Do you like the Athearn HO Series ???

[Anonymous]

Do you like the Athearn HO series [?] ??? The one you put together but are already painted cause at my hobby shop it seem that I'm the only one buying them. Are they a good choice [?] ???

[Anonymous]

I like the Athearn "Blue Box" kits.
I still buy them and MDC kits.
My son enjoys putting them together as well.
I think they're a good choice.

[twhite]

They're good cars. There are better detailed ones on the market, but for the price, Athearn gives you a lot of quality. One thing to watch out for--some of them set either low or high on the coupler mating scale with other cars. That can usually be cured by either filing the bolster, or raising it with Kadee washers. I notice at my LHS that a lot of customers that buy mostly Athearn cars are also people who are just getting started in model railroading. They're a good quality car for 'newbies' and a good basic car if you want to add extra detail, later. One thing you might think of doing when you buy them is replace the wheel sets with metal (if the kit contains plastic--most of their RTR equipment has metal wheels already). The P2K metal wheels seem to fit the Athearn trucks without any adjustment, and result in a much freer rolling car. Also adds a little weight to them. Hey, I've been model railroading for years and years, and I still pick up an Athearn car when I see something I like. Good product.
Tom

[Hawks05]

heck ya. i live by those kits. at the last show i picked up 9 kits, i have i think 10 to put together yet because i had a few sitting around from my last visit to the hobby shop. all but 4 that i have left are accurail. they are the only ones that seem to put out centerflow hoppers. i like the athearn kits for boxcars along with MDC. Accurail are my hoppers.

[ericsp]

I like them. I wi***hey offer more like the limited rum Pullman Standard 5344 cubic foot boxcar.

[3railguy]

As others have posted, Athearn blue box kits are a great value for the money. They preform well and the detail and graphics are great. They can be superdetailed too. I became a junkie not long ago after a 25 year absence. I am very pleased Athearn is still making the old classics.

Newer kits come furnished with Bachman EZ mate couplers. If you get an older kit with horn hook couplers, it would be wise to buy a EZ mate couplers ($1.00 pair) or Kadees ($2.50 two pair). I've heard conflicting stories as to which is better. I use both and I find the EZ mates are easier to install. Sometimes I have to file the shank on the Kadees to get them to swing properly. Kadee also makes a coupler height gauge which works with easymates as well. It is highly recomended when tweaking your cars.

[Anonymous]

They are the mainstay of my rolling stock, very easy to build and lend thereselves to kitbashing readily. I also keep a supply of spare parts because they can be used on almost any brand of car. I think you get more satisfaction out of a kit even a simple one like an Athearn. More people seem to be buying RTR models, though and i'm seeing fewer kits on the shelves. I can still buy 40'-50' cars for $5.00-$6.00 at my LHS. I simply can't afford a $20.00 Kadee or Atlas RTR.

[Anonymous]

I have loads of these. Just managed to pick up another of the 5-unit double stack cars unbuilt (eBay), been hunting another one of these for two years now. Half the price of the new RTR examples, and the money saved can go towards containers to load it with. I do have other brands and RTR cars, but as previous posts have said, I can't afford to buy £20 cars that often, so most of my fleet are Blue Box.

[eastcoast]

ATHEARN IS AWESOME, I LOVE AND TRUST THEM.
A big majority of my rolling stock is Athearn. The kits
are perfect for customizing and painting to match my
road.I haven't gotten into the RTR yet as I have not seen
many non-dec cars or engines.

[Anonymous]

Sure I would like Athearn alot "IF" only Athearn would make sure that "all" parts where included or installed with the model. Athearn has gotten very lazy lately. Sure I don't mind installing alot of parts "if" only all the parts where there. Don't get me wrong Athearn makes very nice models,I have seen one of there HO BN SD70MAC Locomotives that my friend has and oh sure but when you have to install the Windsheld wipers your self or that the model comes with "no" MU cabels that just turns me away.
Now I am highly interrested in Athearns New Oakway SD60's in the future but.......
Only time will tell.

[Eriediamond]

Yes, I like the Athearn products along with other brands. I'm not a brand buyer, I buy what I need or want no matter the brand if the price is right and is good quality. I do however, think they are a good basic kit to build and add your own detail to as stated above.

[BRAKIE]

Suffice it to say I am a long time Athearn customer..I really like the newer RTR stuff as well as their standard line of kits.[:D]

[Anonymous]

I remember when I bought a 200 TON crane and I didn't think I was missing anything unit I read the kit instructions.

[Anonymous]

I remember when I bought a 200 TON crane and I didn't think I was missing anything unit I read the kit instructions.

[Anonymous]

I remember when I bought a 200 TON crane and I didn't think I was missing anything until I read the kit instructions.

[Anonymous]

Athearn has always put out a fine product. I have purchased many over the years and will continue to as long as they keep the quality up.

[ericsp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF railfan.

Sure I would like Athearn alot "IF" only Athearn would make sure that "all" parts where included or installed with the model. Athearn has gotten very lazy lately. Sure I don't mind installing alot of parts "if" only all the parts where there. Don't get me wrong Athearn makes very nice models,I have seen one of there HO BN SD70MAC Locomotives that my friend has and oh sure but when you have to install the Windsheld wipers your self or that the model comes with "no" MU cabels that just turns me away.
Now I am highly interrested in Athearns New Oakway SD60's in the future but.......
Only time will tell.

It sounds like you are talking about the Genesis series. Those are made in a different plant than the Blue Box. I have purchased dozens of Blue Box car and locomotives (probably over one hundred) and have only got one with missing parts once.

[Anonymous]

Yeah you get the odd one I guess...

[Anonymous]

Ya, why not, they look great even in the same train with more expensive rolling stock.

[CBQ_Guy]

I must like 'em.

I've got hundreds![:D]

[railman]

Athearn is your friend.

[Jetrock]

Definitely fond of the "blue-box" stuff--I found myself short of rolling stock after excising one or two cars that didn't cut the mustard this weekend, and so broke out a WP sugar boxcar from my stack of unbuilt kits. It went together in 15 minutes with no tools except an X-Acto knife to clear off a little flash and a screwdriver to install the trucks--plus a pair of Kadee #5's and two pair of Intermountain semi-scale 33" wheels.

[hd8091]

Athearn is good for your mental health, those times when I feel like I'm not getting anything done I can always put a Blue Box together and it makes me feel like I accomplished something on my railroad that day. The craftsman kits are great but when it takes days to assemble them it's nice to take an extra 15 minutes and see results.

[jwar]

Bought my first Atherns back in the sixtys. Back into the hobby after more decades then I care to count, the old look as great as the new out of the blue box, I really dont think (without a magnifying glass) much different then the new blue box. The ready to run a tad more in price and have great free rolling trucks (I weather the roller bearing trucks and they look great spinning). All in all in my openion a lot of bang for the bucks. I have recently bought some higher line cars and they look great with the Atherns.

I changed out all the wheel sets as the plastic really raises cain with dirty track.

Another thing that is very importent, this hobbie can get a bit pricy and perhaps to get going with Atherns is the way to go. Most new modelers want to aquire a yard ful of cars and what the hey...if you can get four or so to one...Later on one usualy either upgrades the detailing or on to the more pricier detailed and pricey cars.

Above all its your pocket book, your railroad, and your openion of what is importent on your personal layout. But then if your in a club with more then two members, they usualy start forming committees(just kidding..... I can feel the heat of being flamed)

Most of all have fun with it your way...John

[Anonymous]

ALL of my rolling stock is Athearn BB or Athearn RTR. The RTR is really nice, but i've found that the coupler boxes stick out too far from the body.

[BRAKIE]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy

ALL of my rolling stock is Athearn BB or Athearn RTR. The RTR is really nice, but i've found that the coupler boxes stick out too far from the body.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jonathon,Those are suppose to be cushion coupler pockets like the freight cars and cabooses had in the 70s/80s.

[Anonymous]

There just great for me