Atlas GP38

Scale:
N Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:


This installation is for N Scale Atlas GP38 and uses TCS AMD4 Decoder and was performed by Jim Starbuck of Clinton, Iowa.

Before AMD4 decoder installation. Photo shows original light board.
Before AMD4 decoder installation. Photo shows original light board.
AMD4 decoder installed.
AMD4 decoder installed.
Photo below shows loco frame disassembled. Although it looks like a big job it is actually very simple. Once the two screws are removed, the frame separates. The original light board is easily removed and the AMD1 decoder easily installed. Use care in alignment of the frames, motor mount, and gears when re assembling. The trucks can be put on last, they snap into place.
Photo below shows loco frame disassembled. Although it looks like a big job it is actually very simple. Once the two screws are removed, the frame separates. The original light board is easily removed and the AMD1 decoder easily installed. Use care in alignment of the frames, motor mount, and gears when re assembling. The trucks can be put on last, they snap into place.

Important Soldering Tip

Please do not use any flux either liquid or paste on the mother board. Over time, the acidic properties of liquid or paste flux will begin eating away at the fiberglass PCB and will damage it. Use only Rosin-core solder or no-clean flux approved for electronics use.

TCS recommends the use of Kester "44" Sn63 Pb37, .015" diameter Rosin-core solder. Kester part number 24-6337-0007.

You can order this solder from the following retailers:
Digikey - PN:KE1110-ND
Techni-Tool - PN:488SO6775

Other solder tips

When stripping wire, only strip a tiny little bit of the insulation. Strip no more than a 1/32 of an inch. When the wire gets tinned with solder, the insulation will shrink back more. Try to not expose any more wire than half the length of the solder pad at most. In no case should solder or exposed wire wire ever be outside the boundary of the the solder pad you are attaching a wire to.
Click here for important information on properly Stripping and Tinning wire