new switcher, need advice

[psychobeagle12]

So at a show today I bought an AHM swticher (an s1 i think, have to look...) and I absolutely HATE the motor that came in it. It freezes up at low speeds but it's a switcher so I obviously need it to run at low speeds. Does anyone have any recommendations as to whether i can change the motor/what kind to put in it if I can? I know, kinda a basic question but I never switched motors out before. Also, is there any way to fit a flywheel in there?

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Photos would be helpful.

 

[psychobeagle12]

Whoops I guess you're right sorry!!! Allright here is a pic of the shell (probably not necessary but I posted it anyhow...):

View attachment 28128

And here are two pics of the chassis and motor currently in it:

View attachment 28129View attachment 28130

Any more pics necessary plz just let me kno and i'll take 'em!!!

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

That's not an S1. It's an SW. Probably a 9 or 1000. Are you sure that's an AHM loco? That drive looks very similar to some of the early 70's Athearn drives. An Athearn motor like the one in this photo may fit it.

 

[psychobeagle12]

Yeah I realized just a few moments ago actually that it is not an s1, it is an sw1000. Looked up some pics and boy was i off!!! Yeah it is def. an AHM that is what the locomotive has printed on the frame. What did that motor come out of? I have a few athearn engines that I may be able to take a motor out of...

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

If I remember correctly it came out of a Proto 2000 E6 which uses an Athearn drive. It's the same size motor used in the Athearn F7.

 

[Larry]

I've repaired some of the early switchers by making sure the motor is grounded to the frame. Also, if that engine was run constantly the brushes are probably wore down. Replace the brushes. Also, clean the armature. Check for dirty wheels & no lube in the gear housing. In some of the older switchers it had a rub bar between the back of the wheels & the frame made out of thin brass. make sure they are touching the wheels.
Just a few items to check if you don't change the motor.
Do the wheels have rubber tires for traction?

 

[sd24b]

So at a show today I bought an AHM swticher (an s1 i think, have to look...) and I absolutely HATE the motor that came in it. It freezes up at low speeds but it's a switcher so I obviously need it to run at low speeds. Does anyone have any recommendations as to whether i can change the motor/what kind to put in it if I can? I know, kinda a basic question but I never switched motors out before. Also, is there any way to fit a flywheel in there?

yep, that's a SW. Might look at either NWSL can motor or ALCO motor kits. I would look for a Kato, P2K, or Atlas switcher. They will pull better than that AHM. Even the old blue box Athearn SW with a NWSL remotor kit will run much better than the AHM. Phil

 

[psychobeagle12]

I've repaired some of the early switchers by making sure the motor is grounded to the frame. Also, if that engine was run constantly the brushes are probably wore down. Replace the brushes. Also, clean the armature. Check for dirty wheels & no lube in the gear housing. In some of the older switchers it had a rub bar between the back of the wheels & the frame made out of thin brass. make sure they are touching the wheels.
Just a few items to check if you don't change the motor.
Do the wheels have rubber tires for traction?

I would ground the motor to the frame but unfortunately the frame is plastic. I did pull the brushes out and they look good so I don't think I'm getting an issue there. Cleaned the pickup wheels and pickups as soon as I got it here. I had the same motor in an old conrail sd-40 that I had (well, nearly the same) and it ran like crap as well, even after I did all of the aforementioned things. It originally had traction tires but the guy that had it before me added weight and removed the tires. It pulls ok at higher speeds I just can't get any kind of fine speed control out of it. Thanks though all I will look and see if I can get an athearn in there!!!

 

[Brakie]

That's a AHM SW1..

Now if its worth fixing up only you can answer that.

I'm not sure a Athearn motor will fit.

The motor is a Rivarossi 5 pole.

It may be better to locate a new motor and replace the old one.