Athearn DD40

[TrainFreak409]

I am thinking about purchasing Athearn's DD40. Could I have some information about this locomotive. I know it runs on 18" radius, but should be run on a larger curve to prevent rolling stock from being pulled off. Would anybody reccomend this loco?

[8]TrainFreak409[8]

[Anonymous]

I'd recommend the double-motor version. I have the single motor and it's ok, but not the best of runners in reverse, I think due to the very long driveshaft to the rear truck. I've added a lot of lead ballast (I wanted this to haul as much as it looks capable of!) and it runs reliably, but won't creep as slowly as the best of my Athearn locos. I've spoken to a friend who has the double-motor variant and this is apparently a lot better - the motors are linked mechanically and electrically so they always start turning together. I'm not sure what current production status of this loco is, so finding one might involve a bit of a search!

[cacole]

I have one of the dual motor versions, and it came without the interconnection between the two motors. I contacted Athearn and they sent me the plastic rod to link the motors together, along with a note that they had discontinued the linking of motors because some users had reported that the locomotive runs better without the motors mechanically linked together. After running it a little bit with the interconnecting rod in place, I took it back out. The locomotive does run better without it.

Like other models, Athearn claims that it can run on an 18 inch radius -- but recommends 24 inch or larger. I have not tried it on anything smaller than a 22 inch radius, and hate to think what would happen on 18 -- it would definitely pull rolling stock off of the track it would have so much overhang.