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Post by lvrr325 on Jan 23, 2021 23:37:10 GMT -8
One problem is you can't go record them anymore. NS sold the fleet in Feb 2020, six went to CP for parts, the rest to Progress Rail and looks like they have not operated since.
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Post by severn on Jan 24, 2021 6:28:35 GMT -8
Oh, well that's a problem. I guess they could buy it from esu if they have it as someone said but they probably already contracted with soundtraxx. I went to the progress rail website and they talk about sd80ace. Maybe they retrofitted them already.
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Post by amtrakfl9 on Jan 24, 2021 10:33:28 GMT -8
Oh, well that's a problem. I guess they could buy it from esu if they have it as someone said but they probably already contracted with soundtraxx. I went to the progress rail website and they talk about sd80ace. Maybe they retrofitted them already. The SD80ACe is a new build locomotive for foreign export. There is no retrofit planned for the SD80MACs. Unfortunately, I think their future is razor blades. Progress buys a lot of retired power from Class Is, both EMD and GE, and much of it seems to vanish soon after delivery. I’m not sure exactly where they store or scrap locomotives, so I can’t say for sure that scrap is their fate, but I would bet the storage side of things is not extensive. ESU had the opportunity to go record SD80MACs. In classic ESU style, they came back with a great recording of the lower notches and basically mush for the higher notches. How hard is it to move your mics away from the engine as it gets too loud? So, I will be forced to go back to the YouTube video library well for making my own custom upper notches. Unfortunately they will not be distributable since I am not using my own recordings. Soundtraxx may have had some lead time to try and record SD80MACs. The project was announced by Athearn in January 2020, the same month the prototypes were put up for sale by NS, but the project was most likely in development for some time before this. I wouldn’t be surprised if Soundtraxx did in fact have some advance notice while the SD80MACs were still around. It wouldn’t be the first time a sound decoder manufacturer snoozed and [the customer] lost on a vanishing prototype. ESU did so with the Atlas AEM-7s.
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Post by railmodeltroy14 on Jan 24, 2021 11:22:52 GMT -8
I will give Soundtraxx and ESU a pass since there were only 30 of the SD80MAC's produced and all of my other locomotives have pretty accurate sound.
Besides...with 10-12 sound-equipped locomotives running at one time, nobody will even notice the difference.
The sound on my Genesis SD90MAC H2 is outstanding so I will still purchase a CSX Dark Future 80 mac in '22 or a few SD90's when they are released.
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Post by lvrr325 on Jan 24, 2021 11:29:29 GMT -8
Well, with the lead time into these they probably could have sent someone to record them, in 2019, but also I don't think anyone expected NS to just dump them en-masse six years after swapping CSX to have all 29 remaining units.
Google got me some hits that 10 of them went back possibly to Roanoke in June but that was the last I saw anything on them. One of them had a gutted cab from a fire two years previous.
I don't know why you can't distribute your custom sound file, unless it's made from other people's work for your own use. Even then, if you gave it away I don't know why it would be an issue, or you could check with your sources for permission to do so.
For me it's not a big deal because I'm not into the sound too much. The two sound-equipped engines I have I turned it off. But the Bowser Baldwin switcher I tested, I could have gotten used to the sound on I think, I may get one one of these days.
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Post by amtrakfl9 on Jan 24, 2021 11:49:33 GMT -8
Well, with the lead time into these they probably could have sent someone to record them, in 2019, but also I don't think anyone expected NS to just dump them en-masse six years after swapping CSX to have all 29 remaining units. Google got me some hits that 10 of them went back possibly to Roanoke in June but that was the last I saw anything on them. One of them had a gutted cab from a fire two years previous. I don't know why you can't distribute your custom sound file, unless it's made from other people's work for your own use. Even then, if you gave it away I don't know why it would be an issue, or you could check with your sources for permission to do so. For me it's not a big deal because I'm not into the sound too much. The two sound-equipped engines I have I turned it off. But the Bowser Baldwin switcher I tested, I could have gotten used to the sound on I think, I may get one one of these days. It's made from random YouTube videos I have found with various bits of audio that I have patched together. I could ask the each of the videos' uploaders for permission to distribute the file, but I couldn't sell it and I really don't want to do all of that work for free.
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Post by sd80mac on Jan 24, 2021 17:05:33 GMT -8
ESU's old SD80MAC file was awful. Their more recent file is worlds better.
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Post by amtrakfl9 on Jan 24, 2021 17:55:58 GMT -8
Oof.
Edit: It's a long video, so for those that didn't see the whole thing, the uploader finds that the ditch light assembly has a fatal design flaw that causes almost no light to reach the lenses. He had to wire SMD LEDs direct himself. He also finds some drive issues and detail/QC issues.
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Post by severn on Jan 25, 2021 7:00:19 GMT -8
I guess watching the vid of it is a big enough issue for me, I could buy the dc version and put an esu in. I'm not sure it is but it's an option.
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Post by NS4122 on Jan 25, 2021 9:28:24 GMT -8
Here's a video that MB Klein posted:
Is it just me or does that gap between the truck and the step look better on the Conrail/CSX version compared to the NS model where it's obvious. Also, the ditch lights look pretty dim. ScaleTrains used a similar design in their early models but they went away from it.
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Post by severn on Jan 25, 2021 13:51:11 GMT -8
In the vid the guy shows they are dim and reworks them. I only skimmed the effort.
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Post by amtrakfl9 on Jan 27, 2021 16:19:24 GMT -8
Update: I received my non-sound NS 7205 today. I have the same exact issues as the guy in the video I linked to, including completely non-working ditch lights and substantial drive noise only in reverse. I am also pretty sure they forgot to install lift rings, as the model just has nubs on the roof like a Tyco instead of drilled holes, let alone actual lift ring detail parts installed. I do not particularly notice any issues with a gap between the truck and stepwell/fuel tank, it looks fine to me.
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Post by cr9617 on Jan 28, 2021 3:54:32 GMT -8
Mine is missing 3 of the 4 lift rings on the sides of the hood. I'm not gonna waste my time emailing them for 2 cents of missing lift rings, I've got some in the parts bin. But this combined with all the other issues that have been brought up, I definitely feel let down by this release that they have been hyping for I think over a year now. I could understand if I was purchasing a roundhouse or RTR level model, but this is supposed to be their top of line product. Disappointing.
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Post by railmodeltroy14 on Jan 28, 2021 11:50:15 GMT -8
I rewired my Kato SD80MAC locomotives with Monster LED's and separated the ditch lights so they now alternate and installed sound decoder.
The sound is incredible and lighting is very bright...the Kato drive is still the best but the details are not close to Genesis level.
I just don't know if I have the desire to rewire lighting and install a new decoder and speaker in another locomotive.
I will re-check my SD 90 MAC H 2 and see if the same problems exist on that model.
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Post by amtrakfl9 on Jan 28, 2021 14:24:17 GMT -8
I will re-check my SD 90 MAC H 2 and see if the same problems exist on that model. These problems do not exist on the SD90MAC-H2. Athearn did a near perfect job on those engines. The SD80MAC has a new design light pipe assembly for the low mounted ditch lights that does not work properly. It's possible the SD80MAC project was a casualty of the recent personnel changes and no one was paying attention enough to fix these issues for the production models. Would not be the first time, especially for Athearn. Very disappointing, I had thought Athearn was nearing ScaleTrains quality but this release really sets them back a notch.
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Post by railmodeltroy14 on Jan 28, 2021 14:37:20 GMT -8
I will re-check my SD 90 MAC H 2 and see if the same problems exist on that model. These problems do not exist on the SD90MAC-H2. Athearn did a near perfect job on those engines. The SD80MAC has a new design light pipe assembly for the low mounted ditch lights that does not work properly. It's possible the SD80MAC project was a casualty of the recent personnel changes and no one was paying attention enough to fix these issues for the production models. Would not be the first time, especially for Athearn. Very disappointing, I had thought Athearn was nearing ScaleTrains quality but this release really sets them back a notch. Thanks for response...all of my models are in boxes while layout is being finished.
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Post by severn on Jan 28, 2021 14:42:36 GMT -8
One wonders how these things happen but between covid and contract manufacturers. I guess anything is possible.
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Post by railmodeltroy14 on Jan 28, 2021 14:53:10 GMT -8
I will wait on the SD70ACU locos for CP Rail and Norfolk Southern and skip the SD 80 MAC.
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Post by amtrakfl9 on Jan 28, 2021 15:28:43 GMT -8
I will wait on the SD70ACU locos for CP Rail and Norfolk Southern and skip the SD 80 MAC. If you're willing to do some work on it, it is a gorgeous model. If you are ready to pay $200 for a non-sound locomotive that needs work, that is.
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Post by railmodeltroy14 on Jan 28, 2021 15:54:54 GMT -8
I will wait on the SD70ACU locos for CP Rail and Norfolk Southern and skip the SD 80 MAC. If you're willing to do some work on it, it is a gorgeous model. If you are ready to pay $200 for a non-sound locomotive that needs work, that is. I am sure it is but the only model railroading I am doing now involves the miter and jig saw, cordless drills, digital levels, Shop Vac and hundreds of drywall screws.
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