[Erie Lackawanna PA]

Newbie here has a question.

I just got back into trains thanks to my 4 year old son.
I have a Athern Alco PA made around '77 my dad bought me new.
I just had it serviced (new motor mounts, drive shaft, cleaned wheels)
and although it runs good, it's seriously lacking some balls, it only pulls about 10 cars and seems to need to warm up a while before it will pull.
I admit the curves are a little tight, but it seems this being a larger engine it should pull more then it does. It also seems a noticeably slower. Any suggestions ?

Thanks

 

[shaygetz]

Welcome...:thumbsup:

http://www.essortment.com/all/athearnmodeltr_rkec.htm

Some electrical help towards the end... http://www.mcor-nmra.org/Publications/Articles/Athearn_TuneUp.html

 

[tomustang]

Since you said you just got back in the hobby did you try out other locomotives on your track to rule out a bad connection?

What track are you running, nickel-silver or brass?

 

[Erie Lackawanna PA]

Welcome...:thumbsup:

http://www.essortment.com/all/athearnmodeltr_rkec.htm

Some electrical help towards the end... http://www.mcor-nmra.org/Publications/Articles/Athearn_TuneUp.html

TY

Since you said you just got back in the hobby did you try out other locomotives on your track to rule out a bad connection?

What track are you running, nickel-silver or brass?

They all work real well, newer Life Like track, I just thought it would have more guts then it does. Its brass track. Seems when it was newer it was quicker also.

 

[tankist]

Shay, awesome article. thank you

Eirie, brass tends to oxidize and will require good cleaning from time to time

 

[Reckers]

That was a good article, though the headlight/arc welder part went right over my head. I don't use any Athern, but the Pearl Drops and lubricant sections alone made it worth reading. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[cncproadwarrior]

Make sure the wheels are clean so that they make good contact with the rails. After 30+ years, they may have built up some corrosion.