Is it just me or any diesel loco from Athean's blue box days runs rough and loud? I just purchased a used but fairly mint condition AMD 103 P42. It runs well but it's kind of loud and the wheels look old. I've noticed this on other engines that I have as well. I have a SD45 from Athearn and a SW7 and they all sound the same....they have that common Athearn sound coming from the engine which makes them loud. Would upgrading the wheels do any good. I preferably like the newer blackened wheels anyway. The standard wheels are the grayish wheels that look like they rust or have bad electrical connection to them. Any suggestions?
Good lubrication, and time to wear off manufacturing imperfections will make a world of difference. Not like new types of course, but good enough if your standards are not too high.
ROAR
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There have been many books and articles written on how to make them better. The wheels are sintered and get dirty easy, but pull well. NWSL has good replacement wheels. The wheel change out won't make it sound better, but will help it perform better on electrical pick up. Isolating the motor with foam tape or similar can help with the noise transferring to the frame. Using tooth paste to help the gears break in more quickly has been used too--of course clean and relube after break in. Just some examples.
Richard
A lot of the Athearn noise issues are with the drive shafts, and the brass worm gear that engages the plastic gearing in the trucks. The body shell seems to amplify this noise. Your wheels are probably OK, as long as you clean them good, and make sure there is NO rust or pitting. Replace them if you wish. You might also want to run the motor alone, not connected to the drive system, and make sure there is no vibration in the motor, and the motor mounts are solid.
I have a link here from the NMRA, Mid-Continent Region web site, authored by John Shaw and Bill Anderson, that gives a great step-by-step tune-up for the good old Athearn blue box locos:
http://www.mcor-nmra.org/publications/articles/athearn_tuneup.html
Mike.
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I've got two of these locomotives (AMD 103) and yes, they run real rough. They do seem to have trouble with the electrical pickup or something. They seem to struggle with slow speeds as well. The one locomotive I remember used to run a little better but now has issues but the other one from day one ran badly.
It seems to be only this model that gives me trouble though, other Athearns seem to work fine.
Long live the J!
BMR777 I've got two of these locomotives (AMD 103) and yes, they run real rough. They do seem to have trouble with the electrical pickup or something. They seem to struggle with slow speeds as well. The one locomotive I remember used to run a little better but now has issues but the other one from day one ran badly. It seems to be only this model that gives me trouble though, other Athearns seem to work fine.
Same here. Bought two BB AMD 103s when first released. Very disappointing performers.
John R.
Yea upon closer inspection I see the wheels are pitted. Don't really like these wheels so I think I may repair and clean them as best I can then look for someone else who makes wheels for this engine. Also it may need a little lubrication as well.
The current production Athearn RTR wheels, which are the same otherwise but made of nickel silver, are available as parts. NWSL and others also have them.
Lubrication makes a huge difference.
I don't know if these still have the classic Athearn spring clip for bringing power from the trucks to the motor top, but replacing this with wire soldered on both ends helps a lot with smooth running. The spring clips are steel and corrode easily.
Clean the commutator on the motor (the shiny copper part the brushes ride on) with a Brite Boy.
They will never be a Kato, but they will run reliably and smoothly, albeit with a little noise.
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K1a - all the way
Oh and for cleaning the commutator on the motor, I use a regular pencil eraser, does a really nice job and is non abrasive.
EmpireStateJRBMR777I've got two of these locomotives (AMD 103) and yes, they run real rough. They do seem to have trouble with the electrical pickup or something. They seem to struggle with slow speeds as well. The one locomotive I remember used to run a little better but now has issues but the other one from day one ran badly.It seems to be only this model that gives me trouble though, other Athearns seem to work fine.Same here. Bought two BB AMD 103s when first released. Very disappointing performers.
BMR777I've got two of these locomotives (AMD 103) and yes, they run real rough. They do seem to have trouble with the electrical pickup or something. They seem to struggle with slow speeds as well. The one locomotive I remember used to run a little better but now has issues but the other one from day one ran badly.It seems to be only this model that gives me trouble though, other Athearns seem to work fine.
I also had one of the blue box AMD 103's and I had heard it was very commonly a poor performance model so I sold it. I never ran it but I just figured get rid of it and that will solve the problem. Some times the best solution to problems is to get rid of it rather than struggle with it.
(Later on I decided to cut off my modeling time frame at 1991, so I never replace it with a newer better running version. I have 3 KATO and 3 Walthers F40PHs for Amtrak passenger service.)
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Try lubricating inside the flywheels. A drop of oil at the center of each should do the trick. My engines would run and then slow down with this loud growl. This worked for me.
Regg05Is it just me or any diesel loco from Athean's blue box days runs rough and loud?
As others have pointed out, it's not just you.
I remember an excellent thread by forum member davidmbedard that you might find helpful:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/241180.aspx
Even if you choose not to install a decoder, the tune-up will be good for you, and good for your engine!
Hope that helps, Ed
Old topic alert!
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I stay away from any older engine from most mfgs. I require they run whisper quiet except for sound of course. if not they are gone. Don't torture yourself with these engines, too many out there that are much better.
But if you like wasting your time trying to get them to run better then by all means, go at it.
The Athearn AMD-103 only needs a little tuning to be an excellent runner, and they're still the best value non-brass models of this engine on the market, so I'd hardly call it a waste of time getting one to run perfect.
Do you know where one can find an assembly manual for this train? I have one that was probably destroyed by a nephew, but I'd like to see if I can resurrect it. I tried putting it back together, but I have the feeling a ground is missing or ... it's simply a dead engine.
thanks.