For what it's worth, the Athearn quick start document (http://www.athearn.com/Content/Support/quickStart.html) claims that the RTR version has dynamic braking (F4 in the function key table on page 2). Can someone who has the locomotive in hand tell us if that's true?
Yeah, forgot to mention that same review was posted on Atlas Rescue forum on July 26. One fellow commented in the ensueing discussion that there was no dynamic break sound, which I mentioned earlier in this topic.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Since my original post, a detailed review of this locomotive appeared here on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qda2w2Sf-7s
N E way, it may not keep me from buying the sound unit but dang I guess the attractive price means you don't get everything. Still, they should look pretty decent.
Riogrande5761,
It's great to hear...that some people pay attention!
Take Care!
Frank
It looks like the youtube review is a custom SD40R - not a factory unit which won't be out until late November per Athearns website, assuming they are shipped on-time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VZqrbUiPXA
SD40R, PREVIEW ABOVE.
BTW: There are others on the side, including the one the OP asked about.
I plan on buying the SP SD40R when it comes out, and would like to get one with sound. I've heard the sound unit is missing the dynamic brake sound; if true, thats a bummer because it's something it really should have. I wouldn't miss the start up sounds for example so I don't mind those being cut out, but dynamic braking is part of the running sounds. Anyone know about that yay or nay?
I have a pair of UP units. They run quite well and the sound is very much like that of an SD40. They come with a fascinating diagram and parts list, but no information at all on the sound decoder settings. They have the same basic detailing as other Athearn RTR engines. Wire grabs, for example, but no lift rings.
Sound 7/30/15: I put my UP 3028 on the test track and ran it back and forth, trying different functions. (There is no decoder information with the engine.) F1 is the bell, 2 & 3 are the whistles, 5 activates the roof-top beacon, 8 is Mute. 4,6,&7 don't produce any effect that I can hear, but my hearing is not the best.
Athearn recently released its new SD40 with Soundtraxx Tsunami sound. It's selling for around $140 at reputable online retailers. So it looks like Athearn is now competing with the Bachmann "sound value" line. The Bachmann GP40 Sound Value goes for around the same price. I have bought Bachmann locomotives because they were the only ones with sound that met my budget restrictions. Now it looks like the Athearn RTR may be a better deal (full Tsunami versus Soundtraxx OEM decoder).
Is there anyone out there who actually has one of these Athearn RTR SD40's with sound, who could tell me its pros and cons?
Thanks