New N scale Atlas Locomotives

[Anonymous]

Is anybody other than my self having problems with the motors freezing up on the new Atlas N locomotives. I just got 8 of them in the past few months and 2 of the 8 are experiancing problems. One of my new B23-7's will only run reliably on direction and the same goes with a new SD60M. On the 60M you can actually see a rub mark on the motor armature. As a rule I am extreamly happy with the Atlas product and am sure that after a break in period these units will operate just fine but it was a little scarey seeing the SD60M just sit there with it's head light on and not moving at all right out of the box.

[Anonymous]

Get over to www.atlasrr.com
click on forum, click on the agreement ACCEPT then
click on N discussion. You will have to register.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Been their done that. I like the trains forum better.

[Anonymous]

I just had a minor problem with a Kato N Alco and I was very pleased with the service from Kato, They went out of their way to help me out. I would suggest contacting Atlas and sending the locos back to them. Sounds like they ought to take care of them under warranty.

[Anonymous]

I understand that Atlas is real good too. I have fixed them myself. I like that sort of stuff. Funny thing about the Kato product. Several years ago when I first got interested in N scale I had heard how great kato was so I bought a new DASH 9 model and put it on the track. I put power to the rails and NOTHING happened except the lights lit up. I thought about sending it to the factory or just taking it back but I work in a technical (airline) area and would not accept that this little cutie was going to defeat me. Well, as they say, the rest is history. It is now one of my best runners.

[Anonymous]

Dan
I bought a pair of Atlas Trainmasters some weeks ago. When I put them on tracks they were very noisy. Even adding some lubricant didn't help. Also some of the axles were bent. The locomotives were jumping over the track instead of rolling. I returned both of them to my local dealer and got two new ones. We tried about two dozens but all of them are very loud. Finally we found two with almost straight axles. Running these models on an analog layout is not quite satisfying. When I added Digitrax DCC decoders they didn't run at all ! Using contact cleaner and contact grease made them run again but still not the way I'm used from older Atlas locos. And they're worlds apart from any Kato engine. If you have the chance to compare one of Atlas' RS locos with the same model from Kato then you understand what I mean.
If Atlas is not able to improve their models (only the mechanic) then there'll be no other choice than Kato.
By the way I own about 20 Atlas and about 40 Kato models all are DCC equipped.


Sandro

[Anonymous]

It seems I read somewhere that Atlas is comming out with a new motor. Supposed to be in the GP7's. Don't get me wrong, I love my Atlas's but you are right, Kato's run better. I just wish Kato would improve in their finishes.