Hello All, First off, I am new to this website, and I am having a blast. I enjoy reading all the wonderful posts and seeing layout photos. Cool stuff! I am hoping that there is someone out there that can help me. I recently purchased a rubber band drive RDC from a train show (there were no rubber bands included. got them from someone else). The RDC's motor ran on the test track. When I got home, I installed the rubber bands and then went to test it on my layout. The motor runs, but VERY slowly. Thinking there were something wrong with MY layout, I ran another engine just to be sure. That ran fine. I put the RDC back on and same thing. It ran slow even at full speed. ANY IDEAS WOULD REALLY HELP ME OUT! THANKS!!!
Welcome to TrainBoard. I own two of these Athearn RDCs, too. But I've got some friend to install another driving unit with can motor. I had never used this rubber band device. Wolfgang
I really do not think there is a way to adjust them. But what i did try just now was putting a small amount of oil on the vertical support where the driveshaft sits (between the two rubber bands) and that seemed to have done the trick... for now. Thank you for the post and the advice. I appreciate it
There is Out Shop Services in Allentown Pennsylvania that repowered the Athearn RDC I have. They powered the front truck using Athearn gears and so on. No more slipping or breaking rubberbands. Athearn might still sell the bands so check with them.
An Athearn RDC running slowly is a novelty. Usually they have two speeds - "stop" and "bat out of hell". If the rubber bands have stretched you can buy replacements. Athearn still sells them as spare parts. Or you could put in an Ernst gear set which greatly improves the running. Or you could throw it away and get a new Proto 1000 RDC for around $30. A far superior model in detail, running and it is also scale length (which the Athearn RDC isn't). Cheers David
I wouldn't toss out the Athearn model. It has been discontinued never to be made again. So it will be collectable. Also the BLW S12 has been discontinued and also never to be made again as is the FM H24-66 Trainmaster.
another problem i am having right now is that my trains are at home and i am here at school :'( but a few people have mentioned the repowering of the RDC. I am a very old school person and i like things to be original and 'stock'. i want to keep everything original. last time i played with it she ran fine after heavily oiling the drive shafts where they rest on the vertical supports. And like Mr. Bromage said, it does run like a bat out of hell, which does not bother me. And like Mr. SP said, it might be a collectible someday. So I can make due for now. then store it on the shelf and run it now and then. This site is wonderful because of people like you. I really appreciate all the help and input.
Great find. It is kinda nice to find something that old and make it run. However, don't worry about the collectible nature of the model, Most older HO stuff is just that.... old HO stuff. Even a lot of the brass from the early 80's is worth less than we paid for it then. Yes, I know that some people collect Tyco etc. but that is a very small market and you won't ever get much for those. Don't ever worry about your HO scale trains being an investment, just enjoy running them and have fun. That's all that matters.
You are absolutely right, Dee Das. I appologize if it sounded like i am interested in this hobby ONLY for investment purposes. I have always been interested in HO trains since i was a little kid. And even now that i am in college, I have a Tyco Mikado sitting on my shelve next to my text books. I do have alot of fun with my trains. My idea of a fun friday night is sitting in my basement and woking on the railroad. My girlfriend cant stand it sometimes :rotfl: Most of my collection is, as you said, old HO stuff, which i got from my grandfather. I would never even think of selling any of it. To me, there is more senimental value to them then money value. Some of the stuff i buy at shows or flea markets, sure i would sell them down the road to try to make room on the shelves. But please believe me, i do enjoy them.
Rubber band drives Another frequent problem with the rubber band drive is that one band is put on in reverse of the others when replacing them. Make sure that they are all running in the same direction off the shaft and around the axles. Doug
Thanks for the response Doug, I found out about the rubber bands running in the same direction the hard way when I was playing with it when i got it. had to take the trucks apart again and again to set them the right way. But I am convinced that the problem (I think) is somewhere in hte actual motor. I am going to play around more with it over Thanksgiving break.
If you want a running RDC-1, 2, or 3, Proto makes all of them; the latter can be had for something insane like 15 dollar each form the big discoutners like Trainworld. Keep the band drive for the naus[tals]ia collector nuts!!
dang, luckily i closed the window quickly... cause my girlfriend was right next to me when i was reading that Mopman LOL
