trainman78
Member
How would one go about converting a dummy Athearn GP40-2 into a powered model?
how would you convert a dummy to powered
- Thread starter trainman78
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What Kenw said or leave it as a dummy
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D&J RailRoad
Professor of HO
Ditto again, except I would buy the loco in the road name of the dummy and have a team.
Railrunner130
Well-Known Member
http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?CatId=THCR
Look for what you need. Motor, motor mounts, dogbones, power trucks.
You'll need to search for a parts diagram to ensure you get what you need. I don't think it'd be too hard.
Look for what you need. Motor, motor mounts, dogbones, power trucks.
You'll need to search for a parts diagram to ensure you get what you need. I don't think it'd be too hard.
I have alot of athearn parts - even motors. Email me - [email protected] - if your interested. Have to agree with above, finding a power unit on ebay and switching out the chassis is likely the easiest route. Or you could send me the frame and I return it powered (constant directional lighting? DCC ready? Solder power connections? all could be addressed) if we could settle on the price. As noted above lots of parts - power trucks, motor, motor mounts, flywheels, drive train, lights, frame needs to be "clean" for good ground, maybe upgrade couplers, likely I forgot something...I just did this conversion to a CNW GP50 .... 
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What Kenw said or leave it as a dummy
I ran across this post and didnt see how old it was until I started responding. I would shop ebay for a DAMAGED BODY unit of the same maker that is powered. You should get a good deal on that, then change bodies. Thats the shortest + easiest way I would think as well as economical. ALSO look for local train shows coming through your area and scope out for the less than perfect item dealers (mom & pop guys that always have at least one good sized box of odds & ends aka crap trains). I have found parts and bodies any number of times from that.
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