DCC Sound Decoder Installation in an HO Scale Atlas/Kato GP-7

This video shows how I installed a Soundtraxx Econami DCC decoder in an HO scale Atlas GP-7. I used a Nixtrainz Decoder Buddy to simplify installation, along with a TCS KA-2 keep alive circuit, and a sugar cube speaker and LED headlights. Along with these products you will also need a soldering iron, solder, flux, heat shrink tubing (an assortment is available on Amazon) and some 30-GA wire (I use Digitrax assortment).
So far no one has caught a mistake I made with the engine; EL GP7's ran long hood forward. I have it set up backwards, so I will need to reverse the direction CV.
Music by Ben Tissot, at bensounds.com, jazzpiano and hipjazz sound files.

[@eddie9027]

Big help for me, you're a great instructor..

[@NWVRR]

Thank you for watching, commenting, and most important, I'm glad it helped you.

[@dhall1889]

You could have saved yourself a lot of hacking by using the Econami board made for the Atlas and some UHU putty to mount the LEDs. You should never use flux on a circuit board, it can impact the performance of the decoder. By using the Econami decoder made for the Atlas, you have space left above the decoder, so no space problems. If you use a Bowser sugar cube speaker you can mount that inside the cab with double sided tape.

[@NWVRR]

Thank you for your suggestions.

[@NutmegRail]

This is a huge help for me, thank you! I’m looking at a couple of these older Atlas/Kato models and I’m curious to see if their performance is drastically different from newer models. It looks like this one did pretty well. Any thoughts? Would they consist with something new? Thanks again!

[@NWVRR]

Glad you found it helpful. We have several Atlas/Kato engines on our layout, along with one newer GP. All are more reliable and run smoother than engines by other manufacturers. When released in the 80's this was the best running and detailed engine you could buy. To prevent damage to the drive & decoder we recommend speed matching any consists. For a short run I personally don't bother but our consisted club engines are speed matched.

[@NutmegRail]

Perfect, thank you! I picked up a pair, I’ll have to get a speedometer too.

[@NutmegRail]

Follow up question…
How do you modify/swap out the hook couplers for kadee’s? Did you get a coupler box, cut the existing opening bigger and glue it in?
Seems like a ‘simple’ enough process, I’m just wondering if you needed any reinforcing. Thank you!

[@NWVRR]

I had to go back & check. I used a Kadee box (the old ones with the ears). Just cut off the ears and use the original friction pin to hold in place. No need to make opening bigger nor for reinforcing since the frame is metal.

[@roberttokarcik9030]

Are the motors in the Atlas yellow box engines isolated?

[@alanwbelcher]

Good question. Yes, the motor is mounted in a plastic cradle so it's all isolated from the frame. Thanks for watchin'!

[@roberttokarcik9030]

Thanks@@alanwbelcher

[@GodTrustful]

New layout update update.

[@NWVRR]

Good idea! We were discussing that today.