NJT ALP44 Atlas HO scale with DCC lighting features

[Chessiecat97]

How much did this cost?

[NJTrainSET]

@Chessiecat97 The work costs about 150-160 dollars. I have one that is completed, #4405 that I am selling for $250. Includes all features seen here in the video. Working markers, ditch lights, strobe lights and head lights on both ends with full directional control of each function. 10 DCC functions and two decoders!

[Chessiecat97]

@NJTrainSET Nice! I'm working on an Amtrak cab car and wanted to know how much it would cost.

[NJTrainSET]

@Chessiecat97 Cab cars are about $100-150 depends on how many things you want done in the installation. $100 covers decoder power pickups and 4 lighting functions. (ditch lights head lights and markers most common).

[adsbuckeye3]

I have to say, mad props on the amazing setup dude. Thanks for the amazing video.

[sugarbeatkid]

this is amazing you know nj transit ho trains at home except the locomotive doesnt pull those cars right

[NJTrainSET]

@sugarbeatkid No idea what your saying kid, that engine pulls them cars just fine.

[prorobo]

@NJTrainSET @sugarbeatkid I think he was referencing the prototype ALP's? In either case, he'd be wrong because ALP's regularly haul these Bombardier cars up and down the NE Corridor as well as the double decker cars.

[NJTrainSET]

@prorobo No I was referring to the model. It does in fact pull that many cars with the modifications that my ALP and cars have. First the cars need to roll better, and second the ALP needs a good Back EMF decoder for best motor control.

[prorobo]

@NJTrainSET I was talking about @sugarbeatkid I think maybe that's what he was referring to?

[NJTAmtrakGuy]

Nice Layout!

[astrotrain53]

where can I get those cars and locomotive?

[marylindsayrr]

(sorry if this is a duplicate, I couldn't find my post)

Where did you mount the strobe lights? did you mount them on top of the shell or underneath?

If you mounted them on top, what did you use to conceal the strobe light itself?

Thanks!

Kyle

[NJTrainSET]

On the model strobe light castings are alraedy stuck thru the roof and are installed in the model. I put SMD LEDs, that are about the size of a crumb underneath that casting, and thats what makes the strobe light.

[marylindsayrr]

Thanks for your help! It's much appreciated. I was considering the same but a friend pointed out that the stock strobes are the as-delivered versions. Since I'm doing AEM7ACs he suggested 2mm diffused tower LEDs. I'll probably end up using the tips of these LEDs.

Thanks again!

[apl1031]

Could you do a video showing how to add these features

[MARCTRAIN426]

because I have a MARC AEM-7 and I would like to add ditch lights and strobe.

[NJTrainSET]

You would have to do what I did and remove the atlas light board. Replace it with a TCS T4x. I added an additional TCS FL4 and used the 4 outputs for each ditch light. My lighting features are equal on both ends of the ALP. Headlights, markers, strobes and ditch lights work on both ends of the loco.

[MARCTRAIN426]

what decoder did you use in the alp 44

thanks

[NJTrainSET]

This is not a standard ALP44 the Atlas circuit boards were removed from the locomotive and replaced with two decoders from TCS for a total of 10 function outputs. If you just want a decoder to drop into the atlas board use a TCS DP-2X. TCS decoders have back EMF and allow the ALP to pull twice as many cars.

[csxmodeller]

Great video to watch being a NJT fan the layout is great as well, what is the name of the club and do they have a web site so i can see more of it. love to see the track diagram.

regards

Greg

[johnsonkill16]

I hav the F50PH NJ Transit loco, but my strobe lights won't anymore. O, one more thing, how much do each NJ Transit passenger car cost? Because I like 2 hav those kind.

[jwerren78]

Very nice looking layout! Where's the cantenary?

[WarrenPace]

Now THAT looks like New Jersey!!

[marylindsayrr]

all these comments and nobody thought to ask this????

Excelent Job! I would like to know what size bulbs you used, what type and where did you get them? I'm sure you know that small space confines one has to work with. I'm currently trying to finish two AEM7AC models.

I've been searching for the last 6 months and keep running into a dead-end.

Thanks!

Kyle

[NJTrainSET]

All the lighting in the locomotive is done with small LEDs. Some are the size of crumbs. Not sure where exactly we got most of them from but if one is looking for the sunny white LEDs they make them in this siz enow too instead of the blue-ish ones that I have on mine.

[prorobo]

This layout is so incredible!

[jers2709]

How did you do the marker lights in the cab car?

[NJTrainSET]

FL4 decoder, IHP trucks and two 1.5mm LEDs

[jers2709]

Thanks

[RailFanRick]

Man this is an awsome layout, whats the dimensions of it? About to start a new layout in a 12X20 room (HO) and just curious as to how much i can cram in here! lol....Keep up the great work, looks terrific!

[NJTrainSET]

I dont know the dimensions of this layout but it is quite large. Its not my work, it belongs to my club.

[trainboy38]

I wish Atlas would make more ALP-44s... and that Walthers would make more comet IIs. I have some comet IIs on hold.

[NJTrainSET]

Screw that. Walthers needs to re-visit the comet, and make it correctly. OR better yet, give it to Atlas and let them make it.

[Railfan108]

dude tha t is awesome, you have the comlete set of comet 1's now

[ac0catenary]

I wired two cab cars for a buddy of mine about two weeks ago and u are right the pickups suck.. For the cab cars on my railroad I have to wire them through the train to the engine because I run off the wire. Thats going to be a pain. The whole set is going to be permanently married after the process. Ive only done it to a metroliner set so far.

[NJTrainSET]

Well if you get the IHP trucks the pickup isnt so bad. My cab one cab car is currently running pickup this way with a TCS FL4 and it works pretty well. If you run MU lines (track pickup) thru all ur cars best thing to do is get some mini electrical plugs so you can unplug them at any time. I use thise on the FA-2s featured here.

[ac0catenary]

thats a good idea thanks

[ac0catenary]

nice video, Are you going to put Headlights and Ditchlights in the Cab car aswell.

[NJTrainSET]

Eventually. Track pickup on the cab car kinda sucks. I just got the 4402 lastnight, that has to get done as well.

[njtcoastline]

WOW I wish I could have a alp 44 for njt with dcc and cool lighting

[NJTrainSET]

You can, if you have an ALP44 and you have some extra cash, it can be done!

[NJT4111]

very cool, guess you fixed all those wheels on those cars to make that ALP tow em all now

[NJTrainSET]

Well the Back EMF helps. Theres only 5 cars still with the new IHP trucks.

When can we come up to HoHoKus and play again? You HAVE to see this stuff!

[NJT4111]

anytime your welcome. Tuesdays adn fridays at 7:30pm we normally get going. So if there is a day you van get up here, just stop by. Shoot me a PM or message me on facebook when you do get up here though

[NJTrainSET]

OK I will give you a heads up next time im comming. I will bring the goodies.

[NJT4111]

ok, ill bring the cameras

[varacnahrim]

nice size bridge

[pahogger]

How could those trains run with you foaming all over the tracks like that?LOL  Cool vid, thanks for sharing!

[cascadia999]

very nice set up. was the ALP44 custom made?

[NJTrainSET]

The dcc lighting features were but the model itself is the Atlas model. Anyone interested in the same mods contact me for pricing and availablity.

[ajp31]

On the coaches: stock Walthers trucks, IHP, or something else? With the Back EMF decoder, does it matter?

[NJTrainSET]

Yes, 5 of the cars have the IHP trucks the others dont. When i went from walthers trucks to 5 cars with IHP it went from pulling 5 to 6 cars. Whoopie. It matters either way im sure, If i swap out the rest im sure I can get in 9 and 10 cars.

[theinflator]

Totally impressive!