Will Athearn make genesis dummies

[philnrunt]

I would love to get a set of SD70MACs in the executive BN scheme, but I can't afford 260$ for units that will be for display only. Has anyone heard if there are plans for any manufacturer to make dummy versions?

[Anonymous]

Dummy locos seem to be going out of fashion, at least for anything other than B-units on the older carbody designs. Athearn seem to have discontinued a lot of theirs, which is a pity as they were very useful for when you wanted 3 units at the head of a train but only really needed two - you could save money on the third unit by buying a dummy. I also use them on my end to end switching layout to allow me to run cab units without turning them around (I have neither a turntable or wye). I simply hook on a dummy to provide an extra cab.

[cacole]

You might be able to purchase a couple of BNSF SD70MAC shells from Athearn and put something under them to simulate trucks, but I don't think Athearn or anayone else makes dummy locomotives any more. Companies make what people purchase, and dummy locomotives evidentally don't sell well.

[trainfan1221]

I always found dummy locomotives kind of useful for display, also. They certainly weren't much good actually on the train. I had two Athearn locos (dummies) for display purposes. Problem is, after a while you look at them and say, "Darn, I wish I could run these things".

[Anonymous]

That's unacceptable for prototypical modelers since real RRs didn't use dummies,but
the new Genesis F7 A-B-B-A consist that comes out in Sept will include a F7 A-B non-powered unit.

See the Ad in MR Feb 04.

[CBQ_Guy]

Dummies are DEAD...thanks to the dummies who work for the manufacturers who decided to kill them off.

As always, follow the money...

[BRAKIE]

What really killed the dummy" locomotive was the price..What a dummy cost you could by the power units for a few dollars more.Even at that dummies was completely useless as a locomotive.Plus the dummies was pone to derailing if pushed by the power unit..So I say good riddance of a useless locomotive.
Now why not make your own dummy by ordering the shell,frame trucks and hand rails? Shouldn't cost that much.Better still look around for a two use ones or check e bay.[:D]

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

What really killed the dummy" locomotive was the price..What a dummy cost you could by the power units for a few dollars more.Even at that dummies was completely useless as a locomotive.Plus the dummies was pone to derailing if pushed by the power unit..So I say good riddance of a useless locomotive.
Now why not make your own dummy by ordering the shell,frame trucks and hand rails? Shouldn't cost that much.Better still look around for a two use ones or check e bay.[:D]

Sorry, not in my experience...

[Anonymous]

I have also some Athearn dummys, and most of my superdetailed engines (more for display than running) are dummys.

A few years ago I had a discus with a Roco manager - I modeled European Railroads before changing into US RR - about dummy locos.

They made two or three dummys.

Not real sucessful because the price was to high.

• You will find more customers buying a working locomotive than a dummy (This is a fact !!!!!!!)
• Today, the models are high detailed and this makes the price !!!!
• So a dummy couldn´t be real cheaper than a powered model

When I must make a decission between a powered model, price 130 $, and a dummy, price lets say 100 $, my decission will be clear !!!!

And today the zincframes are very heavy, so it´s possible that a dummy need a new - lightweight - frame!!!! (This had happen with the Roco dummy´s)

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

What really killed the dummy" locomotive was the price..What a dummy cost you could by the power units for a few dollars more.Even at that dummies was completely useless as a locomotive.Plus the dummies was pone to derailing if pushed by the power unit..So I say good riddance of a useless locomotive.
Now why not make your own dummy by ordering the shell,frame trucks and hand rails? Shouldn't cost that much.Better still look around for a two use ones or check e bay.[:D]

Yes, but:

Spareparts are often:
1. expensive
2. not available

[BRAKIE]

It is true that spare parts may be expensive and not always available,that was the only logical idea I could come up with to build a SD70MAC dummy or like I stated find a use SD70MAC (at a reasonable use locomotive price) and covert that to a dummy..
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Paul,I suppose I should have clarified I was talking about the 6 axle units and not the 4 axle units-my bad.Of course my only experience comes from the club where I saw the derailment problem with the dummy 6 axle units while being shoved.As a trailing unit they did just fine.

[Nieuweboer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

It is true that spare parts may be expensive and not always available,that was the only logical idea I could come up with to build a SD70MAC dummy or like I stated find a use SD70MAC (at a reasonable use locomotive price) and covert that to a dummy..
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Paul,I suppose I should have clarified I was talking about the 6 axle units and not the 4 axle units-my bad.Of course my only experience comes from the club where I saw the derailment problem with the dummy 6 axle units while being shoved.As a trailing unit they did just fine.

I have several Athearn 6-axle dummies on my layout and have never experienced any derailing problems when they are pushed but.......I replaced the plastic wheels by metal ones and they keep on track since then.

[BRAKIE]

I replaced the plastic wheels by metal ones and they keep on track since then.
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Ahh,Then that may be the cause..Perhaps the members that owns the 6 axle dummies still uses the plastic wheels..Thanks for the information.I will pass it on to the members that owns those units.