I have an old Athearn F7 (HO) that I would like to re-motor. No idea what my choices are? Any help would be appreciated. I have vertually nothing invested in it so spending some money to make it run smooth is worth it not to mention the expierience. Tks
Terry[8D]
I’ve got one from the 1950’s that’s running with its original motor. I put in a decoder and a LED headlight, and upgraded the horn-hook and the empty front coupler pocket to Kadees. I’ve got another one from a train show that’s probably 20 years younger that got the same treatment.
From seeing the inside of these relics, I know that Athearn has changed designs over the years. If you can tell what year the engine was made, or even better if you can post a picture of the inside, then we’ll have a better idea of what’s going to be needed.
There’s something noble about doing this, I’m sure. These old things belonged to some kid who’s now coasting towards retirement, or maybe to a hobbyist who has gone to that Great Layout in the Sky. I love bringing these locos back to life.
MR B - Good to hear from you. I got this at a yardsale down here in the Florida Keys which in itself is a wonder to be sure. I got four or five boxes of mid 80’s vintage stuff. The athearn F7 in question was brand new in the box. It needed some cleaning and lubing but it runs fine with a Digitrax DH163 decoder. the problem is I am spoiled and don’t like to hear the grinding and crunching as it rolls on down the rail. I wanted to re motor it and put sound in it just as a project to do for the expierience. I ordered a detail kit for it today including windows and other small items I will either lose or break but the windows will really help its appearance. It has a double headlight so I put in two 5mm LEDs and it lights up the entire neighborhood. I know the “helix humper” motor has a replacement for the loco. I was just wondering what brand other folks were happy with.
Terry[8D]
Tks for the info Don.
Terry[8D]
If you go w/ the A-Line, you may need the the universal coupling asst. #12030. Where this is such an old drive( the fat motor- why hoods are so wide) some retrofitting of shafts may be in order.
Bob K.
With the change over to DSL from dial up my “Favorites” have escaped into the ether. Be that as it may, I have seen several threads on curing the source of the “noise” which is in the gear tower of the trucks. You may be able to search for “Pearl Drops” or “Lapping Compound” here on the forum for some of the threads to solve the “Problem”. In some cases if the motor is cleaned up, lubed, and the play from end to end is removed with washers and the rest of the drive train is cleaned up, overall performance can be greatly enhanced. You may find that flywheels may be beneficial as Athearn found themselves now decades ago.
Somehow spending $80.00 for a magnificent chasis is overkill under an old plastic F body, no matter how dressed up and detailed it may be, but that could just be my “cheap squeaking”. Take a look at some of the cures others have tried, as it will be part of that learning curve we all need to develop to make silk purses from sows ears. The resulting locomotive may become worthy of a sound chip to make noise instead of the motor and the drive train. Best of luck with the “project”, I always get a great deal of enjoyment from some hands on modelling.
Will
Walther’s carries a re-power kit for the Athearn F7 and other short wheel base locomotives.