I recently bought an Athearn Genesis Mikado used, with DCC decoder installed. The Detail Parts bag was not included in the box. Athearn does not have these parts in stock. Does anyone know where I could find them or similar replacements?
I can't recall what was in that parts bag other than the sprue of handrail stanchions - maybe the damper control and the bell, and, of course, the handrails themselves.
Most of that stuff is available from Cal-Scale (Bowser) - their handrail stanchions rival or surpass the late lamented ones from MDC, probably the best previously available. You'll need to bend your own handrails - .015" or .020" music wire is my choice.
Wayne
I seem to recall there were two classification lights included as well. I remember since I got two lefts and no right (the molded in lenses are such that I have one facing front and one to the rear!)
Wayne is right, get Cal-Scale or other parts (some are available in plastic as well) The detail is worth the expense.
Good Luck, Ed
There are actually three parts bags. One has four sprues of stanchions, straight and curved, a whistle (brass) two marker lights, bell (brass) is already mounted. Second bag has two formed hand rails. Third bag has parts for tender, lanterns,ladder, coupler, cover, screws.
I just looked at a Athearn Genesis DC NPR 2-8-2 brand new in box that has never been out of it since 2004. Bought quite a few steamers back then from a LHS that was closing 50% off.
I did a search earlier, didn't have much luck, finding any originals. You will probably have to do what Wayne suggested.
Take Care!
Frank
It's too bad that Athearn sorta dropped the ball on the USRA Mikes and Pacifics. I bought two originals and while they ran great, they were notoriously poor pullers and it took a lot of work to make them useful. Once I got that sorted, I picked up another two at a decent price, very slightly used, and got them running properly, too. Some folks had gear problems with theirs (I repaired one for a friend, using free parts supplied by Athearn), but mine have been problem free and they're in heavy-duty service. I subsequently bought a fifth one, unused but already re-geared with replacement parts from NWSL. That one's awaiting upgrading and re-detailing to represent a CNR loco (along with three Bachmann Consolidations).
Wayne,
I'll agree on the Bachmann Spectrum Consolidations. Detail is amazing and run great. I got four in that LHS closing. I relettered three of them for ATSF and the fourth gave to a close friend of mine as a Christmas gift. He was tickled and pickled cause He had wanted to buy it from me and I didn't want to sell it, His road also...B&O. I made out like a fat rat on that deal. Funny part about it was..I got the tip about it closing from another LHS owner who wanted to buy the other guys N-scale stuff, but He would not sell to him at such a high discount.
Oh and I have not had any gear problem's with the Athearn Mike's yet....but I don't run them that often and don't have any grades on my layout. Ten to fifteen Accurails/Roundhouse with God forbid, Plastic wheels. LOL.
zstripe...Ten to fifteen Accurails/Roundhouse with God forbid, Plastic wheels.
The only plastic wheels with which I had problems were on some of the Train Miniature cars - mostly out-of-round. I don't recall if it was original TM, TMofI, or after Walthers took over, but before they thinned-out the product line. The majority of my rolling stock has plastic wheels - quieter than metal and not so "Look-at-me!".
Wayne, without going into too much detail can you outline what you did to improve the Mikes. I had to replace the cracked gear but have done nothing else. Dismayed that they have little pulling power. Thanks
My initial attempts at improving them mainly involved adding weight, but because the loco is already back-heavy, it didn't offer much in the way of improvement. I then tested the mechanism by draping some sheet lead over the front of the boiler - IIRC, it was 22oz. worth. Applying power while holding the tender showed that the loco was in no danger of being overtaxed by the excess weight, as it readily slipped its drivers. I couldn't, however, hope to place that much weight within the loco.I did manage to finally up its weight (locomotive only) by 5oz., and, more importantly, the total weight is balanced at the mid-point of the driver wheelbase.The process involves working with lead, but if you're interested, it's outlined here: http://bigbluetrains.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=718
You will, however, have to join the Forum in order to see the photos, as they're hosted at that site. Membership is free, the site is family friendly and there are no ads. Many of the Members also belong to the MR Forums, so it's not really a competitor, but rather another friendly place to share ideas.You can, without joining, read the text and many other photos are visible if they're hosted from places like photobucket - most of mine are, but these particular ones are supposedly more permanent when hosted within the forum.