After many past QA/QC issues, I pretty much no longer buy Athearn.
However, I am taking a chance–I do have a weathered Athearn Genesis Big Boy on order. If it is a good engine, perhaps I’d buy other Athearn steam. If not, I’ll stick with MTH steam power.
John
I have one each Big Boy, FEF-3 and Challenger. They look great and run well, but I opted to remove the MRC decoders and replace them with Tsunamis in the first two and a Revolution in the Challenger.
The FEF-3 out of the box had truck wheelsets that were mostly out of gauge, one so much that it derailed on every switch. Easily cured, but why?
Hal
I’ve bought only a couple of the RTR variety. They’re very nice in appearance but electrically they’re one brick short of a full load. Never owned a Genesis, I hear they’re pretty good engines. Other’s have many RTRs and never had a problem, I’m just lucky that way.
Jarrell
I’ve notice that with all DCC ready locomotives with the lightboard,gizmos etc.IMHO just a electrical headache looking to happen.
I have several sets of Genesis F units, all very nice, three RTR RS-3’s, also very nice.
I have 5 old blue box F7’s, all rebuilt with can motors, super detailed with Walthers diesel dress-up kits, American Limited diaphragms/close couple kits and GSB cab interiors. That’s what you had to do for a nice F unit back in the dark ages of the 1980’s and before. Mechanically the only changes are the motor, the wheelsets and soldered pickup wires. The rest of the drive is all stock and just carefully assembly - they run great. One has been kit bashed into a FP7 by stretching the frame and combining two shells - from an old article in one of the mags.
Never sure I understand those who are not happy with Athearn RTR locos? You did not pay for Genesis level detail or performance, why do you expect it?
I must admit I have not personally bought any RTR Athearn locos other than the RS-3’s since the “new” RTR line came out. But I have seen them run, they seem fine to me.
I have one Genesis 2-8-2 - completely disassembled, weighted and rewired - runs and pulls well now - never do that again.
Strictly DC without sound here so I can’t comment about decoder “issues”.
All my purchases are road and era specific, so most of what they currently offer is of no interest - but I would always consider Athearn and still buy lots of Athearn rolling stock - 6 more special ordered pieces just came in at my LHS last week.
Sheldon
I think my favorites are my Genesis F3A and 2-8-2, and my RTR Gas Turbine. All are super smooth runners with very nice detail.[:D]