Atlas PREMIER SD70M-2 User manual

PREMIER SD70M-2
DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE
OWNER’S MANUAL
PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL BEFORE USE AND SAVE
Compatiblity
This Engine will operate on any O-42 Gauge Track system.
It is also compatible with most standard AC transformers.
See pages 45 and 46 for a complete list of compatible
transformers, power packs and wiring instructions.

CAUTION: ELECTRICALLY OPERATED PRODUCT
Recommended for Ages 14 and up. Not recommended for children under 14 years of age without adult supervision. As with all electric products,
precautions should be observed during handling and use to prevent electric shock.
WARNING: When using electrical products, basic safety precautions should be observed, including the following:
• Read this manual thoroughly before using this device.
• Atlas recommends that all users and persons supervising use examine the hobby transformer and other electronic equipment periodically for
conditions that may result in the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons, such as damage to the primary cord, plug blades, housing,
output jacks or other parts. In the event such conditions exist, the train set should not be used until properly repaired.
• Do not operate your layout unattended. Obstructed accessories or stalled trains may overheat, resulting in damage to your layout.
• This train set is intended for indoor use. Do not use if water is present. Serious injury or fatality may result.
• Do not operate the hobby transformer with damaged cord, plug, switches, buttons or case.
This product may be protected by one or more of the following patents: 6,019,289; 6,280,278; 6,281,606; 6,291,263; 6,457,681; 6,491,263;
6,604,641; 6,619,594; 6,624,537; 6,655,640.
©2023 Atlas Model Railroad Company. Atlas O is a registered trademark of the Atlas Model Railroad Company.
Table of Contents
Before You Begin
Set Up Checklist................................................................................................................................................3
Lubrication .......................................................................................................................................................3
Priming the Smoke Unit...................................................................................................................................3
Configuring Locomotive for 2-Rail or 3-Rail Operation ...................................................................................4
PS 3.0 Enhancements
Conventional AC/DC Start-up/Shut-down ........................................................................................................ 5
LED Lighting.....................................................................................................................................................5
DCS/DCC Switch................................................................................................................................................6
Programming Track (for DCC operation) .........................................................................................................6
Loading Engine Firmware................................................................................................................................6
Modes of Operation
Conventional AC Operation .............................................................................................................................. 7
Conventional DC Operation............................................................................................................................14
DCS Operation - Digital Command System....................................................................................................14
DCC - Digital Command Control.....................................................................................................................15
Proto-Sound® 3.0 Expanded DCC Functionality........................................................................................... 24
Maintenance
Lubricating and Greasing Instructions............................................................................................................33
Cleaning The Wheels, Tires and Track............................................................................................................34
ProtoSmoke™ Unit Operation....................................................................................................................... 35
Traction Tire Replacement Instructions........................................................................................................... 36
Headlight Replacement ..................................................................................................................................36
Troubleshooting Proto-Sound® 3.0 Problems..............................................................................................37
Transformer Compatibility and Wiring Chart ................................................................................................. 45
DC Power Supply Chart................................................................................................................................... 46
Additional Features Accessible Of DCS Remote Control System..................................................................... 47
Atlas O Customer Service................................................................................................................................48

Atlas Premier SD70M-2 Diesel Engine w/Proto-Sound® 3.0
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Before You Begin
Set Up Checklist
• Lubricate Engine and Prime Smoke Unit
• Read all General Maintenance and Operation Instructions
• Apply power to run as described in the Modes of Operation section
Lubrication
You should lubricate the engine to prevent it from squeaking and to prevent excessive wear. Use light household oil
and follow the lubrication points marked “L” (shown below). Do not over-oil. Use only a drop or two on each pivot
point.
Lubricate All Wheel Axles (L)
Lubricate All Pick Up Roller Axles (L)
Priming the Smoke Unit
When preparing to run this engine, add 15-20 drops of smoke fluid through the smokestack. Do not overfill the unit
or the fluid may leak out and coat the interior engine components. If you choose not to add smoke fluid (or have
already added fluid but choose to run smoke-free), turn off the smoke unit by turning the smoke unit volume control
fully counter-clockwise. Failure either to add fluid to the smoke unit or to turn it off may damage the smoke unit
heating element and/or wicking material.
Add Smoke Fluid
Smoke Unit Control
Lift To Access Controls

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3RAIL-2RAIL Switch
3-Rail Pick Up Rollers3-Rail Pick Up Rollers
Configuring Locomotive for 2-Rail or 3-Rail Operation
(As shown in the figure below, the 2 Rail – 3 Rail switch is located on the side of the fuel tank).
Your locomotive can be configured to operate on 2-Rail or 3-Rail track. From the factory the locomotive is configured
to operate on 3-Rail Track. To configure the locomotive for 2-Rail track operation, please do the following:
1. Remove the center rail pickup roller assemblies as seen in the figure below.
2. Change the power input from 3-Rail to 2-Rail.

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PS 3.0 Enhancements
Here are some of the exciting changes incorporated into your new Atlas Proto-Sound® 3.0 Locomotives. More
advanced features such as Custom Speed Tables and Advanced Consisting can be found in the DCC section of this
manual.
There are 4 options for operating your Atlas Proto-Sound® 3.0-equipped engine:
• Conventional AC
• Conventional DC
• DCS - Digital Command System
• DCC - Digital Command Control
When the locomotive is placed on the track and power is applied to the track the locomotive will detect the type of
control system being used and respond accordingly.
NOTE: You’ll need to have the DCC/DCS switch set correctly if you’re using one of those two modes.
Conventional (Analog) AC/DC Start-up/Shut-down
Your new Atlas PS3.0-equipped locomotive no longer has batteries. It uses Super Capacitors to hold the engine
board alive for a short time when you shut off or interrupt track power. Because of this, when you first apply track
power to your PS3.0-equipped O Gauge engine, you will notice the headlight comes on but nothing else. This is
perfectly normal. The capacitors are charging up during this time. The wait time depends upon how long it’s been
since you last applied power to the engine. Typically it will take 1-15 seconds to fully charge. NOTE: The 1-15
second charging wait time ONLY applies when using conventional AC track power.
Once the headlight shuts off, the engine will play its start-up sounds and all the lights will come back on,
simultaneously. Smoke too if you have it turned on.
The capacitors hold enough charge to play the full shut-down sounds. Also, the capacitors allow you to operate your
engine in conventional mode just like you would any other conventionally-controlled engine. Finally, because there
are no batteries, you will notice there is no longer an external charge jack on the engine.
LED Lighting
Gone are the incandescent bulbs. Your new PS3.0-equipped engine has LED lighting. Atlas uses various colored LEDs
to simulate the correct lighting on your engines from the warm, yellow-orange colored light coming out of an old
lantern on your favorite steam engine to the high-intensity halogen lamp on the latest modern diesels, LED’s allow
for various, correct colors. Also, they require less power and do not emit as much heat as incandescent bulbs.

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DCS/DCC Switch
Your Atlas PS3.0-equipped engine has a DCS/DCC
selector switch located on the underside of the chassis
between the front trucks. To operate the engine in DCS
mode, ensure the switch is set to DCS. If you wish to run
the engine in DCC mode, ensure the switch is set to DCC.
If you inadvertently leave the switch in DCC it won’t hurt
anything, you just won’t be able to communicate with
your engine with your DCS system. Likewise, if you leave
the switch in DCS and try to operate the engine under
DCC you may notice a humming coming from your engine
and you will likely notice that your DCC system’s overload
light will be on.
Programming Track (for DCC operation)
Your Atlas Proto-Sound 3.0-equipped locomotive does not program well on Programming tracks due to the inclusion
of super capacitors utilized in the locomotive’s electronic package. The super capacitors provide backup power to
the electronics, allowing the locomotive to better negotiate track sections suffering from poor electrical conductivity.
This ensures that sounds continue to play, the locomotive continues to move forward and lighting remains lit. During
power shutdowns, the super capacitors provide power to allow the locomotive shutdown sounds to continue playing
through their conclusion. Unfortunately, the super capacitors require that operators ONLY program engine CV’s using
Programming on the Main (PoM).
Loading Engine Firmware
Your new Atlas PS3.0-equipped O-Gauge engine affords you the ability to load Engine firmware. Loader version
2.30 or later will allow you to do this. Please refer to the Loader program’s instructions for more details. So, as Atlas
releases new features or updates you will be able to take full advantage without having to ship your favorite engine
anywhere. All new updates are available on our website. Atlas will make announcements as they are available. Not
all updates will apply to all engines.
NOTE: Requires a TIU w/version 4.20 or later firmware, and requires Consumer Loader version 2.30 or
later.
DCS/DCC Switch

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Modes of Operation
The following pages have detailed descriptions of the 4 different modes of operation:
• Conventional AC
• Conventional DC
• DCS - Digital Command System
• DCC - Digital Command Control
Conventional AC Operation
When using conventional AC power, the engine will respond to changes in track voltage. An increase in track voltage
will increase the locomotive speed and a reduction in track voltage will reduce the engine speed.
A short interruption (approximately 1 to 2 seconds) in the track voltage will cause the engine to cycle in the sequence
for each track voltage interruption (neutral – forward – neutral – reverse) When power is first applied to the
track, the locomotive will be silent for 1-20 seconds and the headlight will be on, indicating the super capacitors are
charging (The super capacitors provide power to the sound system during direction changes or intermittent drops
in track power due to dirty track or on switches, when operating in conventional mode). When the super capacitors
are charged, all the lights will come on and the engine sounds will start up. There should be no movement, as the
engine is in neutral. Causing a short interruption of track power by using the direction button on the transformer, or
by bringing the throttle to 0 volts and back again, will change the sequence to the forward state. Then increasing the
throttle will begin to move the engine forward, and speed will increase as the throttle is advanced.
If there is another interruption in track power the sequence will change to the neutral position again. The engine
will remain in the neutral state until there is another interruption in track power. The next interruption in track
power will move the sequence to the reverse state. The engine will now move in the reverse direction. If the power
interruption was accomplished by using the direction button and the throttle position was not changed, the engine
will run in the reverse direction at the same speed that it was traveling in the forward position.
Subsequent interruptions in track power of 1-2 seconds will continue the sequence rotation. If you happen to
interrupt track power for longer than about 2 seconds, the engine will begin its shut down sounds. If this occurs
you can cycle the direction sequence again to get back to the direction you wish to move and once the engine starts
moving its shut down sounds will stop playing (See direction cycle phases).
In conventional AC operation the whistle sound, the bell sound, PFA sounds and other operational functions can be
accessed if your transformer has a horn/whistle button and a bell button. By using combinations of button presses,
different commands besides blowing the whistle and ringing the bell can be initiated.

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Proto-Sound 3.0 Conventional AC Operating Instructions
Activating Proto-Sound 3.0 Conventional AC Mode Features
Throttle: To increase or decrease track voltage, and therefore train speed, turn the throttle control knob. Turning
clockwise will increase voltage and speed, while turning counterclockwise will decrease voltage and speed. The
engine will maintain the speed you set after you release the throttle until you turn it again to change the voltage
and speed.
Bell: To sound the bell, in an engine equipped with a bell firmly press and release the Bell button. To turn the bell
off, press and release the Bell button again. The bell will continue to ring from the time you turn it on until you press
and release the button again to turn it off.
Horn/Whistle: To sound the whistle, firmly press the Horn/Whistle button. The whistle will sound for as long as you
continue to depress the button. It will stop when you release the button.
Direction: Your train is programmed to start in neutral. The train will always cycle neutral-forward-neutral-reverse
with each press and release of the direction button. The engine is programmed to restart in neutral each time the
track voltage is turned off for 25 seconds or more.
CYCLE PHASES
Reverse Forward
Neutral
Neutral

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Manual Volume Control
To adjust the volume of all sounds made
by this engine, turn the manual volume
control clockwise to increase the volume
and counterclockwise to reduce the
volume. Turning the manual volume
control completely counterclockwise will
turn of all of the engine sounds and
announcements.
Proto-Sound 3.0 features are activated by sequences of Bell and Horn button pushes described below. Please read
the full descriptions of each feature before using it. To use these buttons to activate features rather than to blow the
horn or ring the bell, you should tap the buttons very quickly with a ½-second pause between button presses. You
may need to practice your timing to make this work smoothly.
*Only applicable to engines equipped with beacon and/or marker lights. Beacon Lights are also configured to control
Wrong Line, Alternate Country and other lighting setups typically found on European models. Marker lights are also
used as Train/No-Train lighting in European models.
Timing Chart
Press
Horn
Short &
Firm
½ Sec.
Pause
Press
Bell
Short &
Firm
½ Sec.
Pause
Press
Bell
Short &
Firm
Total Time Lapse: 1 ½ Seconds
Feature to Be Activated Button Code
Marker Lights* 1 Bell, 1 Horn/Whistles
PFA (Passenger/Freight Announcements) 1 Bell, 2 Horn/Whistles
Fire the Rear Coupler 1 Bell, 3 Horn/Whistles
Fire the Front Coupler 1 Bell, 4 Horn/Whistles
Speed Control On/Off 1 Horn/Whistle, 2 Bells (from Neutral only)
Lock into a Direction 1 Horn/Whistle, 3 Bells
Beacon Light (On/Off)* 1 Horn/Whistle, 4 Bells
Reset to Factory Defaults 1 Horn/Whistle, 5 Bells (from Neutral only)
Proto-Sound® 3.0 Manual Volume Control

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Passenger/Freight Announcements (PFA)
Your engine is equipped with a sound package of either passenger station announcements or freight yard sounds
that you can play when you pull into a station or a yard. Each sequence described below will play as long as it is
left on, randomly generating sounds, but be sure to allow approximately 30 seconds between the button pushes
described below to allow the PFA sufficient time to run through each sequence.
• To cue the sound system to play the PFA, quickly but firmly tap the Bell button once followed by 2 quick taps of the
Horn button while the engine is moving. Tap the buttons quickly but allow approximately ½ second between each
press.
• Press the Direction button once to stop the engine. This will trigger the first sequence of PFA. The reverse unit is
temporarily disabled so that the train will not move as you use the Direction button to trigger the sounds. Proto-
Sound 3.0 has disabled operator control over the Horn and Bell buttons until the full PFA sequence is complete.
• After waiting about 30 seconds for that sequence to run, press the Direction button again to trigger the second
sequence of PFA.
• After about 30 seconds, press the Direction button again to trigger the third PFA sequence.
• Again, after allowing about 30 seconds for that sequence to run, press the Direction button one more time to
trigger the fourth and final PFA sequence. The PFA will continue and within a few seconds the bell will begin
ringing, then the engine will begin moving at the current throttle setting, in the same direction it was traveling
when you began the sequence. Once the bell turns off, the operator regains control of the transformer’s bell and
Horn buttons and can ring the bell or blow the Horn as usual.
Marker Lights (On/Off) (if equipped)
By default your Marker Lights are set to ON. To toggle the Marker Lights, perform the following sequence on your AC
transformer:
Place
Engine in
Neutral
HornBell Marker Lights
(On/Off)
Sound System Cued to Play
Freight Yard or Passenger
Station Sounds (PFA)
Operator
Controls
When Bell
Turns Off
Direction Direction Direction Direction
Horn/
Whistle
Bell Horn/
Whistle
1st
Sequence
PFA
2nd
Sequence
PFA
3rd
Sequence
PFA
4th
Sequence
PFA