This Site is the home of the old Athearn Diesel overhaul and Tune-up Guide content.

Back to The Locomotive Tune-up Resource Guide

This is just a compilation of things learned and passed down to me through years of reworking Athearn diesels for Myself, others and a club I belonged to several years ago.  If you have other methods, or opinions on the subject presented, please e-mail me (nicely) and suggest them. I am in no way responsible for you messing up your locomotives. I am also in no way affiliated with Athearn or any other locomotive manufacturer.

Wheel Replacement Guide -- Replace those iron wheelsets with Plated or Solid NS wheels

Re-motoring Kit  Guide -- Re-motor with a nice Sagami or Mashima can motor and precision flywheels.

Athearn Diesel Tune-up

The tune-up guide is divided into three parts

Before you begin -- A list of tools, parts and things you may need to purchase before continuing.

Part 1: Disassembly -- Start here.

Part 2a: Quick and easy tune-up -- For the casual Railroader, gets them running  acceptably.

Part 2b: Total Overhaul -- For the serious Railroader. Includes motor replacement and minor locomotive modifications.

Part 3: Reassembly and Tweaking  -- The finishing touches.

Credits

I take only compilation and the majority of research credit for this project.   It is a compilation of numerous things I have read and been taught by fellow modelers.  A message by Mr Fred Dabney on the rec.models.railroad newsgroup was the inspiration for this project.  Advice, editing and pictures provided by Ray Wheeler.

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