Has anyone used or had experience with Smokey Valley RR Products #145 EMD HTCR II Radial Side frame kits. I would like to replace the ones that came with and are warped on my Genesis’s but I cant find any pictures or reviews.
Thanks, Tom
The Smokey Valley sideframes are designed to fit on Athearn’s blue box SD40 trucks. Unfortunately, this means that they’re completely incompatible with the Genesis SD70 trucks, so I think your only option is to replace them with new Genesis sideframes.
It is also possible to replace the entire trucks with Kato SD70MAC trucks and sideframes. The Kato worm cover has to be modified a little, but other than that they’re a direct replacement. The worm and cover are sold separate from the trucks, and everything would end up costing over $50, so this is definitely a more expensive option.
I can’t help you with either experience or a picture, but I think you would need the #146 sideframe, not the #145. According to the Walthers on-line catalog, http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?quick=smokey%20valley&start=90, and the Smokey Valley on-line catalog, http://www.smokeyvalley.com/Catalog.txt, the #146 sideframe kit is made to fit the “new Athearn 3-axle Genesis power trucks”.
The Athearn parts department has replacements available if Smokey Valley products won’t fit.
Got a brand new in the box pair of these engines [NS] still sitting on my shelf now for about 7 years. I tried them when I got them for Christmas gifts and to my dismay they loped down the track. I called Athearn at that time and they replaced the truck assemblies at no cost [four of them]. They knew problems existed back then and they where happy to make corrections. However times and owners are different now so good luck, but I would pitch a complaint and see what the reaction is from Athearn. As I said, I have two brand new in the box with the outer container still on my shelf and that was the last of Genesis type engines I will ever own. Good Luck!