Has anyone ever had success obtaining Athearn N scale Locomotive parts? For example, I would really like to have an undec F45 shell. No mention of N scale parts on Athearn's website, but I've sent an email. I suspect they just aren't into parts as part of their N scale business model, but perhaps they might be like Intermountain, who also don't list parts, but seem to be able to come up with pretty much anything you might want or need. Any positive experiences out there? Thanks, Richard.
Closest I can claim, for parts are replacement gears for my Challenger. Front driver set siezed. Gears had to be PRYED out of gear tower! Inquired about replacement set and cost. Had a new set of gears in 2-3 days. Good news I think.
I met with an Athearn staffer back in late March. They have a lot of logistical issues regarding their recent move, such as (at least at the time) the lack of a functioning telephone and internet connection. He told me they had to use rented cellphones to conduct business just after the move. I hope all that is working now, but there was also a big backlog in parts requests.
I have been back and forth with them for a whilw for parts for one of my 2-6-0's. they have been very informitive, and have kept me in the loop on everything. China is the only thing that is holding them up now. on a related note, if you have a spare U-joint and drive shaft for the MDC/Roundhouse/Athearns 2-8-0/2-6-0, PM Me please.
Kader is quickly becoming the bane of the model train world. It seems that the companies they didn't dump (and refuse to release tooling to a new producer) are hopelessly backordered and delayed. They are single handedly ruining the entire industry.
