Athearn SD40-2 troubles

[ShaunCN]

can i modify my athearn frame on my sd40-2 to run better on 18 radious track

i was thinking of taking a file and taking off soom of the inside of where the trucks is and where the truck stops turning as it hits the frame.

please help me as I would like to ge this unit to run and not be a waste of $60

[Anonymous]

I know of a guy that filed down the black caps that hold the shafts to the trucks. It worked for him. That is the only thing I know of.

[CP5415]

Shawn, what kind of problems are you having?
I have 9 of these beasts & haven't had a problem with them on 18" curves.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

I had trouble with my 40-2's on tight radius'. I did similiar, I used a rotor tool and ground away some of the frame on the inside where the trucks sit. It did help alot. Try it what will it hurt.

Jeremy

[ShaunCN]

ok thanks guys. I'm having troubles with the locomotive derailing in curves and turnouts. I think that filing should help.

[Anonymous]

Another thing to check is that all the wheelsets are in gauge - you'll need a back to back gauge for this. I had similar problems with some of my Athearn locos which I eventually traced to out-of-gauge wheelsets. I'd suggest you check this before attacking the frames with a Dremel, as I've never had this problem - my "test track" curves can't be much more than 18' radius and my SD40-2 runs fine on them.

[ShaunCN]

Yes the weels are in guage. Its the trucks that are the problem.

[Anonymous]

Shaun,

It was the worm drive assembly cover that my friend gournd down. He figured if he damaged the, it would be cheaper to replace or repair then the body (shell).

[ShaunCN]

ok i got it to run much better now. ....... now to fix that old turnout.