Join the discussion on the following article:
Athearn Trains HO scale Union Pacific Veranda Turbine
Mine runs very smoothly and quietly and looks great. When I saw them in Cheyenne in the late 50s, they were anything but quiet. It really needs a good sound decoder to give the feel of the real thing.
The lights in mine were not LED’s but the standard Athearn lights. I installed the LED kit from Ulrich models as the factory lights were too dim. Also the Tsunami sound decoder will not fit without some modifation. I cannot speak for the QSI decoder. this is due to the veranda being narrower where the decoder should mount. The model is a good runner and worth the effort.
I hve one it runs great on dc. I haven’t tried on dcc yet . reason my layout is in construction. DC rating
I think that the Veranda Turbine could use more power. Perhaps a second motor. Athearn did produce a dual motored “DD40” (actually a DD35) several years ago. They have the know how.
I recently received my Athearn Turbine. I was just blown away by the body detail. I’m used to the blue box Athearn locomotive, I guess. Straight out of the box, the locomotive ran super! The only sound heard was the wheels “clicking” over track joints. The only disappointment was the truck sideframes. I felt that Athearn didn’t carry through with the amount of detail seen on the body, such as speed recorder, air and sand lines.
Athearn has a good eye for detail, the trucks were painted aluminum at that time by Union Pacific.
I want one in N Scale !!!.
Looks great. You can almost feel the power just looking at it.
I really enjoy and appreciate the reviews in MR. Even though I model in "N’ scale I can’t resist looking at UP models in other scales, By reading these reviews, you can get a "feel: for the product, even if it isn’t right in front of you.
There are so many times that a model is produced that it just dosen’t perform up to exptations, and with the cost of models today, makeing a purchase just to find out this information, just isn’t realaity. By reading the review, your questions are answered. This review was exceptionaly good in that it gave the era the locomotive ran. The performance you could expect, and what could be done to make it better. Good work.
I have #71 with tender - available much less than RRP so shop around - I got mine delivered to Australia for less than RRP. Like others I agree the inside is really tight for a decoder installation. I went Tsunami option and had to fiddle with placement of decoder inorder for it to fit. Basically it sits as far to rear as the body support posts will allow. In doing so you still need to remove some of the clear plastic over motor so that decoder sits down between the metal frame - it just clears the rear flywheel doing this. Make sure the wiring is kept clear of mechanism. Whilst soundtrax 1.25’ speakers fit the frame and you can get a inslde baffle in from and dual height baffle in rear the body will not go back on. The solution is to cut sections from baffle - basically making baffle redundant. I will in future reseal the baffles by building some styrene panels. Lighting with DCC decoder is rubbish so will also upgrade to LEDs. Only complaint with decoder is I don’t seem to be able to use a function button to start up prime mover - it’s either startup at speed step 1 or as soon as layout is powered up. As for the turbine it really is a spectacular unit for a “basic” RTR. I agree with others nice model and worth effort to install sound - just take your time or get someone to do it for you. I also recall reading that the full turbine start up and shut down sequence could take up to 20mins.
I’m really happy with the details on my new Veranda, Athearn did a outstanding job in replicating this HO scale model as they did with the Challenger 3985. I have been purchasing Athearn locomotives since I was a beginner in the hobby with my Father & Grandfather. Keep up the great work.
Fantastic detail and very clean paint and lettering. I am constantly amazed by Athearn’s detail in the rtr line of locomotives…in many cases now better then even the early Genesis line.
As I don’t have a layout yet I haven’t had a chance to run it, but in the mean time it has replaced my pair of Athearn Genesis FP45’s as the center piece to my collection.
While I don’t have the Veranda Turbine in my locomotive inventory, Athearn locomotives are the backbone of my motive power fleet. They are rugged, reliable locomotives, with crisp, accurate painting, and superb details. I recommend them highly to those new to our hobby.
As many have said, this is a great looking model. The engine roof is loaded with “junk”. Lots of mystery boxes and intakes etc. I’ve always thought that the turbines were particularly handsome units. I am fortunate to have observed the real turbines in action. They were truly awsome. OK, Athearn it’s time to get that 8500 hp turbine on the drawing board.
Gilles Cote-the loco does not come factory equipped with a decoder and it only runs on DC. You will have to install a decoder to run on DCC.
future models should have sound installed and better lighting - the lighting was poorly done - otherwise - i would like to thank Athearn for the model
The engines are great for what they are, I have two both a veranda and a non-veranda. My only complaint is that they only powered two trucks ,so they will not pull a prototypical cut of reefers or stock cars. I other to pull a decent train I believe that you will have to add helpers, such as GP-9A’s or GP-9B’s.Some day Atheran might make them.
I have Just ordered this from Trainwold.com, and with our $ very close to the US$ it was very cheap and half the price of getting in Australian shops!!
Have also got a Soundtraxx Decoder and speakers coming from US as well, Buying Trains over here is a joke with the prices.
Looking forward to it
I rate it a Genesis quality craftsmanship at it’s best.
lets see the 3 unit 8500 turbine next