Bought some replacement brushes to put in an old GP-35 BB thinking I would clean it up and replace the brushes and springs. I ordered the only ones made which are ATH 90037 Brushes and ATH 84014 springs. When I received them I noticed that the brushes are shorter than what is left of the originals and they have a groove in one end. I researched absolutely everywhere and could not find any information on the "grooved end". The springs don't look any longer than the originals and the new brushes are shorter (with a groove). Since I am stuck with them has anyone used them in an old blue box? Also, Which end of the brush faces the commutator? Thanks, John
The rounded-smooth end faces the commutator. Watch for local train club sponsored train shows. Here you will find guys and gals selling off the older Athearn train equipment. Most likely someoe will have most replacement parts. Athearn isn't into the parts business. Again don't ask me how I know. Frustrate, frustrate, frustrate.
Thanks for the suggestions Rick and Dale. Much appreciated. Received this response from Athearn today: John, Thank you for your inquiry, over time the sizes of our brushes and springs have changed throughout the years and we can confirm the compatibility issues between using our old motor with new brush springs as you discovered. At the moment we don’t have a remedy to retrofit these motors all we can suggest is possibly stretching the springs but we cannot guarantee results from this. -athearn Help Before I received the reply I had gone ahead and cleaned up the motor and installed the shorter brushes with new springs (unstretched). Seems to work, but will update if it doesn't. I did figure out what the slot in the brush is for. The end that rides the commutator comes with a curvature to fit it already on it and the slot at the other end is to allow you to insert a small screwdriver into the brush hole to rotate it so the curve on the brush end lines up with the commutator curve properly. John
