Modeling an HO gauge freelance version of the Union Pacific Oregon Short Line and the Utah Railway around 1957 in a world where Pirates from the Great Salt Lake founded Ogden, UT.

- Photo album of layout construction -

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!