Personally, I wish it was Genesis, as I would think that at least half the fun of a turbine model would be the sound. I run DC, so to get sound the Genesis line with their dual mode sound is the way for me.
The tenders were added to solve traction issues that occured with the original configuration as the fuel was used up. When they moved to the tenders, the fuel tanks on the locos were filled (with concrete I believe) to provide weight.
The QSI turbine sound can be added to these and you have dual mode sound capabilities in the loco. Much better option than the normal Athearn sound offering.
But why RTR and not Genesis? From the information I have seen released, these were going to be Genesis quality, as originally announced, but for some reason Athearn has decided to release them as RTR models. Does this mean they are dropping back on the quality? or have they just done this because they don’t have an appropriate sound option for them?
I will be waiting to see some examples before I order - though I do have several Overland brass ones to keep me happy till then [:)].
Richard
I don’t think this is a question about Quality but more about the Sound and the usual Athearn Junk. The only Sound Decoder with Turbine Sound is QSI and I completely understand why Athearn doesn’t want to add QSI - they certainly must have a contract with MRC.
From the announcement I get that this is a better than usual RTR model and it easily can be on the Genesis level. Of course we won’t know that before the model is released but on the other hand how long is Athearn continuing with the Genesis line?
The Genesis Freight cars are all RTR models now and how long before the first Genesis locos are “converted” to RTR?!
According to the announcement it will come with: “two speaker mounting points are molded into the underframe, to fit up to 1.20” (30.48mm) in diameter" I saw the prototype at the NMRA Show in Anaheim last July and it caught my eye even without the paint. I’m not sure about the distinction between RTR and Genesis but from what I’ve seen, Athearn seems to be blurring the line between the two by upping the quality in RTR towards the higher level rather than going in the opposite direction. For those of us who deal with annual model railroading budgets in the 3 figure range and have seen their 401K turn into a 201K during the current recession, I believe Athearn might strike a cord many who don’t have war department approval to buy brass. Having a turbine priced in the $300 range will obviously attract a broader range of modeler who might not have considered this option in the past. From what I’ve read, the turbines ran mostly in the Rocky Mountain states. My current club’s layout and my future home layout are based on West Coast operations during the era these locomotives were running. For the price, I could probably justify an occasional visit by one of these unique beasts.
The new MRR Newsletter gives it’s release date as June 09.[:(!]
Got this from the UP modelers site “Checking the QSI web site, there is a Quantum Revolution chip coming for the turbine with all of the new bells and whistles added.
Regards,
DA Borden, RLA”
The old chip wass OK - the new one should be better!![8D]
That chip will be welcomed indeed. I have two turbines “in the shop” waiting for sound and conversion to DCC.
There is a QSI sound file for the gas turbine so the Revolution will be available for the UP Turbine. You can hear the sound at the following link. QSI Turbine Sound
Sounds great for the diesel, but what about the turbine?[%-)]
Hey, I cant find any mention of min. radius for this loco on Athearn’s site. Does anyone know this ? Looks to me as you would need more than 24.
Don’t know about the Athearn, but my Lionel will do 18" without a prob!! Athearn has made the Challenger & even the Big Boy to go around 18", so I would guess the Turbine would do the same - certainly a lot easier than getting the BB to do it!!! BTW, they all look silly on 18"!!![:D]
It should at least run on a 22" radius. If there’s one thing Athearn’s always been good about, it’s making their models run at least decently on tight curves. And who cares if they look silly!? I WANT A TURBINE ON MY LITTLE LAYOUT!![:D]
Just got an update this morning from Athearn regarding a correction on the artwork that was in the original announcement.
The updated Athearn announcement is listed below.
CZ
http://www.athearn.com/Newsletter/121608/03_rev_TURBINE_121608.jpg
Just to keep my mind straight - there is no current turbine sound chip set yet - right??
There is a sound chip available. Follow this link and scroll to the bottom of the page:
http://qsisolutions.com/products/techinfo/revolution/q-revo_codes_diesel.html
Don Z.
this could be a good base to build a BoBo-BoBo U50. hell all athern needs to do is put a different shell on top and bam, another rare release[:)]
If I rec all right these units were near duplicates of the Virginian EL-2’s, just added turbine engines etc.
Love to have the engine in UP, but if I wanted I could mod it to the Virginian with 2 units, no tender.
It should run on tight curves because of the truck articulation. My ALCO EL-2’s will handle snap track. Whatta snake.
Athearn has a picture (small but its’ there) of a painted model… really looks good from what I can see.
http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH88664
http://www.athearn.com/Newsletter/121608/03_rev_TURBINE_121608.jpg
this is a larger image [:)]