The Atlas Classic RS-3 and the ESU "Drop In" Decoder (#58921) - A Cautionary Tale

I was excited to finally get started on my New Haven DERS-2c #529 project - click here for why and what all I got in preparation.

Unfortunately, I've run into a major roadblock: The ESU "Drop In" decoder, with integrated Power Packs (#58921) does not actually "drop in" to the Atlas Classic RS-3 model I wanted to convert. In fact, it doesn't fit at all as designed.

Read on to see why - and hopefully to avoid the same (major) mistake I made . . .

ESU photo

ESU's Loksound 5 DCC Direct with Integrated Power Pack decoder (#58921) promises a relatively easy DCC conversion, with the bonus of having "keep alive" capacitors already installed on the motherboard. While not a true "drop in" that doesn't require soldering (like the version without the capacitors (#58821)), both decoders are touted as an "easy" board replacement. I can't speak to the 58821, but I know that's not the case with the 58921 - at least not in an Atlas Classic RS-3.

When you try to attach the board to the loco as indicated, you discover that the slots are a little too close together to allow an easy install. Note the slot on the left. . .

The spacing between the slots is a good 16th to 3/32" too short.

But the board is supposed to fit, right? Maybe I'm being too picky?

Thinking so, I decided to press a little harder . . .

That was a mistake . . .

A BIG mistake!

Note that the leg of the capacitor didn't break at the solder joint - it actually pulled the solder pad up with it(!!)

UGH.

Fortunately, I hadn't gone through the trouble of soldering all the wires to the board (which the 58821 doesn't require. Just sayin'). Unfortunately, I didn't check with anybody about alternative mounting suggestions or pro tips for using the 58921 before attempting to install it.

Which is where I hope this post is helpful - not only to warn you about this board if you're trying to install it in an Atlas Classic RS-3 (I know many of you have them), but also to avoid the mistake I made - and to pass along an installation pro tip. At least it's how I plan to proceed . . .

First though, this board is on its way back to ESU. To their GREAT credit, after hearing my story they've agreed to consider replacing it under warranty. I'll let you know how that works out.

Regardless, since I really want the capacitors, I've since gathered a lot of input on how others have installed this particular board and the consensus is that they snip off at least one of the mounting clips (preferably the one closest to the capacitor) and use double-sided tape to attach that end of the board. I'll probably also use some Kapton tape to hold it all down.

So the conversion of this Atlas model into NHRR DERS-2c #529 is sidelined for the time being. But hopefully, it'll only be a temporary setback and I'll be able to continue the install soon. Fingers crossed!

PS: If any of you reading this have actually installed the 58921, please let me know. I'd really be interested in learning how you did it.

Friday Fun: And Now For Something Completely Different . . . (NH #529)

Outside the Essex shop, before the Locomotive Service Facility was built, c. 1986/1987.

I first met New Haven Railroad DERS-2c (Alco RS-3) #529 in November of 1986. I was 17 years old, had had my license for almost 2 years, and was able to go on a solo railfan trip to the Valley Railroad's Railfan Day, which I'd just heard about a few weeks before.

Fast forward a few months, and I'm working on the VRR as a steam locomotive fireman and one of my "featherbedding" jobs (a hopefully good-natured accusation) then was to hold down the left-hand seat on the 529 whenever #97 (our venerable 2-8-0 and the only steamer in service at the time) was sidelined for a boiler wash.  I even got to run it on a train a few times (under the watchful eye of the engineer, of course).

I was at the Valley for 3 years before college, then lawschool, then marriage and starting my career got in the way. Eventually, we bought our first house and I finally had some space for a layout. The layout I started with was a donation (read more of that story here) which didn't run all that well and was only going to represent the Shepaug Branch off of the Berkshire Line-themed layout I was planning.

I wanted to restore the layout to operating condition, but it wasn't until my friend Tom gifted me with a model of the 529 (pictured above) - and I wanted desperately to have someplace to run it - that the restoration hit high gear.

Unfortunately/fortunately, the engine was DC-only (we're talking probably about 2001/2002 at this point) and I converted to DCC in May of 2003, so the 529 was sidelined until I could get around to converting it. But then I took up bike racing in 2005 and the hobby took a back seat for about half a dozen years . . .

Now that The Valley Local has been up and running well for about 10 years now, I decided to start going through my stash of equipment to see what's now surplus and can be liquidated to fund other railroad-related projects. Consequently, I've sold off 4 of 6 DL-109s that have just been sitting new-in-the-box for years (incidentally, I have 2 left to sell if anyone's interested), and then I came across this now-old Atlas Classic #529, sitting like new in the box. . .

I'd seen a while ago that Loksound had come out with a v5 decoder that has PowerPacks onboard, and is a drop in for the Atlas Classic RS-3. And Scale Sound Systems sells outstanding speakers, which are also custom fit. So suffice it to say, I took some of the DL-109 money and made a visit to the SSS website.

And the package finally showed up today . . .

So, just as soon as I can end this post, take out my contacts, and heat up the soldering iron, I'm gonna spend a lovely evening listening to the Charlie Brown Christmas album, sipping a nice Cabernet, and converting my HO scale #529 for use on the Valley Local!

"Photo Freight" southbound through "the Meadow" just north of Essex station on the Valley Line, Railfan Day, November, 1986.

And don't bother telling me it's past my era - I've actually run the prototype locomotive over the line that I model, so there's no way I'm not going to run the model on my layout. Now I just have to see if I can get my friend Bernard to 3D scan me in a diesel engineer's pose . . .

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The actual, real 529 still exists today, but it needs your help. The Railroad Museum of New England is in the process of restoring it to operation, but unfortunately such efforts are costly. Check out their efforts here and consider helping get the 529 running again!