Like Wayne, I replaced all of my Athearn motors with can motors. I first used Mabuchi FK-280 motors until they ran out. I now use SMC FP-280 dual shaft motors which are a great value at $3.25 each (See: https://www.ebay.com/itm/383836500396?hash=item595e7031ac:g:PVkAAOSwKcxfxbHi). I found that 1/8" styrene tubing makes a great adaptor for attaching the original Athearn flywheels to the 2mm shafts of the can motors. This allows the use of the original Athearn drivetrain. The SMC motors are quiet, strong, draw little current, and run far smoother than the Athearn motors.
The only drawback of the SMC motor is that it comes equipped with an interference shield wrapped around the motor to allow it to be used near stereo speakers without causing noise in the speakers. It takes a little effort, but these shields can be removed resulting in a can motor identical in dimensions to those of the Mabuchi motor.
Hornblower
You might be able to find a donor engine in a LHS or at a show. The BB drives were built to last a lifetime... It will be way cheaper than ordering separate parts by mail.
For the power strips, I soldered a wire from the truck to the motor to get more reliable performance.
Simon
Drive line parts for Athearn diesels should be readily available and I doubt that they'd break your bank.
I replaced all of my original Athearn motors with ones from Mashima...I'm not sure of the price nowadays, but a couple years ago, there were some decent motors available from China for only a buck or two. I bought a half-dozen or so, and they work well.
Wayne
Hi have any of you members here used other parts for the?Athearn diesel engine motor parts,Instead of using the actual parts,I had ran out of drive shafts flywheel couplings and motor connector strips.I have spent my money on a Walthers HO Metra F40PH I bought on Ebay,So I cannot afford to buy the parts I am needing please let mknow,What other parts you have used Thanks all.