Noticed Athearn just announced F7 sound mechanisms for their Genesis line F7’s, http://www.athearn.com/Newsletter/041806/Gen_F_sound_MECH_041806.jpg. Does anyone know if the F7A or F7B shells from Athearn’s “blue box” kits will fit onto this Genesis unit? I have a couple of blue box F7’s that I run on my small DC controlled layout and was wondering if I purchased one of these new sound units if I could simply take one of my blue box F7 shells and put it on this new sound-unit frame.
The shells should fit, but they’ll only slip on. You’d have to make your own latches to make the shell stay on really well.
Doing that should be a lot cheaper than buying a whole Genesis diesel, even if the standard shells aren’t as good.[:D] The standard shells actually look pretty good once you add grab irons and other details.[:D]
I don’t think Genesis’ anything comes separately. Athearn is no longer a manufacturer - They are an importer of completed products . That precludes frames, shells, chassis’ and their sound units.
QSI and others are not selling direct, and installing just a speaker runs $100 plus the sound module another $100 - if you could find one. Might as well buy the Genesis.
Another problem is that the nose of Athearn Blue Box locomotives is actually wider than prototypical. I’m not postitive if this has been fixed on their newer RTR models but I don’t believe so.
This shouldn’t look odd unless you run the old Athearn BBs with newer power with prototypical proportioning (such as a Genesis) I’ve got a few old BB F7s and with a quick check, yes the shell from an older BB (1980s) slides right over the frame of a Genesis model (however mine are not sound equiped so your actual sizing may vary.)
I do know that Stewart was selling the mechanisms for their F-units. That was an amazing set of innards for any engine, made by Kato, they run like fine Swiss watches.
Cheers!
~METRO
Don, Athearn just announced sound-equipped Genesis drives available
separately for about $149.00. As for whether the BB shell will fit, I tend to
agree that they’ll probably slide on, but not have any latching mechanism.
Actually, Athearn still manufactures their Blue-Box line in the USA.[:D]
Here’s a link to the HO products section of their website:
http://www.athearn.com/Products/HO/Default.aspx
Notice the “Quality kits made in the U.S.A.” sign in the BB kit square.[:D]