Hello--Does anyone own the Athearn Frisco GP-35? I've seen one or two online for sale, and they are all advertised as having AAR trucks, but the pics of the models show Blombergs. And it appears that the real #717 would have had the Blombergs. If you own one, did it come with Blombergs? Thanks, Chris
Chris - I have both of the Athearn Frisco GP35's from ~8-9 years ago, SLSF 717 and SLSF 725. They are decent, but not great, models. 717 rides on the EMD Blomberg trucks, while 725 is on AAR Type B trucks. Frisco ordered their group of GP35's in three orders. The first was SLSF 700-716, the "torpedo boats". They rode on Blombergs, and were in the b/y paint scheme. The second order, SLSF 717-724, was also on Blombergs, but had the standard air tank arrangement, and were in the o/w paint scheme. The final order, SLSF 725-732, were similar to the second order, but rode on AAR Type B trucks from trade-in Frisco Alco FA1's/FB1's. The only exception to this was on the final unit, SLSF 732, which rode on Blombergs. I guess they ran out of trade-in Alco trucks! Ken
I have the 725. I bought it just because of the trucks. It is a nice looking model but it is the poorest running locomotive in my fleet. It is in my junk drawer awaiting a modified Kato drive that I have.
I agree with Bob - my 717 and 725 run a bit rough. Athearn didn't put a real great motor in it, but they do work. Frankly, I think it is funny. The Athearn models run about as well as did the prototype units! The 567 V-16 and its turbo in the GP35 was souped up a bit beyond its limit for the tried and true 567, and got a lot of shop time. EMD switched to the new 645 when the next series, GP/SD 40's were introduced (and the V-20 SD45). Most of the Frisco GP35's were sitting idle in storage at merger-time in 1980. Ken
As for the Frisco's GP35's: May have been a weak engine design, but according to the SLSF engine service record booklet I have (Had? Haven't seen it in years) from the early 70's, many of them had already rolled up around 7 million miles. Try that with its contemporaries from other mfg'ers!
Agree - the Frisco ran the wheels off of the '35's until late in their life. They weren't the failure problems that the Alco 244 powered FA/FB/RS-2's were. Lee Buffington told me the '35's had to be pampered - more frequent visits to the shop, etc. They, and the U25b's, were the main SLSF "turboized" power for several years. Ken
I have found that any of the Athearn motors will run smoothly and draw less current if the brushes and commutators are lubricated with Conducta-Lube. Conducta-Lube is sold by Atlas in their packaging but is made and sold by Aerocar Lubricants; http://achlubes.com/shop/conducta-lube-and-cleaner-1oz/
Conduct-a-Lube? Does it go right on the commutator/brushes? Never done that before. I've always kept these surfaces clean, and lube the bearing surfaces only.
My problems with the GP 35 are not motor related, rather in the drive train. Especially the gears in the trucks. I agree with Keith Conductalube works great. Just don't put too much on the brushes.
I bought the 717 new about seven years ago. It ran great for about a year, but then developed this horrible grinding sound and lost a lot of throttle response. My layout is in a garage (not climate controlled), and I found that it ran better when the temperature was above 70 F. As with Bob Wintle's, mine is in the junk drawer and scrapped for parts. Pat Moreland, Union Mo.
Normally the growling sound would be coming from the worm gear oilite bearing blocks in the top of the truck towers when the grease gets stiff or loses its lubricating qualities. I have dealt with it on a number of different brands of locomotives. Labelle's #107 works wonders there.
