Atlas HO B40-8 and Dual Mode Decoder Question

[wjstix]

As it happens, I just did one of these the past week. It takes a lot of effort to get it to pop off, at least the first time. Maybe this diagram will help to show the assembly that comes off (sorry if the link isn't alive, for some reason I have troubles with this PC.) It's the large part labelled "radiator"....

http://download.atlasrr.com/pdf/HO%20DASH8%20DIESEL%20LOCO%20CHINA1.pdf

[railandsail]

rayw46

I have one of these and I bent the actual grill, thinking that is what comes off.  Not so.  The grill is attached to a flat frame.  I just pry it off by sticking my pin-knife in the small crack in front of this frame and the main box frame of the radiator.  It pops right off.  Also there is no, "switch," it's what is called a, "jumper."  You pull it out and replace it toward the rear of the locomotive where it's marked, "DCC."  The problem I have is the anoying buzz when I operate the locomotive on DCC.  The early models do not have a silent decoder and if yours makes this noise, you'll either have to replace the decoder or live with it.

 

If there is someone who might supply a little better description, or photo, of this grill removal I would really appreciate it.

I just got my SF versions out today and can not get that radiator grill off.

[rayw46]

I have one of these and I bent the actual grill, thinking that is what comes off.  Not so.  The grill is attached to a flat frame.  I just pry it off by sticking my pin-knife in the small crack in front of this frame and the main box frame of the radiator.  It pops right off.  Also there is no, "switch," it's what is called a, "jumper."  You pull it out and replace it toward the rear of the locomotive where it's marked, "DCC."  The problem I have is the anoying buzz when I operate the locomotive on DCC.  The early models do not have a silent decoder and if yours makes this noise, you'll either have to replace the decoder or live with it.

[NS2591]

I don't know about the B40-8s but I have 4 of the C40-8s and the radiators don't come off. The Exhuast stack is where the switch is.

[CAZEPHYR]

I recently purchased 2 Atlas B40-8s with the Dual Mode decoders in them.  I have finally switched my layout from DC to DCC (using the Digitrax Zephyr system!!).  That done, I would like to flip the switch on these two locos.  Unfortunetly these Atlas locos seem idiot proof, as I cannot manage to remove the radiator covers to move the plugs so that they can run on DCC.  The instructions say lift off from the front until the latch releases - but it's not that easy.  Is there some special trick to this I don't know about?  If anyone has any of these locos, and has made the conversion, I'd appreciate knowing how you managed to get those covers off without killing the model.  Thanks!

 

I had two of the early ones and removed the body from the chassis so I could punch out the radiator plug from below.  Once it is removed, it is a little better to get off the second time.

 

No one said this was easy..

[jalajoie]

I have 2 of these Atlas locos and the radiator cover come off just as the Atlas instructions say.

Pull on the cover and it will snap off.

Jack W. 

 

[Bill54]

I am curious about the answer to your question.  My reason is I have four Atlas Master series diesels and have yet had the chance to test them.  I've had them about a month and have not read the instructions. 

What I'm curious about is the decoder.  On all the other loco's I have there is no switch to throw to turn on the DCC, you simply put it on the track and dial up loco #03 or 3 and The decoder picks up on the DCC command.  From there you are running on DCC. 

I guess I will be reading my instructions to see how they operate.  I assumed, (and you know what that means), that it worked just like the less expensive Bachmann loco's which use Lenz decoders.  I also have installed Digitrax and NCE duel mode decoders in other locos and there is no switch to be thrown. 

Bill

[RRFoose]

I recently purchased 2 Atlas B40-8s with the Dual Mode decoders in them.  I have finally switched my layout from DC to DCC (using the Digitrax Zephyr system!!).  That done, I would like to flip the switch on these two locos.  Unfortunetly these Atlas locos seem idiot proof, as I cannot manage to remove the radiator covers to move the plugs so that they can run on DCC.  The instructions say lift off from the front until the latch releases - but it's not that easy.  Is there some special trick to this I don't know about?  If anyone has any of these locos, and has made the conversion, I'd appreciate knowing how you managed to get those covers off without killing the model.  Thanks!