Hi, I’m new here and just returned to model railroading 17 years after abandoning it to be a teenager. I’m excited to get back into railroading and hopefully get my 4 year old son interested.
For Christmas, I asked my parents for the remains of my childhood train set. It’s been poorly stored (mostly my fault for where I put it way-back-when) in a damp and unheated area. I was able to get all but two of my engines turning last night (way exciting). Anyway, I have this switcher and was wondering if any one of you could help me out. When I opened it up, I noticed each axle was belt driven. The “belts” had since solidified and when I touched the first one, it crumbled. The second one did the same. I would like to replace them and was wondering if you had some ideas of what I could do. I also wanted to see if any of you know what brand this might be since there is no branding ID on it that I can find, and also, if this actually models a real switcher, what type of switcher is it?
It is made by Athearn, called the “Hustler”. As for the drive belts you can go to their website and order more belts, which are basically rubber bands, or just try to find some smaller rubber bands that will fit, nothing “exact” here, just make certain that they aren’t too tight or stiff.
As for what it is supposed to depict, I’m not 100% sure of this but I think it’s supposed to be a Plymouth Industrial switcher and I’m thinking a 25 ton switcher but again I’m just trying to remember what I knew about this from 25-30 years ago.
You will need to put a very small amount of a good grade of oil on the motor bearings, preferably NOT 3in1 oil. If there is a hobby shop within driving distance of you ask for LaBelle #108, no substitutes!!! You would also be able to oil the axle bearings with the LaBelle as well but try not to get any oil on the areas where the rubber bands / drive belts will make contact.
The rubber bands sold in the big box stores are useless. Try a tack store ( as in horses) and try the bands used to braid manes. Small thin “O” rings are also good.
My plan would be to see if there is a regearing set for it. I think Ernist Mfg. made a regearing set for it and Northwest Shortline would also be a good guess.
From the motor and power pickup, it’s not an original 50s/60s Hustler. They had an open frame motor and a wire held with a screw from one sideframe to the motor. This one is probably late 70s or 80s production, maybe later
Wow, thanks for all the helpful information. Since my first post I went down to the local Ace and picked up some O-rings. 5/8" ID worked okay, but the ring itself was a little thick and was binding slightly between the ‘idler pulley’ and the drive axles. They didn’t turn very well over the motor shaft pulley causing the engine to make more revs than it transferred to the the drive belts. Needless to say they didn’t work.
Today I went to Tacoma Trains and looked around. Holy cow, I felt like I was ten again. However, I picked up some Labelle 108. I came home and lubed up any rotating pieces. I also decided that I’d try a couple of my daughter’s hair rubber bands as drive belts. They worked great. Now I just need some couplers and I can pull some cars with it.
I forgot this thing does mach-8 on 100% power and has terrible starting/low speeds. I’m really tempted to re-gear it but don’t really have any idea of what to get. I went to NWSL’s website but I have no idea where to start. I saw another gentleman on this forum convert his with a transfer gearbox. It looked amazing running on youtube after his conversion:
However, I’d like to reuse the same motor. Can I put some worm gears on each end of the motor shaft and transfer power to the axles that way? Anyone have a parts list for this type of conversion?
