Last weekend I bought an Athearn AC4400 dummy. This evening, I test ran it with an Athearn RTR AC4400 and it was brutal. The dummy kept on derailing, especially on switches. How can I improve the performance, maybe I should change the wheels to metal (I don’t know)? Can you please provide some ideas.
My radius is 22" and I use Peco Streamline switches (24" radius)
Thank you,
ps. I own an Athearn RTR AC4400 and C44-9W and they both run fine on my track. Thus it leads me to believe that the dummy is the problem.
I’m not exactly sure what kind of problems you are having, but I’ll guess the dummy needs more weight. Add an ounce or so of weight to the floor of the dummy and see what happens. If you need to add more weight.
SET IT ON FIRE!!!
seriously tho, yea metal wheelsets cant hurt, make sure it’s weighed down properly, also you might wanna make sure the wheelsets are a little loose, sometimes I get rolling stock that slips because the screw that holds the wheelset on is to tight.
Dummy units from Athearn seem to run better with the complete metal wheelsets from a powered unit, bearings and all, but just for money’s sake I would check the gage of the plastic ones first. I’m sure you can get metal wheelsets from NWSL or Athearn, should you so desire.
Make sure the wheelsets are free rolling(don’t bind up) as well.
I have heard from several modelers that Athearn AC400s from the first one had a big problem with warped frames due to uneven cooling during the casting process. The warping was typically a bow in the frame where the center of the frame was further in than the ends making an an upward bow in the frame when sitting on tracks. Sight along it and make sure the frame is straight. I am told to correct this problem, that if one clamps the fule tank section in a vice, and applys some firm but gentle pressure to pu***he ends up It will strighten out.
Adding some weight to the chassis is going to help allot, adding the metal wheels will cure it. I have had this problem for years with the plastic dummy wheels, they are either out of gauge and the loco is to lite, does it do ok through switches or is this the place it derails the worst?
I have a P-40 dummy and an SDFP 45 dummy and both tend to run better as the “leader.” That would tend to support the weight issue and changing the wheels certainly wouldn’t hurt. I don’t know about the AC4400 but another thing to check is the distance between the railhead and the bottom of the snowplow or other leading edge on the unit.
Could you use the old wheelsets from other units that you have rewheeled with NWSL metal wheels? I so I might be able to send you some. How many do you need?
Mike Dickinson
If I remember correctly the dummies have a plastic piece that holds a metal axle with the plastic wheels on this axle. I’m not sure if any manufacturer makes replacements for those plastic wheels.SEE POST BELOW! To use the Athearn or NWSL wheels, you would still need the entire powered axle assembly since the wheelset fits on that gear and bearing assembly, so SEE BREEZERS POST BELOW.
I have performed this to all my athearn dummies and what a difference it made. I started by removing the shell and removed trucks from frame. I then removed large amounts of weight by grinding away on internal area of frame that is hidden when shell is installed. Be carefull where you grind. Where the truck rides againts the frame, it is usually bare metal to provide electrical contact as if the engine was going to be powered, I repaint this to help prevent an electrical path. Now, take the bottom retaining clip off the trucks and remove the stock plastic wheels and remove the plastic clip that is on the axles and save these. Go to your hobby shop and purchase NWSL wheels P/N 7130-4. Take the new wheel set and trim the inner black plastic insulator flush with the wheel. Apply dry graphite to axle clip and snap on new axle. Make sure wheel assy spins free in clip and then drop in truck. Complete procedure for remaining wheel assy’s. and reassemble trucks. Put on track and see how it performes. Put small amount of not conductive grease on truck swivel area on frame and reinstall trucks on frame. Put on track and see how it performs. If all is good, reinstall shell. I have done this to all my Athearn dummies and they perform GREAT and it is cheap to do. Sorry to be so long winded. Breezer
David,Why bother making a stupid troll like reply?? I am sure what you do will become standard procedure or become a CNN breaking news story.The man is looking for SERIOUS answers to his serious question.
This seams to be a lot of work for a dummy engine. Why not just find some powered trucks and remove the gears. This way if you ever want to power the unit, just replace the gears and add a can motor and driveshafts.
Bob K.