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Post by jlwii2000 on Jan 29, 2015 14:57:48 GMT -8
I crammed a lot of information, pull test, weight, comparison of UP and NS versions, comparison to Overland Models SD70Ms and more in this 20 minute review! Check it out if you choose!
Cliff notes: Pros are weight, sound, good detail, thin windshield wipers, correct sizing and more. Cons (in my opinion) are the shade of green, motor noise and visibility of wires through the dynamic brake fan grille. I think the wires would be easily fixed by a little tape job inside. Note about the shade of green: It is very hard to nail down UP yellow. Many manufacturers have had different shades. The OMI unit like some have said is the fresh from the factory look, this model is not way off but just a little bit off from the yellow. Those who weather will love this locomotive because the paint job looks dead on for a locomotive that's been out in the sun for a little bit.
Special note: These are production models, some of the first off the assembly line so you'll be getting the same as the video. These are NOT samples or train show models. Delivery scheduled for March of this year.
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Post by upcsx on Jan 29, 2015 15:06:15 GMT -8
Works for me.
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Post by buffalobill on Jan 29, 2015 15:47:36 GMT -8
James: very nice review. Looks like I am going to want a UP unit to go with my two standard UP SD-70M's.
Thanks:
Bill
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Post by jlwii2000 on Jan 29, 2015 15:58:05 GMT -8
James: very nice review. Looks like I am going to want a UP unit to go with my two standard UP SD-70M's. Thanks: Bill Thanks! I wish they were the vibrant yellow but overall I'm pretty happy with these. -James |
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Post by calzephyr on Jan 29, 2015 16:01:44 GMT -8
James Thanks for the review. Did they provide any additional parts in the box for the SD70M? I looked up to find out if the data antenna was on the 4742 and pictures on Rail pictures show the round can was on the units in 2003. I believe most of the later SD70M's had that small can mounted just above the conductor on the roof. I was hoping Athearn might be providing either that round data uplink can or the new box type roof antenna since many of the SD70M are getting that option now. I purchased some from Overland when they built their models so mounting them is easy. James, after some research of the units, these may have been delivered without the can data box on the roof. In that case, the yellow should be brighter as you have stated, but it still looks very nice and will be a good model. Thanks to railpictures larry www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=458003&nseq=0 |
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Post by buffalobill on Jan 29, 2015 16:04:52 GMT -8
James: Another way to look at is the yellow fades fast, the Overland is the fresh from London unit, and the Athearn's have some time under their belt. A little weathering will make it all good.
Bill
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Post by jlwii2000 on Jan 29, 2015 16:08:02 GMT -8
James Thanks for the review. Did they provide any additional parts in the box for the SD70M? I looked up to find out if the data antenna was on the 4742 and pictures on Rail pictures show the round can was on the units in 2003. I believe most of the later SD70M's had that small can mounted just above the conductor on the roof. I was hoping Athearn might be providing either that round data uplink can or the new box type roof antenna since many of the SD70M are getting that option now. I purchased some from Overland when they built their models so mounting them is easy. Thanks to railpictures larry www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=458003&nseq=0 Larry, There weren't any additional antenna parts. I believe Athearn modeled these like straight from the factory in 2002. Perhaps PTC antenna arrays and the variations will follow in the coming years. -James |
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Post by jlwii2000 on Jan 29, 2015 16:08:36 GMT -8
James: Another way to look at is the yellow fades fast, the Overland is the fresh from London unit, and the Athearn's have some time under their belt. A little weathering will make it all good. Bill Weathering is the thing I haven't gotten to yet. But yes these units will be excellent for weathering with the base already somewhat faded in appearance. |
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Post by calzephyr on Jan 29, 2015 16:15:57 GMT -8
James Thanks for the review. Did they provide any additional parts in the box for the SD70M? I looked up to find out if the data antenna was on the 4742 and pictures on Rail pictures show the round can was on the units in 2003. I believe most of the later SD70M's had that small can mounted just above the conductor on the roof. I was hoping Athearn might be providing either that round data uplink can or the new box type roof antenna since many of the SD70M are getting that option now. I purchased some from Overland when they built their models so mounting them is easy. Thanks to railpictures larry www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=458003&nseq=0 Larry, There weren't any additional antenna parts. I believe Athearn modeled these like straight from the factory in 2002. Perhaps PTC antenna arrays and the variations will follow in the coming years. -James Thanks James The units were delivered in 2002 and the first pictures I can find is summer of 2003. I was hoping Athearn might just give the parts in the bag, but it is a great looking model as is and weathering will be easy with the duller color. Larry 20006271A: 2002 SD70M UP 4837-4849 13(22) . |
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Post by tankcarsrule on Jan 29, 2015 17:22:19 GMT -8
James, you did a very professional review, thank you.
Regards, Bobby
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Post by curtmc on Jan 29, 2015 17:25:38 GMT -8
Thanks for the good review and then warning on the wrong yellow for new units... I'll wait until they correct that BIG color issue on a later run.
That faded yellow unfortunately just screams "molded plastic color" to me... The ones on display at the Athearn booth in Cleveland looked like the more golden color.
By the way, the unit is detailed as delivered... and has been stated should not be faded as the prototypes had different roof details before they faded much.
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Post by atsfan on Jan 29, 2015 17:33:48 GMT -8
Tempting.
UP yellow varies in the real world and with models.
The Overland Model is awesome.
A suggestion for sound review; get the engine to run at full throttle while not moving. I think is not hard to do although I am not positive.
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Post by jlwii2000 on Jan 30, 2015 9:39:23 GMT -8
Yeah the yellow is interesting. I need to compare it to a first run ace I have.
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Post by NS4122 on Jan 30, 2015 9:52:27 GMT -8
James, Thanks for the thorough review. It looks like the yellow is unpainted plastic with only the grey being painted. Is that true?
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Post by jlwii2000 on Jan 30, 2015 16:18:57 GMT -8
James, Thanks for the thorough review. It looks like the yellow is unpainted plastic with only the grey being painted. Is that true? No it appears to be painted. I don't think it's unpainted yellow plastic. |
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Post by calzephyr on Jan 30, 2015 17:54:21 GMT -8
Tempting. UP yellow varies in the real world and with models. The Overland Model is awesome. A suggestion for sound review; get the engine to run at full throttle while not moving. I think is not hard to do although I am not positive. The new units should be a bright Armour Yellow color for sure but the colors of any Union Pacific unit soon turns to a duller color. Comparing pictures of the units in the field is always fun since no two are really the same exact tint after a few months in the sunshine and certainly the units working in tunnels get weather quickly. The Athearn unit probably should have been brighter since it was said to be as delivered. The color is actually better for most of us modelers since a weathering job will work better over the dull color. It looks to be a nice model and James did a good job of showing it to us. Thanks Larry |
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Post by gddavis on Jan 31, 2015 6:02:27 GMT -8
Very nice review! Thank you.
Greg
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Post by hovehicle on Jan 31, 2015 19:57:44 GMT -8
James,
Excellent review, your best yet. I'm wondering how the yellow on the flared SD70M compares to the original SD70M from Athearn. I hope they're at least close. If not, there is no excuse for a Genesis UP SD70M to be 2 different shades of yellow from the same manufacturer under the same line (Genesis).
Vito L.
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Post by jlwii2000 on Jan 31, 2015 20:35:33 GMT -8
James, Excellent review, your best yet. I'm wondering how the yellow on the flared SD70M compares to the original SD70M from Athearn. I hope they're at least close. If not, there is no excuse for a Genesis UP SD70M to be 2 different shades of yellow from the same manufacturer under the same line (Genesis). Vito L. Just for you Vito, I went downstairs and dug out my regular SD70M from Athearn (I added PTC antenna). I think the new SD70M flared just has a tiny hint of green that sets it apart slightly. I took some pics:    |
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Post by atsfan on Feb 1, 2015 6:35:36 GMT -8
James, Excellent review, your best yet. I'm wondering how the yellow on the flared SD70M compares to the original SD70M from Athearn. I hope they're at least close. If not, there is no excuse for a Genesis UP SD70M to be 2 different shades of yellow from the same manufacturer under the same line (Genesis). Vito L. I have two of the regular ones and they vary in yellow shade One is the flag version one isn't And the early kit is different still |
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Post by bigb6flyer on Feb 1, 2015 7:03:01 GMT -8
I think the flag on the newer units is much improved. There is more depth to it. I can deal with the slightly darker UP yellow as well bc most UP SD70ms are over a decade old and seemed to be a magnet for dirt and grime as they are such workhorses. It's rare to see a UP mainline train wo one in the consist. I will weather mine for sure.
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Post by Gary P on Feb 1, 2015 7:13:27 GMT -8
James - Thanks for the video review, AND the side by side comparison of the UP paint. That was very handy.
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Post by curtmc on Feb 1, 2015 8:12:38 GMT -8
All, reminder that the first 3 UP flagged SD70M units (4526-4528) had (and still have) a different flag than the later units... So yes, the flag is different on the 4526 - and should be.
James, thanks for the comparison photos. I actually thought the yellow color difference was greater before seeing those.
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Post by jlwii2000 on Feb 1, 2015 12:04:28 GMT -8
All, reminder that the first 3 UP flagged SD70M units (4526-4528) had (and still have) a different flag than the later units... So yes, the flag is different on the 4526 - and should be. James, thanks for the comparison photos. I actually thought the yellow color difference was greater before seeing those. Yeah it isn't as bad as I first thought either. Of course, it doesn't help that I'm mildly red/green color blind and can't see everything just right. -James |
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Post by hovehicle on Feb 1, 2015 19:37:41 GMT -8
James,
Thanks for the side-by-side comparison of the different UP SD70M units. I'll get 2 of the flared UP units after seeing the photos as it doesn't seem to be that dull after all. I'm going to run the flared units in front and the older units will trail.
Vito L.
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