Athern Hustler (rubber band - yeeeha!)

[thetramp]

I came across this thread and was wondering about my hustler. I would like to get it running again. I have an athearn hustler with rubber band drive that I got back in the 80's. What I am looking for is the 2 rubber band pulleys that fit on the end of the motor shafts. If anyone has any they don't need I would appreciate a heads up.

What I really would like is a kit to gear the hustler so I would not use rubber bands. Can any one point me in the right direction? I can post a picture if that would help.

 

[gbwdude]

Hello,

Unfortunately they don't make a gearing kit for the Hustler anymore. Your best bet is to see if eBay would have one avaialble, their called the Ernst Gearing Kit. I haven't touched mine in a while but they do turn the Hustler into something more tame for switching.

As far as rubber bands go, check your local pet store in the cricket section. The small sized rubber bands are what I used back in the day and should be free. Make sure you ask to take some. They are nearly identical to what the Hustlers came with.

 

[armchair]

Hustler Rubber bands

There were no pulleys on the motor shafts, the rubber bands just ran on the shafts. At that time some used the bands from dentists for braces.

Armchair http://armchairmodelbuilders101.com

 

[thetramp]

Mine had the pulleys that fit on the end of the shafts. My bad, it is called the motor shaft pulley - see attached link.



http://hoseeker.org/assemblyexplosionAthearn/Assembly Explosion Athearn Hustler 1991.jpg

 

[Bill Nelson]

I think that NWSL is going to make a self powered truck with the right wheel base for a husller, a pricy option, but a high quality dcc ready one,


Nelson

 

[gbwdude]

I think that NWSL is going to make a self powered truck with the right wheel base for a husller, a pricy option, but a high quality dcc ready one,


Nelson

I've stopped holding my breath for these to be available as they've been saying they'll be available soon. And I wouldn't buy just one, I'd buy two. I have five (seven technically, two will be donated to the Clarksville MRR Club when I finish them) and only one of them works. One has the Ernst gearing kit (as well as one for the club) and the others I've toyed with other Athearn gears from an F7 to see if my creation will work. It's still in the works.

 

[thetramp]

Tyler, if you ever get that to work, I'd like to see how it's done.

 

[toptrain1]

Tankertoad70 asked the right question on page 1 of this thread Nov 8 2002 in response to a previous post on a U S Navy diesel photo . Here is the Lionel hustler. Yep a all athearn hustler. One of two that Lionel through an arrangement with Athearn sold as Lionel till they could get their industrial switcher released.
frank