I’m about to commit $$ to buying a ABBA SuperChief Set. Aside from the sound features of Broadway (not a negligible feature), which is the better unit in terms of finsh/detail and operational smoothness: Broadway Imports or Athearn Genesis??
I’m told that the Athearn Genisis F7 shells are made by HighLiner, and that the finish on the shell in the ATSF Warbonnet simulates the stainless panels on the loco sides very well.
Hello TrainmanZ3.
Haven’t seen one yet, however, the Broadway E7s that are already out might give an indication of what to expect. I’ve seen the Burlington and Southern Pacific units and they are beautifully detailed.
Of course BLI’s “selling feature” of course is the sound system while the Santa Fe units have the attractive metalized sides. Think about which of the features it is that you want more of from these two competing lines as they both feature good quality.
Which ever units you decide to get, you’re still the winner!
Hi TM. I can’t speak for BLI diesels, but I have several of the Genesis F’s, including both their silver painted Warbonnet F3’s, and the chrome plated F3’s (as well as the WP chrome F3’s). They are extremely nice units. I like the silver painted units almost as much as the chrome ones. The chrome though is outstanding and does give a very credible (even incredible) impression of really being metal (stainless), even though it’s not. You would not regret getting them. Too bad Walthers doesn’t do their passenger cars with this same plating method. The Walthers cars are very nice, and look great running behind these F’s, but would be even nicer if they could do the stainless effect as well.
Some have reported occasional issues with the Genesis drives. I have 11 sets of these locos and haven’t had any issues (yet). Perhaps I’m just lucky, but I suspect the rate of issues is probably minmal, because there aren’t a whole lot of posts reporting problems with them. Aside from any potential issues, the drives are very smooth and quite powerful. The paint on all of the F’s I own (ATSF frt and pass, UP’s, SP’s, WP’s and both versions of GN’s) or have seen is exquisite. Nothing against BLI or any other brand, but I don’t think the paint could get any better than the Genesis F’s. They are just like the real thing, and how can you get any more real than real, eh? BLI or any other maker of F’s would do very well to match this level of quality in painting their F’s. Like AnonioFP45, I too like BLI’s SP E’s paint very much, but their UP’s are a little off. I like the Proto UP E’s (the E6’s, E7’s, and E9’s)a little more, but the Genesis UP F’s paint are better than both. IMHO. Enjoy the hobby.
Greg
The Genesis units are indeed Highliner Shells, but they are made by Athearn (Who makes the undec shells for Highliner).
These are hands-down the best looking F units on the market. The drive is up there, I’d rate the Intermountain drive a bit better, but not by much. And Soundtraxx makes DCC sound units for these.
I don’t think anybody has BOTH yet, so all comparisons would be speculative - even if correct.
BROADWAY offers DCC/ DC and sound if that’s what you want for about a hundred dollars more - per unit.
GENESIS offers the most realistic looking 'F’s, operating on DC, (that DCC and sound can be added to later).
.FRANKLY, I’d go with the Genesis / Walthers #47…and end the speculation.
I would like to offer some comments of the coming BLI F7 units. I agree with Don Gibson that all comparisons at this time are speculative, but according to an email back to me from BLI confirming this, they are going to offer plated F7 units to simulate stainless steel much like the Genesis units.
The Genesis units will be hard to top in looks, but most other chassis run better than the first Genesis released. They have advertised the improved drive and I own four of these also. in addtion to about twenty of the Genesis units, but I have decided to purchase the BLI units in addition to the Santa Fe Genesis units because of the sound option.
It will be interesting to see these units side by side. I have replaced almost all of the wheel sets in my Genesis units to eliminate poor slow speed running conditions. If you have any early Genesis F3 's or F7’s, you can order true running wheel sets from Stewart or Kato that will work in the Genesis F units. I used the Kato wheels, which have a much better gear set and the wheels are actually round.
As an interesting side comment, the Proto 1000 F unit chassis runs better than most all other F units with the exception of the old Kato built Stewart units.
Athearn Genesis and Ready-to-Roll are made in China. This means that Athearn probably contracts the work out to some other company.
Give me and Athearn and not the Genesis just the old F7 any day
I second that motion.
Give me the Genesis units any day. Those things are good looking, highly detailed, good pullers, and cost less than BLIs version. Of course if you absolutely have to have sound it’s a different matter…
JUST put an Athearn and Genesis F-7 side by side, and you’ll see the difference.
If you still prefer 50 year old molding and chasis design, fine. Your looking at your pocketbook… But you migh need to have your eyes checked, anyway.
ERICSP:
and … BLI’s are made in Korea. Your point??
And my BLI AT&SF4-8-4 3751 is made in China !!!
After being in the hobby for longer then most of the forum readers are old (52 years), I’ve aquired a rather extensive collection of locos. We used to buy nothing but brass, and then along came PROTO 2000. Now we have INTERMOUNTIAN, and GENESIS. Uncle Irv’s idea was to make it cheap and go on volume. The old Globes left a lot to be desired but they only cost $.99 for a dummy and I think $2.99 for a power unit. Irv had no idea that modelers would pay as much, relative, as we do now for cars and locos. That was not his method.
When I first saw the F3’s, my thoughs were “Athearn - leave it alone” then I saw it being demenstrated (SP) for someone else and was impressed. I now have all of the Genesis Warbonnets and have up graded as follows:
1)replace the wheels with NWSL - gives much better conductivity
2)put a digitrax DH163AO in both “A’s” and one of the “B” units.
3)put a Soundtraxx decoder in the other “B” unit
4)mounted a 1" sq. speaker where the cab would have been, had it been an “A” unit
4)operate 'till my hearts content.
bigboy 4015:
I was so unhappy with my BLI 4-8-4 # 3762 that I went out and purchased another one.[:D] I would buy the third one but the 2-10-2 is comming and the Superintendent isn’t going to let me spend that much money.
Enjoy your railroad and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY
Bob
To any Genesis owners.
Guys, I was curious. How do your Genesis F units run? And do they “Growl”?
I’ve seen some good deals on these units and was wondering as to their performance characteristics. If they do run quietly, I would consider getting one and painting it into the Atlantic Coast Line’s black and yellow scheme.
Cheers!
The Genesis units are indeed Highliner Shells, but they are made by Athearn (Who makes the undec shells for Highliner).
The shell are made by Highliner for Athearn. If you look inside the shell you will see Highliner " made in USA" with USA melted out. They are only assemble in China.
Thanks for this post, I was wondering about the quality of the Genesis Fs. I am selling off my Athearn Blue Box diesels. These locos were very nice in there day and provided reasonable access to desired locos at that time, but my opinion is they have been rplaced with much better technology.
The BLI F’s will have to really be something special to look better than the Genny’s, but lets assume they are on par for the sake of argument.
You can buy a Genny street price for about $100. If you want DCC and sound, it is a beeeeatch of a project to fit it in. Figure another $1-25-150 per unit plus your time.
BLI is doing “clearnace” sales that make them look like the next Proto2000 - meaning if you can wait ti out you’ll get what you want at 50% off or better.
So, if an Athearn Genny with sound and DCC is going to cost a total of $225-250 plus time and a BLI is going to cost $200 list RTR and likely street at $150 or less, you really have no comparison on price point… BLI wins.
In fact, BLI stuff is so cheap now you can get a PRR M!a for less than the cost of a Soundtraxx decoder!!!
If the BLI F-7 looks good, is the phase you want and comes in roadname you want, I can’t imagine you’d do any better on a Genny… but seeing the BLI shell will be the proof in the pudding.
Rob