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Need help in adding sound to Athearn SD40-2 (Dummy Unit)

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  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Kansas
  • 808 posts
Need help in adding sound to Athearn SD40-2 (Dummy Unit)
Posted by jamnest on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 2:31 PM

I have purchased several Athearn SD40-2 units on Ebay which I want to add sound only decoders.  The Athearn dummy units have the metal electical pick-up in the wheel set, but have solid plastic wheels.  I have purchased replacement 40" wheels from NWSL, however they are 1/2 wheel sets and need the Athearn wheel set gears, which I don't have, to replace the dummy one piece plastic wheels.

I intend to place a sound only unit in each consist as an inexpensive way to add sound to my locomotive fleet.

Can anyone suggest an inexpensive source for the Athearn wheel gears or suggest a subistitute?

Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 4:56 PM

 Your LHS can order the parts directly from Athearn, they're only a couple of bucks for a complete set of geared axles. Also suitable to replace cracked P2K axle gears.

                                    --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Colorful Colorado
  • 8,639 posts
Posted by Texas Zepher on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 9:00 PM
Cut some pieces of hollow cylindrical styrene to the right length and press the axles into that.  It comes in plenty of sizes so one will surely fit the 1/2 axles.

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