What kind of Athearn Locomotives do you like?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

What kind of Athearn Locomotives do you like and why? What do you like most about Athearn’s technology.

2

For now, my entire fleet of locos are Athearns of the Blue Box, RTR, and Genesis.

I like them for their simplicity and reliability. If anything had gone wrong with any of them, I could easily fix it. I also like the detail on them. I know I would need to add more, but I really don’t mind.

3

I like Athearn locos, but it’s a difficult question as I did not select Athearn over another company but rather selected the locos I have because they were the correct type and roadname. I have blue box, Genesis and RTRs. I hadn’t bought an Athearn for at least 5 years until late last year when I picked up the RTR SW1000. Again, not because of brand preference but because other companies released locos I wanted.

The blue box, while not the most detailes, will run forever (not that I’ll be able to truly back up that claim!), I have a U28C that’s still going after 34 years.

Ricky

4

RTR’s

5

I particularly like the Genesis line. I now have a fleet of F3’s and F7’s. With every release Athearn is adding more and more detail to these locomotives. I’m looking forward to the release of the Heritage SD70ACe’s. I will pick up a Western Pacific unit. Maybe a Southen Pacific unit as that is my “minor” railroad.

6

Appearance: RS-3.

Performance: all my Athearns run the same… they grind and are too sensitive to even the slightest of track problems.

7

Ones that work! Not a big fan of there RTR engines. I have 4 and only 1 is running and it makes a racket.

8

I bought one of the Genesis MP15AC’s. One of my favorite Athearns. The detail is exquisite.

9

I been lucky…I never had a bad Athearn even my RTR have been superb.

When I sold the majority of my HO I kept all of my Athearn locomotives and kept only 4 Atlas locomotives.

I still like that old GP7…[:O]

10

Have to agree with this, I bought 1 RTR loco and don’t plan on buying another anytime soon. I love my Genesis F45 though, even with an MRC decoder.

Jame

11

Ones without MRC decoders.

My personal faves: F45 and SD40-2. I want the F9, SW1000, RS3, and new SD45s.

12

I like the kind I can get cheap at train shows.

13

100% of my diesel fleet is Athearn, mostly older blue box units that are about as close to indestructable as model trains come. I have one Genesis F45 with the MRC sound that after a trip to Athearn for a new board and remote fob, performs perfectly now. Most of my blue box fleet is of the older variety, black/grey ring magnet motors, metal truck side frames and extra detailing. Right now I have an old metal trucked SD9 in the shop getting painted for the local club home road. She is also getting upgraded with working ditch lights, prime stratolight beacon and in the near future, sound. Thier RTR line are mostly glorified blue box units with extra detailing, or ex Rail Power Products units that have been upgraded. Some guys in the club have had issues with the newer hex driveshafts, but my one lone RTR unit has done fine. I always make sure to test run every new Athearn I buy from the local hobby shop. About the only issue I have with my older blue box units are the rubber motor mounts either getting rock hard and brittle, or super soft and wont keep the motor held in place. Mike

14

I like the Athearn rtr line, though I find the level of detail to be a bit sparse to simply use right out of the box. Not to say that all of my rtr’s are super detailed, but I am working on bringing my fleet up to par.

15

Well, I’m not a big fan of Athearn. Of the 150 some diesels on my railroad, the favorite is the Kato SD40-2 mid production in Santa Fe. Have over 40 of them, almost have the entire class. Get tired of renumbering but they were only offered in two numbers. Have two more on order right now. Next largest group is the Atlas GP38’s in Santa Fe, have 23 of them, then the B23’s, and all the rest including the F45’s FP45’s from Genesis and also SD45’s. And then a group of misc. But of all of them, the best performers on my railroad remain the Kato.

Bob

16

I have 3 blue box locos, 4 rtr’s that are upgraded blue box, 2 Atlas Master series and one proto 2000. I like the upgraded blue boxes the best.

17

Most of my fleet is Athearn & most of my Athearn are Blue-Box.

I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again, Blue-Box is the best bang for the buck.

I have Proto, Atlas & Stewart but will still continue to acquire more Athearns.

Gordon

18

I have had a thing for the Blue Box F-7s, since I bought my first dummy Globe F-7 back in the 50s. The drives have reasonable pulling power and quietness, and the prices have been reasonable, something I’m going to miss, now that the line has been discontinued.

I have also found them to be excellent for kitbashing with the parts availability. Back in High School, I KB’ed a couple into a freelance double-ended electric, and a sort-of gas turbine. Right now, I have a KB’ed F-10, FP-7 and am almost finished with an FL-9 from them. Of course, I have similar feelings about the Geeps, having made a torpedo boat version, a B-unit,and have KB’ed a EMD Re-engined Alco RS using an old AHM RS-3 and the long hood from a Geep.

19

I have GENESIS BNSF and UP. Grew up see those engines pass by near the Farm.

20

I have all three: Bluebox, RTR, and Genesis. Though I have not have much runtime with any of my locals, I still like what Athearn has done with the detail jobs. I love the look of my four MRL F45 the best. I can’t wait for the SD70ACes to arrive. Sign me up for some MRLs in those puppies.