How do I improve Athearn dummy trucks?

[vande]

Is there a way to improve my Athearn dummy engine trucks to get them to roll better. Just simply oiling the bearings does little good. Do I need to replace the trucks or is there a trick or two that will improve rolling performance? Thanks for the advice!

[Nieuweboer]

replace the plastic wheels by metal ones and your problems are over.

[Don Gibson]

I replace all my Athearn Engine's wheels with JayBee. metal half-axles - a little VERY LIGHT oil inside the bearings, does the rest. Powered units run better too. NWSL also can be used.

Ifyou replace with the SAME size , you wont create any problems..

[coal drag]

Replace them with "powered" trucks and take all of the gears out. I did this to the 3 sd40-2s I have and they roll great. Kindof hard to find the trucks though.

[Anonymous]

As stated above, replace the plastic wheels with metal ones. Another tip I've found (this also works with powered locos) is to remove the wheelsets and truck sideframes (the outer plastic ones) and use a black permanent marker pen to shade the metal plates that the axle bearings run in (and that form the pickups). This improves the look of the loco by making the trucks look somehow deeper and heavier - hard to describe but the technique does work well. I used to paint the metal plates black, but gave up doing this when I discovered the marker pen was quicker and just as effective! Just remember to avoid getting pen or paint in the slots where the axle bearings fit, as this will hinder electrical pickup.