EMD Power-clarification

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I meant to say HO scale.  Also, any experiences, good or bad with Athearn loco's?  Ive owned 2 in the past, but they are both very old.  I see a lot of Athearn loco's in my LHS and their prices seem a little more budget friendly.  Also, since Walthers acquired Life Like, do they still sell loco's under the Walther's brand name or are they just under the Proto line now?

[emdgp92]

I've had very few problems with my Athearn locomotives. The only one that's given me trouble is the now-retired Baldwin S12. For some reason, that thing never ran right. After several years of messing with it, I gave up and retired it. The other locomotives I have (F7, GP7, and an RDC...all out of the blue boxes) run perfectly. Be prepared to do a little work on them--several Athearn engines in the blue-box line have been around forever. As such, the detailing isn't up to P2k and Kato standards. However, if you just want one that'll last, Athearn is the way to go. In fact, my F7 took a trip off the layout a few years back--other than some bent grab irons, and the motor getting knocked out of place, it came through relatively unscathed, and still runs great. I can't comment on Athearn's "Genesis" line, since I don't have any.

Some of the Life-Like Proto 2000 engines can be picked up inexpensively over the 'net and from discount places advertised in MR. I've seen the GP7s for as little as $40 at times.

[NSlover92]

Um, the lifelike Proto models are still being made under the P2K and P1K names. As for Athearn locos, I own two on is a F-3 Genises (sorry for spelling), and the other is a RTR GP-45. Personally I love them they are quiet, smooth and powerful. The only thing I have to say is saw away from the old "blue box" locos, unless you want alot of noise and bumpy operation.

[ezielinski]

The only thing I have to say is saw away from the old "blue box" locos, unless you want alot of noise and bumpy operation.

I have numerous Athearn BB locomotives - four SD40-2s, one SDP40, one SW7 cow-calf set, and one SD45.  With loving care (some never even needed any), Athearn BB engines can all be smooth and quiet runners.  Granted, they are all a little short on details, but with companies like Details West and Detail Associates, that soon isn't a problem.

[NSlover92]

The only thing I have to say is saw away from the old "blue box" locos, unless you want alot of noise and bumpy operation.

I have numerous Athearn BB locomotives - four SD40-2s, one SDP40, one SW7 cow-calf set, and one SD45.  With loving care (some never even needed any), Athearn BB engines can all be smooth and quiet runners.  Granted, they are all a little short on details, but with companies like Details West and Detail Associates, that soon isn't a problem.

The only BB loco I was is the cow-calf set and that is because I cant find the calf unit anywhere