Some, but not all Athern Genesis locomotives have newer tooling with greater detail, so it's not just the electronics that differ. But the older Blue Box Atherns are not DCC ready. While companies like Digitrax make conversion kits for them, it takes a little work to so the installation. I've done a couple and believe me, I'm no Master Model Railroader but they work fine. The newer DCC models have updated frames and motors, but the old ones run fine. Atherns are pretty indestructible.
There has been a pretty steep increase in the cost of newer locos and cars. It's common to pay $30 for a box car today compared to about $9 for an old Blue Box kit at retail, which kind of puts things in perspective. But the added detail comes at a price. I say, if you're happy with the older versions, or if the new one looks like the same tooling, do it yourself.
Lefty
From my observation, the motors in the R to R and Genesis are the same. They also both use the utter rubbish micro incandescent bulbs which burn out within a few months. The main difference is in the level of detail.
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
While the Genesis detail may be a bit better, I see a trend to put the Genesis lable on everything to get a better price.
It will generally cost you over $100 for a sound decoder, speaker, and enclosure. Plus your time to install. You be the judge.
Atlas sound and non-sound versions are generally closer in price and it's pretty mucha non-brainer to get the sound version. Ironic, in a way, since their non-sound versions use exactly the same chassis so the speaker mounts and all are already there so it's a snap to install sound in the non-sound ones. But when you cna get it already done for $50-$70 more, which is usually less than the cost of the decoder alone, it's kind of silly not to. Sometimes they offer different road numbers int he non-sound, so if you need multiples, a non-sound is easy to upgrade.
Athearn though, yeah, pretty much been said. Those light bulbs are a real pain, everyone else has gone to LEDs, Athearn persists with incandescents.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Primary difference between Genesis and RTR is level of detail and that the Genesis line adheres to protype fidelity. RTR uses the older line of motors wich can be prone to QC issues. Genesis uses a motor mfg by Roco, is of higher quality and smoother running. I do replace my RTR with Kato HM-5 can motors. Both lines use incandescent bulbs. I replace these with 0402 SMD LEDs.
The RTR line is an excellent starting point for a super detailing project or with a few easy modifications [or none at all] you will still have a good model. The Genesis line is a nearly complete, highly detailed prototype model.
Check out some of the projects I've done regarding DCC sound at http://www.youtube.com/user/fisker761/videos?flow=grid&view=0
Erik Fiske
I couldn't fix your brakes, so I made your horn louder
Another difference to remember about RTR and Genesis locos is the type of loco models available. There are some locos in the RTR line that are not available in the Genesis line and vice-versa. For example, If you want an SD70ACE you'll only have the Genesis line to choose from, sound or non-sound being the main factor to consider.
I'm looking forward to Athearn's upcoming release of the GP38-2 in the Genesis line. Hopefully they'll someday add other RTR only locos to the Genesis line and upgrade the heck out of them.
TONY
"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)
simon1966=They also both use the utter rubbish micro incandescent bulbs which burn out within a few months. The main difference is in the level of detail.
=They also both use the utter rubbish micro incandescent bulbs which burn out within a few months. The main difference is in the level of detail.
Modelling HO Scale with a focus on the West and Midwest USA
alexstan I have had an Athearn RTR SD40T-2 for the last couple of years, and the bulbs haven't burned out yet.
I have had an Athearn RTR SD40T-2 for the last couple of years, and the bulbs haven't burned out yet.
Lucky you! My son's love the SD70 ace's in the Heritage schemes, these being Genesis models. So far we are 3 for 3 that I have had to replace bulbs, The ditch lights are especially bad because they are such a pain to replace. The bulbs are so notoriously bad that there are even vendors that have produced after market replacement LED light kits for these models.
Athearn's quality seems to have really deteriorated since they had to find a different manufacturer in China, even their Genesis line.
A member of our local club has had four bad Genesis locomotives out of five, with various problems ranging from warped trucks to a bad motor, and has now sworn off Athearn products.