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Posted - February 03 2010 : 10:33:56 AM
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Does anybody here collect Athearn Hi-Fi driven engines? I thought about buying a few.
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - February 03 2010 : 11:45:52 AM
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I've got one. It came in a lot that I got for $2. That's the only positive thing I can say about it.
But seriously, It's an ATSF GP9 in the black and white colors, which I love. It runs, but not well. There seems to be a lot of trouble going through turnouts, and the rubber bands don't always stay on the shaft. I don't have any plans to get more of these, in fact as soon as I find another modern GP9 to put the shell on I'll abandon it to the junk box.
On the other hand, I only own one, so my experience may not be the norm.
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Posted - February 03 2010 : 12:24:13 PM
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hey There:
got a few.
F-7'A's PRR MIB, CNR F-7B's CNR Several Hutlers (one NIB 1991) about 5 I think dating from the 50's through the last year of production 1991. since added a a 1960 RDC set, HI-F
-Gareth
"A is A" -Aristotle Law of Identification
Edited by - romcat on May 16 2010 3:48:17 PM
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Posted - May 16 2010 : 3:20:40 PM
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I have a couple;
4 Hustlers from the final 1991 run (3 NIB) All of them run. make that 7 hustlers including a Lionel Issue Rio Grande one. One is a circa 1965 vintage yellow box unit in brand new/mint condition with the box in same shape.
1 RDC3 (ATSF) runs great
1 CB&Q F7A (in original yellow box with cardboard cradle). runs great.
and my fave (and my most rare Athearn Loco) a Hi-F GP7 decorated for International Minerals and Chemical. It doesnt run and one wire is disconnected. But Im working on restoring it cosmetically nonetheless.
Also have a Lionel issue Wabash GP7 in original box. Havent put new bands on it. Larry-SOU2645
Edited by - SOU2645 on July 18 2010 09:20:36 AM
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Posted - May 16 2010 : 8:04:40 PM
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quote:Does anybody here collect Athearn Hi-Fi driven engines? I thought about buying a few.
Originally posted by Redneck Justin - February 03 2010 : 10:33:56 AM
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I don't specifically collect them, but I have some, and they're fun to run around, being high-speed little guys. I think I have a Budd car with that drive, too. Trying to find a way to gear-drive them instead of band-driven, but for now, I enjoy them as-is.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - May 16 2010 : 10:29:09 PM
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Just started to "chase" Athearn myself....The Tyco "red box" stuff is starting to dry up for me...so when I see this older Athearn stuff at shows I try to buy it...here are some of my recent purchases...





BT
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Posted - May 17 2010 : 06:26:12 AM
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Yeah:
been liking the old Athearn myself recently. Got a 40' CNR Boxcar with a real wood floor and meatl body from the early 50's (Unbuilt kit). A while back I added a RDC set from 60-61 and I got two Athearn Little Monsters 0-4-2T Vulcan's a few months back. Gonna start looking for more of those cars. Lots of parts to them which means lots of adaptability.
-Gareth
"A is A" -Aristotle Law of Identification
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Posted - July 18 2010 : 09:48:14 AM
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very nice taycotrans I wants a Hustler too someday
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Posted - October 03 2011 : 7:03:27 PM
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OK, so setting aside the as yet not proven Hi-F 4-6-2 Pacific Steamer what are ALL the Hi-F's thata were built?
I thought we covered this but I've gone through the Athearn stuff and not seen a definitive list. So here's my start:
Hustler (Blunt and pointed axle vers) F-7 A/B (Not certain they sold "B's" as Hi-F units but they used their frames it appears) GP-7/9 depending on your interpretation RDC's
I know there are others I must have overlooked... anyone can you add?
-Gareth
"A is A" -Aristotle Law of Identification
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Posted - October 03 2011 : 7:22:17 PM
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You forgot the Hi-F DD40.
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Posted - October 03 2011 : 7:26:48 PM
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Um,........ 
-Gareth
"A is A" -Aristotle Law of Identification
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Posted - October 03 2011 : 7:28:39 PM
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Can you imagine having to replace 8 rubber bands?
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Posted - October 03 2011 : 7:32:26 PM
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Happily the answer is no!
I'm trying to remember my high school physics and what the effect of putting a wheel on the motor out put shaft for the band to run over would do? I think it would make them just run faster I think....
-Gareth
"A is A" -Aristotle Law of Identification
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Posted - October 03 2011 : 7:36:11 PM
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Yep, you want the smallest diameter on the motor output shaft driving the largest reduction gear or pulley possible.
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Edited by - NickelPlate759 on October 03 2011 7:37:29 PM
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Posted - October 03 2011 : 7:47:42 PM
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Wonder about a intermediate large diameter idler pulley.
See what hanging out with TYCO-Holics does! It messes with the mind. It's like belonging to the "silk purse from a sow's ear" school of engineering! Arrrgggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. 
Fun to burn a few brain cells on though!
-Gareth
"A is A" -Aristotle Law of Identification
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Pierce
Big Six


Status:
offline
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Posted - October 03 2011 : 7:52:57 PM
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quote:
I don't specifically collect them, but I have some, and they're fun to run around, being high-speed little guys. I think I have a Budd car with that drive, too. Trying to find a way to gear-drive them instead of band-driven, but for now, I enjoy them as-is.
Jerry
Originally posted by AMC_Gremlin_GTÂ -Â May 16 2010Â :Â 8:04:40 PM
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Jerry Ernst makes gearing kits for the budd cars keep a eye out on ebay or google it.
walthers has them for $19.98 http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/259-3
Maybe expensive but the results could be worth it I have never used them in the budd car but I did in the hustler and like it.
Adam
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Posted - October 03 2011 : 7:53:35 PM
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quote:OK, so setting aside the as yet not proven Hi-F 4-6-2 Pacific Steamer what are ALL the Hi-F's thata were built?
Hustler (Blunt and pointed axle vers) F-7 A/B (Not certain they sold "B's" as Hi-F units but they used their frames it appears) GP-7/9 depending on your interpretation RDC's
I know there are others I must have overlooked... anyone can you add?
-Gareth
Originally posted by romcat - October 03 2011 : 7:03:27 PM
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Well, since you said Hi-F, and not Hi-F with MOTOR, there's the Athearn Rotary snow plow that uses a HI-F drive system to power the rotor blades. You push the plow with a powered unit,but technically it IS a Hi-F unit. 
Jerry
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Posted - October 03 2011 : 7:58:15 PM
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Think that's stretching the semantics just a wee bit there Jerry! 
Adam; I have a couple of unused Ernst kits but they are for the Hustler, theres at least two versions of the kit.
-Gareth
"A is A" -Aristotle Law of Identification
Edited by - romcat on October 03 2011 8:00:11 PM
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Posted - October 03 2011 : 7:59:26 PM
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Jerry, it has the Hi-F motor and steel shaft turning the plow, so I guess you could turn it into a powered unit if you were so inclined... (Calm down, Romcat. )
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Posted - October 03 2011 : 8:01:27 PM
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Seriously, it spins the plow!?
Cool.
-Gareth
"A is A" -Aristotle Law of Identification
Edited by - romcat on October 03 2011 9:21:46 PM
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Posted - October 04 2011 : 6:14:27 PM
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I have a few F units several Hustlers and the newest one I posted in LotW. Part of our first train set was a B&O F7 and nonpowered B unit. I intend to take them more seriously.
Alco Fan
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Posted - October 04 2011 : 6:26:56 PM
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quote:Seriously, it spins the plow!?
Cool.
-Gareth
Originally posted by romcat - October 03 2011 : 8:01:27 PM
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Yes the rotors do spin.
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Posted - June 17 2013 : 6:01:44 PM
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Here's my latest Hi-F kit....a mint never assembled Rectifier!
Larry
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Posted - June 17 2013 : 7:32:07 PM
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| I have a plow someone put a Rivarossi motor in to make it go. I found they needed weight added for the rubber band drive to work.
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Posted - June 18 2013 : 11:58:40 AM
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quote:
Here's my latest Hi-F kit....a mint never assembled Rectifier!
Larry
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Larry! That is one awesome piece!!
Sean
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Posted - June 18 2013 : 1:45:45 PM
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M&S, you know Larry is the King of Athearn!!!
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Posted - June 18 2013 : 2:23:20 PM
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Hi-Fi drive, I use them as dummy frames, they can be used as extra pickup in AB F unit combo. I find the speed excessive and the stops are almost comical. I'm not being critical, just stating my opinion. It is a great forum and what ever floats your boat is Ok by me.
Regards, John ******************************************************************** There are not enough Indians in the world to defeat the Seventh Cavalry. George Armstrong Custer
Benteen, come on, big village, be quick. Bring packs. George Armstrong Custer
Edited by - JRG1951 on June 18 2013 4:24:42 PM
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Posted - June 18 2013 : 4:58:11 PM
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its Hi-F locos Hi-Fi as in High Fidelity like a stereo system  I should get one of these Especially one of the Rectifier locos
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Posted - June 18 2013 : 6:18:56 PM
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Ben, Did a web search, you are right. You realize that the English language is the only language in the world where Fat Chance and Thin Chance mean the same thing.
Regards, John ****************************************************
When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary. <> Thomas Paine
Edited by - JRG1951 on June 18 2013 6:25:27 PM
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Posted - June 18 2013 : 10:00:51 PM
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| I sold an Athearn R-T-R Pacific earlier this year, the box actually said Hi-Fi drive on it, even though the engine was gear drive. The white box with red print and a window on the front.
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Posted - June 18 2013 : 10:38:08 PM
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quote:Hi-Fi drive, I use them as dummy frames, they can be used as extra pickup in AB F unit combo. I find the speed excessive and the stops are almost comical.
Originally posted by JRG1951Â -Â June 18 2013Â :Â 2:23:20 PM
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Unless you do this:
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Posted - June 19 2013 : 10:51:26 AM
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quote: quote:
Here's my latest Hi-F kit....a mint never assembled Rectifier!
Larry
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Larry! That is one awesome piece!!
Originally posted by Mustangs_n_Trains - June 18 2013 : 11:58:40 AM
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Thanks Sean!! I had been wanting another one of these and got exactly the version. Unassembled ones of these are very difficult to come by.
Larry
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Posted - June 19 2013 : 10:54:24 AM
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quote:M&S, you know Larry is the King of Athearn!!!
Originally posted by GG-1 Guy - June 18 2013 : 1:45:45 PM
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LOL I dunno bout that
Larry
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Posted - June 19 2013 : 11:00:37 AM
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Here are my most prized HI-F drive units:

Rare Athearn 1962 International Minerals and Chemical - First Promotional Set ever produced by Athearn. No real numbers on how many were ever produced, so I've been told. I still have two sets. Both need a little restoration work.
I know of another one out there that the guy does not realize what he has. The problem is that it is all good for parts and he is still asking MORE than a mint for everything. If I can talk him into approx $50 I'll have a third set that is in bad condition. The engine shell is the only good part of this third set.
Sean
"If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!" - Mario Andretti!
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Posted - June 19 2013 : 2:29:38 PM
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Nelson, I'll bite, what kind of bands are those on the RDC? Is the motor a lower RPM motor. Looks cool, but how does it run?
Regards, John *******************************************************
A James Cagney love scene is one where he lets the other guy live. <> Bob Hope
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Posted - June 19 2013 : 7:27:26 PM
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[quote]Here are my most prized HI-F drive units:

Rare Athearn 1962 International Minerals and Chemical - First Promotional Set ever produced by Athearn. No real numbers on how many were ever produced, so I've been told. I still have two sets. Both need a little restoration work.
Ive been told by a major collector that no more 250 sets were likely made - possibly as few as 200.
Larry
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Posted - June 19 2013 : 9:57:47 PM
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I don't necessarily collect Hi-Fi drive loco's. BUT, I do have a few, I have 3 of the Athearn Hustler, 4 or 5 RDC1's and RDC-3's, and 5 F-7's (mxed A & B units) and I think I have 2 GP7 or GP-9's, or parts to build at least 1 out of possible 2 partial kits.
~John
Many have tried to, and failed, ya just can't repair stupid... 
Do NOT try to Idiot-Proof anything!!!! God, will simply create a better......IDIOT!
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Posted - June 20 2013 : 01:21:27 AM
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quote:Nelson, I'll bite, what kind of bands are those on the RDC? Is the motor a lower RPM motor. Looks cool, but how does it run?
Originally posted by JRG1951Â -Â June 19 2013Â :Â 2:29:38 PM
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Very slow. That's a big 24 volt motor, so it has a realistic speed range... maybe a bit slower than prototype. I got it from All Electronics (sadly they don't have them anymore) and the diameter puts the shaft at the same height as the rubber band shafts. Those are Goody hair bands that are available at Walmart, and they just don't melt or harden. They have since been changed to clear ones, though. I run it with a dummy unit, and it's easy to forget they're running because they're so quiet.
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Posted - June 20 2013 : 03:53:09 AM
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Nelson, DAMN! 24 volts? I bet you got no issue on overheating running on 12 volts! OR less! I bet at low settings on the power pack, the thing will literally move 1/2 SMPH! If not slower!
I'll have to keep that one in mind for future attempts of "slowing" things down a bit!
~John
Many have tried to, and failed, ya just can't repair stupid... 
Do NOT try to Idiot-Proof anything!!!! God, will simply create a better......IDIOT!
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Posted - June 20 2013 : 5:29:26 PM
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quote:
Here's my latest Hi-F kit....a mint never assembled Rectifier!
Larry
Originally posted by SOU2645Â -Â June 17 2013Â :Â 6:01:44 PM
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Hi Larry! Could not pass it up on eBay... Although not as nice as yours, the price was not bad...
Sean
"If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!" - Mario Andretti!
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Posted - June 20 2013 : 8:55:18 PM
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quote: quote:
Here's my latest Hi-F kit....a mint never assembled Rectifier!
Larry
Originally posted by SOU2645Â -Â June 17 2013Â :Â 6:01:44 PM
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Hi Larry! Could not pass it up on eBay... Although not as nice as yours, the price was not bad...

Originally posted by Mustangs_n_Trains - June 20 2013 : 5:29:26 PM
Sweet Sean! The Lionel issues are the most rare overall aside from perhaps the 0650 numbered Athearn issue ones. Its an odd but neat loco for sure!
Congrats on the win.
Larry
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Posted - June 21 2013 : 12:32:35 AM
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quote:Nelson, DAMN! 24 volts? I bet you got no issue on overheating running on 12 volts! OR less! I bet at low settings on the power pack, the thing will literally move 1/2 SMPH! If not slower!
I'll have to keep that one in mind for future attempts of "slowing" things down a bit! 
Originally posted by EM-1Â -Â June 20 2013Â :Â 03:53:09 AM
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It does do a slow crawl, but though the motor has 5 poles, it's not skewed, so there is a very slight cogging transferred through the bands. And no, it doesn't even get lukewarm at notch 8.
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Posted - June 25 2013 : 02:20:22 AM
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Nelson, That's AWESOME! I got a TON of rather large can motors that are 24 volts DC that will fit large, well um.....I'll shut up now.....
HE HE HE *Evil Laugh* got a plan!
~John
Many have tried to, and failed, ya just can't repair stupid... 
Do NOT try to Idiot-Proof anything!!!! God, will simply create a better......IDIOT!
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Posted - June 25 2013 : 07:58:53 AM
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quote: Hi Larry! Could not pass it up on eBay... Although not as nice as yours, the price was not bad...

Originally posted by Mustangs_n_Trains - June 20 2013 : 5:29:26 PM
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Ah, so you bought that one. I was looking at it hard on Ebay, I've been wanting one of these, but the rough condition of the axles put me off, regardless of the price. I figure I'll run across one at a train show sooner or later. Since I live in Virginia, and the Virginian used to run to Crewe, VA where I own some property as well, I am interested in that roadname. Show it off again when you get it running. 
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - June 28 2013 : 1:37:45 PM
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The hobby shop in Roanoke had one or two for sale for about 90 bucks along with freight cars about 2 years ago. In excellant shape.
Larry
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Posted - June 28 2013 : 9:55:30 PM
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Jerry, that model of the Athearn Electric" you posted is mounted on an old Athearn GP-9 frame, with metal trucks.....I got all sorts of parts for them! EXCEPT the body shell!
~John
Many have tried to, and failed, ya just can't repair stupid... 
Do NOT try to Idiot-Proof anything!!!! God, will simply create a better......IDIOT!
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