Hello everyone. I have an opportunity to purchase an Atlas O SP Dash 8. Will this run at the more or less the same speed as MTH PS1? On another note, I cannot run MTH PS1 with PS2 in conventional mode, as the startup voltage on PS2 is higher and was wondering if Atlas O with Railsounds will be the same thing. Thanks for your help.
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Doesn't PS2 have speed control by default? That is what throws off running the two together in conventional mode.
You can run PS1 and Atlas together though.
Proto-1 doesn't have any speed regulation, so in conventional mode, the answer is "probably" but it depends on the speed curve of the two locomotives. Proto-2 and Proto-3 engines have different speed/acceleration characteristics in conventional mode than the Proto-1.
All my PS1 locomotives run at different speeds from each other. It's going to be mainly dependent on track voltage and gearing.
I have many MTH PS1 Diesels and about 10 PS2 Diesels. PS1 Diesels run pretty much at the same speed wither 4 axle or 6. The same with PS2 to PS2 Diesels. However, PS1 and PS2 MTH engines running in conventional mode don't run together well. The PS2 engines have a higher start up voltage than PS1. So the PS1 engine will run faster and take off sooner than a PS2 engine, again in conventional mode for the PS2. I run a lot of powered engines in 2 unit or sometimes 3 unit lash-ups, all powered. the MTH Diesel gearing is not an issue, as they are fairly closely matched from the factory. I run older MTH, some first generation units from the early 90's and PS1 MTH right before PS2 engines came to market with out one or the other being "out of sync"
My main question is I have never run an MTH PS1 Diesel with an Atlas O Diesel that has Lionel TMCC together in a lash up. Not sure if the Atlas will run with MTH PS1 or PS2. Any help if anyone has done it would very helpful, thanks guys!
When testing engines what I have found to be good is to run the two on the same track at the same time, one following the other but not coupled together. See how well they keep up with each other or try to separate from each other, if they can keep up at the same pace then you should have little problems with the lash-up. If one engine out paces the other then you may have a problem.
Lee Fritz
Richard,
Might depend on whether the Atlas engine has EOB speed control. My early UP Dash-8 didn't have it, but later models did. I don't remember if it is an easy turn off/on for the speed control on an EOB engine in conventional. But, they are much more likely to match up better with any speed control turned off.
Jim
I could only find the SP (Dash 8-39B) models from 2004, Railsound 4, it does indicate there is speed control, but does not call it EOB.
From the Atlas Website. Click to access information. Yes, Jim, EOB can be turned off. 
32 Step speed control.
ENG+##+DIR+AUX1+AUX1+AUX1+1
(The horn will sound after the 3rd AUX1 and after 1.)
128 Step speed control.
ENG+##+DIR+AUX1+AUX1+AUX1+2
(The horn will sound after the 3rd AUX1 and after 2.)
Speed control off.
ENG+##+DIR+AUX1+AUX1+AUX1+3
(The horn will sound after the 3rd AUX1 and after 3.)
Instructions indicate that Speed control off will provide 100% lash-up compatibility with non-cruise equipped locomotives.
Mike,
The question is whether it can be turned off in conventional control if TMCC and a Cab1 are not available. The original poster sounds like he is running just conventionally with mainly MTH equipment.
Jim
Point noted. I guess all that (ENG....DIR.... AUX1....) Doesn't mean a whole lot to someone that does not have a Cab1 handheld and Command base. Interesting. 
And Cab1's and Command bases are becoming rare.
Hello all, I received my Cotton Belt Dash 8-40 and it's my first Atlas O. It runs about the same speed as my MTH PS1 engines, so I can run mutli powered lash-ups. I love the sound of the compressor start-up, then compressor run and stop, it's awesome. I'm so excited about this engine, I'll look for a Southern Pacific. Thanks to all of you for your insight.
Richard, Glad to hear your Atlas engine plays well with PS1.
On a separate note, the Cruise control can be switched off in PS2 engines.
The manual will tell you how, put the timing can be tricky.
Just remember, button pressed for 1/2 second, 1/2 second off, then push next button, same timing for the entire chain.
If you get the timing right you will have an engine that runs more like conventional, but I can't say if it will match up like PS1 as I have not tried it.
Richard,
Glad to hear that the engine is working out well for you.
Happy railroading .
Jim
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