UPDATE: The H16-44 just arrived and the decoder is indeed an Atlas (Lenz) #345. Although I haven't had a chance to try it out yet, I've been very happy with the motor-control of the Lenz Silver decoders in the past so I don't expect to be disappointed with this one.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Thanks for the reply, Tom. I checked the Atlas site and ACY #200 was released in 2004 and #201 & #202 in 2009. Yea, an FM H20-44 would be a great addition to the HO market. I would definitely consider picking up one, if someone produced it.
It might be worth emailing Atlas about. I inquired recently about the possibility of an NYC S-2 switcher release at a future date. Rob Pisani (VP of product development at Atlas) responded back saying "we might plan another production run later in 2017. Since we have neglected to offer NYC to date, we'll give it serious consideration for the next production run". Granted, this may be his stock answer to everyone who emails with a suggestion. However, you never know if your inquiry is just the one to push the idea over the top of the mountain.
I talked to someone at the Atlas booth, at a big train show in NE Ohio back in 2008. Atlas had just released their Alco HH600/660 switchers and I asked them if they were thinking about a NYC-version. I don't know if I actually talked to Ron or not but...the next year they released a NYC HH660.
Worth a try...
Tom (the other, other one )
Tom ---
I don't remember the actual year of the release of the AC&Y version of the H16-44 (numbers 201-203; identical to H-15-44 number 200), but I think it was a fairly early run. It represented the paint scheme of the mid 1950's-1960's. It's hard to find now. I have wished that Atlas would produce another run in the original early 1950's AC&Y scheme with black trucks and fuel tank, and the road name on the side of the hood, but I'm not optimistic about that. Other details such as horn locations, Mars lights, rerail frogs, etc. are easy to change (for those who care).
I suggest you look up the AC&Y Historical Society. Membership is free, and there is an online magazine. I don't know your exact era, but there are various articles that cover all eras. A new issue of the magazine is in preparation, and will cover, among other things, covered hoppers purchased in the 1960's. Many of these lasted to the 1990's, well into the NW era.
AC&Y freight cars have been available from several sources. The Accurail cars will represent 35 very early cars built around 1912 (I don't remember the exact build date) in their original livery. Eleven of them were rebuilt into cabooses in the early 1920's, including the very first bay window cabooses on any Norh American railroad. Kadee has released about 5(?) 40' PS-1 boxcars in several different correct AC&Y schemes. Bowser and Inteermountain have both released versions of the early 500 series covered hopper. The F&C Erie Dunmore hopper resin kit can be modified to represent an AC&Y car. Sunshine produced correct resin kits for the 1100-1199, 1200-1220, 1250-1299, and 3001-3149 Mather boxcars, but that company doesn't exist any more. The P2K Mather boxcar represents an AC&Y 600 series Mather (obsolete around 1940), although it's lettered in a later scheme as an 1100 series car. The P2K Mather AC&Y stock cars are correct. Atlas has produced accurate AC&Y cabooses, and the P2K Northeastern caboose can represent the two cabooses that AC&Y bought second-hand from the Reading. AC&Y's six postwar (1947) International cabooses are represented in a Wright Track resin kit released several years ago and no longer available. I'm not as familiar with more modern cars, but I understand some more modern boxcars have been available from Athearn. Also, I understand some more modern covered hoppers have been availble.
In addition, some other future AC&Y models may be in the pipeline.
Now if somebody would only produce a Fairbanks Morse H20-44! In addition to AC&Y, they were also used by Union Pacific, New York Central, Indiana Harbor Belt, Pittsburgh & West Virginia, Southwest Portland Cement, Norfolk & Western (ex AC&Y and P&WV), and the Pennsylvania Railroad, so there would surely be a market.
Tom (the other one)
(edit) P.S. Prototype H20-44's were also operated in 2 different Demonstrator schemes, as well as those listed above.
Tom,
New York Central. The newer releases are in the lighter gray scheme and I just haven't found a picture anywhere yet to support that. So...I chose the 2002 Atlas release because it's in NYC Black.
Was the Atlas release of the ACY H16-44 that same year? Or, was it one or two releases later?
Having lived in NE Ohio for nearly 35 years I have an affinity for the ACY. Tough finding very many locomotives and rolling stock for it though. I think I have one covered hopper that comes close to fitting in my era. Everything else seems to be 50s & 60s.
That said, Tom, you are aware of the upcoming release by Accurail of the 36' Double Sheath Wood boxcars in the ACY scheme (1712)??? That may be a bit early for what you model but thought you'd like to know anyhow. I'd like to see more ACY rolling stock for the 40s available so I can have a few of them for my freight trains.
Just curious: What road name/livery?
Well, I decided to take the plunge and bought the H16-44 off eBay. I'll let you know what I find out about the decoder after I receive the locomotive next week.
Again, I appreciate everyone's input and help...
Google is your friend.
The 345 manual mentions "precision glide control". If you search for "dcc decoder precision glide control" (without the quotes), all the hits at the top of the list are for various Lenz decoders, followed by the Atlas 345's.
Also, the JMRI decoder identification list describes specific Lenz decoders as having "precision glide control".
Based on that, my guess would be that the 345 is in fact a Lenz.
EDIT: Oops, Robert confirmed while I was Googling...
The 345 is definitely a Lenz designed decoder. You can tell just by studying the CV's, but if that's not enough to be sure, near the bottom of the last page of the pdf: "Lenz GmbH designed the #345 DCC decoder for Atlas Model Railroad Co., Inc."
It is also a "silent drive" decoder, it is described as such in the manual. Note that CV50 bit 3 controls the silent drive and silent drive is NOT the default.
Yea - I realize that, Doughless. The info is still beneficial, nonetheless.
And, should I decide to purchase one - if worse comes to worse - I could always take out the factory decoder and substitute it for a better one.
I knew my original answer would fall short because that loco has operating marker lights that can be turned on/off separately from the head lights, so it might have a slightly different version of the 341/342 decoder that they call a 345.
So I'm still not sure if the underpinnings of the decoder has silent drive or not, and with a vintage 2002 Atlas, you might be taking your chances.
As I said, other than that, I would expect it to work great.
- Douglas
Thanks for the info, fellas!
After browsing through the manual link that maxman provided: If the 345 decoder is indeed in the 2002 version of the Atlas H16-44, it's probably fair to say that it's NOT a low-end Lenz decoder. IIRC, "Silent Drive" is/was used by Lenz in the better-quality decoders.
I don't actually have the locomotive. I've been looking at the Atlas H16-44s on eBay and was curious to know what decoder was outfitted in the older ones. The fact that the model is already set up for bi-directional red & green LED marker lamps makes them intriguing.
I really appreciate the help and input, fellas!
That info is much better than my guess.
If this is the p/l for your loco: http://www.atlasrr.com/pdf/PartsPDFs/HOH15-44Locomotive.pdf
then item 345 is the decoder. And if the decoder is 345, then here is the decoder manual: http://www.atlasrr.com/pdf/HO_H15-44Manual_Atlas.pdf
I wouldn't call it plug and play. I'd say it is play and play.
I came to the DCC world late only to run it with onboard sound. The locos with that dual mode decoder I run in DC. However, I have experimented. Those decoders have had some evolutions, and what is in a 2003 vintage is fuzzy, but..
They all perform well at slow speeds, IMO, but they did not all have a successful silent drive element. Atlas used a numbering system.
The #340 decoder is the first DM decoder put into Atlas stuff. It's 2 function and was gone by 2003.
The #341 is a 4 function, but lacks the silent drive...speaking from experience.
The #342 is the best decoder during the time frame and runs comparably to an NCE DA-SR, IMO.
Atlas put the number on the decoders, so if you can see the decoder, you should be able to tell. They also put the number on one side of the box. If not, you'll have to figure out if the 2003 vintage had the 341 or 342, and that might be tough because I think that's about the time they started switching over.
But other than silent or no silent drive, I think they all perform well.
Hard wired? Well, it looks like a typical light board wired with black plastic clips on each pad. I never had a problem with them.
Doughless,
Thanks for your "best guess".
I'm looking at one of the models released in 2003. How well does the decoder function? - i.e. low-speed and noise? Is it a plug 'n play or is it hard-wired? Have you been generally happy with its performace?
I knew Bachmann used to use low-end Lenz decoders for their DCC-equipped locomotives. I didn't even know that Atlas equipped some of their locomotives until I started looking into this specific one.
If it's a dual mode decoder that has the plug that you manually reposition for switching modes, I'm guessing Lenz. That's what by mid 2000s Atlas locos have. I would assume Lenz had the Atlas contract for all locos back then.
Sorry, I guess is best I can do.
Does anyone know what specific 4-function dual-mode decoder was used in the pre-2010 Atlas H16-44 "DCC-equipped" switchers? One of the newer non-sound versions was listed with an NCE decoder. The older ones don't give a manufacturer.
Thanks for the help...