Athearn 2-6-0 loco from "Thunder Rails set and DCC

Carl

Posts: 19
Joined: 2007-07-20

I've sent an inquiry to Athearn but haven't heard from them yet. I thought I would ask my question here as the storehouse of experience is huge at Nscale.net.

I'm asking if a DCC decoder can be fitted to the 2-6-0 locomotive that comes in the Thunder Rails train set. The specs on the locomotive says it has a split frame but the motor is installed in the tender. I have found a reasonably priced set at my local LHS but if a decoder cannot be installed it would be useless.

Thank you for your time.

Carl

Submitted by Carl on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 19:05.

Bryan

Posts: 4239
Joined: 2004-02-29

By carefully cutting the

By carefully cutting the coal load out, and adding hungry-boards, then re-fitting the coal load, you can make room for a decoder above the motor...

One or two wires have to be run from the tender to the loco for the head-light, depending on whether you want to wire the light half-wave or full-wave.

Bryan

Mon, 08/18/2008 - 19:26

pcarrell

Posts: 447
Joined: 2006-12-27

I followed this and found

I followed this and found it real helpful. I did find that you don't have to build the raised coal bunker though if you hollow out the bottom of the coal load and use one of the smaller decoders that have become available since this was written.

http://www.tcsdcc.com/decoderpics/mdc-n-scale-mogul.html

Philip

Always be ready with an answer for the hope that's within you.

Mon, 08/18/2008 - 20:06

Carl

Posts: 19
Joined: 2007-07-20

Thank you both!!

I didn't know the MRC and the Athearn were the same or based on the same design. I feel alot more comfortable about buying the train set. Its the later one with the metal wheels and better operating couplers.

Mon, 08/18/2008 - 20:23

ranulf

Posts: 514
Joined: 2005-05-29

I don't mean to hijack this

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but does anyone know how I could obtain a replacement driveshaft for one of these locomotives? Does Athearn have a parts department or something? How would I contact them?

"Do Not Hump!?!?! Does that mean what I think it means!?"

I only posted for the points.

Tue, 08/19/2008 - 07:42

pcarrell

Posts: 447
Joined: 2006-12-27

Question answered!

ranulf wrote:

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but does anyone know how I could obtain a replacement driveshaft for one of these locomotives? Does Athearn have a parts department or something? How would I contact them?

Ask and ye shall recieve!