Athearn SD50 Re-Power Project

I chose to re-power my Athearn SD50 locomotives due to excessive current draw in 3-4 unit consists.  Additionally, some Athearn RTR motors (SD50's) exhibit poor running characteristics and are quite noisy.  The replacement motor of choice was the Athearn Genesis (ROCO) can motor.  These can be ordered direct from Athearn or your Athearn Dealer. (Athearn part G63842)

To Accomplish this task, I used tools at my disposal, mainly a Sieg Milling Machine and vise.  You can see from the pictures that is basically a straight-forward process...and it went rather quickly.  I am only showing this process using my mill, but a Dremel tool could also be used for this type of work, if you don't have a mill or access to one.  Be careful and protect your eyes, too!!

The pictures highlight the areas that need to be removed so the motor can fit into the frame.  They also show the mill and the vise setup, and the finished product.

I used the Athearn Genesis motor mount from the SD70 series, after being prompted by Dave Carr to do so...and the combination works perfectly...even though the pictures show the Aline motor mounts...They'll be used on my next re-power project.  I replaced the front driveline of the SD50 with the SD70 longer driveline (Part Number G62135) to accommodate the longer distance between the front flywheel and the worm housing.  I also installed NWSL Premium Nickel-Silver wheelsets on these units while re-powering.  It's not entirely necessary to do so, but I am a NWSL advocate.  The NWSL part is #37141-4. 

I have four Athearn RTR units on my roster, and will now consider adding more after these conversions.  The results are impressive as the units crawl along, and easily MU with their Atlas and Kato counterparts.  My DIGITRAX system will not have to work as hard now when I lash up some good old Athearn power to make the hill!!

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