Tyco f- unit

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
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I have a tyco f-unit(ho scale) that is 30+ years old. The motor still woorks but is not very good. I was wondering if I could mount the body shell on a atheran frame ans use the athern motor. i know most of you are saying why not jus throw away the tyco, but I really like and it deserves a second chance.

this article inspired me to rebuild my old tyco http://cid.railfan.net/eci2695.html#top

thanks fo rall your help

ShaunCN[:D]

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Why not keep your eyes and ears open? I’ve come across these old units from time to time at train shows and they work as good as the day they were made. In fact I recently bought one. Why you may ask[%-)] because those engines are part of the first recollections I have of the hobby. They run at a scale speed of 150mph+, they have a high pitch roar/whine like no other diesel that would be balked at by most because of the need for silence but they are unique. Yes you may re-engine your tyco but would it be the same?

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You should be able to make it fit. I am a big fan of recycling older serviceable trains, particularly ones with sentimental value. I am rebuilding a Tyco E7 I had as a kid using an Aline chassis. The is a book I have somewhere in the workshop, I think from Model Railroading Magazine called Athearn Modelling or something…it talks about using Athearn chassis for

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The Walthers F Unit dress up kit is still available. While some componets (Mainly the window inserts) are inteded for the athearn Shell, The rest of it is aplicable to all F units.

Another option is the Stewart F unit drive. Talking to other modelers, the Athearn Shell drops right on to it with no modification, Meaning that the Tyco unit may need only minor modification to fit it as well. And then you have the advantage of your unit being driven by one of the best drives in Model Railroading.

James.

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Despite not being a collector, I could kick myself as most of my first electric train stuff was passed on to relatives.

If I’d have the stuff today it would reside in a display case, with a nice note “HJ’s first electric train”.

Nope I wouldn’t modify it, I’d keep it as a “that’s how it started” reminder.

7

I have the same thing. Is it a Chessie System?

Mine still works, but has a lot of wheel slip and I don’t now why. The thing has plenty of weight and I cleaned the wheel (in case there was grease). Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jer

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Hi Shaun;

Take a look at: http://tycotrain.tripod.com/tycotrains/

You can find Tyco locomotives on ebay all the time.

Is the bottom of the trucks on your unit metal or plastic? If plastic, are there spur gears near the wheels, or gears in the center of the axle?

Is the weight one solid chunk, or does it have a plastic housing on the bottom, or is it a bunch of thin piece of steel inside a plastic case?

My second locomotive was a Tyco F9, in Santa Fe freight. My third was one in Santa Fe Passenger…

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Thanks guys fo rall your help. I think I will detail the body a bit more and wait till the next train show to see if I can get a atheran chassis.

shaunCN

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Gerfust,

Is your unit a Tyco or a LifeLike? I remember LL having Chessie F units with an “ultra high” gloss paint in the late 70s, I think.

Some of those old units, including Tycos, used rubber tires around the driving wheels for traction. My Santa Fe Tyco F9 from 1973 had the rubber tires. When I took them off, the unit at full throttle and wheels slipping would creep along at 5 scale miles per hour. If this is not the case then you should check and make sure your gears are meshing properly.

This is why it was such a joy for me when I bought my first powered Athearn in 1977 (a Seaboard Coast LIne U33B). What a shocker for me: A locomotive that ran smoothly at low speeds with no jolting, equipped with flywheels, a drive shaft, and all wheel pickup!–It was like driving a Ford Pinto and changing over to a V-8 powered Thunderbird.

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Hi Shaun I still have my F9 ( four louvers?) SANTA FE 4015 made in AUSTRIA.l Bought it back in the 70’s. Looks & runs like new. Hardly ever used it more interested in steam. I have it sitting on a shelf collecting dust. Working on my new layout after having all the old stuff in retirement for 25 years even useing all my old brass rail track. Just call me crazy but i like it.

Larry

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Hi Shaun I still have my F9 ( four louvers?) SANTA FE 4015 made in AUSTRIA.l Bought it back in the 70’s. Looks & runs like new. Hardly ever used it more interested in steam. I have it sitting on a shelf collecting dust. Working on my new layout after having all the old stuff in retirement for 25 years even useing all my old brass rail track. Just call me crazy but i like it.

Larry

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Shaun,
After modifying the pilot or cutting off the front coupler mount on the Athearn chassis, the newer spur gear drive Tyco shell will fit right on. The older worm drive Tyco shells will need some mounting lugs and tabs ground off the inside of the shell and the slots cut out for the Athearn mounting tabs. Either way it’s not that difficult.

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The book I was tinking of is called Model Railroading with Athearn. It shows methods of using Athearn chassis with other shells. ALine/Proto Power West also has a couple of repowering books on the market.

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I think a lot of us, though we won`t admit to it, started with tyco. It was just readily available, and certainly the most visible model rr stuff. I recall having the silver streak train set. It had that power torque drive, which was horrible. the original drive was better and allowed for better proportioned trucks. I remember getting a Pennsylvania F9 that my brother had, but I was foolish enough not to preserve it, instead used it as a painting test bed.

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which type of Athearn body/motor would work to drop a F9 chassis on it?