User Manual

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Lubrication and Maintenance of the Athearn N-Scale
4-6-6-4 Challenger
The Athearn N-Scale Challenger Locomotive has
been carefully engineered to provide years of trouble
free operation. However, as with all things mechanical,
a small amount of care and maintenance is required to
insure the flawless operation of this fine model. These
simple procedures will provide the necessary information
to give you years of trouble-free enjoyment.
Care and Cleaning
Dust and debris are among the leading contributors to
poor operation of any miniature mechanism. To maintain
the quality performance of your locomotive, inspection
and cleaning should be performed on a regular basis. A
soft bristle brush should be used to remove dust from the
superstructure. The use of soaps, solvents or detergents
is not recommended for this purpose as they will have a
tendency to mar the finish.
When not in use it is recommended that the locomo-
tive and tender be stored in the protective sleeve in which
it was packed. Also, store the wireless controller in the
locomotive box with the battery removed.
When inspecting the underframe, make sure that all
lint and dust are removed from the back of all wheel sets.
Dirt build up in this area will foul the pick-up wipers and
not allow proper electrical contact, negatively impacting
performance.
Wheel Cleaning
The Athearn N-Scale Challenger Locomotive receives
electric power from all drivers as well as eight of the
tender wheels from both rails. This, coupled with the
long overall wheelbase, provides for excellent electrical
contact. There should be few cases of erratic performance
due to poor contact. However, over time, dirt from the
rails will accumulate on the wheel surfaces and will need
to be removed to assure peak operation. The use of a cot-
ton swab to apply either alcohol or a good quality track
cleaning solution is recommended. Carefully apply the
solvents, taking care not to spill any on the painted sur-
faces. Alternatively, either an ink eraser or ‘Bright Boy’
abrasive block can be used to remove dirt deposits by
carefully burnishing the wheel surfaces. When cleaning
the wheels, also remove any dirt build up from the metal sur-
faces on the back rims of the wheels. This will assure that the
wiper contacts will maintain good contact with the wheels.
Lubrication
This locomotive will arrive pre-lubricated from the
factory and will not need additional lubrication until it
has been run for quite some time. When it comes time
to lubricate the locomotive, use only light weight oil and
gear grease that is plastic compatible. Use a minimum
amount. The plastics used for many of the components,
such as the gears and drive lines, make them inherently
self lubricating. Remember that too much lubrication can
be more detrimental to the locomotive than too little.
The main points of lubrication, and type of lubricant
are as follows:
• Axle bearings on the drivers – light oil
• Armature bearings on the motors – light oil
• Oil light bearings on the worm gear shafts – light oil
• Bearings on the centipede tender wheels – light oil
• Side rods at the crank pins – light oil
• Gear towers – light gear grease
By following the exploded drawings, access to each
of these areas should be easily accomplished. If you are
not comfortable with disassembling this locomotive for
lubrication take it to one of the many Model Railroad
hobby shops that can provide this service.
Coupler Installation
The Athearn N-Scale Challenger model comes with the
swivel coupler installed on the pilot. As on the prototype
engines, you can have the coupler exposed on the pilot,
or swing it around so that the pilot has no coupler in use.
The "coupler" on this part is a dummy (non-operating)
coupler.
An operating coupler can be installed on the pilot. Sim-
ply unscrew and remove this dummy coupler.
Replacing the Traction Tire
To provide tractive effort that rivals the prototype,
four traction tires are factory installed.
To replace a worn or loose traction tire:
• Remove the crank pin nuts from the traction tire
equipped driver.
• Loosen the remaining crank pin screws from the other
drivers.
• Remove the eccentric crank, main rods, bushing
and drive rod from the crank pin on the traction tire
equipped driver.
• Slide off the traction tire and replace with a new tire.
• Reverse the procedure of disassembly.
Replacement parts are available from Athearn Trains to
the original purchaser for warranty repairs only. A war-
ranty registration form must be on file at Athearn Trains
to honor any parts requests.