Product
Name | HO Box Color
| Motor
Isolated?
(Note 1)
| DCC
Support?
(Note 2)
| DCC Socket? (Note 3)
| Decoder
Options
(Note 4)
| Production?
| History
| Atlas
(Roco)
| Yellow
| Yes
| None
| No
| Manual
decoder
install
| Discontinued
| Manfuactured by Roco for Atlas. Atlas-Roco engines say ATLAS AUSTRIA on the bottom | Atlas
(Kato)
| Yellow
| Yes
| None
| No
| Manual
decoder install
| Discontinued
| Manfuactured by Kato for Atlas. Atlas-Kato
engines will say ATLAS-JAPAN or in some cases ATLAS-CHINA on the bottom.
| Atlas
(Red Box)
| Red
| Yes
| DCC Ready
| NMRA
8 Pin DCC Socket | Buy 8 pin plug decoder or
Atlas Format Decoder
| Discontinued
| New high quality locomotive product line with new chassis, drive and shells. First to come with a DCC 8 pin socket for 8 pin decoder plug.
| Master
Series
| Black
| Yes
| Lenz
Dual Mode
Decoder
with
4 pin
DC/DCC
plug.
No sound.
This is an Atlas Format Decoder
| No
| Upgrade by replacing using a better Atlas Format Decoder.
| Discontinued
| Based on Atlas Red Box locomotives but had a Lenz Dual mode decoder pre-installed. The user could pop open a hatch on the top of the locomotive and move a
4 pin jumper to select DC or DCC. Later versions had a 4-function Lenz dual
mode decoder on board for the consumer to add lighting functions. Maximum hand applied shell detail. To select DC, the 4 pin jumper was position away from the center of the decoder. To select DCC, the 4 pin jumper is positioned closer to the center of the decoder.
| Master
Series Gold
| Black
| Yes
| QSI
Decoder
with
Sound
| No
| None Recomended.
Do upgrade to V7 software.
Contact QSI Solutions.
| Current
| Red Box drive + customer chassis to support QSI Q1 Decoder and dual speakers. Maximum hand applied shell detail.
| Master
Series
Silver
| Black
| Yes
| DCC ready
| NMRA
8 Pin DCC Socket | Buy 8 pin plug decoder or
Atlas Format Decoder
| Current
| Red Box chassis and drive but with a removable weight installed where speakers would be installed. Replaced the original Master Series product line. Maximum hand applied shell detail. Note: A shell from a old Red Box loco will fit on Master Silver loco chassis with no modifications.
| TrainMan
| Black
| Yes
| DCC ready
| NMRA
8 Pin DCC Socket | Buy 8 pin plug decoder or
Atlas Format Decoder | Current
| Economy line based on Master Series Silver chassis but no hand applied add on shell details.
| TrainMan
Plus
| Black
| Yes
| DCC ready
| NMRA
8 Pin DCC Socket | Buy 8 pin plug decoder or
Atlas Format Decoder | Current
| No released locomotives at this time to base chassis design. Trainman shell but some limited hand add on detail installed.
| Classic
| Black
| Yes
| None
| No
| Manual Decoder install using
Atlas
Format
Decoder | Current
| Atlas-Roco and Atlas Kato shells unchanged with chassis retooled to support current Atlas drive and scale width handrails. No detail changes but a better paint job than original.
|
NOTES:
1) Motor Isolated?: Motor terminals are electrically isolated from metal frame NO advanced and/or challenging electrical-mechnical modifications are required to allow the motor to connect to a DCC decoder safely and correctly. In other words, not very hard to add DCC decoder to the locomotive. 2) DCC Support?: What level of DCC support is offered?
a) "None" means it was designed and sold as a DC only locomotive. DCC upgrading will require manual effort which is easier done if one uses an "Atlas Format" DCC decoder.
b) "DCC Ready" means it has a DCC socket ready for a plug and play DCC decoder.
c) Decoder included. Description of type listed.
3) DCC socket? What type of DCC decoder socket does the engine come with?
NMRA 8 pin DCC socket. Industry standard socket. From the factory, the Socket comes with a 8 pin plug that allows the locomotive to run in
DC mode until the decoder is installed. You must remove the 8 pin plug
to install the decoder.
4) Decoder Options. What type of DCC decoders will fit into the locomotive?
a) NMRA 8 Pin socket. The PCB inside locomotive will accept a DCC decoder with a NMRA 8 pin plug that will fit the locomotive. You must buy a DCC decoder with a 8 pin plug that will fit the
locomotive. Contact your DCC decoder manufacture for proper selection for the make and model of the engine.
b) Atlas Format Decoder. This an advanced upgrade option that can result in a much better fit and/or functions including sound. An "Atlas Format Decoder" is a DCC decoder who physical design allows one to "replace" the existing factory PCB while still using the existing factory electrical wiring. Takes up less space than using the 8 Pin plug decoder option.
Source:
http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?16766-What-s-the-difference-in-Atlas-Traniman-Master-Silver-Gold
02/02/14
3/10/16
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