Athearn RTR Locomotive Comparison

[Anonymous]

I've received a pair of Athearn CF-7s two weeks ago and I am very happy with them. So much so, that I'm looking at another Athearn locomotive the MKT GP-38-2.

Since both these locomotives are Athearn RTR, should I expect to be equally satisfied with the GP-38-2? Is it as nice a locomotive as the CF-7? (I have the ALY 304 and LDRR 1501 CF-7 models.)

I welcome your opinion.

Thanks,
Roger

[AntonioFP45]

RogerW.

All of my Athearns are the traditional "Blue Box" units. Do you own "BB"s that you can compared your new RTRs to?

Is the drive mechanism superior in any way or is the body detail any better. I've never owned an Athearn RTR and am curious. On another post I've asked for the opinions from the owners of the new SD45T-2, as well as a BLI unit.

Any of you all out there been able to do an Athearn comparison? Blue Box against the RTR?

Thanks![:)][8D][:D]

[Anonymous]

Some of the newer RTR come with DCC plugs in them otherwise their the same loco only assmembled

[CP5415]

I've only 1 RTR Athearn. The VIA P42.
The model is nicely detailed, but quiet! As quiet if not quieter than my Proto 1000 RDC's.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

Athearn RTR SD50's are way better than P2K's, and yes they are the best engine for there price. i mean i can find an SD50 in Athearn for like $60.00 i mean thats darn good.

[SSW9389]

I have both the SD50 and CF7 in R-T-R. I am very satisfied with the SD50s and will add a bit of weight to the CF7 so that it will pull more. Other than the weight issue with the CF7 Athearn has hit it out of the park with both of these locomotives.

[Anonymous]

I was also looking at the GP38-2, but noticed that it does not have the newer motor and it does not have the DCC ready board. What prompted me to look deeper before purchasing the unit was when I say the standard Athearn lighting in the unit. Which also told me that the unit does not have directional lighting. I was planning on testing one out, but I do not want to have to purchase the parts required to make it DCC ready and also give it directional lighting.

[Anonymous]

I forgot to mention that I also picked up a CF7 and it runs great. I also have the GP60M&B. They also run like a champ. The only issue I had was on my GP60B unit. It originally made a little too much noise. When I took the unit apart I noticed it had no lubrication. Once I lubed it up, everything began running great and it still is.

[Anonymous]

They RTR Athearn units are more detailed than the regular line. They come with metal grab-irons, and the circuit board to make the DCC ready. They also have the modular lighting, and it's directional. The standard athearn units do not have this. The GP38-2 should have the new drive train and motor....but you have to add the details of snow plow, grab irons, etc.
I have 4 of the SD50s...and might pick up a CF7 just for the fun of it.

[Anonymous]

my problem with the athearn rtr is that they did not add cut levers or m.u. hoses to the frount and back,,atlas does and that is my gripe,if atlas made the the large engines with the same quality that they have now,it would be the best on the market,

[Anonymous]

Just got back from my LHS and opened up a Athearn BN GP38-2 and it has the old drive system and the single light in the cab.

[BRAKIE]

Guys,I can not praise my 4 CF7s enough..These are great looking units and imho the best to date..I did have to add some detail parts though..Still as happy as a 2 headed woodpecker in a bucket of worms with these units.
I do not own the SD50 as yet..I have ran both the Athearn and P2K Sd50 at the club and I just can't make up my mind as both are great units..

[Anonymous]

What I like about the blue box GP38-2 is that the grab irons are not molded on (just the bolts, I think), they are omitted, thus making it much simpler to add them as separate details, as well as the lift rings (I wi***he LifeLike Proto 1000 line was done in the same way instead of having these details cast-on). The fans on the roof are nicely molded, the truck sideframes are very good, and the hoods are of correct width, unlike their older GPs and SDs - they were wider to accomodate the old-old motor. I think the GP40-2 and the GP50 were made the same as the GP38-2, with the narrower old motor. My question is - how about the Athearn blue box SD40T-2 (the Tunnel Motor)? What's the level of detail on that model? Are the hoods of correct width? How are the truck sideframes?

Come on, guys, somebody must have a Tunnel Motor, I'm curious!
Thanks and regards,
Oliver

[Anonymous]

Oliver:
I have 17 SD40T-2s and the level of detail is not as good as we are dealing with now. They have cast on grab irons, and nubs of plastice for the lift rings. The side frames are correct, the hood is the correct width, but the molds are from the early 80s or late 70s. But by shaving off the grabs and putting on your own, they look pretty good. I have added the grills to the lower rear of the hood on several of my units, and plan on doing more.
I owould like to see them update the SD40T-2, but untill they do, there is just some MODELING work that you have to do to the unit. If you can find them, Buy them.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Paul!
Wow, 17 Tunnel Motors, that's quite a fleet!
I sure hope they update this model to at least RTR standards, or even better, to their Genesis line standards. And while at it, they might do the SD45T-2, too.
Thanks a lot for the info & best regards,
Oliver.

[Anonymous]

FYI - About a year ago, maybe longer, Whistle Stop hobbies in Portland, OR, had a note on their wall about taking reservations for a Genesis SD45T-2. That's the only time I've ever heard of such a model (nothing since then), so I don't know what ever happened to it. But, it would be a nice one.

[Anonymous]

I just received some P2K Rio Grande SD50's. I've been waiting for them for awhile so I could compare them to the Athearn RTR units I got earlier. I was disappointed with the LL units, and will stick with the Athearn units. They're much nicer then the P2K units. I've always been leary of the orange paint LL uses for DRGW units - it looks almost red, not the orange it should be. Like the orange that Athearn uses. The P2K GP60's had the same weird color. And the road numbers on the P2K units look... scrunched down (not the correct height). For the cost of the units, I guess I expected more. So, I've got my reservations in for the second run of Athearn units, and may end up getting more for renumbering.

[Don Gibson]

Antonioso:

Haven't bought any Athearn's in a while since converting over to PPW. tried 4 of their new RTR'S recently. Here 'tis:

1. Much improved paint jobs. - Mucho.
2. Better Drive wheels - not sintered iron.
3. Better motor - lower consumption and better low speed running
NEGATIVES: Poor QC.[B)]

My 2 CF-7's - beauties. Their bet effort yet.
My 2 GP 60's beautiful looking. ONE runs sweet - the other grinds.
Out of 8 Genesis 'F's 2 motors went bad - sitting in the boxes
Out of 3 Genesis SD 70 /75'S. One will not stay on the track..

I'll buy one more a SD45-2 to match my RPP shell and PPW chasis. Whom am I kidding?