Athearn Genesis G31566 - HO Dash 9-44CW - Standard DC - BCOL #4654

I bought this locomotive as the assitive power behind my Royal Hudson, it does this very well and is a very powerful locomotive able too pull solo 10 rapido 85" passenger cars up a 5% grade. This consist looks amazing with the lights out. Now the Issues, this engine developed a high pitched squeel running under load and independently, it turned out the truck gearbox was operateing nearly dry as where the wheelset bearings. Also there is a issue with the dog bone drive connector at ether end of the gearbox flaring out. I also found a lot of FOD in the gear boxes, this may be down to the assembly line. The tape used too contain the wiring harness is regular cello tape, this should be changed to a good quality kapton tape when you first open the locomotive. This same cello tape was installed contacting the rotating parts of the motor. This motor has large brass flywheels. The speaker has also been replaced with a extra weight, this also assists with the locos hauling ability. Excellent locomotive once first service completed.