I just bought a lionel Atlantic off Ebay, I have already stripped it down for a re-paint and re-build, she will be getting a revo steam receiver and a new smoke unit.
Did any of these engines come with steel trailing wheels instead of plastic?
Can anybody give me any pointers with this engine?
Are there any tips and tricks I should know to make it run better?
Thanks, I will post pictures as I rebuild.
Nico
never came with metal pilot or traiing… there were some aftermarket available a long time ago.
check my site for tips and also george schreyer’s site…
my site
largescale…motive power…lionel…atlantic
greg
Nico…Which one did you get? Be careful if you got the Pennsy with sound, easy to blow the sound card with too much voltage.
I have 6 of the beasties, I guess you can tell I like them! I replaced the front pilot truck and the tender with bachmanns ‘small’ metal wheels, super easy to do. (You have to cut down the axles).
I also added electrical pick-ups to the tender and wired them to the engine. Seriously, these now run as smooth as any LGB I have.
I’ll dig one out and post some pics.
Ok, here are three of the easiest “biggest bang for the buck” changes you can make (my opinion).
Pull apart the pilot truck wheels and toss them! Using a rat-tail file ever so slightly enlarge the axle holes and install Bachmann small (24.5mm) wheels. You will need to “pull apart” the Bachmann wheels to install them…Then cut off the axle even with the hub.
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj222/Noble_Dreg/LSC/Atl1_zpsfe5cc186.jpg)
I also installed the same wheels on the tender. They are a tight fit, I found cutting a little off the ends of the axle made for a nice fit though you will want to de-burr the axle after the cut.
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj222/Noble_Dreg/LSC/Atl2_zps6619cd46.jpg)
I then used USA pick-ups screwed directly to the Lionel truck. I routed the wires through the fake ‘water-scoop’ actuator on the bottom of the tender. If you are very careful you can drill a hole through this casting and another through the tender floor and completely hide your wires.
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj222/Noble_Dreg/LSC/Atl3_zpscbe63684.jpg)
I also wired LGB lanterns on the tender deck replacing the jeweled markers.
That was it! My Atlantics will crawl or high-ball with the best of them! Some have added zip-ties to the motor and added weight, I have not done so and don’t really have a need. I don’t run long trains with these, 10 cars max. Probably make them even better.
Here is a link to George’s page…He did a whole lot more than I did! Some good stuff!
Heres what I did with mine, I dont care much for bachmann wheels as they wobble to much for me.
http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/17360/lionel-atlantic-a-blast-from-the
Youtube show video about 2 minutes into you can see.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYoKwT8lAjM&feature=share&list=UUsV2nFJp7sTzsXSAbXWCbiw
I got this email from Gary Raymond two years ago. He might still have those wheel sets.
"Ball bearing wheelsets for the tender which would allow electrical pickup are 133RDSE. $15.95 each (4 required).
Ball bearing wheelsets with no electrical pickup are 133RDSN. $15.95 each (4 required).
Ridgid axle wheelsets are 133RS (Plated $5.95 each), 133BS (Black $5.95 each), and 133US (Unplated Steel $4.95 each). (4 required).
Two packs of washers are necessary for the tender wheelsets. Part# W031B and W063B. $0.69 for each bag. (One of each required).
We have the pilot wheelsets. 133RF but they will not do electrical pickup. $5.95 each (2 required).
We do not have the trailing truck wheelset (1.625" dia.). The largest we currently have is 1.280" dia. F26RS. $5.95 each. Some customers have been using our F26RS. However it is significantly smaller. 1.625" vs. 1.280". It will fit but changes the angle of the yoke. That can be corrected by lowering the pivot point of the yoke.
State tax if in Calif 8.75%
Please email or call for shipping."
It will help to put an once of two of lead weight on the pilot and trailing truck to help them stay on the track.
Also, it helps a lot to use two or three zip ties as motor mounts to secure the electric motor. Mine is a true stump puller, my favorite steamer.
(https://ff.duckduckgo.com/favicon.ico)(https://www.google.com/favicon.ico)
Anyone measured the axles used by Bachmann on teh Thomas equipment? The spoked wheels under teh trucks & Annie/Clarribel might match up fairly close.
You beet me to it they are 1.563 as opposed to Lionel’s 1.625. I will borrow one off my sons and see how it fits.
Nico
.062" difference… Is it enough to even notice?.. drops the truck assembly .013" closer to the rail.
Checked with Bachmann, these whel sets are not available. Does anyone have a set laying around they want to sell?
Nico
Split the cost of a troublesome truck with someone? Wonder what a TT would look like with real trucks under it behind a shay?
Nico…you have talent …think and build!
Nico Corbo said:
Checked with Bachmann, these whel sets are not available. Does anyone have a set laying around they want to sell?
Nico
I just bought 6 sets from RLD for some 7/8’s projects. Rob has them.
http://rldhobbies.com/bac92422.aspx
-Brian
Brian,
I just called RLD, those are the standard bachmann wheels. I need the bigger wheels from Thomas the tank engine rolling stock.
But thank anyway,
Nico
Sorry about that. Thought you were looking for the small wheels.
What about the LGB spoked wheels?
http://www.train-li-usa.com/store/metal-spoke-wheel-p-515.html
-Brian
Also too small. The best wheel, in metal, for this is the axles for the Bachmann Thomas line used by the Annie, Claribel, and freight trucks.
If I wasn’t over extended with purchases from the German LGB parts dealer, I’d be going after this one myself, for the same reason.
Nico, you have one or two Atlantics that need axles?
J.d.
I only have one Atlantic an I am already watching that one.
Nico
Ok, I am slowly progressing on the Atlantic, the drive train has been re-assembled, body and cab repainted, now I am starting to work on the wiring. Hopefully i will get off my lazy ass and take some pictures soon.
Wouldn’t mind seeing those pics… what did you ever end up doing with the trailing truck?
