Alco Pa Help

[mcouvillion]

cacole,

Athearn has several of its larger engines that have couplers attached to the trucks, apparently to be able to negotiate the 18" radius curves of most beginner layouts. The PA is one, the "DD-40" (actually, a DD35), is another. The concern for JoeCool1212 is "Do you have a wide enough radius on your layout to allow the cars attached to your modified engine to stay connected on the curves?" If you are using 18" or 22" radius curves, you will probably have a problem.

Mark C.

[Anonymous]

On the A-unit i cut a piece of styrene radiused to fir the curve of the shell about 1/2" across at the widest pint in the middle. I glued this to the shell just above the opening for the coupler in the pilot. Drill and tap a 2-56 NC hole and mount a Kadee #5 with draft gear box. If the little shlf is glued in at the right height, you can mount the gear box straight to it.. I think I had to shim mine with a .010" fiber washer. I then cut thin pieces to fill in the coupler opening in the pilot . I

[Virginian]

That's the Athearn PA and PB all right; they do have truck mounted couplers. Actually, the frame does go to the end except for the front of the PA unit. Just shim a KD coupler to the right height and drill and tap the frame for the seperation you want on all but the front of the PA unit. On that you can glue a mounting block to the inside of the shell and mount to that, or make an extension to bolt to the front of the frame.
I have very few diesels, and this is one. Add weight (lots of room) and that PA can pull 11 passenger cars and the PB fine.

[joecool1212]

The motor frame and trucks look like athearn, center motor with flywheels but I could be wrong. I don't know how old I got it used. Runs great and no broken pieces. I just dont like the way the couplers are on the trucks. They have long pieces of plastic that are part of the truck that stick out to the rear of the body. Joe A.

[cacole]

Are you sure they're Athearn? I have never seen an Athearn model with truck-mounted couplers. How old are these? They sound like they may be Tyco instead of Athearn.

[joecool1212]

I have an alco PA and PB. I am trying to change the couplers from the trucks to the body. Any suggestions? This is made by Athearn. There is a large gap between the end of the frame and the start of the body. If anyone has tried this I would appreciate any advice. Joe A.[8D]