Will a Genesis Motor fit into a RTR Athearn Loco with out any changes or is there any other moter out ther that will
thank
Athearn Genesis and Athearn RTR,are the same,this RTR thing,doesn’t make any difference,even if it was DC verses DCC, it is the same motor…
Cheers, [:)]
Frank
Interesting. I didn’t know that. If thats the case, then why are Genesis so quiet and smooth running, while the RTR is loud and rough running?
The drive train…
Cheers,
Frank
Actually, there is a difference between the RTR and the Genesis motors. But I think as far as the space inside the locomotive is concerned, they are basically interchangeable. Especially if your RTR motor uses the newer hex-drive shafts.
Moreover, you could swap it out with a Kato motor with flywheels. The Athearn hex drives just happen to fit the hex holes in the Kato motor flywheels. I’ve done this on a couple of older Athearn BB locos and have been very happy with the results. And the bonus was I didn’t even have to break out the Dremel to cut up the frame! You could order directly from Kato. If you do, they sell one version of the motor with what they call an “older style” integrated plastic mount that is a drop-in fit for an Athearn RTR chassis (see it here). Another source is Ulrich Models, which sells the motor w/o the plastic mount, but you can get the A-Line motor cradle weight to mount the motor on. Their website has instructions on how to do this.
Note: I’m not an employee, spouse of an employee, shareholder or otherwise affiliated with Kato or Ulrich Models… or A-Line… or Athearn… (did I miss any? [:P] )… Just a satisfied customer passing along my own personal experiences! [:D]
if you like to read,Pro’s,Con’s on the subject,it has been discussed,right hear on the Forums,12-05-2005.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/51366/650413.aspx
Cheers,
Frank
Sorry Frank nothing there except a error
thanks Mac
Roadie, The reply that I put,just link in works,it is a different thread,but I believe more useful,that the other that did not work… Cheers, Frank
I didn’t see where anyone exactly answered this part of the question yet.
Sometimes but not always. The RTR SW1x00 switchers use a Genesis style motor, but to my knowledge they’re the only exceptions. All the other RTR models I’ve seen use older style open-frame motors.
With regard to space, Athearn frames and shells differ in the amount of space available internally. Some of them allow for a direct substitution of can motors from just about any source and others pose problems.
For example, the blue box GP38-2/40-2/50/60 shells have tabs that lock into the fuel tank, but also restrict the space available for a motor. I’m not sure if any retooling was done for the RTR line to change this. A-Line sells a motor specially sized to fit between the thicker parts of the shell so it won’t interfere when the shell is removed and replaced.
While the Kato plastic mounts often fit into Athearn frames, modification of the mounts or frame may be needed for a good fit. I repowered an Athearn SD40-2 with a Kato motor, and had to mill a portion of the frame before the mount would sit level. An alternative is to use either the A-Line cradle/weight parts as you noted, or build up some shim material.
One advantage of using the Kato mount is that a DCC decoder like an NCE DA-SR or Digitrax DH165-KO or -AO will screw right onto it and provide a secure location for the decoder. All of these are designed for the Kato motor leads to solder directly to the decoder if you add something like wire or resistor lead material in an inverted U-shape bet
Maxman,
I apologize to anyone,who I may have confused,by putting in links that did not work right…I was in the middle of trying to find out why some of my links did not work…I figured it out and the new (link) I posted,does work and he should find all his answers there…
Cheers, [:)]
Frank
No need to apologize for anything, poo sometimes happens. But my personal issue (not with you) with some of these threads is that no one answers the most important part of the question. I did go and look at the link. The same basic “will it fit” question was asked there. I believe that there were around 23 replies.
There was one “I don’t think it will” and one “I’m not sure”. Then there were 4 or 5 related to other motors, a link that no longer goes anyplace, 1 about drive shafts, 2 about motor alignment, and 11 that were related to current draw and/or decoders being “eaten”.
As far as I can tell, there is still not a definitive answer.
Oh, and for those who mention Kato motors, a friend of mine who gets a lot of use out of his motive power has had to replace many of those motors. According to him those motors have non-replaceable motor brushes. I don’t know if that is the wave of the future, but I’d prefer a motor with replaceable brushes if that were an option. And, yes, this has nothing to do with the original question either.
I think the earlier RTR stuff had more of a tendency for that. I have some more recent run D&RGW SD45’s and they run like KATO’s. Very smooth and quiet.
I assumeyou have a coffee grinder there. Otherwise, test your RTR and see if it runs well. As I said above, some of them are surprisingly smooth and quiet, and remind me of KATO’s. The SW1000 are that way too, although they do use a different motor than the traditional Athearn.
Maxman,
I agree with what you said,one of my main reasons to share that thread,there are so many ''Pro’s and Con’s,posted on some of these thread’s,that it winds up being the OP’s decision, as to whether or not,he wants to do anything at all…There was a thread,not very long ago,5 pages long and no one answered the OP’s original question. [(-D]
Model Railroading is Fun??[:)] to say the least…
Cheers,
Frank
Well,I see no reason why the Genesis motor wouldn’t fit the older RTR and some BB engines since the mounting holes are about the same.You will need to use screws instead of the older mounting pads.
The RTR engines already have the newer hex drive shafts and the older BB locomotive will require a complete drive shaft replacement.
Athearn RTR engines is a hit/miss some are as smooth as Kato while others have a growl-I notice this growl was at higher slot car speeds…
Now then.
Here’s the thing…The early RTR was nothing more then RTR BB locomotives with plastic handrails.The “second generation” (my term) features the hex drive,plastic handrails and grab irons.
Larry,
Yes, I will agree and the so-called,‘‘Growl’’ does not come from the motor,per-say,but the drive train…The older motors,whined at high rpm,not growled.
Cheers, [:)]
Frank
Frank,I fully agree…I only use the term “growl” because that’s the common description of the whine many modelers use-the BB engine “growl”.
Still if one looking for a good whine turn to Tenshado diesels.[(-D]
Larry,
I’ve said this numerous times before,Athearn BB’s were the first,to come out with sound,in they’re Model’s…[bow]
Cheers,
Frank
No reason whatsoever a Genesis motor wouldn’t fit in a BB/RTR Athearn or vice-versa. They both have the same size motor space and share the same type motor mount, ie four lug. On occasion I’ve put Kato motors in BB locos. Now putting an Athearn BB motor in an Atlas FP7, that’s a trick. Been there and done that.