Decoders in Atlas locos?

I'm thinking about picking up either some Atlas GP-30s or GP-35s. Can I install Digitrax decoders in these units?

Thanks everybody!

 

Borrow a DN146A from a friend to see if it fits.

 

If you are purchasing previous editions of the gp30/35's they are not DCC plug and play frames. The Atlas description for the new gp30'/35's indicates to me that they are not DCC ready. They will not accept the DN146 plug and play decoders. You will have to modify the frame and use another decoder type (hard wired). I have succsfully converted these engins with Aztec Retrofit frames (~$10, you dissassemble the locomotive, send the frame in, Aztec machines frame and sends it back, you reassemble and hard wire the decoder. ), Southern Digital digiframes (~$10 you buy frame replace stock part, fiddle with it untill mechanism does not bind, hardwire decoder. and you get a spare stock frame.) and my own machined frames ( dremel mill/ file frame). Used DZ121s, DN140's and LE077's sucessfully

 

For a very good detailed description on installing a decoder in the Atlas GP30/35 go to the following site: http://www.trainweb.org/nrmrc/dcc/atgp3035.html

I recommend the DN121 or DN142 for this job, or even the DZ121. Don't think you can get the DN93 anymore, which is what he used.

 

Thanks guys! I will be sending some frames to Aztec, so I guess I'll
send some of these too.

Mark

 

Mark, why not buy the new Atlas units? They have DCC frames.