Atlas Red Box HO Amtrak As Built EMD AEM-7 with Custom LokSound 5 and Scale Sound Systems Speaker

Up next in the "Roster Series", a classic Atlas HO Scale Red Box EMD AEM-7, decorated in Amtrak's Phase III "as-built" paint scheme. This model is from Atlas' first run of AEM-7s in 2000 which also included NJ Transit ALP-44s. Number 908, shown this video, was upgraded with an ESU LokSound 5 mini decoder with custom sounds and a Scale Sounds Systems Speaker. The "Red Box" run of these iconic Amtrak electrics in HO have great detail and run well. However, the pulling power on these models is slightly disappointing. If you plan on acquiring any older runs of these models, either plan on installing traction tires if you aren't running on a flat surface, or run them with older Walthers Budds, or Bachmann Amfleets. If you run these cars with WalthersProto Amfleets, you should consider investing in a second AEM-7 if you wish to climb even slight grades on your layout. I have two more of these Red Box AEM-7s, however, I have not installed DCC in them yet so they are not shown in this video. I don't own a newer run AEM-7 so I'm not entirely sure what the difference in pulling power is between runs. Despite the short-comings in pulling power, these "Toasters" are good-looking models and are a great engine for any Amtrak modeler/enthusiast. Making the sound upgrades were slightly tricky since I decided to keep the original PCB board in the locomotive for now. I plan on replacing more of the electronics in the future, including the main PCB, light bulbs, and possibly install working strobes. Trainman440 already did a video on his older Atlas AEM-7 which you can find here:    • Workshop: Atlas HO AEM7 DCC Sound Install ...   Atlas released a second run of these iconic engines with LokSound Select and DCC Ready options in 2016, and now 10 years later are about to release their third run with LokSound 5, and with operable ditchlights for the first time ever. For more information on the 2026 release, announced in late 2024: https://archive.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/ar... Enjoy a classic "Toaster" locomotive in action hauling a fast-mail train! All clips of this video were filmed on the Northern Delaware Model Railroad Club layout in Hockessin, DE. Please check out their channel here: ‪‪@NorthernDelawareModelRRClub‬ Copyright © 2026 Harry Warren Videos and the Flying W. Ranch Studios. All Rights Reserved.