Athearn locomotive wiring

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I want to replace the steel contact strap on my Athearn locomotives with flexible wires. What size (guage) wires should I use?

2

18-20 would be ideal I think. 22 would also work as long as you keep wire length short.

3

Use stranded wire and leave a curl at the end by the clips leading to the engine wheels.

4

I have used 24 gauge stranded speaker wire with no ill affect. Wired from both trucks to the center motor clip. The loop provides more flexibility for truck swing.

Will

5

22-24 gauge will work great. And, yes, by all means, make sure it’s stranded, for the reason noted. I’ve removed ALL the straps from my Athearn locomotives and installed a simple directional/constant lighting circuit.

6

Here’s a link to some really neat model railroad circuits you can make:
http://www.mrollins.com/rail.html

7

Ok, where can one buy “1.5V Grain of Wheat Bulbs”?

Jim

8

Jim,
Most hobby stores that stock a good supply of trains and accessories will have them if not there then look at Walthers.

9

i use stranded 22g also.i wire the ends to quick disconnects which slide onto the athearn truck lip,that way you don’t have to keep solder/unsoldering the trucks wires.