This is a problem with several locos actually, including the P42 from Athearn. I have spoken with NWSL and they are supposed to be getting a higher RPM motor which should help. When it gets in I plan on trying in one of mine.
And of course DCC just slows them down even more vs pure DC loco. One thing I have done is to turn up the voltage on the DCC system. DC power traditionally can be up around 18+ volts at max throttle and those gears/motors can get moving with that. But as you know, that's a little much for DCC. I don't recall for sure, but I think mines around 15, maybe 16. I'm thinking that the tsunami boards get about a volt or so less to the motor. Been about a year since I went through and checked all that.
Richard
If you have both the newer and older units you can do a comparison with the shells off.
Check the motor of each for starters.
Then you can check the gearing by putting a mark on one of the loco's wheels. Then turn the motor shaft by hand and count how many turns it takes for a single turn of the wheel.
Springfield PA
As Dana Kawala points out in the latest review of the "Upgraded" former Life-Like E-8s (MR 4/11 p. 68) they are still geared for freight... top speed of 62 mph! I have quite a mix of earlier Proto 2000 E units and have since added about a dozen or so of these newer redesigned Walthers units. I know I can speed match the older ones to the newer ones but I want just the opposite.
My question is... what did Walthers change? Worm gear pitch, axle gear ratio or motor RPM?
Can I swap out the trucks from the older units and get back my 89 MPH speed? How is the Century going to run Chicago to New York in 15 hours at 62 mph? Heck, my Flexi-Vans run at 79!
Thanks, ED