Atlas AEM7 and ERR/TMCC

Since you're probably not going to use your AEM7 to switch freight, why not put the ERR board in the first passenger car?  A discreet tether from the car to the loco at coupler level, and careful routing of the wires past the flywheel(s) to the centralized motor will get you command operation as desired.

This approach will also circumvent the need to install an antenna in the loco, that will also be in the passenger car.  Best of all, you will only need ONE command board / command car for your whole AEM7 fleet!  (assuming, of course, that you add a mating tether to each of the locos you want to control in this fashion.)  My $.02.

The Atlas AEM with the center motor is a PITA to put TMCC into, I like Ted's idea.

When I did design work for TrainAmerica Studios I did a full prototype TMCC install in the Atlas AEM7 with RailSounds, it was a PITA and was never put into production due to it's complexity. It required custom boards and wiring harnesses, relocation of the front and rear cab bulkheads so everything would fit. The R2LC was located in the removable roof cover. To this day it is the only AEM7 converted to full TMCC. See the photo attached

I had an Atlas AEM7 that I was going to convert, when I opened it up, I just put it back together and sold it!  I have a nice MTH Premier one now, already came with PS/2 and runs like a top and looks great.

Hi John, you are correct about the MTH version, I have them also. At time time the Atlas engine came out it was considered a beautiful scale model of the AEM7. at the time of TA Studio days we had lots of requests for a conversion kit, but it was not to be. 

Ernie

The Atlas was a great looking model, but when I opened it and saw how little room there was to work, I decided I didn't need command in that one all that bad.

What's wrong with the loco matic controller

My Legacy system doesn't seem to recognize it.

I have both the AEM7 and the ALP44 and in spite of the lack of command control I find them to be superior in four areas:

1. The tooling for its age (1999 on the AEM7 and 2004 for the ALP44) is still the best looking mass produced O model compared to the prototype. 
2. Atlas correctly modeled the variations associated with the later produced ALP44 built by Asea Brown Boveri between 1989 and 1995 for NJT and one for Septa.  AEM7s were built over a decade earlier via a consortium that included ASEA, EMD, and Budd.
3. They are wonderful pullers and have a great drive for non-command operation.
4. They got the Amtrak colors correct

Fully understanding that putting full command in one is very difficult proposition, I would say that the MTH AEM7 is a good model for operation on a command controlled layout.  I think the idea of creating a command control first car is a wonderful suggestion.  It not only solves the issue for the AEM7/ALP44 but for any non command locomotive that is space challenged and is also very friendly on the budget. 

Off course in the case of the NJT version, getting those Comet cars apart might make jamming command into the locomotive the easier proposition!

I have a MARC one that I got to use to two-rail a Lionel HHP-8 but I have not done it yet. I prefer the one-motor-driving-both-trucks to the more common two-motor drive that others use.

@GG1 4877 posted:

I have both the AEM7 and the ALP44 and in spite of the lack of command control I find them to be superior in four areas:

1. The tooling for its age (1999 on the AEM7 and 2004 for the ALP44) is still the best looking mass produced O model compared to the prototype. 
2. Atlas correctly modeled the variations associated with the later produced ALP44 built by Asea Brown Boveri between 1989 and 1995 for NJT and one for Septa.  AEM7s were built over a decade earlier via a consortium that included ASEA, EMD, and Budd.
3. They are wonderful pullers and have a great drive for non-command operation.
4. They got the Amtrak colors correct

 

Fully understanding that putting full command in one is very difficult proposition, I would say that the MTH AEM7 is a good model for operation on a command controlled layout.  I think the idea of creating a command control first car is a wonderful suggestion.  It not only solves the issue for the AEM7/ALP44 but for any non command locomotive that is space challenged and is also very friendly on the budget. 

Off course in the case of the NJT version, getting those Comet cars apart might make jamming command into the locomotive the easier proposition!

I have three Atlas AEM7s (2 Amtrak, 1 MARC) and one ALP44.  I am with Jonathan on all points, but the inability to reasonably control them (similar to DCS) makes them more of a hassle to bother with than seems worthwhile to me.  LocoMatic 'commands' a set voltage, which is really a pain when your line has minor grades here and there, (they slow and speed up, and it looks a bit silly).  Indeed they are excellent pullers, but it is best if you can be manning the control box to maintain a prototypically uniform speed, or have a totally flat pike and a medium to short train.  Also, while injecting LocoMatic into the DCS stream can work fine (I've done it successfully), it also can be a royal mess.  Honestly, I am inclined toward unloading all four of them, but it is tough to get rid of such exquisite models.  Jonathan is also right about the roof detail on the ALPs, which was near-spot on.  The roof detail for the AEM7s is far less accurate if you compare with pictures of the prototype when they were first delivered.  Finally, I have taken apart one Horizon coach in the past, and while it is a good idea to stick electronics in a trailing coach, I do not feel it worth my time and effort to do so, especially since I have multiple MTH models that are excellent and easy to control.

This is now many years ago - Jerry Kimble had mentioned to me (probably at a York meet) that Atlas O was trying/looking to install TMCC in the AEM7/ALP44

@Pantenary posted:

Finally, I have taken apart one Horizon coach in the past, and while it is a good idea to stick electronics in a trailing coach, I do not feel it worth my time and effort to do so, especially since I have multiple MTH models that are excellent and easy to control.

Sticking the electronics in another car is a non-starter for me, so I'll stick with models that have room for the electronics.  Plenty to choose from without restricting myself to a single consist.

Hello all and Happy Easter!

Has anyone measured the stall current of one of the Atlas AEM-7s?  I see that @Ron045 installed out a bluerail board in with a Tsunami2 2200 2-amp board (1.4” x 0.7” x 0.25”) and I know that they have a number of correct sounds for the loco, including the rotary air pump and K5LA. I like the smaller footprint but am worried about the motor drawing more than 2 amps. The 4400 is a 4 amp board but is quite a bit larger. (1.7” x 1.2” x ~0.5”)  

thanks for your help!

- Mario

So I just did a little test.  I have the AEM-7 on the track.  I increased the throttle and would not yet the engine move.  Almost immediately the lights start to blink and the engine stopped pushing against me.  That is the over current protection kicking in.

But, If I leave it be, it will pull 7 coach cars around the layout just fine and stay under 2 amps.

Ron

So does the tsunami have built in over current protection, or is that a feature on the Blue Rail board?

Or did you install some sort of protection yourself?

If I'm worried about a motor drawing too much for a particular decoder, will the decoder protect itself in those situations?

Sorry if I seem to be stalking all these DCC / blue Rail posts, just trying to be cautious before I spend much dough on my first one!

They both have over current, over voltage protection.

From the Tsunami manual.

Error 12: Motor Overload Fault

The motor current is monitored during normal operation to automatically deactivate motor

processes when the current exceeds the decoder’s rating. Power is returned to the motor after

100ms. The motor remains inactive if current-overload persists.

@Jeff_the_Coaster_Guy posted:

So does the tsunami have built in over current protection, or is that a feature on the Blue Rail board?

Or did you install some sort of protection yourself?

If I'm worried about a motor drawing you much for a particular decoder, will the decoder protect itself in those situations?

Sorry if I seem to be stalking all these DCC / blue Rail posts, just trying to be cautious before I spend much dough on my first one!

I'm with you, and I'm doing the same...

Thanks @Ron045 for being patient with us and answering our questions.

- Mario