Here’s the lastest from Athearn.
Thank-you for your inquiry. Please note that we do not have an ETA for
these parts as of yet. If you have not done so already please send us
an e-mail requesting the number of drive axle assemblies that you need
along with your shipping address and we will send you some once they
come back into stock. Please send separate e-mails for each engine type,
i.e. 2-8-2 & 4-6-2.
Sincerely,
Athearn Trains
Some sad news from Athearn for all of you with a busted steamer…
Mark,
Thank-you for your patience in this matter. Please note that we did receive a small production run of the replacement drivers and promptly sent them all out to the people at “the front of the line.” We are actively trying to arrange a larger second run in order to satisfy all of the other requests and will send you one just as soon as we are able.
Sincerely,
Athearn Trains
Sounds like we need to wait a bit longer to get them repaired. Mine’s been busted for 2 1/2 years. They were “finalizing” the replacement drive design then, and were getting ready to place the order for the gears last December. At this rate they’ll FINALLY get the gears in what, 2012???
Mark in Utah
Hmmm, I have an Athearn Genesis Mikado that is still running just fine; but maybe I need to order replacement parts now so they will be available if it goes belly-up on me in the future. Thanks for the reminder about that…
Is there a part number for these?
I just specified the model locomotive (Mikado 2-8-2) and they seemed to know exactly what it was.
Mark in Utah
The only steamers they made and both failed
Ouch!! I think I’ll stick with BLI and Life-like. So far, so good; any wierd things about them have been attributable to my ineptitude at programming.
I feel sorry for those of you who have been disappointed with ‘down’ locos. Hopefully your parts will come to you before too many more months.
There might be something to the notion of ordering two of everything that you need, assuming Athearn would agree to it.
The only steamers they have made recently. I believe they produced some in the 50’s.
And then there is of course the most recent 4-6-6-4, which I ordered in November and still haven’t heard any thing about.
Latest correspondence:
Mark,
Thank-you again for your patience in this matter. Unfortunately we still have not received the replacements and do not have an ETA.
Sincerely,
Athearn Trains
It’s October. Regardless you won’t be disapponited in it’s mechancial operating features.