Well, I just ordered mine (UP #58). I found it for $220 on eBay, so that's $80 off retail. I'll post my opinions when I get it, which will be this weekend hopefully.
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I find nothing wrong with the detail, it as good as a PCM or BLI detail and I just installed the sound and its awesome! With the QSI you get two horns and the railroad crossing plus you push F7 in nuetral and the turbine fires up. I pulled twenty intermountain 40' reefers up a 2% grade and it did not hesitate. I installed two speakers and its load when the turbines is running. Need to get earplugs.
8500HPGASTURBINEThey are a little disappointing. They don't have the detail I thought they would have.
After comparing pictures of the models to real ones, I have to ask. What more could they have added? I see they didn't make the side vents see-through, but beyond that, I can't find much of anything that Athearn didn't put on.
How much can they pull? With nearly 2lb. of weight, I'd expect between 60 and 70 cars even with only 4-axles powered. Also, do they have the gold Athearn motor, or a higher quality can motor?
lvanhenInternet Trains? Not in a million years for me!!!!!
Internet Trains? Not in a million years for me!!!!!
I agree!
In the past two years, we have heard story after story of delays from Internet trains and charging for items that were not even in stock or imported into the USA. Some of the delays were months and the stories went on and on. I read the stories and believed that the best price is not always the best deal.
It is better to pay a reasonable price and actually get the item the same year you ordered it.
My turbine came yesterday and it is great overall. The panels need some dusting to make it correct and the pilot pivots from the inside truck on both ends. It weights 1 lb 15 oz. that is heavy. I hope someone offers traction tires for this model since all 8 axles pick up power but on four are powered. Even without traction tires, it will handle a decent load and if you run them like the UP did in later years with two GP9's, well it will pull almost anything. Other diesels were used with the standard turbines but I always liked the GP9B's.
Funny thing about the dark panels. The Athearn ad is actually more correct than the way the panels are painted on the model.
CZ
Yea I know the QSI is $107 at Caboose Hobbies in Denver. I'm thinking it can wait till I get more money! I got mine in yesterday. I got #54 w/tender and another tender to put behind my 3985 and 844 when ever I have them operating their excursion trips on the layout!
The engine ran on 22" curves and it ran smooth even at high speed. The engine pulled 15-20 cars that day with no issue. The early version looks far better than the late version. I purchased the early version and bought the Tender separate. The engine is well detailed like most Athearn engines and the steel venting is real nice on the early models. I wanted #51 since it was delivered to Omaha. I have the sound on order which is $100! YIKES!
Hey GTX765. How is the quality and does it run well?
Got the e-mail that mine as shipped.
I got mine on friday so you should see yours any day now. Mine is a real smooth runner.
Back in the early '80s Jim Kelly, then on MR's staff, did an article on using Con-Cor's N-Scale "Veranda" to kitbash units 51-60. I suppose that if someone wanted a "Veranda" they could "reverse engineer" Mr. Kelly's article using this new Athearn unit as a base.
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
I was told by athearn last week that the gas turbines are in the US and are being shipped out now to everyone. Hopefully will get mine within the next few weeks!
Loco Would you be so kind as to let us know from whom you dealing with?!?!
Would you be so kind as to let us know from whom you dealing with?!?!
Loco,
From Page 3 of this thread, next to last post:
http://www.ulrichmodels.biz/servlet/the-447/UP-Gas-Turbine-/Detail
Don Z.
Research; it's not just for geeks.
Don't know about Internet Trains but their prices are only okay - I mean add the cost of the model and the QSI Decoder and you are close to $325 and that's without sound installed.
I pay $295 and it comes also with QSI but sound installed already... now that's what I call a deal. :)
I pre-ordered from my LHS, MRPO, without getting a price!!! I know I'll get 20% off or better!!!
That is a good price, but unfortunately, Internet Trains has made a pretty bad reputation around here. I'll probably eBay one when they come out, since they should end up having a similar (or maybe even lower) price there.
Got this in the mail a day or so ago.... looks like a solid price for a pre order. But not sure if they would do a sound instal.
http://www.internettrains.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=IT&Category_Code=HSCLOCDSLATHRTRGAS
Mike, as already stated the Athearn Turbine is in the RTR series and comes only as a Non-Sound model.
The Lionel had QSI decoders and you can hear a sample either on the QSI website or here: http://www.ulrichmodels.biz/servlet/the-447/UP-Gas-Turbine-/Detail
Of course if you look closer, Ulrich Models is offering the Turbine with QSI for just $296....
8500HPGASTURBINEI think it looks ok, but a closer look would be better. I find it hard to believe that Athearn can make this Turbine LOOK & SOUND great for under $300.00. Mike
I think it looks ok, but a closer look would be better. I find it hard to believe that Athearn can make this Turbine LOOK & SOUND great for under $300.00.
Mike
No, yours is not even a picture!!
My link is to a Photo of the Actual model painted and lettered!
http://www.athearn.com/Newsletter/121608/03_rev_TURBINE_121608.jpg
this is a larger image
Athearn has a picture (small but its' there) of a painted model... really looks good from what I can see.
If I rec all right these units were near duplicates of the Virginian EL-2's, just added turbine engines etc.
Love to have the engine in UP, but if I wanted I could mod it to the Virginian with 2 units, no tender.
It should run on tight curves because of the truck articulation. My ALCO EL-2's will handle snap track. Whatta snake.
this could be a good base to build a BoBo-BoBo U50. hell all athern needs to do is put a different shell on top and bam, another rare release
There is a sound chip available. Follow this link and scroll to the bottom of the page:
http://qsisolutions.com/products/techinfo/revolution/q-revo_codes_diesel.html
Just to keep my mind straight - there is no current turbine sound chip set yet - right??
The updated Athearn announcement is listed below.