Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

New Athearn 2-8-0 ho scale/ Any reviews, thoughts?

3511 views
9 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2016
  • 6 posts
Posted by rustintampa on Saturday, June 20, 2020 8:06 AM

I just ordered a non dcc/sound version.....I'm guessing its DCC Ready

couldn't find anywhere what plug is supplied.

The 2012 release(via the review link in a previous post) mention an 8 pin plug.

We will see.

    When mine arrives, I will post findings...Thanks to all who replied.

I appreciate the input,

       all my best,

                 Eric

  • Member since
    May 2014
  • From: Pennsylvania
  • 1,154 posts
Posted by Trainman440 on Friday, June 19, 2020 7:32 PM

peahrens

Does all wheel pickup include the tender trucks?

From my second link: "The first three drivers pick up electrical power, as do all eight tender wheels."

Charles

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO

Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440

Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: St. Paul
  • 823 posts
Posted by garya on Friday, June 19, 2020 2:34 PM

I believe it does.

Gary

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • 2,616 posts
Posted by peahrens on Friday, June 19, 2020 1:26 PM

Does all wheel pickup include the tender trucks?

Paul

Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent

  • Member since
    May 2014
  • From: Pennsylvania
  • 1,154 posts
Posted by Trainman440 on Friday, June 19, 2020 10:00 AM

After being purchased by Athearn, many runs were made. 2007, then 2011, and now. Its the same tooling made over 30(?) years ago.

Athearn releasing this is like Lionel releasing Mantua 2-8-2s for $400+ MSRP, but at a less outragous price. Still, I personally don't think a model like this is worth $161(MTS price) without sound. 

That being said, its a well made model. If you like the look of it, there's nothing outright wrong with it. The mechanism is good, and there's no quality issue(like split axles) in it. 

Upgrades to the original tooling include handrails on tender, modern smooth and quiet mechanism, LED headlight, pickups from all wheels, etc.

Heres MRR's review of the 2-8-0 (2012): https://mrr.trains.com/news-reviews/staff-reviews/2012/12/athearn-ho-scale-2-8-0-locomotive

Heres MRR's review of the older 4-4-0 (2006):  https://mrr.trains.com/news-reviews/staff-reviews/2006/12/roundhouse-ho-4-4-0-with-dual-mode-dcc-and-sound

Charles

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO

Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440

Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: St. Paul
  • 823 posts
Posted by garya on Thursday, June 18, 2020 7:50 PM

peahrens

 

 
rustintampa

Hello,

I was curious if anyone has ordered one of the new ho scale Athearn 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locos? If you have. What are your thoughts? 

 

 

 

 

Are these a new or updated design?  A former Athearn, Roundhouse, etc?  I see it has LED lighting so I consider the DC version a candidate for a DIY DCC / sound version with my preferred decoder / speakers.

 

I think these are a resissue of the Roundhouse RTR version of the old kit.  I got a factory second from Roundhouse right before they got bought by Athearn.  It runs extremely well, much better than the kit version I have.  Athearn/Roundhouse reissued these a few years ago.  Harold (hminky) reviewed them: 

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/1905/roundhouse_2-8-0/

How they get sound in the tender I have no idea.

Gary

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • 2,616 posts
Posted by peahrens on Thursday, June 18, 2020 7:13 PM

rustintampa

Hello,

I was curious if anyone has ordered one of the new ho scale Athearn 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locos? If you have. What are your thoughts? 

 

Are these a new or updated design?  A former Athearn, Roundhouse, etc?  I see it has LED lighting so I consider the DC version a candidate for a DIY DCC / sound version with my preferred decoder / speakers.

Paul

Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Thursday, June 18, 2020 6:47 PM

I was wondering the same thing myself.
This is what they look like.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • 4,368 posts
Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Thursday, June 18, 2020 5:44 PM

I have a 2-6-0 from back when it was a Roundhouse kit (same as the 2-8-0, but 1 less axle).  It's a smooth, quiet runner with a realistic amount of traction, and even though the details are simple, it's a nice looking model.  The motor, gearing and all on the new ones is the same as back then.

I can't comment on the sound, but they do use SoundTraxx which is known to be very good.

_________________________________________________________________

  • Member since
    July 2016
  • 6 posts
New Athearn 2-8-0 ho scale/ Any reviews, thoughts?
Posted by rustintampa on Thursday, June 18, 2020 1:52 PM

Hello,

I was curious if anyone has ordered one of the new ho scale Athearn 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locos? If you have. What are your thoughts?

 

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!