Ed,
I thought of that several hours after posting. I found that page and figured out that you only need to remove the bottom clip part. The tabs are somewhat hard to see if you dont have a desk light turned on.
I have yet to retest the locomotive after fixing the out of gauge wheelsets.
BMMECNYCHow do you remove the cover on the bottom of the trucks on these things? It isnt like the RTR, Bluebox or P2k trucks I am used to. Mine has 3 of 4 wheelsets out of guage...
Hi, Andrew.
Did you get the booklet with the assembly diagrams? It looks to me like the usual type clips on the bottom cover. I'm sure the four vertical pegs secure the sideframes in place. I would suggest soldering the track pickup wires as long as you're going this far into disassembly.
Good Luck, Ed
Weight comparison:
Athearn Genesis GP7 w/Hep: 11.3oz
P2k GP7: 15.2 oz
Atlas Classic 16.2oz
My layout is currently down for exensive modification, so I have no way of testing it again. This locomotive was fortunately used for commuter service, so I should not have to worry much about the pulling power.
Edit: Good news, the fuel tank has a 1/4" wide by 1" long void space, time for lead..
Edit 2: Was able to get .5 oz in the fuel tank. New weight 11.8oz. I might be able to squeeze in another .5-1oz in the void space above the sides of the fuel tank.
hon30critterMaybe they bought a 20 year supply of lightbulbs and just can't throw them away!
I don't know about their inferior bulb supply—but they DO have a lifetime supply of McHenry couplers... they bought the company! One more reason to shy away from Athearn: You shouldn't have to change-out couplers on a $$+ model.
Happy Modeling, Ed
Now I have more reasons to never buy another Athearn locomotive! It used to be because of the motor isolation issues when installing decoders, but I really don't want to have to re-assemble a locomotive right out of the box and I don't want to have to install LEDs in a locomotive manufactured in 2016.
Maybe they bought a 20 year supply of lightbulbs and just can't throw them away!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
gmpullmanAthearn seems to turn a deaf ear toward customer complaints about on-going quality issues.
They will get an ear full at the NTS this year from me...
Edit: I sent this (italics) in via their contact us link:
I recently purchased (pre-ordered actually) ATHG62924 Boston and Maine GP-7 with HEP. Upon opening box I found that several of the lift rings and other detail parts were detached from the model. Several of the lift rings were installed with no evidence that glue was applied. Additionally 3 out of 4 wheel sets were out of gage. The wheels derailed (grossly out of gage) on straight track. I expect better for a $289.99 price point locomotive. It is the last one I pre-order/purchase until I see that you have corrected your QC issues.
Also.
How do you remove the cover on the bottom of the trucks on these things? It isnt like the RTR, Bluebox or P2k trucks I am used to. Mine has 3 of 4 wheelsets out of guage...
iawesternSure enough, one of the pick-up wires was loose from the truck.
I've had several genesis engines with poor pickup problems that have been discussed considerably on these and other forums.
Athearn uses the plastic push-on wire clips at both ends of the truck wires. These really need to be soldered to be reliable.
There was also an issue about the axle ends not properly contacting the bronze pick-up plate in the trucks.
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=athearn+genesis+pickup+problems
Athearn seems to turn a deaf ear toward customer complaints about on-going quality issues.
Ed
WilmJunc I was just about to start a thread regarding the new Athearn Genisis GP-7 when I saw this one. I picked up my new unit on Friday and couldn't wait to try it out. It has DCC and sound. I was very disappointed about the performance. It was extremely finicky about the track being perfectly clean, and it didn't like switches. It just kept stalling. It was not pulling any cars. I ran my BLI, Proto 2000, and Stewart locomotives over the same track with no problems. It seemed like it was picking up track current on only one set of wheels. I'm just wondering if anyone else was experiencing these same issues.
I was just about to start a thread regarding the new Athearn Genisis GP-7 when I saw this one. I picked up my new unit on Friday and couldn't wait to try it out. It has DCC and sound. I was very disappointed about the performance. It was extremely finicky about the track being perfectly clean, and it didn't like switches. It just kept stalling. It was not pulling any cars. I ran my BLI, Proto 2000, and Stewart locomotives over the same track with no problems. It seemed like it was picking up track current on only one set of wheels. I'm just wondering if anyone else was experiencing these same issues.
Check the wheelsets in both trucks, mine were in intermittant contact because they put the wheels in out of gage, and they had lost contact with the axle end wiper and spread the truck out.
I too, just received my Genesis GP9 / GP9B, Penn Central. There were no missing or un-attached parts. I changed each one to cab number address, test both, then put them in a consist. Though it has only been a couple of days, I think they run great. As far as the sound, these are my first sound locos and with nothing to compare them to, I think they're fine. I also have a few Genesis F7s that have been running for a couple years and so far the bulbs are still working.
I just received my new Athern Genesis B&M GP40-2 yesterday from MB Klein and I am very happy with it. I have not noticed anything out of place and I think the detail is outstanding. The loco runs very well for me and pulls a 23 car hitch like there is nothing behind it.
WilmJunc,
I recently purchased a new Athearn Genesis GP38-2 with sound. Out of the box, the unit acted the same as you described, it would stall or hesitate going over diamonds and switches. I happened to look just above the trucks from the side. Sure enough, one of the pick-up wires was loose from the truck. Sent it to Athearn, they fixed it, and the problem was solved. This very well may be the problem with your unit.
I was out the shipping cost to them, but am glad it is fixed. Would rather not have to deal with a quality issue like this on a brand new unit.
Mark
ricktrains4824But, lighting issues are driving me nuts.... Especially when I am paying a premium price point. So...... Sorry Athearn, but until you adopt 21st century lighting standards, your 1 Genesis unit is going to be my only Genesis unit.
So...... Sorry Athearn, but until you adopt 21st century lighting standards, your 1 Genesis unit is going to be my only Genesis unit.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Modeling the B&M Railroad during the transition era in Lowell, MA
I have 1 Genesis unit.
1.
It has light bulbs.
I have 5 Atlas, 2 Bowser, 2 Bachmann, and 1 Intermountain Units.
10 total.
All of them have LED's.
I also have 2 BLI steamers, again, LED lighting.
My old Athearn BB units? Both (2) have been upgraded to LED lights.
Anyone see anything about all these units?
Key: Lighting.
14 to 1, LED lighting.
I will be upgrading the 1 left to LED's soon.
I will also be getting either Atlas, Bowser, Bachmann or Intermountain locomotives in the future. I do not like having to tear into locomotives to replace lights...
My Genesis unit does have much better detailing than Bachmann does however... Even beats out my Atlas units.
And, it runs well. Better than my Bachmann units, on par with Atlas.
But, lighting issues are driving me nuts.... Especially when I am paying a premium price point.
Just adding in my worth.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
There have been many threads posted in several different forums about Athearn QC.
I recently recieved my E-L SDP45 and there were several parts loose in the foam. Of course my main gripe about Genesis locomotives is of the poor quality headlight bulbs they use. Sooner (before later) you are going to have to pry out the bad ones and replace them with LEDs.
With all the pressure from modelers for Athearn to adopt LEDs I'm suprized that they haven't caved in yet.
I buy the DC versions and install my own Loksound decoders since I don't care for the OEM Tsunami decoder or their sound files.
I guess the real tradeoff here is the demand for higher detailed models, which the Genesis series certainly achieves, against trying to get these things shipped from a manufacturer 7,750 miles away.
I recently had a model from Rapido arrive with quality issues and they sent a replacement right away which was damaged in shipping even worse! The third time was a charm. Rapido even states in the instruction booklet to expect some loose details when you open the package.
Ultimately, the costs for these damaged goods is passed on to—guess who—so I guess we are going to have to suffer the consequences...
Regards, Ed
I just unboxed my new Athearn Genesis Boston and Maine GP7 w/HEP. I pre-ordered this locomotive based on the quality of workmanship I had seen in past Genesis offerings. A couple of things I noticed.
Detail parts on this particular locomotive were inadequately glued on or not at all. I have had to re-attach 1 radiator grill on the long hood and 2 lift rings have fallen out. The grill and 1st lift ring were fortunately in the box. The second lift ring ended up in my foam cradle. I pulled a 3rd loose lift ring from the long hood and re-glued it before it fell out.
Additionally the truck under the long hood is out of guage to the point that the wheelset slips up into the truck and makes a clicking noise as it goes down the track. I will be poping the cover off of the truck to re-gage the wheels in the morning (too tired to deal with it at the moment), as well as going throught the rest of the details to see what else quality control missed. Wanted to let my fellow modelers know about the loose detail parts so that they don't loose anything.