Has Athearn Gone Nutz!!!

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gbailey

The trouble is that Athearn wants to price their RTR close to the P2K or Atlas cost, but without having the better detail and drives of the Atlas and P2K locos.

THAT'S why it is a rip-off. They make a loco of Atlas Master quality (which they haven't, even in the Genesis line), and I would have no trouble with their prices.

But Athearn is content to try and follow, not to try to lead.

Pricewise, the Athearn Genesis F7 is not a bad deal though when looking at the Master quality detail.

[cacole]

It's really sad to see such an old, reliable company such as Athearn sinking into the abyss.

The first Athearn R-T-R rolling stock I purchased was their flat car with a Coca-Cola trailer. I'll never purchase another Athearn R-T-R product. It has the worst wheels on it that I have ever seen, and was, in my opinion, exhorbitantly overpriced for a "Made in China" product. The only way I could get it to roll more than a few inches, even with a hard push, was to replace the trucks.

Athearn Genesis? No more of them, either. I bought two of their SD-70's because they had Illinois Central markings. The trucks bind and derail, and are too stiff. Major surgery was required in order to get them to stay on the track when going around curves. I've never had this problem with any other brand of locomotive. The ditch light bulbs burned out in no time, and getting to them for replacement was extremely difficult. The light bulbs used in Athearn Genesis locomotives are of very poor quality.

Fortunately, a lot of old BB kits are available at the few hobby shops that are still in business.

Instead of Athearn, I now prefer Accurail or Bowser rolling stock kits.

[biggsy]

I agree I had an f7a-b what a load of crap, wheels out of gauge, motor noisy ,couplers wrong hight because the frame was milled to much and sat to low and those cinterd wheels,some werent even round.I threw it in the rubbish bin where it belonged,and bought a proto2k much better,I borrowed a genesis not long ago and it had a cracked gear,so much for quality control,the owner off that one replaced it with kato,made in japan not china.

[Anonymous]

So what else is new? Both me and Antonio have said many times before about this on a different post. Till Athearn can get their foot out of their fandango,and "start listening to us modelers",I feel that their really isn't much else to say. With all that has been said about this subject,this IS the main reason why i have stopped buying MR supplies and models. I'm sure there are kits that I can buy,though why the hell should i pay up to $10.00 for a freight car kit? The one company i feel sorry for is Kalmbach Publishing.Here they make one excellent magazine ( Model Railroader ) and yet it seems that no one is even doing " it " due to having almost everything RTR---"Modeling".

[BRAKIE]

Well have you seen Atlas's "Trainmain Series'" cars yet? No? Then you should check them out..IMHO they are nothing more then Athearn/MDC clones except the newer Athearn RTR cars has separate grab irons whereas the new Atlas cars doesn't- much like the Blue Box kit and BB RTR.
When Athearn bashers start bashing they should take the time to get their facts straight..[;)]

[RedGrey62]

I still like Athearn, haven't had any real problems and still have a BB U28C that I got for my 14th birthday (lets just say 30 years or so ago) that still runs. I have some Genisis F units that run and look great. I don't buy as much now because the RTR stuff is starting to get out of my era (50s and 60s) and other companies have come out with cars much closer to my prototype (CB&Q).

That being said, I've talked to several LHS owners and been told that RTR is what the majority of people want. Instant gratification and you can't blame any manufacturer for going with that trend. Would I rather pay half the price and assemble it myself...maybe. Like so many other things these days, your paying for convienience and someone else's time.

Also, I'm not sure the increase prices can all be attributed to greed, It looks like Athearn is honestly trying reinvest to improve its products and grow its line, that takes money.

Rick

[Anonymous]

none of this is a problem.......if the new Athearn is overpriced, dont buy them. One of two things will surely happen...the will fold the line, or the price will come down. The BUYER always sets the price.......................by buying or not buying