Who Enjoys a Atheran growl????

[CP5415]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rails5

It doesn't sound like a growl to me - just the noise of a cheaply made drive system. I like my engines so quiet that the loudest noice is the wheels over the rail joints.

To each there own I guess!

I do admit that I like the quietness of my Athearn RTR & Proto locomotives, but I do love to hear the sound of a BB Athearn pulling 20 cars up the grades on my layout.

Gordon

[AntonioFP45]

Minuteman,

Believe it or not Rail5 is not off the mark.

I read years back where Athearn DID INDEED want a tough, very durable locomotive drive that was inexpensive. In other words "cheap" so that in turn it would be affordable to consumers. The Blueboxes have lived up to that respectable reputation. The units left in my fleet that I purchased in the 70s, still run! BUT! They also draw 2 to 3 amps! Not good for DCC.

In order to get a tough, low cost mechanism you would have to leave out the expensive precision machining process that results in a fine snug fitting mechanism, and instead purchase gears already available or manufacture inexpensive gears and components that mesh "reasonably" well. The drivetrain would also be generalized in design using tough, low cost components that can take the punishment. This has been the secret of the BlueBox's success. Atlas, of course, was the next step afterwards, but many of us teenagers in the late 70s couldn't afford a $25 locomotive, so Athearns at $12 to $15 dollars were the way to go!

The BlueBoxes were the first major step for many of us when going from the Tyco and Bachmann "toys" to "models". What's changed since the 90s is that many of us have been spoiled (me too) by the models from Atlas, Stewart, Kato, LifeLike Proto, etc. Precision machined gears, motors and body detailing. But of course, we're paying for them too!

[:D][;)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rails5

It doesn't sound like a growl to me - just the noise of a cheaply made drive system. I like my engines so quiet that the loudest noice is the wheels over the rail joints.

Ummm I bet your "quiet drive system" would freeze up after 30-40 years of storage though. Athearns are anything but "cheap" they are reliable and basic, but not cheaply made.
Next to brass, Athearn was top of the line. So respect the "Blue Boxes" please!

[Anonymous]

It doesn't sound like a growl to me - just the noise of a cheaply made drive system. I like my engines so quiet that the loudest noice is the wheels over the rail joints.

[CP5415]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dhesh

I like the noise Athearn engines make. It's somewhat realistic, and also serves as a tracking device when the train goes out of sight.

I agree!

A friend of mine used to belong to a club in Scarborough. He invited me to run some trains on a Sunday afternoon.
There was this one long slightly curved grade which was out of sight (unless I was using the mirrors).
I could always tell when my train got to this point as the growl got a bit lower as the SD40-2's (2 powered & one dummy) slowed a bit climbing this part of the track.
I love that sound!

Gordon

[SP4449]

I have an old (1975 version) Athearn Alco PA I use to pull a passenger train and the growl is pretty convincing.

[mcouvillion]

Mine don't growl. The only ones I have ever heard that sound awful have a loose flywheel that vibrates and possibly touches the inside of the shell when operating. But I never run mine without going through them completely before they ever touch the track. They are run in on the bench and a problem like this is found early on.

Mark C.

[Anonymous]

I dearly love the growl of my ancient Athearns. My newer ones only growl when I put Ernst gears in them ;-)

-dave

[BRAKIE]

QUOTE: Originally posted by pickwick

my new athearn locomotive doesnt make a bit if noise, so i cant enjoy this "growl yall are talking about

Yes those newer RTR Athearns and Genesis are whisper quiet...Now the older BB units once you get these units "ran in" they quiet right down not like the new ones mind you but they do quiet down .

[Anonymous]

my new athearn locomotive doesnt make a bit if noise, so i cant enjoy this "growl yall are talking about

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mustanggt

I think it sounds pretty cool. And I bet the just released SD45-2's have it[:D]

[:0][:p][:p][:0]GOOD GOOBLY! I HOPE NOT!!

Whew! Sorry! I guess once you buy an Atlas, Kato, or Stewart locomotive and run them, you can become spoiled!

[mustanggt]

I think it sounds pretty cool. Even My GP60M has it. And I bet the just released SD45-2's have it[:D]

[tstage]

If you're talking about the Genesis series locos (like the one pictured below)? it isn't that bad. If you're talking about the cheaper blue box ones? No.

Tom

[SSW9389]

Not only is it a sound system, but the way a unit sounds can help you monitor its progress around a layout. Oft times at our club layout a train will be out of sight and the sound it makes is all you have to go on.

[AggroJones]

The growl is fine. It is like a built in sound system that you can't turn off!

[Anonymous]

I like the noise Athearn engines make. It's somewhat realistic, and also serves as a tracking device when the train goes out of sight.

[BRAKIE]

I don't know since I added stick on weight to the inside top of the shell to cut down on the shell chatter..But no,It never bother me seeing I have own some of the real howlers and screamers in the early brass diesels from the 60s.

[JeremyB]

Hey Antonio

tha would be me that has posted this like 4 times. I just enjoy hearing modlers thoughts on Atherans

Jeremy

[AntonioFP45]

Hey guys,

I think I've answered this at least four times already, but these threads are enjoyable.

As I stated before, I've owned Athearns (blue box) locomotives since the late 1970s. I too enjoyed the low, grinding noises coming from the trucks that could remind a modeler of a diesel locomotive's machinery at work.

What has changed that for me and probably many other longtime Athearn modelers was the introduction of "high quality" DCC/Sound decoders from Soundtraxx. Now you can get the "actual" sounds, down too the engine revs, horn, bell, and brake squeal. A sound decoder equipped Athearn that growls may suddenly not sound so "hot" anymore to the owner. So that's when remotoring and/or polishing truck gears are seriously considered.

If I were not going to equip an Athearn hood unit with sound, I'd keep the growl.
Peace!

[Anonymous]

I've owned many Athern loco's over the years, and I find that little growl great, like you say, a built in sound system.

[Anonymous]

i do i think it adds some realism to my layout. My proto 2000 SD45 has a homade sound system in it[#offtopic]

[JeremyB]

Hi Guys

I know, I know I post alot of topics about Atheran and the grwol they make but I noticed alot of new people have joined the Trains.com website and I thought I would ask them the question of " Do you enjoy the growl of a Atherna engine" I know I do. actually I have broken in some Athernas so good that they hardly make any noise.

Hope to hear some feedback.

Jeremy