I know the Genesis is considered a premium model, but is there that much difference from the RTR model to justify the price? I’m considering going to HO, so I would appreciate the information. Thanks!
For the most part, the RTR stuff is based on the old Athearn blue box kits, this includes the engines. As for the RTR engines, they usually have the old Athearn drive chassis with a revamped shell which has nicer handrails and glass. As for the Genesis line, well the engines are completely different from what the offered in the past and better, if you ask me than the RTR stuff. The biggest difference is the drive line/chassis, far superior to the Hex drive Athearn offers in the RTR. The Genesis rolling stock is also a cutr above the RTR rolling stock.
As for the price difference and is it worth it, that’s up to you. I’m not sure you are use to in running quality, but if you care about the way an engine runs, I would pick the Genesis line over the RTR. I know there will be a few dozen members you would chime in and say once a RTR is broken in it will run as good as a Genesis, but the decision is entirely up to you.
i have a new AC4400 RTR and it runs great! I can’t justify the extra cost for Genesis when RTR is good enough for me. The RTR makes a little noise but not much. It’s definitly quieter than blue-box . I think the new b-b has the same drive as RTR. Plus Athearn has a much wider selection of RTR loco’s.(as compared to Genesis)However i might look for a cheap Gensis on ebay to see how good they are.
I have two Genesis SD70M’s and an RTR CF7. The SD70Ms look outstanding but do lack some detail. They run fantastic straight from the box. The CF7 is also a very good looking model. It makes a little more noise and is not quite as silky smooth as the Genesis models but it’s still a great runner and did quiet down quite a bit with a little run time. The Genesis models are certainly worth the price but there are not that many models to chose from . Bruce
I’m a fan of both I have a CF7 which I love and a friend has a SD75 Which is a great looking beast. If you are looking for SD70’s go for it they are worth it and look around because sometimes you can find them for 79.99-99.99 at Internet hobby shops
The short answer is that they are totally different.
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Body - The Genesis bodies have real vents, scale handrails, flush window glass, and lots of tiny details like window wipers. In fact the Genesis F units use the bodies previously known as “Highliners”. The details are added or not based on the prototype, if the prototype didn’t have that particular vent then the model won’t. The RTR bodies have the generic detailing and some even molded on. It used to be that the detailiing was the same reguardless of the paint scheme (perhaps they have changed this lately).
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Drive - The Genesis have an isolated frame (it is not one of the “wires” for the motor), a low current draw “can” motor, and machined gears. They run as smooth as any Kato, Atlas, or Stewart. I am hoping the wheels will wear in an pull a little bit more though.
The RTRs have an open frame motor and molded gears, so they run noisy by comparison. This does not mean you can’t work in a RTR and make them quite and smooth it just takes a lot more work.
If you’re going to buy Athearn the RTRs are fine for the price point. In very heavy use situations I actually prefer them because there is not so much detail to get bent, crushed, and broken off!
Please don’t take this note as an endorsment or hipocracy. I was just answering your quesion. I am currently not purchasing any Athearn for several reasons including the SD70 mess, and Horizon’s new blue box marketing “plan” or should I say lack thereof…
Some RTRs come veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery close to having as much detail as a Genesis diesel. The new SD45T-2, I’d say, is as detailed as the SD70 series diesels from the Genesis line. The SD45T-2 also has lots of extra weights in it, making it one of Athearn’s most powerful diesels. I’m pretty sure that the newer RTRs also run as smooth as Genesis diesels. I have a 9-44CW (blue box) from Athearn and it runs smoother than my Genesis SD75M.[:D]
i have owned both RTR and Genesis and only sold them because i changed the period i modelled, the Genesis was a BNSF SD75M and had beautiful detail and ran like clock work on hardly any power!!! it could pull 3 locos dead and 35 cars!!! it had no problem Genesis is faaaaaaaar better than RTR
OZJIM
Not exactly true…The newer GP35 SD50,SD60,SD40,SD38, SD45-2,GP60 and CF7 never was a blue box engine.Also these have the improve hex drives shafts,Celcon handrails,metal grabs and prototype specific details
The newer BB RTR engines and the engine kits also has the hex drive shaft and Celcon handrails. The next release of the RTR GP38-2/40-2 will have metal grabs.
The newer RTR 5277,5344,5347 and the Evan cars has metal grabs and metal steps.All RTR cars have metal wheels.
Texas Zepher says.:
Please don’t take this note as an endorsment or hipocracy. I was just answering your quesion. I am currently not purchasing any Athearn for several reasons including the SD70 mess, and Horizon’s new blue box marketing “plan” or should I say lack thereof
Funny Athearn does have BB kits has does Horizon…As far as the SD70 problem? The only place I hear of these problem is on forums from the same old crowd.
http://www.athearn.com/Products/HO/Default.aspx
Check the lower right hand corner.
I have two Genesis models: light mikado and F units in LV livery.
Only complaint with the mikado is its not much of a puller and if I hadn’t bought it as new release it would have gone unpurchased. My little RR needs steamers with wired tenders for pickup this silky smooth unit isn’t so configured.
F unit complaint is minor: getting the bodies off is a b***h. I have been under the hood on a lot of covered wagon diesels but these units were so tight it was almost like Athearn didn’t want anyone to do any maintence. Thought for sure something was going to give before I got the bodies off. Maybe mine were atypical, maybe not.
Both the mikado and F units are silky smooth with no discernable noise. They are definitely rigged for silent running.
My LV units are an A and B and together they do a very decent of hauling a long string of cars with no stress.
My only Athearn experience other than Genesis predates the RTR locos.
Jon
Good info, guys!
I was wondering about this since I heard that AThearn was going to release the RTR SD45-2 in the SCL “Bumble Bee” paint scheme. As long as the hood is scale width and the overall body looks decent, I may go for it.
However, good goobly, I HOPE that I won’t be hearing that infamous growl! I’ve liked Athearns but I’ve been spoiled by my Atlas and newer P2K locomotives.
Peace.
Actually, I believe the new SD45-2 is an all new Genesis diesel, so the hood should be scale width and I’m sure the body will look more than decent.[:D]
Without sound http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATHG67054
With sound http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATHG67154
No one has mentioned freight cars much. Not all RTR freight cars are the same, but some of them are coming out with separate grab irons and very fine details, and are really nice for the money. Some of the FMC boxcars come to mind, which look like reworked MDC molds. Except for the underbody, they look as nice to my eye as the Genesis cars, and for myself I don’t care that much about details I can’t see anyway.
what does RTR stand for?
Ready to Run.