Athearn Genesis SD70MAC Shell Removal?

[jwr_1986]

I just purchased a beautiful SD70MAC in Springfield. My only problem big problem right now is getting the shell off. The literature included metions squeezing at the base of the long hood under the Q-fans. I'm assuming the would be the three fans for engine cooling. My real problem is I'm afraid to apply too much presure or do somthing to muck up this beautiful peace. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Jesse

[Anonymous]

I've been having the same problem with my Athearn Geneis SD70M. I'm also afraid to apply to much pressure. I can't figure out how to tighten the trucks either ( the trucks are very loose and derail at the slightest bump). Any ideas? Jesse and I want to run our SD70s!

[Anonymous]

Jonathan:

I had trouble with one truck out of two locos. I found out that their was no play in the center axle - it wasn't in the hole in the pickup bar. After putting it in the hole it runs fine.

To get the hood off push like heck.

Bob

[jwr_1986]

Guys I figured out the hood problem. Get out your flashlight and look on the bottom of the frame. if you look through the front of the rear truck and the rear of the front truck you can see where the clips peek through. I used an almost needle fine flat head screw driver and undid both on one side and then the other side. Be carefull of the two grab irons in the front, also the railing attaches to the cab at some points. Provided they are not glued you can simply pull them out (gently of course). As for derailment both of my six axle athearns don't like turnouts that are sloppy. I found that the points of some of our atlas turnouts rode just low enough as compared to the stock rail that the wheel uses it as a ramp and splits the switch. I figured this out while testing my loco stripped down to the frame. I also had some trouble in the front truck with a clicking noise. I striped down the entire truck to the gears and found the problem to be a burr in the worm gear. A bit of filing and some grease instead of that thin oil and it runs much better. I'm putting a decoder in mine ASAP so I can see those ditch lights work as they were meant to.

Jesse

[jwr_1986]

Forgot to mention be carefull when removing the shell that you dont yank the wires out. There are eight wires total (In my NS version) that run to the lights mounted on the shell. You'll find the two sets for the ditch lights run along side the power pickup to the center. The power pickups in this loco are neat as they have their own grooves so they stay out of the way. Hope this helps for the future. Thanks for the replies.

Jesse