Jim is correct. Why not just go with a Kato unit?
Another consideration is what is the variable effecting the operation at the club? Where is the problem - turnouts, curves, sidings, etc.? Different size rails (i.e. code100 vs 83 or smaller) Obstructions at the club - spikes or drops soldered inside the rail?
The point is maybe the problem is not your locomotive but rather a combination of factors.
It's going to take some frame surgery to make it happen. This leads to a couple of questions:
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Hello I have an athearn ho scale RTR dash 9 44cw and it runs very badly at my club but fine at home. i am looking to put the athearn shell on to a kato AC4400 or dash 9 44cw frame would it work ? will the athearn shell fit the kato frame? if anybody has done this let me know.