Since Proto engines are geared so slow. I've heard of people replacing the truck gears so their Protos will run with everything else. Has anybody here done this?
-Dave
I know they change the gears with athearn ones if they crack and they work fine try them. rambo1...
Changing the gear ratio will involve more than just swapping out the axle gears. You will need a matched set of both axle gears and the matching gear. I don't know if this can be done without some surgery on the trucks.
Joe
Dave,You could rebuild the trucks using Athearn gears which is a 14:1 vs. the ratio of the month P2K used and that ratio varied widely.
Also remember P2K used a 8 diode constant lighting ciruit which helps cut the speed..
Larry
Conductor.
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"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Athearn Genesis gears have a 14:1 ratio, but the standard Athearn drive is 12:1. The P2K SD60 trucks use double reduction gearing, which means they can't be regeared without major modification.
Kato SD40 trucks have 14:1 gearing, so it might be possible to modify the P2K frame to fit Kato trucks. That would be easier than trying to change the gearing in the P2K trucks, and probably end up running smoother.
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As you can see with the suggestions and the trouble it will be (quite abit) to get a P2K SD60 regeared to play nice in the sand box with other engines, it may be a heck of a lot less trouble to sell it and buy an Athearn RTR SD60. They run pretty smooth (my SD50's do and they are based on the same chassis).
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Darth Santa Fe Athearn Genesis gears have a 14:1 ratio, but the standard Athearn drive is 12:1. The P2K SD60 trucks use double reduction gearing, which means they can't be regeared without major modification. Kato SD40 trucks have 14:1 gearing, so it might be possible to modify the P2K frame to fit Kato trucks. That would be easier than trying to change the gearing in the P2K trucks, and probably end up running smoother.
Thanks Darth..When I mention the rebuild I plum forgot the double gear reduction of the P2K SD60.
..
I have run my P2K SD50s (18:1) along w/ Atlas GPs (14:1) and the difference hasn't been that much a problem. This is DCC, and the decoder may make some difference. I know that you can speed match, but not going to slow down the rest of the roster for a few slow engines. I do, however, keep the GP38/40s to the rear of the Protos. The "faster" Atlas units are slowed by pulling the consist and most of the time the 2-3 SDs are just running out front w/ no real noticable pushing on the couplers. I wouldn't do this for smaller consists and for a paired set to run all the time. I generally will be pulling at least 25-35 loaded hoppers. As far as regearing, I don't know if it possible as mentioned. Not sure, but hasn't Proto gone to a more standard of 14:1 ratio in the newer offerings?
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
bogp40 Not sure, but hasn't Proto gone to a more standard of 14:1 ratio in the newer offerings?
Walthers/Proto has gone to 14:1 gearing in the newer releases. (Latest E-unit run might be at 12:1, to allow passenger speeds. Only going 75 smph didn't sit well with some.)
However, they haven't gotten to the SD50-60, and might not. There are various dimensional inaccuracies in the bodies, and the trucks. With Athearn making a much more dimensionally accurate model, I feel Walthers won't bother to rework these, and concentrate on other models that were done right.
Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com
WSOR 3801 However, they haven't gotten to the SD50-60, and might not. There are various dimensional inaccuracies in the bodies, and the trucks. With Athearn making a much more dimensionally accurate model, I feel Walthers won't bother to rework these, and concentrate on other models that were done right.
From all I have read, the shell on the P2K SD50's and SD60's is ok, the biggest offences are the chassis regarding gearing and the truck side frames. Due to those factors, plus the Athearn RTR SD50 had the mailbox slots on the cab sides, they matched the Rio Grande SD50's better.
riogrande5761 WSOR 3801: However, they haven't gotten to the SD50-60, and might not. There are various dimensional inaccuracies in the bodies, and the trucks. With Athearn making a much more dimensionally accurate model, I feel Walthers won't bother to rework these, and concentrate on other models that were done right. From all I have read, the shell on the P2K SD50's and SD60's is ok, the biggest offences are the chassis regarding gearing and the truck side frames. Due to those factors, plus the Athearn RTR SD50 had the mailbox slots on the cab sides, they matched the Rio Grande SD50's better.
WSOR 3801: However, they haven't gotten to the SD50-60, and might not. There are various dimensional inaccuracies in the bodies, and the trucks. With Athearn making a much more dimensionally accurate model, I feel Walthers won't bother to rework these, and concentrate on other models that were done right.
I find that the body/ fuel tank dimensions are rather accurate. The trucks are wide and as noted no battery box slots for many prototypes.
You know I have about 6 of them and they all run at a great speed, but I like them slow. I have no problem with mine running with Athearn RTR, Blue Box, Kato, and Atlas. Well, at least I did see any problems.
--Zak Gardner
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Thanks for the info guys.