In the past 5 years, I have noticed that Athearn Locomotives and Frieght cars that are not in the Genisis Line have become more sofisticaed.
I recently got a Southern Pacific SD45T-2 in the Kodachrome scheme, and compared with my Older blue box SD40T-2 in Rio Grande Paint, I have seen a drastic Improvment in running quality, Paint Quality and Detail Quality. I espically like the fact that gone is the light bulb in the cab…makes everything so much better when running!
I am sure some items are missing from the newer Athearn models, like MU connection hoses and some other minor details, but in my opinion, they have really gotten serious and put more effort into their models.
What are some of your opinions on the improved quality of the new athearns
Yes I like the new Athearn engines but unfortunately they kept those awful motors, I have the new SD40 with the highly detailed plastic gas tank but I had to junk that motor it’s noisy and it draws way too many amps. I replaced it with an Atlas motor what a difference.
I don’t think Athearn had a choice in improving their products. With the big push for RTR stuff and seeing the quality of Proto, Atlas etc they had to step up or get run over.
I can say Athearn has given us models that has never been offered in plastic RTR such as the CF7,GP40X,SD45-2,high hood SD40-2,SD38,SD40 SD60,GP60M,GP60B and I dare say the SD60.
Some of the newer RTR freight cars are finely detailed to include Photo-etched roof walks on certain covered hoppers.
I am really sold on their new trucks with metal wheels.
While I don’t mind Athearn using their old reliable motor(can’t kill it-it slowly wears out with years of heavy club use as in my GP7 case.) I wouldn’t mind a Rocco motor upgrade at a reasonable minimal cost.
I was real lucky to get 5371 in the U.K. I hunted for days, even U.S websites without success and then found 1 over here. 2 days after it arrived, the shop where i ordered it had sold out aswell. There are litteraly none in the U.K now thats for sure!!
Im sure Athearn will re-run these, they are so popular now. I will re-motor this one aswell as my S.P ones (SD45T-2) with A-Line motors when time and money permits. Acouple of bucks worth of A-line parts on the pilots and there very nice models.
The Genesis motors are different and much better. Athearn had no choice, the old motors are not very DCC friendly and sound horrible when wired with a decoder.
There is no doubt Athearn is in a game of catch the pack leader-Atlas.However,I fully believe Athearn will do so while keeping the cost affordable.Of course the pack leader (Atlas) had to introduce a more affordable line of cars and locomotives-The Trainman Line.Of course Walthers already had the Trainline and now has the P1K at affordable prices.
Of course this is a win-win for the manufacturers and for those of us that has a limited hobby budget.
Indeed this is one of the most exciting times to be in the hobby!
Last I heard, they still have some left so I guess you can say “good luck” just happened! [:-^]
I’ve gotten 7 of the new D&RGW tunnel motors and 1 of the SP, they are sweet! Also 3 SD50’s and a couple of the GP40-2’s. The SD45 is supposed to ship with plow and low nose light just like the SD40T-2’s.
Did you ever try the Rio Grande Modeling & Historical Society for the SD40T-2? I received an email last week saying they still had their unnumbered D&RGW in stock.
To be honest I don’t know why Atlas came out with their Trainman line. Its like they lowered their standard just to sell Train Set quality products. I guess they see a growth in that market. Atlas I believe is at the top of the plastic food chain, followed by Kato, Proto 2000 and then Athearn taking up the rear. I agree with you Brakie, this is an exciting time to be in the hobby with all the new manufacturerers getting into the game like our own Jason Shron’s Rapido, Trueline Trains etc. Its forcing the others to step up and we all will be better off for it. I wonder if Walthers would have come out with the Hiawatha passenger cars if it wasn’t for Rapido? After seeing a Hiawatha car in person I can tell you its a huge step up from their old Budd cars.
Absolutley! There is a need for lower cost but good quality model trains to encourage beginners or people with limited disposable income to join in the hobby. The cost of the higher end stuff probably causes sticker shock to beginners and kids, so I think its great Atlas is helping to provide for that market. And quite frankly its shrewd too, as it helps to preserve and grow the hobby in hopes that some stay and become customers of the higher end products in due time.
I’d agree that Atlas is at the top of the plastic food chain. I don’t think I’d put Athearn at the rear - not with the prototypical details appearning on the more recent RTR line of SD45T-2’s and SD40T-2’s and SD45’s. No way! Only the lack of a better motor now keeps Athearn RTR line from equaling Atlas or rising nearby! Of course Athearn Genesis is up there with Atlas and only in the quality control dept does Athearn still have long standing issues.
You can’t put lower cost but good quality in the same sentence. I’ve seen the Trainman line and like I said, they are Train Set quality products. A far cry from their regular line in detail and quality. They may get more people into the hobby but in the long run they will probably end up in a box somewhere if the owner was going to get more involved in the hobby. They do scream for more detailing and they make a great starting point. Same goes for Athearn Blue Box loco’s. Just because Athearn is starting to get into more detailed RTR lo
Has your budget priced Trainman range proved to be a successful innovation for Atlas?
The Trainman® range has so far either met or exceeded our expectations. The question was, would our very discriminating customers accept it? Because the quality is so high and the products so detailed for the price range, they have been very well received, not only by our “regulars” but also by the new people we are constantly seeking to bring into the hobby who might not be able to afford our higher-priced items. For those who already are Atlas fans, Trainman® provides an opportunity to add items they tell us they feel are compatible and equal in quality. Given the current economic concerns in the US and elsewhere, Trainman proved to be just the right thing at just the right time.
===============================
Proto was a late comer that had teething problems and still have detail errors according to the locomotive gurus.
I disagree. Theres no way Athearn is going to catch Atlas anytime soon. Although their recent offering of rolling stock has been very good in my opinion, their locomotives are not. I purchased a GP-35 #91768 Blue Box Soo Line loco and have had nothing but motor problems with it. I am going to replace the motor with a mashima I have lying around. Yes, the detailing is waaaay better than the old blue box stuff but still sub par compared to Atlas. I will not purchase another Athearn Locomotive.
And don’t forget the MRC decoder debacle. Thats a whole other thread.
I completely disagree. Maybe there is a big difference in detail - especially separately applied details (the major difference), but the quality is still way up there. I’ve got a few examples of Trainman items (the Railbox box car, and the 3-bay coal car) and these are not your daddy’s train set train cars. (cheap trucks, plastic wheels, truck mounted couplers, molded on roof walks, paint that is not opaque in many cases, crude molding and detail. uh uh!).
I’ve been in the hobby since being a teen in the 70’s. I own most of the major plastic brands (Atlas, KATO, P2K, Genesis etc) and some brass. I didn’t fall off the turnip truck yesterday and I am fairly descriminating. I simply disagree that Atlas Trainman are at the level you are discribing. End up in a box some where? Excuse me? These are fairly good representations of real freight cars - just minus the separately applied grab irons and extra fine end cages etc. They are worthy of upgrading for those who really want it, and still need a “correct” freight car that isn’t available by any of the “higher” lines of plastic models.
[quote]
Same goes for Athearn Blue Box loco’s. Just because Athearn is starting to get into more detailed RTR loco’s doesn’t mean they get to move up the food chain right away. Lets see what else they have in store, Atlas and Proto have been in th
From what I have seen with Atlas Customer Service, its down right poor. I purchased two of their MP15’s, and have been missing parts, Air Horns and a snow plow. I thave contacted Atlas NUMEROUS times and have never even gotten a reply about it, I tried calling and they said they would send them out right away, that was two months ago and guess what, no parts.
Fo Athearn, the Customer Service is great, I was missing a part for a Santa Fe Blue Box F45, they said they would get it right out to me. Guess What, they Sent the parts Next Day Postal, and I got them the very next day.