After a pre-operational tune up, this loco, which I have had for many years, has been a good performer, until recently. The front truck will periodically derail on curves and turnouts in no one particular spot. All wheels are in gauge and no binding seems to be evident.Is there a “hold down” spring supposed to be located between the truck body and frame that has gone missing, letting the truck float and derail? Any of your thoughts are appreciated. Thanks
If you still have the instructions/diagram that came with the loco you should be able to see whether or not there is to be a hold down spring. If you don’t have the instructions/diagram contact Athearn to see if they can provide you with one.
There should be a coil spring trapped between the rear of the truck assembly and the loco’s frame - it’s fairly well-compressed and not readily seen when the screw which holds the truck is in place.
While these locos are very smooth runners, their pulling capabilities are very limited due to the fact that the locomotive is too light and what little weight is there is improperly balanced. I added about 5oz. of weight to mine and also managed to get it balanced, and ended up with five good-running and capable locomotives.
I also changed the lead truck on four of mine, replacing them with outside bearing ones from Bachmann Berkshires. These require a little modification, but are cast metal and track well.
It also occurred to me that, if the loco has not been run for a while, the lead truck’s axle may need a little lubrication. Use a plastic-compatible oil (LaBelle 107 should work well) and apply a drop or two to the points where each of the plastic loops hook around the axle.
Wayne
Way back, when Athearn first released that model, it soon became apparent that it suffered from a cracked drive gear problem, and the maker in Korea had gone bankrupt.
Athearn offered replacement gears ‘when they become available.’ I asked to be added to their waiting list, and they confirmed that I was. I never did hear any more from them.
IIRC, that was at about the time of Irv Athearn’s death and an attempt by employees to run (or should I say ‘ruin’) the company.
A replacement gear from North West Short Line at the time cost almost as much as the original model, so mine is back in the original box and may never run again.
The Genesis Mikado was Athearn’s first venture in overseas production - with a company that soon after decided to leave the scale model train production business - leaving Athearn very much in the lurch.
Many of those gears did crack - many did not. Mine still runs fine with the original gear.
Like Wayne, I added a lot of weight to balance the model and increase its pulling capacity.
Sheldon
I got a replacement gear from Athearn to repair a friend’s locomotive, but I’ve never had problems with the gears in mine and they’re in very heavy service. I bought two when these locos were first released, and, after I learned how to get better performance out of them, picked up two more, slightly used and at a good price.
I also got, at a good price, a fifth one whose previous owner had replaced the gear with one from NWSL.
Wayne
I solved my problem with a piece of double-side tape about 1/8" thick.
Fasten to chassis where truck rides and leave the cover on the bottom to provide a slick surface for curves. This action provides pressure on the truck but allows smooth swivel. Leave attaching scew, washer and spring in place.
Haven’t had a derail since at any speed.
Haven’t had a derail since at any speed