Hi,
I have a bag-full of Athearn half-axles, and I don't know to what train engines they belong, most likely for HO Diesel engines.
The tag says Jay Bee Athearn G-62002, but I can't find any product with that reference# anywhere.
I contacted Jay Bee (the current owner), and this was their response:
"That was from the era of the original owner. From your description I think those would fit Athearn Genesis Loco's."
Genesis have been suggested, but the counter argument is that the sticker on the bag indicates pre-Genesis era.
Blue-box has been suggested, but the counter argument is that the BB diesels have thicker shafts.
As accurately as I can measure, the wheels are 42", and the shafts 1.5mm (measured 0.058").
On the close-up picture, I lightle sandpapered the flange, showing a shinymetal below the black surface, so i assume these are painted.
I appreciate any help!
I've was an avid Athearn fan and had hundreds (not exxagerating) of their Blue (and some yellow) Box cars and locos. I can not recall any instance where 1/2 axle/wheel was in use. Of course that doesn't mean they weren't, but I'm real curious as to what these were/are used for.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Two half-axles are used to build an axle on a 4- or 6-axle diesel truck. There is a plastic (insulating) drive gear centered between the two axle halves (since one solid metal axle would short the tracks)
Based on JB Wheelsets website, these would be used on "Athearn powered locomotives with plastic sideframes, and pre-Walthers Proto 2000 4-axle locomotives" and "Use on Athearn and pre-Walthers Proto 2000 six-axle locomotives that require a 42" diameter wheel". So sounds to me they would be used in a lot of different HO diesels.
JB Wheelsets: Half Axles
Here is a link to NWSL's Athearn half axle wheels:
https://nwsl.com/collections/ho-hon3-scale?_=pf&pf_t_manufactured_for=Manufactured%20For%3A%20Athearn%20Geared%20Diesels
The dimensions and descriptions might be of some assistance.
Based on my not really sharp old memory. I don't recall the stub opposite of the flange on my P2K and Athearn half axles.
The pictured wheels appear to be blackened. Not painted. They would have been dipped in a chemical that puts a coating like blueing a firearm but not as deep.
Pete.
wjstix Based on JB Wheelsets website, these would be used on "Athearn powered locomotives with plastic sideframes, and pre-Walthers Proto 2000 4-axle locomotives" and "Use on Athearn and pre-Walthers Proto 2000 six-axle locomotives that require a 42" diameter wheel". So sounds to me they would be used in a lot of different HO diesels. JB Wheelsets: Half Axles
What does "0.110” tread" mean? Shaft thickness? The axles in the link have blunt ends, mine has tapered ends, if that means anything. Could tapered ends mean outside frame?
wrench567 Based on my not really sharp old memory. I don't recall the stub opposite of the flange on my P2K and Athearn half axles. The pictured wheels appear to be blackened. Not painted. They would have been dipped in a chemical that puts a coating like blueing a firearm but not as deep. Pete.
Is blackened the same as black nickel finish?
Is sintered something else? (I am still learning about all this stuff)
Tin Can II Here is a link to NWSL's Athearn half axle wheels: https://nwsl.com/collections/ho-hon3-scale?_=pf&pf_t_manufactured_for=Manufactured%20For%3A%20Athearn%20Geared%20Diesels The dimensions and descriptions might be of some assistance.
It seems that the longer stub is for outside frames, so that's what mine might be.
I'm not at home now but this morning I took a quick look at my old Con-cor switcher. It has outside frames for the axles, and what I was able to see, the axle ends looked the same the ones in my post.
The 0.110 tread width is the width of the wheel that rides on the rail. It does not include the flange. Blackened is a chemical reaction that turns the metals outside surface into a semi protective coating. Commonly some tools will be blackened to make them rust resistant but the wheels are blackened for looks. Blackened metal wheels will show shiny silver tread with use.
Hope this helps.
Pete
nwsisu wrench567 Based on my not really sharp old memory. I don't recall the stub opposite of the flange on my P2K and Athearn half axles. The pictured wheels appear to be blackened. Not painted. They would have been dipped in a chemical that puts a coating like blueing a firearm but not as deep. Pete. Is blackened the same as black nickel finish? Is sintered something else? (I am still learning about all this stuff)
Black nickel finish is an electro plating process like chrome. Only omitting the chromium. Chrome plating also includes nickel but black chrome or black nickel is done using a sodium and acid solution heated to nearly a boil. Chrome plating uses hot salt water to electro plate.
Sintered is actually a powdered metal that is pressed into shape. Another common name is pot metal.
Most inexpensive drill bits are blackened. Also the cheap mini screwdriver sets have blackened shafts with chrome plated handles with the spinner on top.
Think of it like this:
Painting is a 'layer' added over something. Like dipping an ice cream cone into chocolate. It coats the ice cream 'as a layer', but its still vanilla on the inside. No change to the ice cream.
Blueing, is like dipping the ice cream into food coloring. It soaks into the vanilla changing it to, lets say blue in this case. So as you eat away at the ice cream, its blue until you reach the point the coloring didnt soak into. This is what happens when you 'blue' metal. Its a reaction 'within' the metal, not a coating like a paint.
As for the wheels themselves, have you contacted who owns Athearn now (Prizm, I think? Maybe? Who is it i dont remember) just to see if they could be of any help?
Clear Ahead!
PMR
Thanks all for all the information!
I haven't contacted Athearn yet. I should do that, although they might not have any records from that far back. But it's worth a try, I guess.
When I have time I will try compare with axles on some of my old engines. For example my Con-cor switcher seems that it might have the same axles, but I would have to take it apart in order to find out.
nwsisu Thanks all for all the information! I haven't contacted Athearn yet. I should do that, although they might not have any records from that far back. But it's worth a try, I guess. When I have time I will try compare with axles on some of my old engines. For example my Con-cor switcher seems that it might have the same axles, but I would have to take it apart in order to find out.
I have been reading along but not had time to offer my thoughts until now. A simple checking of Athearn instruction sheets which exploded parts diagrams may locate that part number.
Athearn has never bothered to put all their parts info on the web. A task that would cost intirely too much money.
They look like they could be Genesis EMD F unit wheels. I will check info I have at home this evening.
Sheldon
I'm sure those wheels could probably fit many locomotives. Even if you don't need the pointed end. A cut off wheel in a Dremel would take care of it. As long as the diameter is the same.
They look like Athearn half-axle outside frame wheels to my eye.
Simon
Yes, I am almost sure they are GENESIS outside bearing wheels as used in the GENESIS EMD F unit Bloomberg truck.
The instructions do not give a part number for just the wheel, but a carefull inspection looks just like these.
ATLANTIC CENTRALYes, I am almost sure they are GENESIS outside bearing wheels as used in the GENESIS EMD F unit Bloomberg truck.
I agree. The part No. shown in the top photo shows a G prefix. Athearn uses a G prefix for their Genesis parts — (i.e. G-62002).
Regards, Ed
I think I found the match on ebay:
If this is indeed it, I'm sure it fits other models too than just the Genesis SD70.
nwsisuI haven't contacted Athearn yet. I should do that, although they might not have any records from that far back. But it's worth a try, I guess.
Just keep in mind these wheelsets weren't made by Athearn, they were made as replacements for the Athearn part no. listed by Jay Bee (which is now JB Wheelsets). The 'sintered' Athearn wheelsets were generally considered "OK", not great, so many folks replaced them with nickel-silver wheelsets. I believe several companies have made replacement wheelsets for Athearn engines.
I suspect the wheelsets you have pre-date the introduction of Athearn Genesis - the wheelsets may well work in Genesis engines, but were used in other engines by Athearn too (and apparently in some old Life-Like Proto engines).
As has been stated, those puppies, er, wheels are from the Athearn trucks with the metal sideframes. The metal sideframes transmitted electricity to the metal frames. This style wheel was used until recently when "Uncle Irv" began to use N/S wheelsets on their lokies.
Those wheelsets can be used on either inside or outside bearing trucks, but must be modified if switched between those two styles of truck sideframes. The modification needs to be done with the NWSL wheel puller and does not destroy the wheel.
The wheels are made from scintered iron that, according to my research, is made from highly compressed iron filings. I have polished those wheels using a Dremel tool with the metal brush. The scintered iron wheel works really well when polished and they have really good rail gripping ability.
I could go on and on, but can talk more of Athearn wheel styles in another message.
Have a great day!!
Don; Prez, CEO or whatever of the Wishram, Oregon and Western RR