Athearn Genesis EMD F series DCC plug

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

When did Athearn start to install a DCC plug into their Genesis EMD F series?

I notice that the first Genesis F series required a board change and that the newer Genesis F series use a DCC plug to add DCC control.

When did this occur?

Can one tell by the model # series?

2

Go to the source, Athearn and ask them. They do answer email.

Rich

3

I tried that, now I am asking members of this site who own Genesis F units and could tell me if their engine has the plug and play DCC plugs installed.

Went to the source, The answer was vague, for the last three or four years the EMD F units have the quick connect DCC plugs.

I asked Athearn if they could tell me by their production numbers but they did not respond to that at all.

There is so much “old” new stock on shelves I just do not want to purchase any more of their F units where I have to switch out the board. I want the easy to use plug and play method.

4

Try this. Go to the Athearn website (http://www.athearn.com/Products/HO/Default.aspx) and pick the particular F-series unit you’re interested in (F2, F3, etc.) Then you’ll need the Athearn item number off the “old stock” box to put in the search box. You’ll get a description of the model and whether or not it has DCC/sound, quick plug, or none of the above.

5

That was the first thing I tried. Other than the DCC and sound installed there is no write ups.

6

The board repalcement is not exactly difficult, especially witht he ones made for Genesis locos with the resistors in palce for the 1.5v headlights. You can even do it withotu soldering, although I hate those little plastic tabs and always solder the wires. On a scale of 1-10, with a simpel plug in the 9 pin connector being a 1, the Athearn board replacements are maybe a 2. Nice thing is, the board replacement still works for ones that have the 9 pin connector.

–Randy

7

I guess we’re not looking at the same thing. Here is an F7 with DCC and Sound: http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATHG22608

Here is one with a quick plug: http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATHG22505.

And here is an older model where there is no reference to DCC, sound, or quick plug in the description: http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATHG22061

Seems to me that if you look at the ATH number on the box, you should be able to go to the Athearn site and see what the description of the model is. Or maybe I’m not understanding what you’re looking for.

8

I said that other than those with DCC and Sound it was not clear if there was a DCC quick connect plug or not.

Your second example without the DCC and Sound relates to 2007 production and it does not indicate if there is a quick conn

9

If it is any help, I have an Athearn RTR unit that had a DCC quick plug in it from the factory. I bought it in 2003. It has since been replaced with a Tsunami.

10

Is the locomotive an EMD F series? What is the roadname and if you still have the box the Athearn model number. I have one F series engine from the 2005 and it does not have the plug, one has to swap boards.

11

Will said his is from the Athearn RTR series bought 2003. The RTR series is a completely different line than the Genesis and irrelevant to this discussion.

I too have a number of Genesis F units that will need decoders. At least 5 of them were F9’s from about 2002 and I suspect those will be curcuit board replacements. I have 5 more F3’s from around 2005/6 and that may be the same scenario. As it happens, I may only have two Genesis F’s which will be plug and play, a 2009 F7A and a 2011 FP7A.