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Athearn HO scale SD50 and SD60M diesel locomotives
My experience with the SD50 is similiar to the author, I have already had to have the local hobby shop fix 2 of the 3 I purchased in SP colors. Still for the price a good buy.
Thank you so much for this review. I found out just what I wanted to know and now I just might need to get one of these locomotives. It was very informative!
The SD50 runs well and with the extra weight, is a strong puller. Switching to Kadees is probably the best method to assure extremely few coupler failures. Concerning the railings, in the 70’s I purchased extra railing sets because some of dissatisfaction with some of the railings on non-Athearn locos - yes, it requires work for modification, but some have been inuse for almost 30 years with little problems. I do like the model prices, which when compared to those of 25 to 30 years ago are quite reasonable, especially as the quality has improved greatly.
I will not buy one these diesels as I model the 1950’s era but if one has a coupler problem, put a Kadee on the locomotives or rolling stock when purchased. That is why they are celebrating their 65th year of making couplers. They work!! I have 40 year old KD #5’s still in operation.
I TOO HAVE HAD A FEW PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVE TRAINS IN ONE OF MY 3 BN UNITS BUT HAVING BOUGHT MANY ATHEARN UNITS IN YHE PAST HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE CARE, I JUST WISH THEY WOULD GO BACK TO METAL HANDRAILS BUT I AM IN THE PROCESS OF USING DIFFERENT ONES FROM 2 OTHER COMPANIES AND DETERMING WHO’S ARE THE BEST
I fully agree that the railings on Athearn Genesis locos
are to fragile. Its almost so that you want the old metal railings back. I just recieved a GP15 and its very good looking with nice detailing, good sound and ditchlights
in both ends just like the prototype. (UP)
Keep up the good work Athearn but do something about
the railings.
Yeah, I have one of the older Athearn SD40-2s, and most of the handrails are still there. I pulled out of storage and some of the rails were busted off, but most are still going.