I notice that Athearn makes a GP-38 RTR Model in NS. There are also Proto 2000 models in NS. Which one is mechanically better?
Steve
The proto ones are extremly nice, superior in detail and run smoother, and pull more, and there is a gp38-2 in ns in proto
[#ditto] I’m not tring to get a brand war going here, but in my opinion, the P2K locos are far superior to anything Athearn makes (with the exception of the Athearn’s Genesis line).
I don’t know about much difference in detailing between the two!!!
My Athearn RTR SD60 is as detailed as my P2K SD50.
The first pic in my profile has 2 Athearn units & 2 Proto units
a BB SW7 & a RTR VIA P42
& a Proto 2000 PA & a Proto 1000 C-Liner, I don’t have a problem running either of them.
Gordon
Has the Athearn RTRs have any unique problems–tendencies that make them less favorible to Proto 2000?
If the Athearn has the upgraded drive - I’d say the P2K will be a slightly better runner. If the Athearn still has the old drive, no contest.
As far as detailing - the Athearn RTR, while having far superior handrails to the old Blue Box Athearns, does not have all the individually added parts that Proto 2000 does.
–Randy
The Proto 2000s are better quality. The Athearns are more durable and look almost as good. The Athearn diesels also work perfectly smooth and quiet. So do you want almost as good but more durable for a lower price? Or do you want better quality and pulling power for the higher price?
How can anyone argue the reliability of an Athearn? But from a running standpoint, I’d have to agree the Proto 2000 is better. I can’t say about reliability, because I haven’t had the Proto 2000 long.
Steve;
You asked about an HO scale GP38; neither Athearn nor P2K offer a model of a GP38, they only offer GP38-2 models. For a GP38, Atlas is the best choice.
The RTR Athearn GP38-2 has the new hex drive shafts and the scale plastic hand rails…You still need to add the grabs,plows etc and other NS details.The P2K GP38-2 comes with all the details applied but,you still need to add NS details…Of course one could run both brands of NS units as is.
I have 3 of Athearn RTR GP38-2s and they are smooth runners from the box…
As for me I would think long and had about the P2K GP38-2.The reason I say that is because I had to replace gears on all of my P2K GP7/9/30s and due to that small fact I am very gun shy of anything P2K…
Larry, I posted this elsewhere but to make sure I’m on track you’re stating that "P2K 7 through the 30
models may have or has the cracked gear flaw? I have the 20 & 30 but failed to realize the problem extended into these models.
As usual, thanks.
The gears crack on the GP 20s & 30s too. That’s why I’ve bought my last P-2-Krap. From now on, it’s Athearn all the way.
GrayLoess…P2K crap?
Athearn and Life Like have their share of small, nuisance problems.
I’ve owned Athearns for 30 years. EXCEPT for the Genesis F7, I will still would go for P2K!
IMHO, the P2Ks I have run more quietly and have superior detailing to comparable Athearns. The cracked axles? Yes, I replaced a set on a P2K GP9, which took me about a long…agonizing…2 minutes!. [(-D]
I was a little peeved about my axles…but shortly afterwards my wife’s cousin bought two $100 Athearn Genesis SD75Ms. Nice looking units. He ran them on the layout. Both “see-sawed” side to side on the layout.
Analysis: One had a warped axle…the other had a warped truck frame! $100? I can’t say the words he uttered as he continued to inspect the problems. He was so upset that he declared that these would be his last Athearns…calling them “krap”. [B)]
He then purchased 3 P2K units…runs them constantly…no problems yet. [;)]
P2K vs. Athearn.
Chevy vs. Ford
Pluses and Minuses from both. Depending on customer experience…either or both are great or “krap”.[8)][:p][:D][:0]
Just trying to say guys…let’s be realilstic.[:)][8D]
But we all know Fords are better. GM can’t compete with the Power Stroke.
Hmmmmm.
And Ford can’t compete with Toyota and Honda’s gas mileage efficiency.
Sorry Antonio, but I stand by every word in my earlier post.
I’ve had several P2Kraps, and wound up having trouble with every last single one of 'em, while the Athearns just run and run and run.
So you changed the gears in two minutes? After waiting how many weeks to get them?
Ya know, it’s not like this was just one bad batch of plastic, they’ve had this continual problem with the gears for YEARS now - you’d think they’d correct the problem instead putting out the same lousy product time afetr time.
And it’s not just the cracked gears, it’s their crummy circuit boards that conk out too.
P2Krap? Nope, never again.
[#ditto]
Protos are nice but for DCC you must change bulbs, not Athearn! My P2K SD50 I have had a winding noise my Athearn SD50 was quiet and smooth. As for DCC READY…Athearn is truly Plug & Play
My experience with proto’s is that they have gear problems, and they don’t run long before the problems start. MAybe my units were made on friday, go with Athearn and Atlas trainman
I have a Proto 2000 E8 A/B set that has DCC installed. Didn’t have to change the bulbs. Just replaced a small board and took less than 3 seconds. All my Proto 2000 and 1000 locos run great. Older Proto units you may have to replace bulbs. Many of them come from a different age. I believe they started Proto production in 1989 so the new models of both Proto and Athearn may be a little more high tech. I have 3 Proto 1000 F’s and they run great for $20 a piece.
RMax1
The athearn RTR GP38-2 is NOT DCC ready and digitrax now makes a decoder for P2K loco’s that allows you to keep the P2K bulbs (it has the resistors built in). I have both the Athearn NS GP38-2 and the P2K NS GP38-2 and prefer the P2K unit in ALL respects. I too have P2K GP7’s, GP18, and GP30. Only one had the cracked gear problem which was easily replaced. None of my newer P2K locomotives have had this problem.
Bob DeWoody