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Post by ambluco on Jun 26, 2014 17:35:19 GMT -8
The latest run of the Atlas RS-3 is reviewed in the current Model Railroader. It says that all the dimensions are correct.
I thought the various RS-3s have issues with the consensus the Athearn is better overall even with its issues? Is the Atlas RS-3 correct in all dimensions?
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Post by markfj on Jun 27, 2014 7:06:19 GMT -8
While I can’t give a definitive “yes” or “no” to your question, I can comment that the Athearn RS-3 I just bought from Toy Train Heaven’s Cloud 9 sale has much finer detail moldings than the Atlas unit MR just reviewed. In particular, the step and pilot area on the Atlas models does not look as nice as the Athearn model. Also, the Atlas cab seems too short when compared to Athearn’s cab.
Of course, the Atlas drive will likely run much smoother than Athearn's, but that’s not relevant to your question.
I paid $68.99 for my dc only RDG RS-3 where as the Atlas dc only model lists at $129.95.
Mark
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Post by grabbem88 on Jun 27, 2014 7:44:54 GMT -8
I'm at a toss up with my gm&o atlas with loksound and my Peabody from athearn the shell I think athearn did better... You know what I'll take a pic side by side..
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Post by markfj on Jun 27, 2014 9:32:08 GMT -8
Well, I guess this photo punctuates my earlier comments about Atlas vs. Athearn drives! Since I had the model partially out of its packaging, I figured it would be fun to give it a test run. Having the one truck fall out was an unexpected surprise.  There is no way this unit was tested at the factory.  Another weird defect I found during disassembly to fix the loose truck was that one of the chassis to shell self-tapping screws had about one and a half threads with the rest of the shank smooth. In other words, it was practically just sitting in the mounting hole. I hope the Genesis Geeps I want to buy aren’t as full of such “surprises”.  Mark |
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Atlas RS-3
Jun 27, 2014 10:16:24 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by grabbem88 on Jun 27, 2014 10:16:24 GMT -8
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Post by nebrzephyr on Jun 27, 2014 10:31:24 GMT -8
Well, I guess this photo punctuates my earlier comments about Atlas vs. Athearn drives! Since I had the model partially out of its packaging, I figured it would be fun to give it a test run. Having the one truck fall out was an unexpected surprise. There is no way this unit was tested at the factory. Had the same experience with last years release of the BN SD45. One truck completely missing the gear-cap that holds the truck to the chassis. I agree, how in the world can this stuff happen. Bob |
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Post by Spikre on Jun 27, 2014 10:53:15 GMT -8
 in the photo of the end railings,what are the outside posts for ?? that style railing only had the doubled up center posts. seems Athearn is adding parts to keep the railings standing up. the best Drive under the ex-MDC RS-3s was the Original 22 to 1 trucks that MDC designed. they ran fine and didnt need Sound !! Spikre 
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Post by Judge Doom on Jun 27, 2014 15:27:41 GMT -8
in the photo of the end railings,what are the outside posts for ?? that style railing only had the doubled up center posts. seems Athearn is adding parts to keep the railings standing up. the best Drive under the ex-MDC RS-3s was the Original 22 to 1 trucks that MDC designed. they ran fine and didnt need Sound !! Spikre Conducts to the MU plugs near the tops. Some units had one, some two. As for the "all dimensions correct", I'd take that with a grain of salt, especially given the goody-goody reviews most products get from RR mags, that don't want to offend their advertisers and lose advertising $$$..."correct" could just mean "close enough" or "matches photos of the real thing". |
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Post by Spikre on Jun 28, 2014 8:10:58 GMT -8
 CP, if those are MU conduits they are either an uncommon Alco/MLW Option,or a RR Shop fabricated item. on some RS-3s with the MU Plugs located there the condiut/pipe will run straight down sort of behind the center posts. but will re-look thru picks of EL,D&H,L&HR,and Southern units to refresh this item. this does seem to be a spot on models since the Hobbytown RS-3s that can be a weak spot if modeled correctly. Spikre 
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Post by bdhicks on Jun 28, 2014 16:54:06 GMT -8
I never really looked closely into it, but the only complaint I remember hearing about the Atlas RS-3 was the exhaust stack, which they did fix in the new model.
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Post by alcoc430 on Jun 29, 2014 6:42:03 GMT -8
from the photos of the Atlas model in the MR review it appears that Atlas is using the same motors (silver case instead of green) as bowser and intermountain. Dont Know how good they are but they look like what I had in the mantua gp20. Anyone have any thoughts
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Post by grabbem88 on Jun 29, 2014 6:47:20 GMT -8
That gm&o in my pic has the blackish case motor and runs very consistent and quite like my atlas/kato versions
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cvsne
New Member
Posts: 28
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Post by cvsne on Jun 30, 2014 3:47:14 GMT -8
from the photos of the Atlas model in the MR review it appears that Atlas is using the same motors (silver case instead of green) as bowser and intermountain. Dont Know how good they are but they look like what I had in the mantua gp20. Anyone have any thoughts Not surprised since Atlas is being manufactured by the vendor as IRC and Bowser locomotives. Marty |
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Post by carrman on Jun 30, 2014 11:17:17 GMT -8
from the photos of the Atlas model in the MR review it appears that Atlas is using the same motors (silver case instead of green) as bowser and intermountain. Dont Know how good they are but they look like what I had in the mantua gp20. Anyone have any thoughts Does the MR sample have sound? Maybe sound units get one or the other? Dave |
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Post by alcoc430 on Jun 30, 2014 11:23:58 GMT -8
from the photos of the Atlas model in the MR review it appears that Atlas is using the same motors (silver case instead of green) as bowser and intermountain. Dont Know how good they are but they look like what I had in the mantua gp20. Anyone have any thoughts Does the MR sample have sound? Maybe sound units get one or the other? Dave MR's sample was the DC only version. Its odd that they would use two motors but if they have the same dimensions then I guess it possible  |
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Post by carrman on Jun 30, 2014 11:42:26 GMT -8
Oh that's bad...... That Mabuchi motor is a POS. This is a serious cheapening of the Atlas product.
Dave
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Post by carrman on Jun 30, 2014 11:45:42 GMT -8
Anyone here have a sound equipped sample yet?
Dave
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Post by Judge Doom on Jun 30, 2014 12:07:40 GMT -8
Greeeeat. Just what we don't need - more expensive models to repower. But, I guess this means the drive quality for the Athearn and Atlas is about even now |
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Atlas RS-3
Jun 30, 2014 18:44:55 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by grabbem88 on Jun 30, 2014 18:44:55 GMT -8
I guess I'm lucky then and like I said before my gm&o is dcc with esu loksound .
What I can say considering engine performance is spot on
And quite
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Post by carrman on Jun 30, 2014 19:52:36 GMT -8
Can we see under the hood?
Dave
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Post by markfj on Jul 1, 2014 4:39:23 GMT -8
Mabuchi Motor is a reputable company that makes a variety of motors for automotive and general consumer applications. It seems likely that Atlas was able to reduce costs by switching motor manufacturers. However, it will be interesting to see how this motor holds up in this application. The only motor listed on Mabuchi site that appears similar to the one show in the photo above is the FA-130RA, which is listed under the “Toy/Plastic Model” section of their catalog. I recall ripping apart broken electronic toys as a kid to see how they worked and usually finding a Mabuchi motor like the one shown above. They do seem to be very durable, at least in toys. |
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Post by grabbem88 on Jul 1, 2014 5:20:19 GMT -8
Can we see under the hood? Dave Before i do would mine be different cause its a classic with factory esu or are all of these listed as classics.. I got mine at mark twain hobby in may if that helps |
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Post by carrman on Jul 1, 2014 5:48:33 GMT -8
They are all classics. With and without sound. The Mabuchi IS a toy motor, and not really suitable for our use. Sure, it's durable, but we need consistent performance, and enough torque to slip the wheels when stalled, not just stop and burn itself up.
Dave
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Post by grabbem88 on Jul 1, 2014 7:00:56 GMT -8
Well I stand corrected... I guess I got fooled by the quitness and power
Anyways for giggles I observed the amp readings and the highest I got out of it with bell horn and at full speed was .18 and a blip of .22 idle is .01 and speed step 75 was .08..
So I'm not sure what you all think but I got kato and mashima motors that draw in the 30's
Atleast I know the speaker placement for being factory was done like I did my rsd 4/5 Santa Fe (zebra) so I still havnt invented the wheel yet lol
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Post by grabbem88 on Jul 1, 2014 7:33:21 GMT -8
I had to re read your comment a mabuchi motor being a toy motor.. I own 14 r/c 1/10 and 1/8 scale vehicle 10 of these would take 5 athearn genesis with sound to cover the cost of one and these are not toys and one of these bad boys was clocked at 97mph! Then my scale crawlers are a different story.
Anyways back to this mabuchi I have a vintage r/c tamiya grasshopper with a mabuchi motor with all the racing it has done the motor still runs... I think that motor is over 20yrs old or more lol
All I can say is I havnt heard too much moaning with QC over motor failures..
Yes I hate change but its inevitable at this point
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Post by carrman on Jul 1, 2014 8:19:57 GMT -8
On this very forum, folks have reported Bowser C630's stalling out, and the motor not having enough torque to slip the wheels. IM SD40-2's that have low pulling power. When's the last time you consisted R/C cars together? The motors are JUNK. They are not suitable for a model locomotive.
Dave
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Post by espeenut on Jul 1, 2014 10:23:44 GMT -8
Dave,
Where, or how, can we find out what type motors are in our models? They don't say on the company websites.
Lorne
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Post by Spikre on Jul 1, 2014 10:28:06 GMT -8
Lorne, buy the loco Your intrested in then take it apart. then see if the motor has any ID marks on it,or none. if None,they may be Junk Motors that the Producer doesnt want any to know they made it. this may be Bad News that even Atlas is going to be hit and miss from now on. Spikre
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Post by grabbem88 on Jul 1, 2014 10:57:31 GMT -8
Part number is #846100 but I have yet found out anything that resembles this motor. The motor has raised ribs like heat sinks on the other side no other markings but I'm not going to tear down this engine..
What I do know for a fact esu doesn't play well with "junk" motors.. I'm sure Herman knows and I bet he wouldn't let his product ride on junk for the fear of bad publicity and decoder failure then again it could be a money game??
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Post by grabbem88 on Jul 1, 2014 11:32:45 GMT -8
This is what was explained to me... It is not a mabuchi motor yes bowser,intermountain,and atlas are in the same factory but out sources there motors from the same company who makes there frames shells,etc..
This is why I don't like to gab my lips unless I have the facts and know 100% what is I am talking about.. That is why I called Herman and pestered him and he sure as heck knows more than me lol
It might.. look.taste.smell.. Like chicken but its not chicken!
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