what is the difference between a sd40 that is rtr vs blue box you have to assemble.
The Athearn RTR product line is little more than assembled versions of the Blue Box kits, with a few improvements such as redesigned handrails.
First the SD40 was never a BB kit the SD40-2 was.The RTR SD40-2 and the BB SD40-2 is the same engine with the newer scale handrails and the new drive shafts.
The SD40 is a former RPP shell with improvements,metal grabs and scale handrails.
Dont forget that the newer RTRs are dcc quick plug equiped and new tooling. I have a RTR GP40-2 that has the old motor. It works good but I will still repower it.
Victor
Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]
Not exactly if you consider the improved RPP shells such as the SD45-2,CF7,GP40X, SD38,SD50 and SD60 as well as the RPP GP60. Then you have the Alco RS3.All have the new hex drive line and DCC ready.
Also the newer releases of the GP38-2 and GP40-2 has grab irons.
The Athearn RTR’s feature better motors, better details and are all around better models. Go with the RTR.
Athearn did some strange things on the RTRs probably to speed up production. The truck slack on the dash 9s is crazy. But overall the RTRs are much better than blue boxes and they are good engines for the money.
I think the RTRs have better paint than the BB kits, and they have a DCC plug. But other than that, they’re the same. BB kits now include plastic railings and the new hex drive shafts.
If I could jump in here and ask a relevant question? I have a 1984 vintage Athearn F7A BB and burnt up a decoder before I realized that the old motors were current hogs. I am in the process of remotoring it. My question is if you buy a new Athearn BB loco say the F7A is the motor DCC compatable or do you still have to remotor for DCC? Tks.
Terry
the newer BBs are fine for DCC. Just make sure you isolate the motor from the frame and ditch the stock headlight. I like to use a TCS T1 decoder for BBs.
Tks Joe that is what I thought but wanted to make sure.
Terry
The last few BB SD40-2s I have bought had hex-drive (presumably with the new motor) and plastic handrails. The last BB GP40-2 I bought was the same.
Cool! These are the BB kits and not the BB RTR? Correct?
Unless I’m mistaken aren’t the RTR SD50 and SD60 along with the Genesis (Not RTR) SD45-2, all new tooling???
My only problem is that not all Athearn RTR locos are created equal. I love my CF7 and GP35 but fell like I was cheated on my GP38-2 and SD40-2 bought before the latest run.
They are the Blue Box “kits” (there never was much to assemble with Athearn locomotives). I presume that BB RTR means RTR locomotives that were originally BB. If so, no that is not what I was refering to. These were add the truck details, handrails, horns, headlight lenses, etc. yourself.
The RTR line has a much quieter drive than BB, unless you find a BB like ericsp mentioned.
ericsp,Thanks for the clarification…[:D] I am glad to hear the BB KITS has been upgraded with the new handrails and drive…
There isn’t much difference between the new drive BB & the RTR ones.
The new drive BB came with both the plastic & BB handrails.
Detail is about the same except for the fact that the RTR came with a snow plow.
Gordon