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Post by atsfan on Dec 6, 2014 8:19:14 GMT -8
atsfan, Do you mind telling us the names of the stores? Respectfully, BNSF Fan One is in Denver…….. |
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Post by riogrande on Dec 6, 2014 8:21:24 GMT -8
Maybe I'm just lucky, I got this Genesis '57 Reefer as a gift yesterday, right out of the box - It's perfect, love the attention to detail, the end steps are metal and very finely done - kudos Athearn. I'll happily consign another BB Posuer with this to take it's place, I don't mind having fewer, better quality models that actually represent their prototype.   I got one of those last year when they first came out - non-sound, as well as a Solid Cold, non-sound. Nice cars. |
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Post by TBird1958 on Dec 6, 2014 8:26:02 GMT -8
Jim,
Yep! All it needs is some weathering - I'll happily oblige soon.
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Post by Great-Northern-Willmar Div on Dec 6, 2014 9:09:11 GMT -8
I'll happily consign another BB Posuer with this to take it's place, I don't mind having fewer, better quality models that actually represent their prototype. Many modelers make impulse purchases. "Look Ma a train followed me home. Can I keep it?". Then buyer's remorse sets in, when they see something they really really want and they've already blown their wad on an impulse. I've seen more people as of late get more focused on a specific prototype and narrow time frame and stay disciplined from having stuff "magically appear" in the mailbox or follow them home from a show or store. More people are like T-Bird in saying I'd rather have one kick butt model, than five less detailed models. Another way to save money is to actually do some building. For instance my commuter E's do not come together in an hour. They take many days, weeks and sometimes months because of part shortages, etc.. You can do more with less in this hobby and still have cutting edge and the best of the best. |
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Post by riogrande on Dec 6, 2014 10:03:17 GMT -8
Many modelers make impulse purchases. "Look Ma a train followed me home. Can I keep it?". Then buyer's remorse sets in, when they see something they really really want and they've already blown their wad on an impulse. I've seen more people as of late get more focused on a specific prototype and narrow time frame and stay disciplined from having stuff "magically appear" in the mailbox or follow them home from a show or store. More people are like T-Bird in saying I'd rather have one kick butt model, than five less detailed models. Thats been me of the past 6 or 7 years. I've sold a lot of impulse buys as I've cut out some purchases which were either fantasy models, or 1990's which I decided to stick with pre-1991 (no Golden West, no TTX speed logo etc). I've been trying to fill in rolling stock that I didn't have such as Athearn bulkheads and flat cars with lumber loads as D&RGW hauled a lot of lumber off the SP from the Pacific Northwest etc, being semi selective to make sure they are decent stand-ins. I'm not building engines and don't have a lot of kit building time but have picked up some Walthers GSC flats to save money as the $45 each ExactRail GCSs as nice as they are are too much right now for just a flat car. |
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Post by fr8kar on Dec 6, 2014 11:27:11 GMT -8
Bob, Rick covered it pretty well. Here's a couple quick photos of the car:   I made the levers out of 0.015" thick styrene strip and used 0.010" and 0.030" rod to make the slack adjuster and 0.010" rod for the rigging. I have some hexagonal rod that I sliced thin to make bolt heads. I didn't plumb the cylinder or reservoir to the control valve since it wouldn't be easily seen unless the car was upside down (hopefully that won't happen). |
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Post by llxlocomotives on Dec 6, 2014 12:51:37 GMT -8
I wonder if quality has actually gone down or our expectations have increased. I recently had the opportunity to assemble some Athearn Blue box and round house kits. Yes, these did not go for more than $50, but most of the "assembly time was spent getting the flash off parts like chassis, trucks and other visible or critical parts. It is interesting to hear discussion about costs of current trains. When the companies that seem to be going under are the ones that focused on lower end and thus lower cost trains. Actually the only one that is still in business is Bachmann. They have broadened their focus and are competing more in the high end arena. All that has to mean that the average modeler is willing to pay more for better quality. Better quality does not mean perfect. As with all mechanical systems there is variation. The manufacturers are not held to any minimum performance or quietness, so it varies from unit to unit. As well as model to model. It is impossible to tell quality from a sample of one or even three. The minimum for a statistical sample is 10, but for that to be indicative, the samples have to be randomly selected. Chances are that all the units at a LHS are consecutive production units. They all will likely have similar characteristics (faults). That does not mean they are representative of the average. They are what they are. They could be hot rods with exquisite paint and detail. They could be dogs with a sloppy overall finish. As. I indicated in an earlier reply, the amount of variation diminishes with the production run. There is still variation, but the parts and processes generally fall inside of the design tolerances and intent. Unpainted blemishes, like glue spots, are the exception rather than the rule. At the end of the day, the QC of today's model trains is nothing short of fantastic. Just not perfect. We will wait along time for perfect, and if we ever see it the cost will be staggering. Larry Check out my blog: www.llxlocomotives.com |
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Post by Spikre on Dec 6, 2014 12:59:54 GMT -8
 Bachman is in: N scale HO scale On30 Scale O Tinplate/Hi-Rail,Williams by Bachman F Scale big trains. and they also contract production for other companies. so its doubtfull they will fold any time soon. but have read the Toy Division is down some from days past. Spikre 
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Post by markfj on Dec 6, 2014 15:50:59 GMT -8
Bob, Rick covered it pretty well. Here's a couple quick photos of the car: I made the levers out of 0.015" thick styrene strip and used 0.010" and 0.030" rod to make the slack adjuster and 0.010" rod for the rigging. I have some hexagonal rod that I sliced thin to make bolt heads. I didn't plumb the cylinder or reservoir to the control valve since it wouldn't be easily seen unless the car was upside down (hopefully that won't happen). Now that’s Athearn's rework of an old MDC car, right? I mean aside from the extra bits the added like the Sergent couplers, levers and slack adjusters. Among other things, the under frame shot is the giveaway. Actually have a couple of these cars, although not in that particular paint scheme. Mark |
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Post by nebrzephyr on Dec 7, 2014 8:03:48 GMT -8
Thanks guy for the photos and info on the underframe brake rigging. Bob
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Post by fr8kar on Dec 7, 2014 10:01:09 GMT -8
You're welcome, Bob.
Mark, I believe you're right. The carbody looks like the old MDC Roundhouse FMC Plug Door Boxcar kit. I know those cars have some dimensional issues, but I don't worry about it too much. That underframe is the old Details West Evans 20" underframe, which Athearn picked up in the Details West freight car kit acquisition. I've used it on my Life-Like X72 rebuilds where it is a very good fit. I don't care for the design of the underframe which requires that the trucks be screwed onto the body to hold the two halves together trapping the coupler between them.
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Post by antoniofp45 on Dec 7, 2014 10:08:43 GMT -8
I'm still looking forward to the Athearn HO RTR SD45 that will be available in June 2015. I've been hoping for a Frisco "L" windshield unit (missed out on the first run some years back) and a high-nosed Southern "Tuxedo" version. Hopefully there won't be any QC issues. I appreciated that a legitimate web dealer's rep contacted me on my PM box here on this forum. Stated that I could pre-order and purchase the units at discounted prices. www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH65007www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH65009 |
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Post by TBird1958 on Dec 7, 2014 11:51:27 GMT -8
You're welcome, Bob. Mark, I believe you're right. The carbody looks like the old MDC Roundhouse FMC Plug Door Boxcar kit. I know those cars have some dimensional issues, but I don't worry about it too much. That underframe is the old Details West Evans 20" underframe, which Athearn picked up in the Details West freight car kit acquisition. I've used it on my Life-Like X72 rebuilds where it is a very good fit. I don't care for the design of the underframe which requires that the trucks be screwed onto the body to hold the two halves together trapping the coupler between them.
I like those DW frames too - Except as you mention the coupler pockets. I've used them on quite a few models and usually add some wire and styrene bits to them, this one is for a D&RGW RBL.
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Post by Donnell Wells on Dec 7, 2014 23:02:50 GMT -8
Yes, Antonio brings up a good point. If you guys want to discuss brass trains, please start a separate thread.
Donnell
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Post by riogrande on Dec 8, 2014 5:13:40 GMT -8
Created separate topic and moved relevant posts over. Carry on with Athearn.
Jim
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Post by markfj on Dec 8, 2014 6:49:46 GMT -8
I'm still looking forward to the Athearn HO RTR SD45 that will be available in June 2015. I've been hoping for a Frisco "L" windshield unit (missed out on the first run some years back) and a high-nosed Southern "Tuxedo" version. Hopefully there won't be any QC issues. I appreciated that a legitimate web dealer's rep contacted me on my PM box here on this forum. Stated that I could pre-order and purchase the units at discounted prices. www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH65007www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH65009So Athearn is releasing a new run of SD45s, great! From the description, it sounds like new tooling for the shell and not a rework of the old RPP shell. Thanks for sharing the link. Mark |
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Post by riogrande on Dec 8, 2014 8:21:20 GMT -8
So Athearn is releasing a new run of SD45s, great! From the description, it sounds like new tooling for the shell and not a rework of the old RPP shell. Thanks for sharing the link. Mark Where is it stated that the shells of the Athearn SD45 hood have been re-tooled and the old RPP based tooling completely retired? Despite the RPP heritage, I still like my Athearn SD45's and may still pick up one or two more. The Kodachromes look nice. Jim |
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Post by TBird1958 on Dec 8, 2014 9:00:57 GMT -8
So Athearn is releasing a new run of SD45s, great! From the description, it sounds like new tooling for the shell and not a rework of the old RPP shell. Thanks for sharing the link. Mark Where is it stated that the shells of the Athearn SD45 hood have been re-tooled and the old RPP based tooling completely retired? Despite the RPP heritage, I still like my Athearn SD45's and may still pick up one or two more. The Kodachromes look nice. Jim
The Rio Grande ones all look so good (again despite being RPP), I didn't think I'd buy any because I already had custom painted 6 Kato ones - I really couldn't resist and have 3 of them in the fleet.
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Post by riogrande on Dec 8, 2014 9:12:32 GMT -8
The Rio Grande ones all look so good (again despite being RPP), I didn't think I'd buy any because I already had custom painted 6 Kato ones - I really couldn't resist and have 3 of them in the fleet.
I didn't have confidence that I could do a good job on the nose signal light on the 3 KATO's I had bought, and when Athearn brought out their RTR SD45's with quite a bit of prototype specific detailing including nose lights, correct side frames, nice paint job, and other things, it was a no brainer for me. I've since sold off all my KATO SD45's (3 D&RGW, 2 UP and 1 SP) because I like the Athearn's. I've got all six Athearn numbers and hope Athearn will offer more small herald and yes, more large too. Jim |
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Post by markfj on Dec 8, 2014 13:49:07 GMT -8
Ok, ok, I assumed it was new tooling based on what I read, but your right, it doesn’t say that it is.  My (limited) understanding of current HO offerings for the SD45 is that the Athearn RPP shell is “ok” at best and long overdue for a retooled replacement. It's better than Kato, but not as accurate as Proto. Again, that’s why I assumed the finally did it. That and the fact that they are offering some features like the 81” nose with or without headlight and brake details. So, it “is” just a reworked RPP shell. Hey, no harm, no foul, they’ll sell based on the fact that the SD45 is a popular model.  And yes, I plan on selling off my Kato SD45s too. There are just too many small issues with the models appearance that I can’t overlook despite the superior quality of the drive. Thanks, Mark |
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Post by buffalobill on Dec 8, 2014 14:33:12 GMT -8
Its a shame Athearn does not do a Genesis SD-45. With the Genesis SDP-45, and the modular tooling Athearn uses, it should be a slam dunk. Plus the SD-45 is not the over populated market that the SD-40-2 is. Currently only the RPP shell RTR version and the Walthers are credible. Kato has not done a run in years. I tend to think the Kato unit is actually much better than the Rail Power shell based current RTR unit. There is nothing you can't fix on the Kato shell with a little work, and it runs sooo well.
Bill
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Post by atsfan on Dec 8, 2014 19:47:42 GMT -8
The SD45 was awesome.
They had a unique sound
Has anybody captured that sound well in HO sound?
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Post by grabbem88 on Dec 8, 2014 19:54:30 GMT -8
Esu loksound 645 E3
That is the best sounding file as of date
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Post by Spikre on Dec 9, 2014 17:42:06 GMT -8
 seem to recall 20-645s sounding a bit different than 16-645s. has this been captured properly on Sound Files ? just wondering ? Spikre 
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Post by bnsf971 on Dec 9, 2014 18:36:33 GMT -8
seem to recall 20-645s sounding a bit different than 16-645s. has this been captured properly on Sound Files ? just wondering ? Spikre More cylinders running at a lower RPM does sound different. I can play the sound files on my computer, and see how much difference there is. |
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Post by tankcarsrule on Dec 10, 2014 12:00:39 GMT -8
I like to buy engines that are broken. I enjoy repairing them.
Regards, Bobby
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Post by antoniofp45 on Dec 17, 2014 2:24:51 GMT -8
Hi guys,
Forgive my ignorance with this quick question as I had not been on the forums much lately:
(from the comments), Why do Athearn SD45 shells need a retooling? I realize that the detailing on competing models continues to improve, but I looked at photos of the previous Athearn SD units and to my aging eyes they look very attractive. But of course, the photo views I found are usually from no closer than 2 feet in distance. HOWEVER, my one "pet peeve" for the RTR units that I saw back in the early 2000s was walkways without tread plating (diamond plating). Even the LL Proto 1000 hood units had treaded walkways.
So is this still the case with current RTR's?
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Post by Great-Northern-Willmar Div on Dec 17, 2014 6:02:02 GMT -8
Hi guys, Forgive my ignorance with this quick question as I had not been on the forums much lately: (from the comments), Why do Athearn SD45 shells need a retooling? I realize that the detailing on competing models continues to improve, but I looked at photos of the previous Athearn SD units and to my aging eyes they look very attractive. But of course, the photo views I found are usually from no closer than 2 feet in distance. HOWEVER, my one "pet peeve" for the RTR units that I saw back in the early 2000s was walkways without tread plating (diamond plating). Even the LL Proto 1000 hood units had treaded walkways. So is this still the case with current RTR's? The Athearn RTR SD45 is the old Rail Power Products shell. Athearn has enhanced the model with better fans, details and the ability to change noses. But the sides the long hood doors which includes the hinges, door latches, etc. is still a remnant of Rugged Power Products. The tooling is a little crude and not up to current Athearn tooling. The walkways on the Athearn RTR SD45 are as smooth as a baby's bottom. Another remnant of RPP. |
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Post by carrman on Dec 17, 2014 9:07:12 GMT -8
Dont forget those thick pilots, and the bad proportions for the flares!
Dave
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Post by MONSTERRAILROAD on Dec 17, 2014 12:42:42 GMT -8
Damn, the open box review of my new Athearn GP38-2 was a big freaking failure! It had ALL of the issues people noted and the sound does not even work. It just gives out a clicking noise from the speaker. When I called Athearn they said I could send it in for repair that will take 4-6 weeks! I will post the video review tomorrow after I edit the video. Shame!
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