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Video: Athearn Genesis HO scale MT-4
Hi Thomas,
The model didn’t include a set of non-traction-tire equipped drivers.
Dana Kawala
Senior editor
The written article is very informative as usual. This is the first time that I have used the online feature to increase the information on a particular product. One unanswered question - are the drivers with traction tires replaceable? I have never been a fan of traction tires.
Very nice.
Sounds are sharp.
Looking forward to getting my
Challenger (Athearn) re-fit with a Tsunami sound System.
4-8-2’s sure are nicely proportioned locomotives… and Espee’s MT’s might be the best looking of them all. I just wish you’d also shown the engineer’s side as it’s even nicer, not being cluttered with that huge Worthington BL pump. Athearn sure has come a long way since rubber-band drive Diesels… Now, how about a green-boilered Sacramento shops MT-5?
When I worked for Pyle National the Electrical power unit was called a Turbine Generator. The initial design destroyed the bearings. The design was changed to a phenolic race guide and they had a long life. Trivia.
When I worked for Pyle National the Electrical pawer unit was called a Turbine Generator. The initial design destroyed the bearings. The design was changed to a phenolic race guide and they had a long life. Trivia.
Looks and sounds like a very nice product. Wish I had one but I’ve had to switch over to N Scale due to space constraints.
Looks and sounds like a very nice product. Wish I had one but I’ve had to switch over to N Scale due to space constraints.
Nice looking loco standing still,but maybe one or both of the wheels in the trailing truck were out of round,it seemed like that cab was really porpoising up and down alot.
Another outstanding Athearn product in the SP MT-4
Interesting comments about sound (and lighting) from Robert (the musician) … are directional microphones common equipment for a typical “Best Buy” type video-camera? (I know very little about digital video)
On another note, someday I’d like to build a layout room sound system that “followed” locos around (using location sensing) and directed “additional” sound, to supplement the tiny on-board decoder speakers, to larger speakers under the layout. This would require a number of speakers spread around the layout room, and some carefully designed circuitry to fade the sound from one speaker to another (to best follow the train), but the result should be quite rewarding …
look’s like the real thing
SMOOTH!
What would I have to have to run this engine on DC to get this sound?
This IS a good looking, nice sounding locomotive…
Any word on when they will be releasing this loco with the skyline casing?
Picking up on Howard Campbell’s comments about sound, I have to say that these engines made a deeper sound as I remember them. I lived on the San Francisco Peninsula in the '50s, my father commuted on the SP, and I remember these engines, and the 4-8-4s and cab forwards, very vividly. This Athearn model is lovely and looks absolutely right. But didn’t the real thing make a deeper sound, or am I just getting old? 
I wish you guys could hire me. Your sound and lighting are always in need of some improvement. I’ve had the hobby of video work AND model trains for over 30 years and would do a fantastic job on your product reviews. I have sample videos on youtube under Rogers Railroad Junction and my website is : valleyvideoproductions.com. I have customers that allow me to do only so much, but with your products, it would be done very well.
I really like the video content you are providing. However, the lighting of some shots,(not in this video) isn’t up to the MR standards of publishing. The sound of the engine (in this video and others) is way down in the room noise. Use a directional mike panned above the engine and for the shot, turn off the HVAC or rig up some diffusers over the outlets. I have a small amount of experience recording as a part time musician and understand the extra time involved.
Bob Thomason
NMRA140286