Atlas Track Planning Software - Version 1.9.4 Released

The Atlas Track Planning Software has been Updated to Version 1.9.4.

Create magnificent layouts in HO, N & O scales using Atlas track with the Atlas Track Planning Software! This software allows you to create and customize your very own layout, view it as a 3D model and then generate a shopping list to make your dream layout a reality.

New features and fixes have been listed below.

New track libraries:
- Atlas N TrueTrack (C65) – Gray roadbed – all new tracks

Updated track libraries:
- Atlas N TrueTrack (C65) – Tan roadbed – new #5 turnouts and corresponding pieces

Bugfixes:
- Fixed bug which previously enabled simultaneous performing of [Key] and [Alt+Key] functions for a same key combination – the bug may appear only if non-English language is selected in the user interface.

In addition, for those who might be looking for a place to start in the creation of their layout, we have also made select layout files available for purchase. Once downloaded, simply open up ATPS and load the file and start creating!

Atlas Track Planning Software Demo

Purchase the Software License

Purchase Layout Files

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ESU - Preventing Startup Sequence After Momentary Interruption

Whether caused by dirty track, a bad frog, whatever, one of the most irritating things to hear is your thundering locomotive suddenly go through its engine startup sequence while continuing to roll down the track. Or even worse come to a screeching stop, go through the sequence and then continue on. 

ESU LokSound decoders have settings that can prevent this annoying behavior and you don't have to purchase a keep-alive either. Going all the way back to v3.5 decoders (that's as far as the author went) there is a sheet in the sound files called Special Options, see Fig 1.

Figure 1 - Special Options Sheet

Although the options available on this sheet differ according to version (see fig 2 and 3), selecting them will prevent the decoder from entering the startup sequence and/or causing the locomotive from coming to a complete stop. In other words, the locomotive will contiue on it's way with the sound where it was and the loco's speed  resuming where it left off. 

Figure 2 - v3.5 Special Options

Figure 3 - v4 and 5 Special Options

Figure 3 also shows that it is a DCC decoder with only the DCC protocol selectable by default.

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ESU LokSound DCC v5 Decoder/Packaging Mix-up

Recently, ESU LokSound has mis-programmed/mis-packaged some LS v5 21 pin decoders. This has resulted in non-DCC decoders being put into packages and sold as DCC decoders. If you receive any of these (the author just did) they need to be returned to ESU and will be swapped for proper DCC decoders. They have acknowledged this problem. Just include your purchase receipt for warranty purposes along with an explanation of why it is being returned.

How do you tell?
If you download a v5 file and after modifying it you try to burn it to the decoder, you will get a message about "converting the project to a v5 file". This doesn't make sense since you were already modifying what you thought was a v5 file. In actuality it is just converting it to a non-DCC file. Look at the Motor Settings sheet and you'll see the selection at the top of the sheet that allows you to choose between a 3-point speed curve and the speed table has disappeared. Non-DCC decoders don't support the 3-point curve. All you have now is the speed table.

As far as the author knows this only applies to v5 21 pin decoders.

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Atlas and MTH Electric Trains Announce Shared Asset Deal

Hillside, NJ-- Atlas Model Railroad Company, Inc. and MTH Electric Trains today announced a shared asset deal that will allow each company to use select models from the other company’s O scale tools and mold to complement products being produced by each company.

The first of these shared assets will be passenger car tooling that can complement locomotives being produced by the other company. The program expands upon the sale of select MTH O scale tooling and molds in 2021 to Atlas and the incorporation of MTH’s onboard locomotive Proto-Sound 3 sound system into select Atlas O scale locomotive releases that began in 2022.

Atlas’ first product announcement utilizing the shared asset program will be unveiled in the October 2023 York Catalog later this month.

Products produced from the shared assets will be branded in the company packaging of whichever company is using the tooling and molds to complement that company’s products.  As an example, the production of streamlined passenger cars using the Atlas tooling to complement an MTH steam or diesel locomotive by MTH will be marketed, warrantied, and sold by MTH and packaged in MTH Premier Line boxes.  The production of MTH passenger cars using tooling still owned by MTH to complement Atlas locomotives will be marketed, warrantied, and sold by Atlas and packaged in Atlas O Premier boxes.

“This is a great opportunity for both MTH and Atlas to offer our customers even more variety and choice,” said Rich Foster, vice-president of sales for MTH Electric Trains. “We’re excited to see what we can create together.”

“This partnership is a win-win for both companies,” said Jarrett Haedrich, COO of Atlas Model Railroad Company. “It allows us to offer our customers more of the O scale products they love, while also providing both firms better economies of scale throughout our production processes.”

Founded in 1924 as Atlas Tool Company, Atlas Model Railroad Co., Inc. was incorporated in 1949 and produces locomotives, rolling stock, track, and accessories in N, HO, Z and O scales for its Atlas Master, Atlas Classic, Trainman, and Atlas O and Atlas O Premier lines.

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