I lost a brush spring from an Atlas RS11 with the Kato frame while installing a decoder. Is it possible to find another spring or is this Loco history? I have some junk locos that I might find a spring, but I’m not sure if they are interchangeable. I have to go through them to see if any are Atlas or not.
Try a cut-to-size spring from behind a rapido coupler? Works on about 1/4th of those older motors.... you can take the other one out for size comparo. A replacement motor is not too pricey, as a last resort....
Thanks, I’ll give that a try. I got a hold on any vacuuming for a while I’m still trying to find it. I wish these things were made of steel so I can use a magnet.
Hi Johnny B. I feel your pain. I've had spring(s) go ballistic on me usually never to be seen again. My attempts at using MT coupler springs has been 50/50 at best. I've found brush/spring kits on "the bay" at reasonable prices. (None currently available via a search done minutes ago). I did a quick internet search and found these: 445100 http://pws.prserv.net/jltrain/atlas_parts.htm Not sure how up to date this website is. Have you given Atlas a call to see if they have the above part number in stock? Brian
Oh wow thanks, I think this is a big help. I can never understand how sites like this are found. I’ve been do a lot of searching but could only find the Atlas parts site. I guess I still haven’t mastered searching on the internet. I have not tried calling Atlas, but they don’t have it listed. They only have the complete motor, but I have to call first to see if the motor is available because it’s probably not made any more. The funny thing was that I was so careful. I used a large white paper towel to disassemble everything so that could see it and then it was gone. I guess when I picked up the decoder one of the wires must have flung across the room. I tried bumping the other spring around to get an idea as which way it went, which was a big mistake because it took off and I lost it too. I crawled around on my hands and knees with a bright trouble light for about 20 minutes until I found it, but still haven’t found the first one. Tomorrow I’m going to have start moving furniture around and do some more crawling around.
If you can't find one, LMK I have at least a couple dozen. One thing I don't understand why remove them just to install a decoder? I just move the contact strip to the inside and trim it off and solder the wire to it.
Thanks, I may take you up on that. I removed them because the instructions I had said to pry out the brush cap and solder a wire to the cap. I’ve never done that before and didn’t even know the brush holder came off like that, so I gave it a try. I should have gone with my first plan of just soldering on to the tab.
Looking at my first edition of the Atlas Model Railroad Company Parts Catalog of 9/1990 The part number for the brush and spring set is 420028 for the Atlas /Kato RS 11. A Kato brush set should fit too. If needed, I have a junk Kato GP38-2 motor that you can have a spring out of it.
