I got a new F59phi and have been struggling to get the darn couplers on it! I routinely tear apart engines and apply all sorts of detail parts, but never have I had such a problem as trying to get the couplers on this beast!!!! After 40 minutes of frustration I have come to the conclusion that they can't be put on this model as designed by athearn. Either the screws are too large or the hole is too small, but they don't work together---that's for sure. Anyone else have this problem? Any solutions you can send my way? Thanks
Your best move would be to send it to John Patton at: yellowstone10@hotmail.com and have him put them on professionally for you. His prices are reasonable, and he takes pride in performing a precision job. I have two items he has made, and am well satisfied with his workmanship. [ 17. December 2002, 10:40: Message edited by: watash ]
You may also rewiew the merits of installing a KD coupler. According to their coversion site, the athearn takes a # 38 or 36 with plow. Go to www.kadee.com and when the page pops up, on the left hand side click on product 1-79 Scroll down to #38 and click. Up pops an exploded picture with some explanation.
HMMMMM Of all the years I've done repairs this is a new one to add to all the rest. I've never seen nor heard of this. However, I HAVE ran into the Accasional Athearn that wasn't set correctly for the coupler plate and on the C-44-9's that were made for screws, the hole the screw goes into WAS NOT drilled out to except the screw! This is done after the loco is injection moulded, which leaves it up to someone to set it in another machine to drill this out for the couplers. Thing is, none of us are 100% true to perfect so.. The fellow running this machine had missed one to drill out... Which you got! I would sugest getting a Kadee drill and tap for the 2-56 screw, and drill it out with the small drill bit in that kit, and then take the tap and tap in the 2-56 threads. And once done, your well on your way with a Kadee coupler for the application.... Can never have to many drill bits or tap's and even dies in this hobby!
I was afraid you guys were gonna say that. No way were the screws going on either one of the coupler holes!!!! I had my miniature screwdriver out and had the thing lined up, but it wouldn't sit in the hole to get started. I have Rivarossi, Kato, Atlas, P2k, P1k, Athearn Genesis, IHC, Bachmann, and other Athearn's but have never had such a time trying to get the coupler box mounted to the frame!!!! I finally had to set the thing down and do something else to keep from getting too frustrated. Funny thing is---the box says it's Ready-to-Run------I found that very amusing since everything else I have every purchased I have had on the rails in 15 minutes or less. The only that has even come close for time consumption is puttin all the details on Kato units. Thanks for your help, I might have to tap the hole myself---yuck!!! Maybe this will give me cause to break out my Allegheny H-8 for a test drive and have some fun!!!! [ 18. December 2002, 08:27: Message edited by: bnsf4354 ]
Hey Bnsf4354 don't you know when a diesel doesn't want to run, it is ALWAYS more enjoyable to fire up a big steamer and watch all that valve motion dancing on the rails? (I have a suit of steel armour on, incase one of the deezul hounds throws rocks at me! ) snicker snicker
I love it when you need to call on a BIG steamer to save a diesel in distress Like this for instance.... A big diesel.... A DD-40....When pulling my "Famous" Work train...... Up the 1 percent grade on the other end of the layout had to be stoped, uncoupled and stuck in the siding, and replaced with..... And then THAT Rivarossi EL-5 hauled the rest of the day on that train... untill the train was switched to a freight train. AND even then, it hauled the freight train of choice with no arguement!!!!!
Watash, I'm almost sure it would at that! I've had 80 cars coupled to him ALONE already an when he said he was getting outta Dodge.... the train followed with no trouble.. Thing with a train THAT long is, you don't whip the throttle open to 40 on the dial in a blink of an eye... or It'll lay half or more of the train on its side! Then ya have a real mess! Sure does run.... I wish I could make ALL my loco's have the power hes got! I'd be happy... BUT I know why its so hard. I need to find the same type motor he's got and mount one in each steamer I have..... My EM-1 is going to get one! Maybe 2 depending on how it runs.. I'm hopping up the 7600 to run Varnish , but still have the capability to haul slow for freight services too!
I'll have to try to add more then needed oil in the motor ole buddy! Its a tractor motor, and will blow smoke if its got enough oil in it! Which I had a cousin to do that to his dads lawn tractor! it leaked oil and you had to add so much oil every so offen being they had needed it and the seal wasn't in the shop (being a special order) so. and he had put to much oil in it. and man did the thing blow out the smoke! So.. It'll make enough smoke for BOTH stacks on my EM-1! Then again. You might call that a ruined set of rings! and burnt slugs and cylinder walls! EDIT: forgot a good burnt set of valves too! [ 24. December 2002, 08:19: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]
Maybe it should be mandatory that you have to furnish a full set of detailed instructions on how to "make the engine finished so you can run it" with every new engine, and most of the used ones. Especially the new plastic ones!
I've been thinking of doing that to the loco's I rebuild and install new motors being it changes their basic maintenance locations for oils and grease! I have given this some thought.... Just haven't made up my mind if the effort would be worth going through with it....
