Athearn RTR Via Rail P42

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Does anybody have any of these locomotives? Are they nice? Where did you purchase yours from?

Thanks

Sean

2

I bought one from my LHS

I like it. It’s has a decent hauling capability to it. Fairly decent detailing out of the box.
I’m planning on buying another.

Gordon

3

I have an Amtrak AMD 103, I love it, It is by far the best running Athearn Loco that I have ever owned, The painting and lettering are good, and the detailing is rather spartan, but can be added easily.

Mac

4

Trackster,

I have two of the Athearn AMD-103’s. both in the phase five paint. #'s 146 and 204. I’m having trouble w/ loco 146 and thats why I’m looking for information. #204 is great! The best RTR loco I have.

Sean

5

I bought VIA P42 #920 last year. It runs fine and the detail level is very good; I compared it to the real thing many times. I only have a problem with the color that should contain more green.

Martin
Québec City

6

Martin4,

Do the Via Rail models have the new and improved motor and driveline?Also is it just the headlights that work?

Thanks

Sean

7

What scale is that? If its HO, where did you get them, b/c its hard to find HO scale in Phase 5 scheme.

8

FThunder11,

They are HO Scale. I live in CA and I got them at a train store in Central CA. Central Coast Trains. I got my #204 in December and they had about three left. I got #146 for Christmas a couple years ago. Very nice people that own and operate the shop. Here’s the website:

http://www.centralcoasttrains.com/

Your best bet would be to email them.

Sean

9

Fthunder11,

I think that Toy Train Heaven also has 134 in stock. It’s under the “Cloud 9 Sale”

Sean

10

Hi Amtrk14

I don’t know if the driveline is the new one (I didn’t open it yet) but I suppose so because it runs with much less noise than the old ones, very smoothly. About the lights, yes, only the headlights work; backlights and ditch lights all seem to be dummies. One of these days I’ll have a look inside to see if ditch lights could be replaced with real ones.
One more thing: take care when handling because some details like wind breakers and air reservoirs are a bit fragile.

Martin
Québec City

11

The drivetrain is new!
I had to open mine to lubricate the chassis as it didn’t run very well out of the box.
Only a minor complaint in my opinion.
The body hooks onto the frame by the ladders to the doors.
I will say it will haul 3 Athearn GO train cars & 2 Walthers passenger cars up a 3.5% grade by itself!!!
As I said, I do plan on buying another.

Gordon

12

Thanks Gordon for the info. Do you guys think that you could possibly post some pictures of your models? Have any of you guys done business with Georges Trains? Right now they have the lowest price on these models.

Thanks

Sean

13

I have VIA Rail P42 #912 and it’s the pride of my fleet. it runs extremely well and the detail is fantastic. I got it at a train show in Iroqoius, ON, for $100 dollars (with tax included!!!) That was only because I’m in the hosting club. The only dissapointment is that only the front headlights work, the lighting is not directional, and the ditch lights don’t work. Other than that, it’ awesome. I’d love another, but they’re almost imposssible to find as they were a limited run.Oh yeah, the colour is the most accurate I’ve seen yet on a P42.

Tim

VIA Rail RULES!

14

I have done business with Georges Trains in the past, but after the last time I went there, I won’t deal with them again.
I live in Oshawa, which on a good day is about an hour away by car
I phoned them up, asking them for a product to see if they had it in stock. The person I talked to said they had it.
I drive down there only to find out that they didn’t have it for about 2 weeks.
After that, I won’t waste my time driving down there. I won’t even deal with them at the shows.
I’ll stick with my LHS.

Gordon