Guys,
I just got my two Athearn RTR SD40s in MRL just now, and all I can say is WOW! One is #263 SD40-2XR Opperation Lifesaver, and the other is #214 SD40. Both of them are beautiful and the detail is excellent. I’ll have to post pictures later for I am at work right now. I just hope that they run as good as they look
Way to go Athearn!!!
I hope they run as great as they look. A friend of mine had problems with his in that the trucks had no play in them at all, causing them to derail through every turn-out and curve.
It will be some time before I will be able to run these. I ordered them from across country so that meant that I didn’t have the chance to test them before purchasing. Last time I did this I bought two P2K Geeps and both of them had problems, My GP30 is still having problems but does run, but slow. It’s a tough call to make when order away and not being able to test.
Zak,From what I seen of these units at the club they ran as well as they look smooth…I didn’t see any derailments at switches or on curves…
IMHO these are among the most beautiful engines Athern has done to date.[:D]
Sadly I don’t need any SD40s not even in C&O…[:(]
I wish they make 'em either undecorated or in CGW paint. For some reason Athearn doesn’t offer anything undec anymore[tdn]
I’ve seen them in UP, SF, SP down at the LHS and what impressed me the most is that each one is different do the almost exactness of the prototype. The UP was different than the SP. The SF was different than these MRLs. I also checked out rrarchivepictures.net and by the looks they aren’t far off with detail.
Interesting, mine had way too much play, the trucks would move back and forth about 1/4" each way. If you back up and then switch directions while moving you can actually see the trucks take off before the rest of the loco. On even gentle curves the trucks would get up under the frame and the loco would just tip over. I had to cut out a lot of the frame around the trucks to keep it on the tracks.
Hope you have better luck.
You know I noticed that too with Athearn. I’m looking at the Genesis SD45-2 to paint in MRL but there isn’t an undecorated, so I just might use the Seaboard and strip the decales.
I think i’m gonna have to get one or three now [:)]
Here are the units that come undec:
RS3
CF7
GP40X High & Low Hood
SD38
SD40. http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH93540
SD45T-2
SD50
SD60
F59PHI
Plus several engines in the Genesis Line- the SD45-2 comes undec with or without sound. http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=SD45-2+ATHG&CatID=THLD&RN=UNDEC
One can still find BB undecs to be found-Train Shows is the better place to look.
Yup Athearn sure enough doesn’t offer any undecorated units any more.[swg]
Actually, Athearn is still offering some of their models undecorated, like the SD45-2, shown here:
http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATHG67050
Also available undecorated are: the Genesis SD70 (standard cab), SD75M and I, MP15AC, Challenger and Big Boy (unlettered), the RTR RS-3, CF7, GP35, GP40X, SD38, SD40 (not -2), SD45T-2, SD50, SD60 and F59PHI, Blue Box F7, S12, SW1000, SW1500, SW7, F45, U28C dummy, GP7, 38-2, 40-2, 50, 60, SD40-2 and C44-9W dummy. Most of the RTR diesels that are also sold as BB kits don’t come undecorated, because that would make them BB kits again, which would make it pointless to sell them as RTRs.[:D]
Looks like you beat me to the RTRs.
Okay Larry the Smarty pants (In the words of Billy Madison) “Simple no would have been fine”
I was thinking of buying an Athearn Ready-to-Run RS-3 until I noticed that nowhere are they advertized as DCC Ready. If I am wrong about this, then I will certainly consider purchasing one, and an SD-40 if it comes out in Southern or Norfork Southern. If I am not wrong, then I am totally baffled at what Athearn is thinking in this day and age. Last month at our NMRA division meeting, the members were asked to raise their hand if they used DCC. At least 2/3’s of the hands went into the air.
rayw46,A simple check on the Athearn web site will reveal that the RS3 is DCC ready.
Straight from the description of the RS3.
Note the Equipped with Quick Plug DCC technology found in the below description.
See-through cab
Prototype specific headlight configuration
Prototype specific exhaust stack
Prototype specific pilot
Equipped with Quick Plug DCC technology
Next-generation drive mechanism with hex drive lines
Directional headlights
Machined RP25 profile metal wheels
McHenry semi-scale operating knuckle couplers installed
I have 2 Athearns and have no problems with them I really want the B&M Bicentennial from Athearn
BRAKIE, Athearn makes those but I can’t find ONE internet store that sells the undecs[%-)]
BUT, the RTRs have better detail, and the new driveline. (altho I’ve head some BB now have the new driveline)
My Bad, Brakie. I must have been scanning instead of perusing.
Don’t feel to bad…I missed it the first time I read the description.[:O][:I]
I know the feeling…
I can’t find several items including the PAMAM boxcar or a losey pack of Athearn GP7 handrails…Horizon says they are backed ordered.
The GP38-2, GP40-2, GP50, and SD40-2’s ARE STILL being offered in the BB line.But finding a HOBBY SHOP that still stocks them is another matter since the RTR is more popular.