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New athearn caboose with dcc lighting and sound

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  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Friday, September 25, 2020 7:33 PM

BigDaddy

From another forum, only the CB&Q, SF, and UP have working marker lights. 

I read it on the Internet, it must be true. Big Smile

 

So that means only the wide vision cabooses have working markers, not the bay window models.

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,892 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Saturday, September 26, 2020 10:13 AM

The SP bay windows did have lights in the roof or the 80s version the market lights were moved from the roof to the ends, which were also operational.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • 16 posts
Posted by Capitol Ltd on Monday, September 28, 2020 11:16 AM

Well, despite all the pro's/con's of sound, I made the splurge and picked up the B&O caboose with sound (I'm thinking the sound is overkill but I will set up and use the clickety-clack sound and the caboose whistle.)  I can also confirm the B&O unit does not have marker lights.  The painting/lettering and details are really nice.

For any of you that have bought the sound version of this caboose, I have a few questions:

1.  My caboose is missing the window glazing in one of the end-windows.  Was this intentional to provide an "outlet" for the sound?  Othewise, I see no way for the sound to get out.  I'm a little disappointed they didn't drill a few holes in the bottom and direct the sound out the bottom..... this would have been fine for the clickety-clack and coupler sounds.

2.  Looking at the parts diagram, it appears they've used a sugar cube speaker.  Does anybody know what the power rating is (they are typically less than a watt).  I'd like to turn my sound up just a notch or two and the Tsunami SoundCar can put out a full watt.

3.  My interior lighting is REALLY dim.  Anybody else experience this?  I had to turn the lights off in my train room to see that it was on.

Thanks.

--MARK

  • Member since
    November 2015
  • 1,345 posts
Posted by ATSFGuy on Thursday, October 1, 2020 10:46 PM

I was planning on getting one of these, (ATSF 999705 or ATSF 999711). Unfortunately they quickly vanished from ebay and online hobby retailers before I could get my hands on one. Guess I'll just go back to using Athearn's Standard Wide Vision Caboose (ATSF 999780).

Guys, I know Athearn's first attempt at a Genesis Series ICC Caboose isn't necessary perfect, but can be made better with some effort. 

 

I'd like to ask the folowing questions;

 

1. On a scale of 1-10, how many of you rate the interior/marker lights as "bright"?

2. On a scale of 1-10, how many of you rate the model's rolling abilities as "good" or "excellent"?

3. On a scale of 1-10, how many of you rate the model's sound system as "outstanding"?

4. On a scale of 1-10, how many of you are pleased with those extra details, (coupler cut levers, mu hoses, etc)

5. On a scale of 1-10, how many of you are happy seeing it being pulled by one of your freight trains around the layout?   

 

Hopefully Athearn will realize they made a few errors and improve the model's features on the next run.

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