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If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
QUOTE: Originally posted by Roger Traviss I have four Athearn steam locos, two x 2-8-2s and two x 4-6-2s. After spending considerable time getting these engines to track properly and to be able to pull a decent load, they have over the past twelve months developed the following problem which is converting them into expensive dummys. Both of the 4-6-2s and one of the 2-8-2s have had the drive gear split on the driving axle due, I believe, to the force fitting of a plastic gear onto a steel axle. When the first gear ctacked and slipped, Athearn was able to send a replacement. However, it seems that the problem is so wide spread, Athearn have run out of parts and have no timeline as to when replacement parts will become available from their overseas (Asian) supplier. I've also two x 2-8-2s belonging to friends sitting on my workbench with the same problem. I've over Can$1000.00 tied up in what are fast becoming dummy locos and no help from the manufacturer. Happy camper? No way! Anyone else experienced this problem? Cheers Roger T. [url][http://www.highspeedplus.com/~rogertra//url]
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
QUOTE: Originally posted by Virginian Athearn has no locos and no parts, and don't know when they will be getting any more, but they are trying. I have two 2-8-2's and one 4-6-2, and one developed the cracked gear. NWSL lists the replacement gear (it's the same gear in both locos), and I got one and now they all three run great again. I like them and am well satisfied. One note of caution, because of the large brass section in the center of the axle, the "standard" NWSL quarterer will not work on these wheelsets. I built a jig for mine. All I did with all three of my engines was add a little weight (plenty of room in the boiler housing) and they run great and pull fine now; never had a hint of a tracking problem. The 2-8-2 needed the help a bit more than the 4-6-2. I feel these locos are excellent values, and there isn't too much competition for the Pacific at present either. Cracked gear issues have been around for so long, and is such large quantities, I am surprised anyone is intimidated.
QUOTE: Originally posted by locomotive3 I cut, pasted and sent today's post and Trainorders 10/15 post to the Director, Model RR division at Horizon, Carl Crosier who requested this info.
QUOTE: Originally posted by Virginian Athearn is well aware of the problem, and was trying to line someone up to make new wheelsets last time I talked to them (post-Horizon buy-out), and they will be glad to fix your loco if you so desire. But, they said it might take a year (this was several months ago now). The problem isn't the materials, it's that the manufacturing tolerances on the gear and axle sometimes added up and over stressed the gear and it cracked. Tighter tolerances cost money, and someone figured wrong. I believe these were made by Samhongsa and they have a big backlog apparently. Running your model isn't going to cause it to fail, it either will or it won't depending on the tolerances yours has and temperature changes. To test it thoroughly (read - invite failure), put it in the freezer. Plastic shrinks a lot more than steel does. Mine was delivered and left outside when it was about 5 degrees and I think that's what did mine in to be honest. I chose to go the route I went because I lack patience. I would not suggest anyone who doesn't have a pretty good working knowledge and repair history of steam loco models attempt a self repair. I made the jig from a short piece of 2" x 4" x 3/8" lexan with grooves cut in it to match the outside of the drivers and the space between the drivers and the brass bushing on the axle. I made four plates from 0.065" steel with 'V' notches cut in them to fit the gap between the drivers and the axle bushing. The two inside plates hold the axle. You have to calculate where to locate the 'V' notches in the outer plates taking into account the axle diameter and where the center will be, and then the radius of the crankpins on the wheels and the diameter of the crankpins so the crankpins will hit the two sides of the 90 degree outer 'V' when the quarter is set correctly. The jig and the calculations are long gone, as I only made it for the first one, and really didn't plan on needing it again. Fortunately, the two later ones I got are fine.
QUOTE: Originally posted by Virginian Athearn is well aware of the problem, and was trying to line someone up to make new wheelsets last time I talked to them (post-Horizon buy-out), and they will be glad to fix your loco if you so desire. But, they said it might take a year
QUOTE: Originally posted by bill mathewson [b. The engine and tender both seem a bit light, and would probably benefit from a little properly positioned weight, and I'm going to attempt to evenly distribute the weight on the drivers so it hopefully will track better, as I've been warned that the 2-8-2, especially, is a bit 'unbalanced' as delivered.
QUOTE: Originally posted by Virginian If they ran like a diesel we wouldn't love 'em. :-) Seriously, todays engines are sooooo much better than those of the past they are a joy to run. Proto 2000, Spoectrum, BLI, and the Athearns are all excellent engines in my opinion, and IHC though lacking in detail run quite well.