06-10-2011, 07:45 AM
Thanks Jonte,
now there is a new idea I will have to try myself in time, Dettol & tapwater. Did it come of easy or did it require some scrubbing?
I've recently stripped an Athearn shell using brakefluid, but if I can use something a bit less messy then that would be better. :-)
As for backdrops: I've read about using vinyl floor off cuts, as you can easily bend and shape it in all sorts of contours to follow the room/boards etc, the back facing the layout of course, and that being painted. I think that you'd be able to clamp it on to the posts to your overhead lights etc, and therefore could remove it and roll up when moving the layout. Just a thought.
As for the running qualities of the Athearn loco: I asume you got yourselves an older 'bluebox' loco there? It will pay to take apart the gear towers, and clean it all out, re-lube etc. If the original motor is there, you could either opt to use a repowering kit from A-Line (which uses a Mashima can motor), or give the motor some TLC. Cleaning & polishing the commutator (with some 800 or 1000 grid sand paper), and perhaps replace the carbon brushes + springs. The original wheels, when worn, can be replaced by wheels from North West Short Line (NWSL). In general there's a lot you can do to improve the running of these Athearns. Finally, a good quality DCC decoder (if you're going DCC) will also help to smooth it all out. :-)
Keep us posted, and by all means , don't stop posting. There are quite a few on here that read every thread, but don't always reply. Lurking about , as you suggested :-)
Cheers!
Koos
now there is a new idea I will have to try myself in time, Dettol & tapwater. Did it come of easy or did it require some scrubbing?
I've recently stripped an Athearn shell using brakefluid, but if I can use something a bit less messy then that would be better. :-)
As for backdrops: I've read about using vinyl floor off cuts, as you can easily bend and shape it in all sorts of contours to follow the room/boards etc, the back facing the layout of course, and that being painted. I think that you'd be able to clamp it on to the posts to your overhead lights etc, and therefore could remove it and roll up when moving the layout. Just a thought.
As for the running qualities of the Athearn loco: I asume you got yourselves an older 'bluebox' loco there? It will pay to take apart the gear towers, and clean it all out, re-lube etc. If the original motor is there, you could either opt to use a repowering kit from A-Line (which uses a Mashima can motor), or give the motor some TLC. Cleaning & polishing the commutator (with some 800 or 1000 grid sand paper), and perhaps replace the carbon brushes + springs. The original wheels, when worn, can be replaced by wheels from North West Short Line (NWSL). In general there's a lot you can do to improve the running of these Athearns. Finally, a good quality DCC decoder (if you're going DCC) will also help to smooth it all out. :-)
Keep us posted, and by all means , don't stop posting. There are quite a few on here that read every thread, but don't always reply. Lurking about , as you suggested :-)
Cheers!
Koos
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