Ok, this will sound like a stupid question to guys, but, here it goes. I have an Athearn Genesis F3A unit, since B units are not available, I want to buy a AB combo for a ABA configuation. My F3A is sound equiped. I will be running these on DC only. Will all the units run in the same direction on DC ??
Can’t think of any reason why not. I run DC and consist all the time with no problem.
If the trucks were installed properly, yes. If not, just swap the front and back trucks on the offending unit.
Assuming you can swap trucks on Genesis units like you can a Blue Box.
It shouldn’t be an issue but if it is, it would probably be easier to swap the motor leads.
My mind was stuck in Blue Box mode.[:D]
Thanks for the answers guys. I cant shake the thought of when I was young and tried to consist and the rear loco(one facing the opposite direction) went in the opposite direction when I applied throttle.
Santa Fe–
Are you SURE that the B-unit Genesis F-3’s aren’t available for Santa Fe? I’ve got a Rio Grande F-3 Genesis A-B diesel that came as a set with both units powered and in DC. In fact, I’m seriously thinking of getting another A-B set so that I can run them as a 4-unit set for my California Zephyr. Or did Santa Fe ‘bypass’ the F-3B’s for the later F-7B’s as passenger power and Athearn decided to follow suit just for prototype realism?
Sure seems strange to me. But to answer your question, the F-3 Genesis locos will run VERY smoothly with each other in the same direction.
Tom [:O]
I ended up getting the full #5541,5542,5543,5544 ABBA set for my CZ. They basically ran that way almost exclusively to the very end of service.
I haven’t seen locos run different directions, unless the wiring had been fooled with by the owner, that I can recall. Unless someone put the rubber band on an old Athearn the wrong way. [:-^] I heard of a guy that had both ends of the same loco going opposite ways! [
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Rotor
Or unless you accidentally swap the front and rear trucks while reassembling one…[:-^]
I haven’t tried that one…yet. [swg]
Rotor
Athearn Genisis F units are available in “B” units if the prototype had them. There should be powered units available without resorting to some “bashing” project. I have a five unit set of Athearn Genisis F units in A-B-B-B-A formation in D&RGW for my California Zephyr from BLI and all were powered when I bought them. It shouldn’t be necessary to change any wireing or trucks to get the units to run the same direction.
If you change Genesis F units to KD couplers and run in DC do you have the chance of shorting between the A and B units like you do with Athearn RTR dual diesels. Thanks
not if you bend the uncoupling pins up.
The coupler box should insulate the Kadee couplers with no modification of the coupler required.
The Athearn Genesis F’s I have came with some extra coupler boxes for using Kadee 5 couplers and I just installed them after removing the “Maybe Mates” couplers.
Metal “uncoupling pins” if too low can touch powered frogs, also snag. ‘Bending’ them is not the best answer.
Many Athearn cars are too low. Kadee makes insulated washers and offset shanks (#47) to raise. Popular Blue box kits had a coupler box with a metal ‘snap-on’ bottom cover that was too low. Shims (KD#211) align ‘drooping’ couplers, Bending does not (couplers stay ‘drooped’).
Kadee’s are ‘Knuckle’ couplers and knuckle couplers depend on the aligned ‘handshake’ for perfect operation.
YES, but - make sure the ‘Sound’ units are compatible. Early F’s came with QSI. All sound units use some of voltage going to the motor. Ask Athearn.
I didnt think Athearn sold F3B units seperately. I’ve never seen one listed for sale seperately. I have a F3A and want to have a F3AB consist. I’ve only seen Athearn Genesis Santa Fe F3’s list as seperatel A’s and AB combos. I’ll contact Athearn to see if a seperate B is available.
I don’t think they sold an F3A’s separately either.
Since his ‘A’ is probably from a set sold on Ebay, I’m guessing it has a QSI module in it, and best mated with other QSI installed units. A separate F3B dummy might have to be obtained from INTERMOUTAIN.
According to the Athearn website, the single F7B units in Genesis have been dicontinued.
I’d check Horizonhobby.com to check availability.
Rotor