Just wanted to know what you guys think about this new offering from athearn. The one with DCC and Sound. all comments welcome!!!
Athearn did not make a sd40-2 with sound, if they did I missed it.
You mean the sd45-2, Thats the only one I can think of right now.
The model is great like the other genesis (except the first-second run SD70s). I saw one and all I can say is its beautiful. From what people have told me it runs good too.
BUT, they are still using the MRC sound system and it is still total junk. If you want one then it is a great loco, but buy the no-sound version. It still has the frame cut for speakers so you can add good sound easily if you want.
Yeah, it is a sd45-2, I changed the origional post. Thanks for the imput. It looked like such a great engine, and because it is a genesis with sound, I broke down and got on ebay!! Can’t wait for it to arrive!! I will write a review of my own when it arrives.
When ya get it, make sure you leave a little feedback on it. Might pick one up myself !
Here’s the MR Review of the locomotive…
http://www.trains.com/mrr/default.aspx?c=a&id=734
Here’s the MR video of the locomotive…
http://www.trains.com/mrr/default.aspx?c=a&id=742
Sean
It won’t let me view those. Even though I am logged in…
Are they similar to the Athearn RTR SD45-2’s, I’ve got 4 of them and haven’t had time to open one up and see where I might add speakers when I convert them to DCC with sound. It would be great if they are already set up for it.
not a fan. the SD45 was a much cooler locomotive than the SD45-2. and honestly, we really need to see a new SD45 from athearn one of these days.
and are all of these SD45-2s with noselights? is there a single one that comes with high mounts?
From athearn pics, some have HIGH mount headlights ( Santa Fe bicentenial, and EL), other have either both ( scl, SF blue w/ stripe ), or nose only( CSX ). So yes, there are 2 road names with high mount headlights only
ah i see. i may get one. but first and foremost i’m waiting for them to make an SD45. and one in Wisconsin Central colors, at that. dont get me wrong, the SD45-2 is a great locomotive but i think we should have gotten an SD45 before the dash 2 version
Here’s a few pictures of my SD45-2 in CSX paint (with sound & DCC)…
I am very pleased with my SD45-2, it is a very neat and detailed locomotive. Now, if only Athearn would invest in QSI or LokSound…
Where are you James Saunders?!? We need pics of your excellent Santa Fe SD45-2! [:P]
-Brandon
looks very nice!!
Good news! There is a updated SD45 coming from Athearn…This SD45 replaces the old “fat” body SD45.
I have one coming in the mail but it is an undecorated DCC w/ sound which I will be painting up in MRL colors. I’m looking forward to my little project.
I must say athearn has come a long way, since the days of the old blue box. I just picked up two genesis sd70macs csx of course, and the detailing is dam good. Your sd45-2 pictures are truly incredible, will their be any more road numbers ?
Yes, there will be more road numbers, but possibly not in CSX.
For CSX, there are numbers 8886, 8889, and 8952 (mine). 8886 and 8889 have a good story behind them, as they were SD45-2s that were rebuilt to SD40-2 standards, and the model reflects that. Athearn’s box says SD45-2, but the lettering beneath the road number says SD40-2. Number 8952 is a straight SD45-2.
There will be many new roadnames, including Santa Fe Bicentennial, Santa Fe freight Warbonnet, Clinchfield Railroad, and Conrail. That, in addition to the current roadnames (CSX, Santa Fe Pinstripe, Erie Lakawanna, and Seaboard Coast Line) will make for a pretty interesting production run.
-Brandon