Athearn Genesis Shell Removal and Replacement Instruction Sheet

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I bought an Athearn Genesis F7 for a good price, but wrong road, I was then successful in buying a KCS shell that I can swap out. Like many I ran into a problem finding an instruction sheet on HOW do you remove the shell. Well by sheer luck while researching something on the Athearn website under F3’s I was looking at a particular KCS road number I found a link to a .pdf file Genesis F Series Guide (525 KB), and in it I found a detailed explanation on HOW not only to REMOVE the shell but HOW to REPLACE it… and other good information.

I do have a QUESTION for someone who might know the answer. They tell you that the first step you need to do is remove the FRONT COUPLER. That makes sense. But NOT the REAR… Is there some reason one should not remove the REAR coupler?! I would think that removing both couplers would make it easier to remove the shell. I also discovered in the accompanying exploded diagram that the couplers are Bachman E-Z Mate Couplers. Bachman!!! If I am going to have the shell off I might as well replace these cheap couplers with some good Kadee couplers. I have one other Athearn Genesis F3A whose shell I do NOT wish to remove if at all possible. Can I remove and replace the REAR coupler, just like the front one WITHOUT taking the shell off?!?

Hope this helps

2

In the case of the F series, the rear coupler doesn’t do anything to hold the shell on. Only the front one has to be removed to clear the closed pilot. The rear coupler is screwed on, so it can be easily removed without taking the shell off.[:)] Because of the tight design, I would recommend using a coupler with a built in centering spring, like Kadee’s Whisker couplers.