The New Atlas N Scale FA-1

Atlas has a new N scale Alco FA-1 and FB-1 that are reworked versions of Life Like-Walthers models. For entry-level models, these have a couple of new features. While they're available with sound, I got DC versions intending to install DCC-only decoders.

One feature is a Next18 DCC socket. This is mounted on a plastic motherboard above the motor toward the rear of the unit, where the Next18 socket points downward. I used a Digitrax DN167n18 decoder.

The best way to get to this is to loosen the rear nut and screw that hold the two halves of the chassis together enough to lift the rear of the plastic motherboard up, remove the Next18 dummy plug, and insert the Next18 decoder. There is barely enough room for trhe decoder to fit between the socket and the chassis, but it does fit.

Once I appllied power to the loco, I noticed there is an extra set of LEDs at the front 9of the chassis. These will allow the number boards to be lit and controlled separately from the headlight. The headlight is controlled via the usual F0:

With a DCC-only Next18 decoder, the number boards can be lit with F1:

I don't know what function controls this on a sound-equipped loco.

I don;t believe these locos have flywheels, or if they do, there is very little momentum effect. However, setting CV 3 acceleration momentum to 2 and CV 4 deceleration momentum to 2 will mimic a flywheel effect. The loco has a 5-pole skew-wound armature and operates very slowly and smoothly.

Unfortunately, as seems to be the case with recent Atlas N locos, there's no documentation in the box. Users need to figure out shell removal and decoder install for themselves and intuit the headlight-number board functionss. (The shell comes off by spreading the sides outward with small screwdrivers or toothpicks.)

An exploded diagram of the loco showing the location of the Next18 socket would have been very helpful; it isn't immediately clear.

Still Rethinking My Inglenook

In 2022, I began playing around with an N scale micro layout using the traditional Inglenook track plan:

The original Inglenook idea, which has apparently existed since the 1930s, is a self-contained layout that's used to run switching puzzles. Over time, as I kept playing around with the idea, I began to think about it in the context of newer modular ideas like T-TRAK. I eventually shimmed the layout up enough to match the T-TRAK baseboard height and spliced a Unitrack interface into the Inglenook tail track so that the Inglenook could be interfaced with a T-TRAK module.

Hybrid Module

This module started out as a half-depth, single-wide T-TRAK module. I'd seen here and there that people were successfully making T-TRAK modules from corrugated cardboard, and I decided to experiment with this. But after I started, I learned about Pocket Size Modules, and I realized that this standard, which involves single track, was probably a better choice. I trimmed down the base so that the deck is 25 mm (roughly 1") high, so it will link with Pocket Size or Micro Diorama N modules.

I generally followed current practice in building up the scenery with a lattice of corrugated cardboard strips. I used tunnel portals I had on hand, as well as a piece of Woodland Scenics Ready Rocks. Instead of plaster cloth, I used Woodland Scenics Shaper Sheet.

I added a preliminary layer of Sculptamold.

Then, inspired by videos of people building Micro Diorama Modules, I decided to use modeling clay to build up the final landforms. I used Crayola Model Magic, which is fairly inexpensive and available at Hobbyh Lobby or Michaels.

This cracked as it dried. I filled the cracks in with more modeling clay.

The ground cover is ordinary dirt held in place with Elmer's Glue and sprayed with water from a garden sprayer. I followed this up with Woodland Scenics Burnt Grass fine turf.

I still have to add trees and foliage.

The Pabco Water Tank

A little over a month ago, I posted on my renewewd project to model the Pabco Paper plant in Vernon, CA, this time as a series of pocket size modules (the Facebook group for this idea is here). The next step would be to build a module that incorporates the water tank:

I found a satellite view of the segment of the plant I'm modeling:

So this module will represent a raised concrete platform with the water tank off center. The photos show the rest of the platform is occupied by what look like electrical transformers. This is how it's come out so far:

Aftter looking at both the Walthers and Woodland Scenics N water tanks, I decided the Woodland Scenics was closest. I sprayed it with Tru Color Grime, which seems to be a close cousin of the old Floquil Grimy Black. I also found some 3D printed N scale transformers on eBay. I'm going to continue to add small details as I run across them. Below is how the assembled modules look now: