I just picked up 5 new Athearn Genesis Trinity covered hoppers, CSX Grain Express, for 18 bucks each at a sale. These are far and away the best detailed cars I’ve ever had…they are just so cool, brimming with detail. I think that was a good price for them…hope so. Seemed so.
They had several Athearn Genesis engines on sale too, for like 70 bucks or so, all new and sealed in package. Seems like a good deal, and they had some CSX SD-45s, different road numbers, that look enticing. Question: Do the Athearn Genesis engines run as good as they look? I’ve heard some bad things about Athearn engines, and my own stock is all Kato, Atlas and couple of Proto…no experience with Athearn. So should I take that plunge?
Just put out 90 bucks total for the 5 hoppers, wanting to be sure it’s worth another 70 bucks each to get a couple of engines.
The early Athearn Genesis diesels had some problems, but the newer ones are excellent runners. I have one of the newer F3A diesels, and it runs as well as any Proto or Atlas diesel. I also have an older SD75M, which runs very well since it got a good fine tuning. I believe the SD45-2 you’re looking at uses the BB/RTR 3-axle trucks, which are even better than the Genesis 3-axle trucks.[:D]
My advice—take the plunge! I too had reservations about jumping back into Athearn after several years purchasing Proto 2000, Atlas, Atlas/Roco, Stewart and Kato locos. My previous experience (albeit 10 years ago) was with Athearn’s “blue-box” locos which always needed rework and lubrication right out of the box–just see how many re-motor kits, gear parts, replacement wheels, etc. were on the market from other manufacturers to get them running decently!
After seeing the detail on an SD-70 and talking about Athearn Genesis with a hobby shop clerk, I re-entered the Athearn loco buying scene myself late last year. I have been impressed! While not weighted as heavy as the aforementioned competition, the units run as smoothly and quietly as the others. Athearn’s treatment with the Genesis line is top notch…“scale” ditch lights and other shell details are most impressive. I would consider them “on par” with Proto, and maybe only slightly behind Atlas and Kato…but running very close behind—and the price is right! I have found discounts as you have on many of their locos–$70 for the SD-70 and -70M if you search hard enough. What a good value! I also agree with you about the Trinity hoppers—they are the best out there for a RTR car, and can also be had for good discounts off retail. You paid a good price… I have 3 Genesis locos (don’t have any RTR versions, so I can;t speak to those) but I have no reservations recommending the Genesis line to any serious HO modeler.
I’ve heard pro and con over the Genesis locos for several years. About 8 months ago I bought a Genesis F-3 A-B set decorated for Rio Grande (first diesels in YEARS, BTW, I’m strictly steam!) and I’m really happy with them. The detail is superb, they are smooth, powerful and quiet, and just glide along the tracks. I really like them. Bought them for my BLI California Zephyr and as stand-by power for my 1949 Royal Gorge. Couldn’t be happier!
I think you’re VERY safe with Genesis, at least from my experience.
Depends on the loco. Personally I’ve had really bad luck with them. I won’t buy another one until they fix their electronics/sound packages. If you don’t mind buying from a company that, so far, refuses to upgrade the junk electronic package they put in the locos, and therefore stick to a DC only version they should run just fine.
Why throw the baby out with the bath water. Just buy the Genesis F’s without the sound unit like I do. They are really nice loco’s and if I just blew them off, I 'd miss out on the nice F unit I pictured above.
Only mine is a Western Maryland F7, and not only does it glide along the rails but it glides to a smooth stop…it is a pleasure to run and highly recommended.
Well, I’m going back to the hobby shop to look at that Genesis CSX SD45-2 again… $60 or $70- bucks…probably a good deal. But i guess the word is to stay away from the regular Athearn locos?
Do the Genesis locos run well in consists with Kato and Atlas?
First there is nothing wrong with the regular line unless you want to compare its operation with Kato or Atlas…Comparing a apple to a orange would make just as much sense.
Yes,I have seen Geneses,Kato and Atlas engines play well together in a locomotive consist at both HO clubs under DC operation.
With DCC you can adjust the start volts and consist these locomotives to run as a locomotive consist.
I stayed away from Athearn for some time after years of junky stuff. I too am a Kato fan, but decided the Genesis SD45-2 was too good to pass up. Bought one, installed a decoder, ran great. Bought 4 more, installed decoders, all ran great. The 6th one was a sound equipped, bad choice. I ended up removing the guts and making that one a dummy after a lot of fooling around. Since bought one more SD45-2, and installed decoders.
Now I received my first Santa Fe FP45 and I am just as equally pleased with it.
No, it’s the older 4-stripe scheme. Actually, I was looking for the original black and yellow scheme, but the only ones I could find were the BLI’s, and I’d heard rumors that THEY were problematic. However, as I said, I sure like the set I ended up with. [:)] BTW, these are strictly DC, without sound.
I am going to pick up my pair of Warbonnet FP45s this week and can’t wait!! I did go ahead and order the units with sound and DCC, so I may have some regrets, but time will tell.
What is the deal with them coming without the fuel tank installed and the chassis screwed to some sort of base plate?
Very simple, packaging and protection. Two long screws go up through the fibreboard platform into the chassis to hold it steady. The fuel tank is packaged separately. You remove the two screws, and if it is ready to run, take one short little screw out of a package and put the fuel tank on.
If you want to add a decoder, there are two more screws, one on each side of the chassis that hold the body down. Remove those screws, the coupler boxes, lift the body off the chassis and add decoder, then assemble back the way you un assembled.
Quite easy. The engine was packed very solid, no damage of any kind.
