Atlas Dash8-40 ditch lights

[Anonymous]

I have an Atlas Master DCC loco, its a Dash 8-40BW. It only has the dual function decoder though, so I don't have ditch lights. The lenses are there, but nothing behind them. What kind of lights should I use in it, and how do I get the shell off to install them.[8D]

[cacole]

I don't think that Atlas dual function decoder supports ditch lights. 3mm white LEDs with resistors should suffice for ditch lights, provided the decoder can support their use. Most decoders for ditch lights have the capability of alternately flashing the ditch lights when the F2 button is pushed, simulating the way a real locomotive's ditch lights flash when they blow their horn for a road crossing. With the Atlas decoder, you may be able to do no more than turn them on and off with the headlight function by wiring them to the same terminals as the headlights.

Sorry, I can't offer any advice on how to open up the Atlas Master DCC loco, because I don't own one. I have some older Atlas U-33C locomotives, and opening them up was simply a matter of squeezing in on the sides of the shell near the motor, and pulling upward.

P.S. -- I just read through the Atlas dual mode decoder documentation. They mention that it supports ditch lights, but the configuration variable section contradicts this and there are no terminals on the decoder where you would connect ditch lights, so it appears that the headlight circuit is the only option.