Do all of the new Athearn RTR engines have the DCC quickplug? I have seen new Athearn engines in the new style boxes that do not say the quickplug is installed on it. Could those be pre-RTR? They look assembled.
Confused in their marketing attempt.
Mike in Tulsa
BNSF Cherokee Sub
my RTR AC4400 purchased in NOV 2005 is quick plug equipped but it says so on the box- maybe Athearn has leftover boxes- on the back of the box for mine it talks about how RTR is the future of MRRing
Athearn seems to have serveral lines going on at the same time. They seem to be in the process of slowly converting all their lines to DCC quick plug RTR. Near as I can tell:
Blue Box - The time-honored blue box is never RTR or DCC Ready (Quick Plug Equipped sticker on the upper right hand corner of the box) Most blue-box units have metal grabs and handrails.
RTR - As it says, Ready to Roll. Athearn’s GP38-2 falls into this category as well as several others. Be careful here because these are basically the same internal components as the Blue Box units, except the details are already in place and usually made out of plastic rather than metal. They will need several extra steps to make them DCC-ready and therefore probably not a good choice for the beginner.
RTR+DCC Quick Plug Equipped - Seems to be the way Athearn is going with their lines. But it’s taking time to get there. All these units require is a decoder popped into the socket and off you go.
Genesis Line - I don’t own any of these yet, so I can’t comment. Some have decoders already installed as well as sound. Better detailing, etc.
Please correct me where I’m wrong! Hope this helps!
Jawbone
My Athearn Genesis SD75I’s did not have a plug.
I have posted several messages on this and another forum about the lack of consistancy within the Athearn RTR line. The CF7 and GP35 have up to date electrical systems and are DCC ready while the GP38-2 and SD40-2 (at least the first round issue) are just BB locos with plastic handrails. Maybe eventually all their old BB locos they release in the RTR line will be updated but as of now they aren’t worth the price.
Bob DeWoody
Again the truth and not half truths…The NEWER RTR GP38-2,GP40-2 and SD40-2 has the new scale hand rails and the new hex line drive shafts but doesn’t have the DCC plug.The newer RTR units like the SD50/60/45-2 CF7,GP35 and other NEW NON BLUE BOX Engines COMES WITH THE DCC PLUG.
Jawbone seems to have it down pat except for the new hex linedrive
There is NO REAL CONFUSION if you use the Athearn web site and READ the features of EACH locomotives…You see by doing that you will KNOW first hand and not relay on half truths and misinformation.
yes there is- my RTR AC4400 BNSF H3 is quick plug equipped and Athearns site doesn’t mention it http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH79829
Also I am 99.9% sure ALL RTR’s have the new driveline-That is sometimes listed on Athearns site. But it doen’t mention it for my AC4400 which has the new driveline. I sure hope this is quick plug equippped (i bet it is since it’s a new release)http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH80174
If a engine is DCC Quick Plug Equipped, there is usually a sticker on the front of the box telling you so…thats on the RTR models. I’m not totally sure about the genesis models. Most of the newer Genesis Models come DCC Quick Plug Equipped. But if you are not sure, check the Athearn website before you buy.
Sean
Hello,
I just bought an Athearn RTR Santa Fe GP38-2. It did not come with the DCC plug-in, so I am assuming, that they don’t all have DCC plug-ins.
Chris
The C44-9W comes with the DCC plug.The AC4400 does not…
Now I was wondering…So,I checked Horizons site and several on line shops-NO DCC plug in the AC4400.So,thinks I,you may have gotten a C44-9W in a AC4400 box.Still being puzzled on this matter I was wonder if you could post a pix of this unit or the box.
I am not doubting what you say is true after all you own the unit… I am just wondering.Is this unit from the last release? Did they switch drives by mistake? Whats the story? Is this one of a kind freak engine? What? [:D]
Chris,As I stated earlier,the GP38-2,GP40-2 and SD40-2 are RTR BLUE BOX engines.So,it will have the new scale handrails,the hex drive line but,NO DCC plug.The latest releases of the GP38-2 and GP40-2 will have metal grab irons installed.The RTR SD40-2 does not…The NEW SD40 due in February will have the metal Grabs,the scale handrails and hex drive line plus the DCC plug.
I think you’re talking about me since I said I have an AC4400. The box says AC4400 on the side and on the front it says “DCC-quick plug equipped” It’s the BNSF/new logo which Athearn released a few months ago. Athearns site says it doesn’t come out until January 2006 but i got mine in Nov 2005. Athearns website has some mistakes. -It’s RTR has the RTR hex-driveline and it is QUICK PLUG EQUIPPED i’ve had the shell off to confirm all this. it’s NOT a C44-9W
I can tell the difference between a C44-9W and an AC4400 -also it’s in the new BNSF paint and it’s the ONLY engine Athearn has released so far w/ H3 paint.
my new pennsy GP35 has it, but my new NS GP40-2 doesnt 
dingoix,Very well… I sees says the blind man…Thank you! Mystery solved.[:D]
Sorry about that Brakie! Guess I should’ve read that thouroughly.
Again I am sorry,
Chris
Hey,no big deal…We all do that…[:D]
Well I’m glad we got that all cleared up about my AC4400.