I think that ATHEARN must "erase" the Ready to Roll line, and release only their Genesis line, line this according to the actual parameters of quality. I´ve purchased the U50 Ready to Roll, with poor old lamps as headlights, and the cab empty. There was not any choice, so I have a model waited for years, but in a semi-junior line. I believe in this hobby almost all can spent a few dollars more for a good modern model.
Athearn, Atlas and Walthers all have "entry level" models to go along with their better offerings. For every modeler like yourself who appreciates higher quality and is willing to pay a bit more, there are just as many who are strapped for cash and don't mind sacrificing some detail and quality.
I'm happy to see these companies continue their double identities. The choice is mine, and yours.
Of course, I would be even happier if they'd all follow Bachmann's lead and come out with high-quality models at entry-level prices. Love those new steamers...
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Mister, in the case of the U50, you can´t choice, that is the big problem. I loved the model made by Overland many years ago...today, it is only made by Athearn, in a cheap way. We can´t choice between Ready to Roll or Genesis: so we need to open the model, and add or improve what the factory didn´t. I hope, as you say, in a future, to may choice. Thanks.
They use the same bulbs in Genesis units as well, so it is not as if it would be upgraded in that way. I have been tediously replacing the burnt out bulbs in my son's SD70Ace, the ditch lights are a real pain!
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
simon1966 They use the same bulbs in Genesis units as well, so it is not as if it would be upgraded in that way. I have been tediously replacing the burnt out bulbs in my son's SD70Ace, the ditch lights are a real pain!
Life would be so much less thrilling if you didn't have the opportunity to replace the Athearn bulbs. LOL
As a matter of course, I now replace Athearn bulbs with Miniatronics bulbs.
Athearn seems to use a bulb with a one hour useful life.
Rich
Alton Junction
davidmbedard The U50 has a cab interior and they use what Athearn has as a standard for lights....1.5v bulbs. What is the issue here? David B
The U50 has a cab interior and they use what Athearn has as a standard for lights....1.5v bulbs.
What is the issue here?
David B
The OP apparently wants factory installed LEDs and engineer figures pre-installed in the cab.
richhotrain davidmbedard: The U50 has a cab interior and they use what Athearn has as a standard for lights....1.5v bulbs. What is the issue here? David B The OP apparently wants factory installed LEDs and engineer figures pre-installed in the cab. Rich
davidmbedard: The U50 has a cab interior and they use what Athearn has as a standard for lights....1.5v bulbs. What is the issue here? David B
Well Proto does it... the engineer figure anyway. Even if they DO face the wrong way on the GP7's.
The only recent vintage Athearn I have is an RS3, and it has a pair of the 1.5V bulbs at each end, does look kind of silly with the bulb protrudung from the shell, but I installed a TCS decoder and after a few years all 4 bulbs are still working.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
It's choose, not choice.
Why not add some details to the loco for a fun weekend project?
Mr. Davidson,
I understand your thoughts. I would also like them to bring black the Blue Boxes so that you can easily upgrade the units as you assemble vs having to disassemble before upgrading.
The different price points is important to attract different customers with different desires. Maybe they can offer an upgrade kit for the U50??? Maybe someone can start a business selling these units after upgrading for customers who want what you want. I think there are some guys out there already doing so. I want to say there's a guy in CA who does a good job, you can search on the web of course. But then you won't be paying RTR prices.
Richard