I bought an Atheran Pennsylvania PA-1 AA set in the summer of 1984 the powered unit was $22.50 and the dummy A was $8.90.Apart from a headlamp and normal lube it has been Rock Solid! Quality engineering at a great price!
Ins't it wonderful to run something that dosen't leave small parts on the right of way as it makes it's rounds?
Aside from a headlight replacement and a clean and lube job what else is there to do to the Athearn BB locos after 38 years? Maybe a motor brush replacment? Ok, maybe also hard wire the truck's risers to the motor.
Well it runs great and I don't think the brushes are eroded
I went with the Baltimore and Ohio A powered ($21.50) and B dummy ($9.25) units. I did switch out the B unit's dummy trucks for powered trucks. I may have been planning for a power/motor install in the B unit. Or I just did not like the plastic wheels on the dummy trucks.
Well I did replace all of the plastic wheels in the Dummy A unit with NWSl metal replacements.Tracks much better !
The SGRR has a few Athearn locomotives. My Trainmaster, a PA/PB, and a couple of switchers. Athearn drives also power a few projects.
Rock solid and reliable. Perfect for my needs.
Thank you for sharing.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Yes they runs so well plus I have a SW 1500 Atheran chassis that sports a heavy diecast Carey locomotive works body that I use as a rail polisher.Really cleans up dirty Bachmann steel EZ track
I acquired a ABA set in Pennsylvania livery around 1980 at a Greenberg Train Show. If memory serves me correctly, I paid a couple dollars less per unit than you did. I completely disassembled the units and set everything to spec and lubed them sparingly. Also the trucks where painted flat black and all units given a Dullcote finish. Currently they reside on a storage shelf but run fine. On the to do list, I have An ABA set in New York Central livery new in the box from early 1980. Them and nearly 40 other Athearn BB locomotives new in the box may get assembled at some point. It doesn't look good though, the years...decades have gone by so quickly. Athearn BB equipment was good stuff. Never had any real issues.
They achieved something rare,great performance at a very affordable price.U have a BB Pennsylvania SD-9 I got at a flea market for 15 bucks..runs great!
philo426
Simon
Yes sir !just got this at Goodwill for $1.99! Very cool.
Athearn (IMO) was the affordable cornerstone for many of today's "old timer" MRs. Goodness, back then any kid with a paper route or other job could afford to get into the hobby - piece by piece.
My switch from Lionel to HO took place in 1960, and started with Athearn's F units, several cars, Atlas track, and an MRC powerpack. Of course all the locos and cars were "blue box" (or yellow box) kits, and went together flawlessly.
The only complaint - and not so much - was that the locos went way too fast. But on the other hand, we could hold loco drag races on the basement floor with a pillow for an end stop.
I sold all my Athearn (BB) locos back with the advent of P2K & BLI locos, and sold the passenger cars with the advent of Walthers "rtr" cars. But the freight cars stayed with me to the end (2021), with their KD couplers and IM wheels and minor weathering, etc.
As I peruse MR and the various websites today, I wonder what would be the best avenue for a newbie to jump into the hobby today.......
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
mobilman44 As I peruse MR and the various websites today, I wonder what would be the best avenue for a newbie to jump into the hobby today.......
Ordering merchandise through the catalogs was a popular way to shop back then, and parents inadvertently influenced their kids with catalogs laying around the house. I recall how impatiently I waited for the Montgomery Ward Christmas catalog and a trip to the local store to see the seasonal layout. None of that is available today.
Rich
Alton Junction
Yes the vintage wish book catalogs are fascinating.