I do get athearns here and there if they’re cheap and in CNW paint. I’ll detail em later. I have an Athearn GP40-2 in CNW paint. I still run it as a dummy. bst running dummy i’ve got too. I don’t buy athearns anymroe becuase i’m having problems with the electircal I’ve had some “eat” through a couple trucks(more like 5)
… An award which DOES Athearn proud… Beautiful.
GBAILEY:
Welcome back George.
Hi all,
After reading through what people have written bout the LACK of detail in the Athearn Range. I took a look at what i have in my colection, And you are all right!
I have 3 Athearn Gen SD75’s Which first up found the detail was extreamily high. Now I am half way through putting the missing detail on, you know all the stuff that goes on the front, back & under the body around the boggys. As i live in Australia this is not easy, Athearn could at least carry a pack with att the parts required! But NO I have to search through all sorts of places trying to find what i need to put on.
I hope someone from Athearn is reading this, because i will not be wasting any more of my money on there products till there is a major jump in the level of detail. Not when i can get P2K for cheeper that Athearn Gen…
Stay Real…Matt
I do not see how is not buying Athearn considered graduating. It does not take more skill to buy or run a Kato, Atlas, etc. Off of the top of my head, the only thing I can think of that one has to have more of to buy these “top of the line” locomotives is money.
Right-O!
Guys,I think its time for a reality check…First we are adults playing with adult toy trains so there is NO Graduation from one class to the other except in the minds of the few that forgets this is a hobby and we are playing with toy trains.
So,It doesn’t really matter in the end of what we buy irregardless of brand,details or the cost of our toys.After all our trains are just that toys for adults-well kids even since our trains can be ran on the floor.
BLASPHEMY!
I own a NEW BNSF SD75M HO Scale Athearn. I haven’t ran it yet but…
I also own 8 Kato’s too.
I can’t wait till I get my Athearn SD70MAC.
Oh by the way,My friend own’s a Athearn BN SD70MAC and he says it run real good. He says it’s a great Locomotive.
BNSFrailfan.
Count me in also Eric…
So Don, I take it that if I still like and run Athearn’s then I’m not a real modeler? Well then, I guess after nearly 30 years of modeling, I haven’t graduated to being a real modeler either…I haven’t acquired the challenging skills required to open a box and set on a track…Do I sound offended…I am.
I have to argee with Brakie…You got to start some where, or restart in my case. I started Tursday with aProto 2000 was emergeny hopper.First kit iv’e bujilt in ages! God what handful I was definately out of pracrice, next was a Branchline 50’autocar,then a Bowser PS-1 a couple of walthers and some old trainminatures. Feelig somewhat dishearted. did two Acurailand finally did some good old blue boxes. I feel like I’m regressimg but my modeling skills are improving… Next t ime we go up the ladder . It was a good learning experience and a hell of a lot of fun. Just don’t lookat my work bench…HEH;;
Tom
You must have bought the older SD40-2.The retooled version has coupler boxes that screw on.What kind of detail parts are you buying?I find for about $10.00 I will have a reasonably detailed locomotive.I use DA grabs,lift rings,precision scale hoses,various Details West parts and matching Poly Scale or Floquil paint.I agree the older wide body diesels are a waste of time to mess with.The newer driveline with hexed flywheels are smooth and quiet.I see no need to remotor them.The older SD40-2 has its issues.But you can detail it into a nice locomotive.Details west makes the buffer plate to fill in the big opening in the pilot.I would search for the newer run of SD40-2.They are great locomotives.Dan
Just bought my latest Athearn BB.
My first U-boat. I’ve never been a U-boat fan. Then again I wasn’t a GE fan until i saw my first AC4400 hauling an intermodal train for the CPR! [:D]
It’s an ugly locomotive, Especially in Missouri Pacific livery
But the price was decent so I couldn’t turn it down.
Gordon
I started 30 years ago buying those old Athearn shells,detailing them,and putting Hobbytown drives in them. Today it’s obvious to all that P2K,Kato,Atlas,and Genesis are far superior to the BB Athearn. I think it’s a matter of what you expect for the dollars you spend. Would you expect Mercedes quality for the price of a Yugo? Probably not.(dating myself with that Yugo reference,maybe I should have said a Kia?) Thirty years ago those Athearns were state of the art ,but now they are just 30 year old technology.Athearn BB nowadays are entry level models,much as Tyco and AHM and Model Power were back in the day. Some modelers might prefer to buy the $20 BB,then add $80 worth of details,others might just prefer the Atlas,P2K,et al for $100 and be ready to go.It’s a matter of choice,and I for one am happy that choice exists,especially for the younger modelers who might not be able to afford “quality” in one fell swoop,but who can get enjoyment from adding one detail at a time as funds permit.
If you want all the bells and whistles,it’s there, but to buy a $20 BB loco than complain it’s not an Atlas is unfair.
Tom
Dharmon -
I can’t speak for Don, but when I said “graduated” I didn’t mean that I consider myself a better modeler than those that continue to buy Athearns, but only that I have reached a point where the Athearn blue box locos and rolling stock no longer seem to meet my needs and desires.
Sorry for any misunderstanding.
Tom -
There is also this mode - I buy Atlas and P2K … AND detail them !!!
I like having to buy and add fewer parts, and having IMHO a better looking and running loco when I am done than I get when I start at the blue box level.
- George
Man these threads always seem to come up. I am very skilled when it comes to adding details and weathering and tuning engines. Although the Proto E8/9’s I just bought did have me a little confused. I see it if you are happy running your KATO’S and your ATHEARN BB then so be it. IMO I would run my KATO right beside my old ATHEARN BB SD9’S anyday. I don’t care who here doesn’t like BB or KATO’S. It’s what you are happy with. Sometimes it’s nice to get a new KATO and it does take time to install all the grab irons, mu hoses, ect. And I also enjoy the old BB and I have fun detailing them. I wouldn’t say one sucks and the other doesn’t. This hobbie is meant to cause headaches and long hrs, divorces, repo’s on tv’s, job loss, ect [:D] or it wouldn’t be fun.
Just a little bit of info, those 2 small F7 A&B units George Sellios runs in his videos are both old Atherans.
Understand there are better running (and looking) engine’s out there than B.B. - Even Athearn recognizes that .
You can define modellng skills any way you want - but BB’s have generally been considered ‘Entry Level’ , which is part of their charm . I bought them. I’m not offended. I have also upgraded them to match with today’s level of product’s.
Perhaps my 'skill’s haven’t improved in the last 30 years, but I would hope my appreciation level has .Isn’t that where it’s ‘AT’?
I kept all my Athearn road engines but the switchers were given the heave-ho.
Sucker…LOL![:D] There not as ugly as the SD70ACe’s. BNSFrailfan.
To you but not to everyone. I like to work on my cars and locomotives. I do not like opening a box and have the product complete are close to it. I want to assemble and detail it myself, so do many other people. And wanting to do these things ourselves does not make us any less of modelers. As a matter of fact, one could probably argue the opposite.
Maybe since Horizon’s bought them the quality will shapen up!
I gave up years ago…the substandard electrical, motor, and “stancions” pushed me over the edge.