I have recently acquired some Atlas O TMCC 3 rail locomotives. I am going to gut them at some point to convert into 2 rail but I need to know they operate first. Is there any way to test them without TMCC equipment? Just to confirm they actually operate. I am not familiar with 3 rail at all.
Thanks,
Kenny B
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With the Prog/Run switch on the locomotive in the Run position, it should operate with a conventional AC variable transformer. Locomotives should cycle through Forward/neutral/Reverse/neutral/Forward. Lights should operate with power applied. Horn or whistle should respond to conventional transformer buttons. Diesel/steam chuff sounds should also work when power is applied. If equipped with smoke this should also work if the corresponding switch is on.
Without TMCC base/remote or Legacy base and remote, testing the other features like the electrocoupler(s) is more complicated.
Maybe you could find either a model railroad club or someone in your area with TMCC control equipment to check them for you.
SteveH writes: “If equipped with smoke this should also work if the corresponding switch is on.”
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I own 2 TMCC locos, and don’t have TMCC. One had never been “exposed” to command, and smokes fine, but the other had the smoke turned off using TMCC by the former owner, and would not come on for me in conventional.
@Mark V. Spadaro posted:Correct me if I’m wrong, but I own 2 TMCC locos, and don’t have TMCC. One had never been “exposed” to command, and smokes fine, but the other had the smoke turned off using TMCC by the former owner, and would not come on for me in conventional.
If it doesn't smoke in conventional with the smoke switch turned on, it's broken. The command setting for smoke doesn't affect conventional running.
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