BUDD RDC locomotives, particularly the Proto 1000 models

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beiland

Well-Known Member
I have a few of these and they all seem to run pretty good (but limited timed time doing so). So I have a few questions.

1) First one is do these locos experience any of the 'cracked gear' problems that many Proto engines do?
And if so, do the Athearn replacement gears work with them?

2) What are the size wheels on these locos? I seem to be detecting they are 36" drivers, or maybe 38"?

Any other problems folks have found with these RDC's
 
beiland said:
I have a few of these and they all seem to run pretty good (but limited timed time doing so). So I have a few questions.

1) First one is do these locos experience any of the 'cracked gear' problems that many Proto engines do?
And if so, do the Athearn replacement gears work with them?

2) What are the size wheels on these locos? I seem to be detecting they are 36" drivers, or maybe 38"?

Any other problems folks have found with these RDC's
Click to expand...
beiland said:
I have a few of these and they all seem to run pretty good (but limited timed time doing so). So I have a few questions.

1) First one is do these locos experience any of the 'cracked gear' problems that many Proto engines do?
And if so, do the Athearn replacement gears work with them?

2) What are the size wheels on these locos? I seem to be detecting they are 36" drivers, or maybe 38"?

Any other problems folks have found with these RDC's
Click to expand...
I have one that is 25 years old and another that is the Walthers version, so newer. Both have Digitrax decoders in them. The Walthers is a sound unit. They both run very well. I know about the cracked gear issue but neither of mine have experienced that and I don't know if it is the same axle as the other Proto locomotives. They are each a different shade of "stainless steel". The Walthers looks more real to me, but that may be my "for what it's worth" opinion. I am trying to color match the original Proto and am having a hard time finding something that matches. They are probably not as good as a Rapido, but I don't have a Rapido budget so these work. They are true to scale as well. The old Athearn RDC's were not even close. But I like them too and quite frankly, on some short radius track, like 18 inch, they look a little better. If anyone comes up with the paint color of the original Proto 1000 Life Like version, let me know! Hope this helps you!
 
Dukea01 said:
I have one that is 25 years old and another that is the Walthers version, so newer. Both have Digitrax decoders in them. The Walthers is a sound unit. They both run very well. I know about the cracked gear issue but neither of mine have experienced that and I don't know if it is the same axle as the other Proto locomotives. They are each a different shade of "stainless steel". The Walthers looks more real to me, but that may be my "for what it's worth" opinion. I am trying to color match the original Proto and am having a hard time finding something that matches. They are probably not as good as a Rapido, but I don't have a Rapido budget so these work. They are true to scale as well. The old Athearn RDC's were not even close. But I like them too and quite frankly, on some short radius track, like 18 inch, they look a little better. If anyone comes up with the paint color of the original Proto 1000 Life Like version, let me know! Hope this helps you!
Click to expand...
 
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