Does anybody else find that you need to open the throttle up alot on the lower priced Atherean engines to make them go Fast, any input would be welcomed
Why would anyone want them to go fast? If you want fast, get slot cars, or Acela.
The old Athearn blue box locos draw a lot of current and you have to really opent the throttle to get them to go at any speed.
I tend to like the slower speeds for the good ole Athearns. However, when I want to really go fast, I do have to crank the knob a litlle bit farther around.
By running faster you will have more problems down the road. My advice would be to heed the instructions that come with engine. Don’t run wide open for very long periods of time.
I will also run my engines in reverse a bit to allow the brushes to wear a little more evenly. I don’t know if doing that helps any, but it makes me feel like it does.
Like John sayed, you run into problems down the road with just about any brand if you are running fast for a long time. But, with a little TLC and good maintanence habbits and a little tinkering, one can get ever an old Athern to run very good…Jamie
THE ATHEARN’S WITH THERE DUEL BRASS FLYWHEELS ARE MADE TO START OUT SLOW AND PICK UP SPEED TO THE SPEED YOU SET THEM AT. WHEN THE DIAL READS 30 MPH THE TRAIN LOOKS LIKE IT’S NOT HARDLEY MOVING. BUT BY SCALE (HO,O,G,OR N)THE ENGINE OR TRAIN IS MOVING AT THAT SPEED. IT’S ALL RELATES TO SIZE TO SPEED. I HAVE RUN A LOT OF ATHEARN’S OLD AND NEW AND FOR THE PRICE, THEY MAKE A GOOD TRAIN. I HAVE A FEELING YOU DON’T HAVE A SWITCH YARD, NOW THATS SLOW-SLOW SPEEDS 5 TO 1O MPH. AND YOU BET TLC IS A MUST…DALE the BIGCALIF
Jeremy,
If you can get a copy of ‘Tuning and Upgrading Athearn Locomotives’ and follow the content, you will certainly get the best from the Athearn Locos. Most of mine will perform alongside the best, and you will learn all the maintenance tips you need. The book is available from Railmodel Journal, mine cost $9.95, plus post, and
is worth it! Regards, Dave Elbourne, Rugby, UK.