I’ve got a dieing Athearn BlueBox GP40-2 that I’m sick of keeping going; but I put a lot of work into customized the shell into a GP40-2L(W) so I want to keep that. Does anyone know if an Atlas GP40-2 will take an Athearn shell without extensive modification?
Oh, HO gauge.
I would buy a new Athearn RTR gp40 or 38 on sale @ MB Klein and place the shell on it. The new drives are really nice IMHO.
Sorry, I can’t answer your question about the Atlas frame, but have you checked to see if a replacement frame is available from the Athearn Parts Department?
Go to the Athearn web site and click on “parts” near the top of the page.
Yes,the Athearn shell will fit the Atlas GP38,38-2 and 40 drive…You will need to grind some of the weight in order to make the shell fit.I would use a Trainman GP38-2 drive.
try this website. They have what you need. chuck
What seemes to be the problem you are having with the way the loco runs? Binding, stalling, derailing, stop and going, noisy, or whatever? It could just be in need of a tune up or some tweeking. I have allot of the old BB kits, and they run just fine. Every once in awhile I have to do a tune up on one to get it back to good running condition.
A simple upgrade to a better motor would make a difference to, and would be cheaper than buying a whole new running chassis from a different manufacture.
It seems the basic problem is the old Athearn mechanism (motor, gears, etc) is not running well. There are a few options.
http://www.mcor-nmra.org/Publications/Articles/Athearn_TuneUp.html
Replace the motor. The problem is probably not in the gearing in the trucks, it’s probably just a crappy motor. NWSL and PPW/A-Line both make replacement motor/driveshaft kits for Athearn locos. However, MSRP is about $40, and by the time you spend that much, you might as well buy a new Athearn GP40-2 or Atlas Trainman GP38-2 for the chassis (see option #4).
If you know what you’re doing and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, you can get a new motor and set of universal couplings for your Athearn without having to pay full price for the NWSL or PPW/A-Line “repower” kits. Your best bet is to get a Kato HM-5 motor (can be found for as little as $15 from some online dealers, like this one) and a NWSL universal coupling kit #491-6 ($3.95). The problem with this method is if you can’t find both parts from the same source, you pay double shipping. The total cost might approach $40, in which case you might as well go with option #4.
As others have suggested already, get an inexpensive brand-new Athearn GP40-2 and replace the shell with the shell from your older unit. M.B. Klein has
Thanks everyone for the advise; I’m going to dismantle the frame today and try to fix the current problem; but I think this is it’s last chance before I get a new frame.
Since I was asked why; it’s just that the frame is cursed.
I’ve had every problem you can think to have with a locomotive with this; including one I’ve never heard of before where the loco sounds like it has a suck wheel and is dragging it (only to find out that was coming from the motor). And now they are starting to happen AGAIN; and the I have to take the from trucks apart because there is something wrong internally (probably debris in the gearbox). It’s frigging cursed.
I just want one that runs nice and smooth and quiet and I don’t have to dismantle every 3 months to fix something else.
-frank