Does anyone know what the part number is for the replacement wheelset gear from NWSL for the Athearn 2-8-2 steam loco that keeps cracking? Also, has anyone used the traction tires from Stewart Products with this loco and do they improve traction? I have two of these locos. One has a broken gear and the other one does not pull well. I have a 2% grade on my layout and this loco can pull only 6 cars up the grade.
None of mine have seen enough run time to break a gear yet… How long did it take to happen on yours??
Jeff
The Athearn 2-8-2 does not have very much pulling power because there is no room for much weight in the boiler, thus there is not enough weight on the drivers. The fact that yours will pull only 6 cars up a grade is about normal for these models.
If you send an e-mail or telephone Athearn, they will place you on their waiting list for a replacement part.
Before you order a replacement gear from NWSL I would suggest you insure you are capable of installing it. I do not mean to be talking down to anyone, but this really is one tricky fix. You will need a gear/wheel puller, and the NWSL Quarterer will not fit. It can be done, and the repaired engine does run great.
Stewart traction tires will not fit because the wheels are not grooved for traction tires. Best solution is to add weight in the domes, steam chests and cylinders and in the boiler around the existing weight. Be careful not to short out the two halves.
These little engines are not perfect, but I just love them. I have had one cracked gear out of five.
Yep thats right! I have one of these engines and the gear did crack, it was a pain getting everything apart to get at the gear, and it took for ever to get the replacement gear from Athearn. As far as pulling power it does need more weight, I added some in hidden spots and increased my pulling power to about 13 cars, but thats on the lower level of my layout, and that track is on level ground.
Jeff, I had the engine sitting on the shelf for about 6 months before I used it. It had about 2 hours on it before the gear split.
Cacole, I e-mailed Athearn about 9 months ago for the replacement part. They were out of stock. Looks like i’ll just keep the broken one on one of my roundhouse tracks.Looks good, but doesn’t run.
From another forum, I read that the NWSL replacement gear part no. is 2147 6. Cost $9.95. I never ordered any…yet.
VS
I have two of these locos. The first one ran about 6 inches and stopped. Yet another broken drive gear. I tryed to pull it apart and find out what was wrong (I have worked on several steamers over the years with mixed success). It didn’t take me long to figure out that this was not a job I wanted to tackle. It is now an expensive addition to my spare parts box. So, since I love the USRA Mikes, I went right out and bought a second one. This one worked at least (meaning it could move on its own and maybe even pull a couple cars with it). After some creative weighting (it even has a lead “tool box” added to the front of the engine), I have gotten it so it can pull about 8 - 10 40’ boxcars up a 2% grade. Whoopie! While they look great, they are not by any means a great loco for the money.
Trade it in on a BLI light Mike, better sound.
That doesn’t speak well for the longevity of the Athearn Genesis products. I have 3 of these 2-8-2s, 2 new and one used (came with a lot of other steamers)… I will say that the one new one I tested Has lasted longer than 6 inches of track running.
How are the diesels?? I have a Couple sets of F units and am considering a third, same situation, currently shelf queens.
Jeff
And of course, neither Model Railroader Nor Railroad Model Craftsman dare mention the cracking gear problems with both the 2-8-2 and the 4-6-2 for fear of loosing advertising revenue, which I think is completely unacceptable. Here we have a devective product the Athearn seems to be doing nothing about yet this is not reported in either of the two leading magazines.
Life-Like had a similar problem with some of their diesels and went out of their way to coorect the problem, not Athearn.