After switching from 3 to 2 rail my experience is that 2 rail is simpler, more reliable and more precise. Especially when it comes to much simpler wiring and to the beauty of seeing trains smoothly glide through real world looking switches. And no more traction tires to replace. I'm glad I switched. Wish I had done it years sooner. And I'll never go back to 3 rail. But, to each his/her own. It's a big, inclusive hobby with room for all. Main thing is to enjoy whatever floats yer boat.
Austin Bill,
I'm also 2 rail,as a matter of fact I've got the yard planning complete. Not as easy doing some of the other areas,but that's the fun of model railroading!
I just received my 1st 2rail diesel,an Atlas GP15 Chessie #1508. It runs great-well TOO great. Using any power supply,it runs about 100 miles per hour.LOL Think I'm missing something that I'm doing or not doing to get it slowed down. I tried it on DC then on variable DC which slowed it down slightly but that tripped the circuit breaker.
Have you or anyone else experienced similar problems with Atlas products?
Thank you,
Al Hummel
Al, unfortunately the GP15 has the so called "China Drive". Mine runs about the same as yours. I tried wiring the motors in series and that did make some improvement but I will go back to parallel wiring if I ever put PS3 in it. The majority of 2 railers dislike the China Drives for the exact reasons you state: Poor slow speed performance. I used to hate China Drives too but I've made my peace with them. What I dislike is the gear ratios used. It's been said here many times that a better gear ratio would improve slow speed performance. I am not sure and I thought I heard rumors that Atlas was going to switch to a different ratio but I don't know if that ever happened. Certainly the GP15 would not have a different gear ratio since it is an older model.
My GP is completely out of control,don't even have to crack the throttle-it just takes off!! Will DCC slow the engine motors down enough to make it worth the cost? Really nice diesel shell but I don't know how Atlas ever got away with this?
Thanks,
Al
