I am currently in the process of rebuilding/overhauling about 15 locomotives, mostly Athearn BB, but also some Atlas ‘yellow box’ c.1980’s. I began about two months ago with a pair of Atlas FP7’s and installed NWSL motor kits. They worked well beyond my expectations. But as with many people these days…economics has come into play. NWSL drives are very spendy. On the Micro Mark site I found a drive system similar to NWSL for about $20. less per unit. The MM set runs at 1000 RPM less than NWSL, which is good for Athearn locomotives set up for their Jet series motors. Has anyone refit with MM drives?
The next question. Since a number of my Athearn engines will be needing parts I don’t already have. Has anyone dealt directly with Athearn for parts? I’ve seen some recent bad press about them. I don’t want to order ‘available parts’ and only find them in the mail in months or even years later.
Can’t comment on the MM drives, but I can say I’ve ordered parts from Athearn numerous times and have always gotten them in a timely manner. Even parts that weren’t listed on their site I found to be available just by giving their parts department a call. Very helpful.
I like the Athearns part people. I like NWSL motors but my favorite is the Kato motor. I get them with the flywheels and use their hex drive then the Athearn Genesis drive line to the cup on the tower. I can’t recall, but think I have to replace the cup on the tower too, but drill out first? The Athearn genesis motor from their parts people isn’t bad either. The hex drive for Kato and Athearn Genesis are interchangeable as best I recall on the motor end.
The Micro motor does work in BB units. The have a mount that they sell separately to hold the moor in place. I have also seen it just held with a double side tape. The motor develops a lot of torque relative to the older motor. The mount is really needed to keep it seated properly.
A number of places sell BB parts on line. E-bay is a good place to start. The issue you find is no one has everything you need. Often, the same thing is cheaper on their web site if they have one. Basically you have to shop around. Buying directly from Athearn will cost more, but they may be able to fill the empty slots. At the end of the day the cost of shipping usually is the deciding factor for me.
NWSL uses the 2032 motor as part of the rebuild kit that includes dual flywheels and driveline parts. I tried this setup at the recommendation of my LHS, but as I said originally they are very spendy…yes, $50. The Micro Mark motor and driveline kits looks like a possible and less costly alternative…@ $30.
I hate to say it…since Kato seems to be respected by so many. I have several and don’t like them.
This is somewhat old news now, but since we are on the subject of upgrading locomotives I have to tell the members of this forum of a relatively simple and inexpensive method of upgrading old motors.
Some time ago, I had collected a couple of my brass engines which were ideal candiates for motor replacements, I had ordered some new can motors to replace some of he old open frame motors which were picked for replacement.
One of the members of the local model railroad club had given me some to the earth magnets marketed by Micro Mart ti try.
It was very easy to replace the old magnet on one of the engines that I had intended to install a new can motor.
The results, were to say the least, unbelievable. I could not believe the speed control this old engine was now almost as responsive as my newer BLI engines. These magnets are not that expensive, especially in comparison of doing motor replacements.
I’ll be taking this approach with a number of open frame motored locos I have, several old…OLD Tyco/Mantua engines and a PFM 4-6-2 brass that has been a 20 year nightmare.
I’m going to try out number of things Micro Mark sells…even if it could make something go…poof!
One of the reasons for upgrading the motors was to convert a few more of my brass engines to DCC.
As it stands with the old open frame motors they draw too much amperage to be able to use most HO DCC decoders. However, I am told that with the new earth magnets a few of the current DCC decoders will work, otherwise one has to buy some of the more expensive decoders meant for the larger scale engines which have significant higher amperage ratings…
As I mentioned the speed control alone makes it worth doing the upgrade.