Replacement wheelsets for Older Athearn diesels...

shaygetz

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May 2, 2003
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Could anyone direct me to the proper replacement NS wheelsets for the older Athearn deisels. There are at least 3 manufacturers but none is clear on whose fits the older metal framed trucks. Thanks for the help.
 
If my old and feeble memory serves me correctly I believe the older units use a wheel and axle assembly.The newer ones use stub axles and wheel sets.(they simply push into the drive gear).

I think NWSL has sets for the older units while the ones that Jay-Bee makes are for the newer units.

If all else fails you could call the respective companies and ask what fits what.

Nuther idea ,ya got a Walther's catalog. I think the wheels are listed by truck type in there or at least they used to be.
 
Thanks, Johnathan. I have ye olde Walther's catalog but they're not clear as to which fits what. After you mentioned NWSL, I went to www.nwsl.com and found that they actually make them for both models. Not only that, they make them in 3 tread widths, .110", .088" and finescale. Choices, choices....
 
Ok you asked for it ,here it is.

atruck1.jpg


atruck2.jpg


Remove the two clips shown in the above pics and your trucks will come apart.Just use a small flat blade screwdriver to pry them off.

I would suggest that you do this using a cakepan if possible or you may end up losing some pieces.

I would also suggest that yoi avoid the finescale wheel sets unless you are building to PROTO-87 specs.
 
Does anyone have a Walthers Catalogue number for the 3 types of NWSL wheel sets.

I believe that Athearn wheels don't have the NMRA RP25 contour and hence is one of the reasons why Athearn 6-axle locos sometimes short out going over Peco Insulfrog turnouts on layouts powered by DCC.
 
Walther's doesn't carry all 3 and it's much easier to just order them from NWSL. I just did a looksee and the Athearn wheelsets do follow the NMRA standards. What probably is shorting your turnouts is the width of the Athearn wheels. It's a problem we have on the club layout and my own module. I plan on using the .088" size wheels to remedy this.

I guess I should have been more specific Johnathan, I have four wheel diesels (GP7s and 35s) and I'm having a bear of a time getting them off of the frame.
 
atruck3.jpg


All Athearn trucks mount this way.You pop this clip off and the truck WILL fall out of the frame.The clip is plastic and very springy.

<edit> spelling error I should have caught.