Rubber band drive trains

[oldline1]

Len,

 

I just checked and 1st Place Hobbies has them!

http://www.1stplacehobbies.com/

Item#: 140-90101   
HO scale Drive belt hi-f 24/
by Athearn
In Stock: Y
Retail Price: $3.6  Your Price: $2.52

 

Enjoy!

Roger

[Ken GR MI]

You're right about "fast!"  And if you cut the power to stop quickly, they would rock back and forth a little (definitely un-prototypical.)  If you store the engines, take the bands off, else they'll dry out and stick to the wheels and shaft.

[Dr Leonard]

I had one of those Athearn PRR F units once and it worked well. I don't recall having to change the bands, but they looked just like ordinary elastic bands. If you get the right size you should be in business.

[oldline1]

Len K,

Sounds like these really are old Athearn engines from the 1960's. The rubber bands used to be available through Walthers in their catalogs. They no longer carry the Athearn line of trains so I'm not sure where you can get the bands now. Many older hobby shops may still have some in stock. Horizon Hobbies bought Athearn a few years ago so you might try them.Athearn has a web site you might check. I think it's www.athearn.com but I'm not sure.

The rubber band drives were very quiet and FAST! When you get new bands make sure they all are turned the same way so they all pull in the same direction and one wheelset isn't going forward and another in reverse, etc.

If you decide to try to use some home-use rubber bands be careful that you don't use some that are too tight as they will cause too much friction and the drive couplings between the motor and the shafts will slip or the drive shaft will wear into the support shaft. Use a tiny, tiny amount of thin grease like Labelle on the shaft support to relieve friction but be careful not to use too much lube that it gets on the drive bands. They will deteriorate and also slip.

Good luck!

Roger

 

 

[wjstix]

If they're HO, it sounds like old Athearn items c.1960. You might have more luck posting this over on the Model Railroader forum, the Classic Trains magazine is pretty much just discussions of prototype trains of the past.

[lkaimi]

My neighbor just passed me several engines with motors that drove the wheels by "rubber bands". The motors are fine but the shafts are without the driving rubber bands for the trucks. I have no experience with these types of motors but love the challenge to see and get them running again. Where can I find information about these types of engines and where would I get the bands to propel the engine? The engines are two F-8s (PRR and New Haven RR) and one yard switcher. Any information and help appreciated. Len K