Large Scale Central

Replacement for Aristo FA1/FB1 motor block?

Problem Solving
#1

I have an Aristocraft FA and B unit that must be over 15 years old (can’t pinpoint the exact year I purchased). The plating on the wheels is pitted and mostly gone. They still see almost daily action on the railroad, but have power pickup issues, where the sound will drop-out momentarily, and/or the speed will stall momentarily. I have the A and B consisted using DCC, and it seems the B unit is more problematic than the A, causing some in-fighting.

Since Aristocraft is gone, has anyone tried replacing with a USAT motor block? I have several USA locos that have no power issues and have constant speed over the entire layout. If so, which USAT motor block?

If the newer production Aristo motoblocks can be found on ebay, I’m still concerned over their quality, age, and production run sight unseen.

Any other suggestions?

#2

Hi Mike,

I have a few sets of these locos myself…and it sounds like you also got your money’s worth! You could try using USATs GP7 truck with the gp7 A-frames and the EMD side frames to mount them. Unfortunately, the loco will likely ride very high, requiring a major floor modification to bring it down. It sounds like Polks will soon be making locos again, so presumably, the FA block will be produced again, since it exists in several other locos.

However, have you considered making these engines battery RC powered? Sometimes its nice to have one battery set on a non-dcc track power layout to add more operating possibilities. As a cost savings measure, I would power both engines from the same battery pack and Rx…and leave the old wheels as they are (more traction!).

#3

Doesn’t NWSL have replacement wheels for them? Scroll down to the bottom and you find large scale, some with gears for some Aristo and USA locomotives.

http://www.nwsl.com/uploads/chap3_web_04-2014.pdf

#4

Thanks guys! I’m browsing on my phone at the moment, I’ll look at that pdf later.

Jeff they have DCC decoders with sound now, but battery may be an option to consider.

#5

Tim McCabe of the Freight House Restaurant in Ogdensburg, NY has new Aristo-Craft motor blocks for the FA-1, RS-3 and U25-B for sale.

To check out these and other items he has, click on the Items for Sale link.

#6

Scott Polk will have these in stock soon, he said they have shipped already.
You can’t try emailing him to check availability.

#7

Mike, did you read Paul Norton’s post on these motor blocks in this forum?

I think that maybe it’s not the wheel surface (all Aristo wheels have poor plating ha ha), but that power pickup is not working on all wheels.

You might be able to repair them, if you are interested.

What I would suggest is testing the power pickup, lay upside down in a cradle, and use 2 wires to power it, and try touching each wheel and see if all wheels pick up.

I had the same issue with my RS-3, and just thought it was dirty track or wheels, when I actually had pickup on only 2 wheels in the motor blocks, and then a derailment at a switch burned up a trace in the main board, so I was only picking up power from 2 wheels and only one truck.

I’ve since replaced the blocks (bought about 10 of these blocks as spares) and put polyswitches inside to keep the wiring from burning up.

Greg

#8

Thanks everyone, some good solutions. I suppose the place to begin is with Greg’s suggestion and try and diagnose the issue first.

I’m away with family though Easter. I’ll check each wheel on both units and report back middle of next week

#9

On many Aristo older 2 axle motor blocks (axles protrude into the side frames) I have found the wires with heat shrink on the side frames broke loose from the brass tabs.

The heat shrink is very tight and makes you think with a tug that all is ok, but a meter tells the real story.

#10

I’m happy to report that all 8 wheels are picking up power on both the A and B units!

So, while on the bench, I gave the wheels a good cleaning and also installed some small pin and socket connectors so that the two units can share pickup power. Now I have power pickup across 16 wheels! Gave them a quick run, and operation is much improved. I won’t be needing new motor blocks after all! Here’s a photo of the connectors,

#11

Well, that is a much happier ending to the story!

congrats!

Greg