I model N scale so don’t own any Athearn locos yet,as there weren’t any available until lately.I know Athearn’s locos are very popular amongst HO modelers due to their fair prices and reliability,but is it the case with their more recent N scale offerings.I would like to try one of their F59PHI’s…these look great but are they any good?Are they fair to convert to DCC?I’d enjoy any comment,thanks.
From what I can remember of the reviews of this loco, the feeling was that while it was nicely detailed it was let down by the motor, which is apparently more suited to a racing car than a model loco. It tended to offer very poor slow-speed capability (making smooth starts and stops tricky) and was rather noisy at full power. If Athearn have fixed the motor then it would be worthwhile, otherwise DCC may offer a way to “tame” the original one - tweaking settings in the decoder can often be used to work around undesirable motor behaviour. Hope this is of help!
Jacktal;
I have one, and the review by Matt above is correct. It runs like a jack rabbit, is noisy, and the slow speeds are lacking. It does look nice and as of yet, I have not tried to install DCC in it although I intend to sometime to see if it will help the slow speeds.
Tom.
well i got to try an N scale athearn f59phi when i orderd a HO one they sent me the rong one. but it is not a bad engine looks nice but the same on the sound and speed. but it can pull pretty good.
Ben.
The buyout & merger of Athearn & MDC/Roundhouse seems to be a good deal for Athearn. The F59PHI was their first loco, and the reviews came out as a fast runner, like so many old Nscale ones. It is heavy enough to be a decent puller. {Perhaps the price is down enough from the origonal issue to make them attractive. I don’t expect so much for a $30 loco.
The SD70 was their second effort. It is good news to see Athearn retool & remotor this loco. Perhaps Athearn could remotor the F59PHI as well.
The best news is the demise of the MDC coupler in favor of MTL & Accumates. Also, Athearn is doing screw mount trucks on all the new freight & passenger cars. New paint schemes for a lower price.