Anyone thinking about getting the new Athearn Genesis SD70MAC’s?
Nope. Don’t like Genesis locos. Never owned a steam but just gave away the last of my diesels. Won’t buy them again. Only my opinion but the question was asked.
Thanks,
Jeremy
Don’t have and don’t want any locomotives not in operation in 1948, but I have an A-B set of Genesis F units with either Roco or Buhler motors, same as Genesis SDs, and they run fine. Athearn Genesis, IMHO, produces the highest quality locomotives in HO scale.
Can’t wait but think their too much $$$ but will still look for a deal on at least one. I hope the next one Athearn runs is the sd90mac that RPP had and I WOULD be willing to pay for that one even though it’s too big to run
Juby4life,
What problems did you have with the Genesis units that turned you off? Was it ditch lights, noise, performance? [%-)]
I’ve read many mixed reactions. All I can comment on is the BNSF unit that my wife’s cousin purchased in 2003. Beautifully detailed. It runs smoothly but what surprised me is that it has a little (not as loud) of the old Athearn “Growl”! [|(][D)]
My only “nitpicking point”: If I’m going to be paying $100 or more for an HO locomotive, it better run as quietly as a Kato, Stewart, or Atlas unit or I’m taking it back! Since I purchased my Stewart F7 a few years back, I’ve been spoiled. [B)][V][:P]
I purchased two of the Athearn Genesis SD-70s and had problems converting them to DCC because of the 1.5 Volt bulbs Athearn uses for the ditch lights, headlight, and rear light. All of the bulbs had to be replaced, which was a major undertaking. I also had problems with them staying on the track because there was not enough free play in the lead trucks. They are very particular about any dips or rises in trackwork on a curve.
NOTE: The light bulb problem mentioned above was caused by the decoder manufacturer providing the wrong value for the resistors that needed to be used when converting to DCC. Genesis locos require a special “plug-n-play” decoder that replaces the original constant lighting circuit board. The decoder is the same one used in newer Kato and Atlas locomotives, such as the North Coast Engineering DA-SR decoder sold by Tony’s Train Exchange.
I have the Kato SD70Mac’s and have made reservations for the Genesis units. The Kato products are great runners, but do not have the detail that has become the standard for the new releases. The Genesis diesels need work to make them run well and the first SD70’s had very poor quality gearing. The latest models seem to be much better than their first models, and I used Kato wheel and gear sets to replace the out of round wheel sets in the first Genesis units. Replacing the F units wheel sets with the Kato wheel sets made the Genesis run great. I don’t understand the lack of detail such as cutbars on the Genesis units, since they advertise as real as it gets, but the F units are on an equal standard in fidelity to my Overland F units, for 1/6 th of the cost.
Part of the hobby has always been working on the detail and making them run better, so I enjoy both Kato and Genesis diesels.
Juby4life, Cacole, Bangert1
You’ve all given us some excellent input. What’s important about this particularly is that when we go to “swap meets” or train shows, we can be more alert if we see what seems to be “sweet deals” on a new or used Genesis units that potentially may have problems stemming from the factory. [B)][:0]
You three as well as the rest of us should consider that it is important that you go to Athearn’s Website and e-mail them your findings! They don’t want to lose customers and a persistent problem would be addressed. [;)]
Many of us that encounter problems with models tend do the old
“FIX IT & FUGGED ABOUDIT!” This of course doesn’t help our fellow hobbyists. It helps us all when modelers willingly give manufacturer’s feedback on products that we have problems with. Only takes a few minutes to type up and “zip it” to them.
[8)][^][:D][swg]
Antonio FP45, you have mentioned a great idea that many do not realize. I have sent email to Athean, Broadway Limited, Overland and Proto 200o with my thoughts and wish list. They always reply fairly quickly. In the case of the Genesis gearing, they actually advertised improved drive train in the Genesis about a year ago, and they have improved it.
Yesterday, I emailed Broadway asking if the new passenger train sets were plated, since the price was higher than the offerings from others at this time. They wrote back an hour later saying yes, and they will be the best ever offered.
My advise is to send constructive email and a wish list. If you go to a hobby show, be sure to give your wish list to the Manufacturer when they are displaying.
The problems I had was of course the ditch lights. What was the use of having them as an extra if I couldn’t get them to work. Second and the most important was the darn things just wouldn’t run right. I had older blue box diesels that ran better. BUT if the improvements mad to the drive train was a good change then I would consider buying a Genesis but not the 70MACs. I already have two Katos and love the way they operate. I also didn’t think that these companies would reply to emails sent. That’s a good thing to know. Thanks people.
Jeremy
I currently have a couple Genesis SD70MACs reserved. I will take a close look at them to determine if I will be getting any more. A couple weeks ago when I e-mailed Athearn, I was told that they had not yet decided if they were going to offer undecorated models. If they did, then I’d consider buying more units for my freelance railroad.
I have never had trouble with Genesis! I ordered the BNSF 9647, a BNSF executive, and a BN executive from the East coast! I already have the Atlas executive caboose to go with them!
Another classic example of two manufactures offering the same product. Stop it already. I own alot of Kato and I think they are the better engineered product.
the only think Kato has going for them is their drive. and the new Atlas and Genesis drives are almost as good, if not the same. Kato sucks at painting. just look at the SD70MAC’s. the numbers are crooked on the BNSF units and the paint seperation lines are just awful. in my opinion, Athearn Genesis has the best painting in the industry. also, the grabs on the Kato 70mac’s are too small. Genesis has the best paint, and detail. and unlike other manufacturers, they are now adding railroad specific details like the correct horn and antenna and other details.
so yes, if i end up getti ng some SD70MAC’s i will definately get the genesis units.
(and yes, i do own tons of Kato units, but almost all of them i painted and detailed myself)