ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.
I was at Goodwill with my kids and saw what I thought was a complete set for a decent price and thought it would be fun to do with the kids.
Turns out it wasn't a complete set. It was missing the little tractor and part of the undercarriage of the locomotive.
I think it is only missing one of the metal wheels in the front. But also the plastic cover for those metal wheels doesn't seem to snap into place. So I don't know if it needs to be replaced to or if it will stay better once I get the missing. Wheels. I would love to figure this out and get this running for the kids. I attached what I think are the relevant pictures. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Since that is an un-powered truck, you could replace the missing axle with nearly any HO scale axle with metal wheels for DC. Many suppliers of these too numerous to mention. Google will get you there.
That looks like a really old Life Like F unit. You could probably hunt a used one down on our favorite auction site, and either transfer parts, or swap the shells.
That looks like a really old Life Like F unit. You could probably hunt a used one down on our favorite auction site, and either transfer parts, or swap the shells.
Since that is an un-powered truck, you could replace the missing axle with nearly any HO scale axle with metal wheels for DC. Many suppliers of these too numerous to mention. Google will get you there.
Good to know. We are traveling and may try to find a hobby shop as we go along and make it an educational experience. Any concern about that plastic cover piece not snapping down? Again forgive my level of ignorance. I know absolutely nothing at this point.
I agree that the engine is some other manufacturer than Athearn as all Athearn engines that I've seen had both trucks driven. But, there were other manufacturers besides Life-Like that had only one powered truck (e.g. Bachmann, Tyco). Check the bottom of the fuel tank for a manufacturer name.
As for the plastic piece that would hold the wheels in place, yes it should snap in place. Look closely at both ends for a piece broken off. If you don't see anything, snap pictures and post.
Turns out it wasn't a complete set. It was missing the little tractor and part of the undercarriage of the locomotive.
I think it is only missing one of the metal wheels in the front. But also the plastic cover for those metal wheels doesn't seem to snap into place. So I don't know if it needs to be replaced to or if it will stay better once I get the missing. Wheels. I would love to figure this out and get this running for the kids. I attached what I think are the relevant pictures. Can anyone point me in the right direction?View attachment 269658View attachment 269659View attachment 269660
First, this is a good impulse buy, I would have bought that set in an instant even at twice that price. Some of the John Deere stuff has quadrupled in value over the years. I think this was like year 5 of the series. Too bad the box isn't in better condition, but be certain to keep it too. Any box is better than no box, collector wise.
Yes, I am surprised. All my John Deere sets and equipment have been Athearn equipment. This truck is definitely not Athearn, although the shell does look like Athearn. Would need a few more pictures to tell for certain. The guts will not be Tyco unless the prior owner swaped them out. Tyco was out of business more than 20 years when this set was produced. If you cannot repair or find a replacement truck for this one, perhaps you could just get another Athearn F unit and swap bodies.
