Athearns HO train kits

Ken Cook Fri Dec 27, 2024 3:47 pm

I found this Athearns kit which has been sitting for probably 40 years or more. I started assembling the parts. The plastic parts need no explanation. The metal railings were slightly troublesome. I have a exploded diagram of parts but I'm certain there were detailed assembly instructions with this. As far as assembly, motor/trucks are assembled. Body snaps onto chassis but the lights, forward and rear rice bulbs required soldering as well as the clear lens inserts placed into the body. The stanchions for the railings were a major pain in the rear. Each side rail required 10. Front and rear railings were also very troublesome. Fitting and soldering took me 3.5 hours to fit and solder these pieces.
These stanchions also required bending over the railing which I did pretty accurately and once in place I soldered them. I was wondering if epoxy would be my best bet to secure the assembly into the body. Super glues don't typically work well with metal not too mention it has a tendency to turn plastics white.

roddie Fri Dec 27, 2024 7:02 pm

Here's a handrail vid that you've probably seen... but if not; may help you.

rsv1cox Fri Dec 27, 2024 7:09 pm

I know exactly what you mean Ken regarding the stanchions. It takes patience and a steady hand to assemble these. It sounds like you have the complete kit that you must assemble the trucks and body pieces together. They are fun projects.........but those stanchions can drive you nuts. Some I have not completed. But those I have, I just crimp onto the rail and press the bottoms into the bodys holes.

I admire your courage to solder each. Athearn, one of my favorites.

Plastic to plastic, Testors red tube works best. Usually bodies just snap on or are secured with a screw. I have never had to cement one.

Ken Cook Fri Dec 27, 2024 10:18 pm

I watched the video and thought it was informative. Wish I would've thought of that first but nonetheless one part I liked. He says don't do this unless your relaxed and in a good mindset. I can say that about a lot of things we all do in this hobby. I personally found a pair of duckbill tweezers worked quite well where he used needle nose pliers. He also mentioned installing and removing and installing which elongates the holes in the plastic allowing for easier installation. That's key information but at the same time, having enough friction to retain the music wire is also important. I think I will paint my railings but I'm not certain if I have flat black, I will check tomorrow.

I epoxied in the railings with some semi-gloss black. Soldering made the assemblies nice and strong. It was very easy to apply without everything moving around. I'm quite pleased with this and I will try the train later this evening. Some areas will need a touching up, my tweezers took the paint off.

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Athearns HO train kits

Athearns HO train kits

Re: Athearns HO train kits

Re: Athearns HO train kits

Re: Athearns HO train kits

Re: Athearns HO train kits