AHM HO Scale Alcoa Century Northwestern Engine 400

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi the motor is getting worse in my AHM HO Scale Alcoa Century Northwestern Engine 400, it runs sluggish at best. I opened it up and it has the following structure, I’d apprecaite any advice on how to swap out the motor, seems to be open frame and secured by the chassis, any comments will be highly appreaciated, thanks!

2

The late Stan Mailer wrote a pretty sophisticated article about how to repower these AHM engines in the July 1981 MR. But since then I think most guys have saved the shell and tried to find another Alco powered frame to put under it. Others have just prefered to convert the AHM engine into a dummy, perhaps replacing the plastic handrails with wire. By the way the actual C&NW engines were Alco C425s, not 424s, although the visual differences are and were slight. And by the time those engines were made the C&NW had long since ceased to put the Route of the 400s on the sides of their locomotives.

Dave Nelson

3

Thanks! I do not have access to the MR issue, is there a good way to remove the motor?

4

You might want to contact Northwest Short Line. They specialize in upgrades and special parts.

5

I don’t have one, anymore. So I can’t look.

But.

These are some ways motors are held in:

by a screw (or two) from underneath–the fuel tank could obscure it/them

“glue”–usually kinda obvious, because it’s some gluppy silicon stuff

rubbery clips–again, kinda obvious–the motor can usually wiggle around on them

trapped by parts assembly–like maybe two frame halves “grabbing” the motor

Good luck,

Ed

6

Alcoa … Aluminum Company of America.

Alco … American Locomotive Company.

7

Are you sure it’s not dirty wheels or lack of lubrication? Usually electric motors either work or they don’t.

8

I could not find a diagram for the loco.

Do a careful visual. Some diesels you have to pop the fuel tank off and see screws to remove the motor.

If the loco is sluggish, check the gearing on each end, assuming both trucks are driven. OLd grease or need lubrication. Does the loco hesitate at times, jerk a little? Could be pickups need cleaning.

Assuming your other locos run fine.

Rich

9

Had one back in the 80’s and had a blown Atlas Roco motor i took off one fly wheel and it fit on the back shaft of that CNW locomotive been so long ago i forgot if it helped run better.