I’m about a year into my DCC HO layout, UP and transition era oriented. Athearn show upcoming releases of the UP Challenger, Big Boy and 4-8-4, all of which very much get my interest going. I’m not inclined to go with MTH engines in the short term (nothing personal) as I don’t yet want to deal with the unique DCC issues. And on the Big Boy, I don’t want to spend $1000 or so that some others cost (Trix?) that folks say is a fine engine.
So, a couple of questions on the 3 upcoming Athearn Genesis models, best as you can project:
are there any key issues from prior release versions that would prevent you from buying another? If so, what issues?
generally, do they tend to add improvements from earlier releases?
I’m more concerned about mechanical (or decoder) issues than visual issues, if that matters. I presume all 3 will look pretty good.
Any advice will help, as I may have to choose which I buy (all 3 would add up $$$).
Athearn is one of the companies that the Sanda Kan factory in China told to find someone else to make their products, so the 2013 offerings are not going to be the same as previous models simply because they are now being made by a different manufacturer in China, whose quality is unknown.
There is more to it - Athearn already had found a 2nd manufacturer before Kader got pushy with other companies using Sanda Kan(which Kader owns. My understanding is that that is what kept some Athearn projects to stay on target for release over the past year. The projects that were at the Sanda Kan plant of course suffered. Athearn should now have two plants to work with, and we should see an increase in production.
Atlas moved their locomotive/rolling stock production in 2011/2012, and has been moving their track production in late 2012. This has been why there have been shortages of Atlas track.
The 3rd thing is that the US economy has not rebounded enough to support lots of discretionary spending(like model trains). So, if the US economy keeps a steady(but slow growth), there should be enough market to support investment by Athearn/Walthers/etc…
Paul, I am sure Mike will join in shorty if you add Big Boy to the title. He all most has as many Big Boys as UP! I am also pretty sure he has 1 if not more of all the current (few that can no longer be made thanks to MTH) offerings.
My self, I have had 3 and all of them have been problems engines! I have had two of the cursed Athearn MRC engines. Both of there Big Boy had mechanical problems along with there Stupid MRC Decoder problems! Both went back for full refunds. Maybe there new plant will fair better?
PCM Big Boy, hum I still have it and love it in may-ways. But, out of the box it was not worth a Tinkers Dam! Kind of a pain to open up and repair a new $700.00 Engine! [sigh] But I did not want to wait 6 weeks to get it back either. One thing I will give a [Y] for about BLI. While there factory QC is lacking, there services department is top notch! I will buy BLI again! But thanks to MTH, there will be no more PCM or BLI Big Boys.[:(!]
I have 2 of the Big Boys with the Tsunami decoder.I have had no problems with them. I do wish Athearn would use a headlight LED that wasn’t quite so yellow/orange.
I have one Challenger,and three 4-8-4’s that came with the MRC decoders.The engines seem okay mechanically,but the decoders are awful. I put a QSI Titan decoder in the Challenger,and it runs(and sounds)much better. The FEF’s are on my “to do” list.
Athearn saw the light awhile back,and dumped MRC for Tsunami,but the first run of Big Boys,and all of the Challengers and FEF’s made to date have the MRC decoder - something to keep in mind if you get tempted to pick one up on ebay. Most ebay auctions I have seen for the BIg Boys do not mention MRC when describing the DCC/sound capabilities.If it comes with a battery operated wireless remote for DC use,it’s absolutely the MRC version. I believe the only Big Boy so far with the Tsunami is the weathered version.
One other thing that I don’t like about the FEF’s (and this is purely a matter of personal preference) is the traction tires - there currently is no non-traction tire replacement driver available.I’m hoping when the new batch of FEF’s comes out,they will either come with a replacement driver in the box,or have one that can be bought separately.
Like you,I’m looking forward to these new engines. If you are looking for more opinions on MTH(they also have Big Boys and Challengers scheduled to come out soon) do a search for MTH Big Boys in the “search community” box - there was a thread recently about these.
I found the Athearn web info on the 2013 releases clear that the UP 4-8-4s would have SoundTraxx Tsunami but it was not specific so I had e-mailed them earlier.
Their reply:
“Thank-you for your inquiry. Please note that the sound equipped versions of these models will come with factory installed SoundTraxx Tsunami DCC/sound decoders”
The Big Boys and Challengers from Athearn are very nice in detail and the new Soundtrax installation should make them run nicely, unlike the first releases with the MRC. I removed the MRC DCC and installed Soundtrax to solve the problems. The MTH Big Boy uses the tooling from the BLI PCM and BLI Big Boy and is very nice overall. Yes, you would have to deal with their DCC, but the latest is much better than the first two software releases and it is a very nice model with chuff and smoke that is amazing. The MTH is as delivered with the turbo generator mounted over the right hand side of the trailing truck and does not have the added coal boards on the tender. The Athearn models are probably your best choice at this time with the Soundtrax installed. I don’t car for their lighting but have replaced the headlights on most everything that I have including t
Having purchasing two of the first run sound MRC FEFs, I purchased two of the second run FEF’s without the MRC and they run great on DC. Nice looking model but not correct for
My BLI pacific arrived today! I’ve probably owned at least one of every type of pacific ever manufactured in HO except of course brass locos for specific RR’s. Let’s see, Mantua, Rivarossi, IHC, Bachmann[K4] MTH[K4] oriental brass, key imports brass, Athearn Genesis [the one that had to have the gear replaced], and I’m sure more if I think about it. Since the early 1980’s I’ve tried to get a decent pacific that could handle just a four heavyweight baggage and coach train similar to the B&O train that operated out of East Salamanca in the 1950’s. Finally, I have what I consider the perfect USRA pacific! It handled my train without even a slight pause and has a great sound system. Here it is:
Now, it still needs a makeover. Here is what I plan for it to look like, B&O 5220 as it appeared in the mid 1950’s:
This locomotive started out as a simple USRA light pacific, but was modified over the years to this look. I’ve ordered a new pilot, have the B&O logo, and have decals to change the numbers. we’ll see how it goes.
The B&O returned the headlight to the center position of some of the larger Pacifics, but not the 5200 series. You have some work but it is a nice looking locomotive. The markers and headlight on the BLI are as delivered via the USRA. I have seen the one at Baltimore in the museum. Nice loco.
