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Installing a Decoder in an Atlas Classic RS-1

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  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, December 2, 2017 5:33 PM

zstripe
 
richhotrain
 
Doughless

Did you paint it green yet?   Smile  

LOL

No, this a different one, factory painted.

Rich 

That's probably, next yrs. project! Whistling Mischief

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank 

Had you volunteered to paint it with your airbrush, Frankie, it would have been done by now.   Super Angry

Richie

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Saturday, December 2, 2017 4:58 PM

richhotrain

 

 
Doughless

Did you paint it green yet?   Smile 

 

 

LOL

 

No, this a different one, factory painted.

Rich

 

That's probably, next yrs. project! Whistling Mischief

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, December 2, 2017 4:21 PM

Doughless

Did you paint it green yet?   Smile 

LOL

No, this a different one, factory painted.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Heart of Georgia
  • 5,406 posts
Posted by Doughless on Saturday, December 2, 2017 1:02 PM

Did you paint it green yet?   Smile

- Douglas

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Installing a Decoder in an Atlas Classic RS-1
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, December 2, 2017 10:59 AM

I have twice before installed a decoder in an Atlas RS-1, but it was some time ago and the painful memories have moved to the back of my mind - - until today.

The Atlas web site contains a 2-page instruction sheet on removing the shell which separates from the plastic walkway that is attached to the chassis. The idea is to insert a small screwdriver through the rear truck to reach two tabs. But before you do that, you need to detach four handrails that attach to the cab.

That's where my problems began. I easily detached three of the handrails, but the fourth one would not come away no matter what I tried.  I knew that I had to be patient so as not to break it, and I finally got it to detach without breaking it.

Next up were the two rear tabs. After all kinds of manipulations and contortions, I finally had to remove the two wheelsets and the side frames to reach the tabs. Finally got the shell off and then I had to remove the DC light board.

That board is held in place by two vertical tabs that press against openings in the board. The loco is "new, old stock". Being old stock, one of the vertical tabs had "welded" itself into the board and it became a real challenge to free it up with the point of an Exacto knife. I eventually got the DC light board off and then I was able to install the new decoder. 

Ugh!  Took me over an hour to complete this installation.

Rich

Alton Junction

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