Athearn RTR Quality?

[Anonymous]

I have some older Athearn locos. Like the F7 for which I love. Some Fy I have had for more then 20years and still running just great. When I first got started in model trains, I wanted a fleet of GG1s my favorite loco. I ended up with a fleet of Athearn F7s. For the prices, you can't beat them.

[Anonymous]

I only have one of their ex-BB RTR cars, a CSX Caboose. Nice paintwork, pity the wheels weren't in gauge (and they were one-piece wheelsets so you can't solve this other than by replacing them). I also have a couple of their Bombardier bilevel cars which are superb - nicely heavy, good detail, all you need to do is fit Kadee #58s in place of the plastic couplers they're delivered with and they run very well indeed. One tip I found was to add a drop of light oil to the inside bearings as this really improves their rolling abilities.

[BRAKIE]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AggroJones

QUOTE: Originally posted by CBQ_Guy

In general . . .

Blue boxers are fairly crappy but work okay for a roundy-round, toy train layout.

Ugggghhhh. I've got to disagree to an extent. Some of the blueboxes are not-so-good. Like the PA and GP-7. Most of them are decent runners. I've got a newer production blu-box GP40-2 that run just as good as my P1k F3s. No BS neither. After a little tweeking, very smooth, very quiet.
Detail up the blue boxers and you'll have a sweet road locomotive.

I beg to differ on the Athearn GP7..I have one that will soon be 30 years old..It still runs.I also have 5 other GP7 and no complaints here.Of course I tweak my drives..I don't know anything about the PA since I never owned one..I have ran them at the club and they appeared so/so in running but,didn't exactly run to my BB standards which is no more then smoothing out the drive...

[BRAKIE]

The newer RTR cars(not the BB RTR or Genesis cars) are fantastic and has metal grabs and steps already added and looks as good as my Atlas boxcars.
The RTR BB cars come with metal wheels but still retains the molded on grabs.Both come with extremely smooth rolling wheels..I like these trucks far better then my Athearn truck/ P2K wheel set combination which works quite well.

[Anonymous]

Have 2 D12 30 years old and both are fantastic, buying more SD GP and more due to this great quality, dont touch Bachman. Enjoy!

[Anonymous]

The new RTR Athearn stuff runs well.Also the newer blue box have the same drive and plastic handrails like the RTR.I dont care for the couplers and wheels on the RTR cars.Other than that they have wonderful paint jobs.Dont let the bashers deceive you.Athearn has definately inproved thier drive.Still not a Kato but adequate.Dan

[UPJohn]

I have a RTR athearn MP w/ UP badge 50ft boxcar and it is perfectly decent. Its smooth and pretty well detailed for a RTR model. THe doors open too. I only wi***he ladder things weren't molded on but thats what happens with a RTR model. I like it.

[okiechoochoo]

How about the quality of Atheran RTR rolling stock? How is the rolling weight and operation of these items

[espeefoamer]

I have four.One SD 45T2,1 SD50,and 2 CF7s.They are all good runners,although the Tunnel Motor is a bit noisy in one direction.I also have a number of Blue Box engines.They all run good but are noisier than today's diesels.My quietest locos are a Bachmann Spectrum Dash 8 40 C,a P2K Erie
Buiilt and a P2K H-16-44.

[underworld]

I have several.....no problems.

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[AggroJones]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CBQ_Guy

In general . . .

Blue boxers are fairly crappy but work okay for a roundy-round, toy train layout.

Ugggghhhh. I've got to disagree to an extent. Some of the blueboxes are not-so-good. Like the PA and GP-7. Most of them are decent runners. I've got a newer production blu-box GP40-2 that run just as good as my P1k F3s. No BS neither. After a little tweeking, very smooth, very quiet.
Detail up the blue boxers and you'll have a sweet road locomotive.

[CBQ_Guy]

In general . . .

Blue boxers are fairly crappy but work okay for a roundy-round, toy train layout.

The newer Genesis line of Athearn locos run very well, I've been told/read.

[Anonymous]

I have a dozen and half of them are 15 years old or older. Never had to replace a motor. Only problem that comes to mind is a split gear on the axle of a SW-7. The gear splitting let the wheels get out of guage and caused the engine to derail. BTW, Brakie do you already have takers on your P2Ks? If not, what road and model are they? You can E-mail me if interested-
[e-mail]. One thing I have done on mine is soldered a wire in place of the metal strap that goes over the motor to each truck. Remove the clip that holds the top motor bru***o keep heat from melting anything when soldering the wire to it.

[TurboOne]

I have bought many 2nd hand RTR athearn from some MRR buddies here in town. They run great, look good, 1 buddy always adds all the detail add on you can possibly add, so some of mine look as good as high end. Quiet and good runners. Maintainence is the key.

Tim

[BRAKIE]

Well,I have 6 CF7s,2 SD50s and 2 GP38-2s..I find these locomotives to be as smooth running as my Atlas,Kato and P2K..They are smooth runners from the box and I have no complaints about these locomotives.In fact I am dumping my P2K locomotives and after I get my Athearn GP35s in C&O I will be dumping my 4 Kato GP35s that is custom painted for the C&O as well.
All to sadly there are many Athearn bashers and haters on some forums so,my best advice is to test run these locomotives yourself that way you will know what thousands of modelers has already found out..These are indeed great running locomotives.
BTW I also have 2 Genesis NS SD70s with the spartan cab..These are great looking and smooth running locomotives regardless of what the bashers say.

[turbine682]

Good locos - been packed for several years, but I bet they would run great if I unpack them which I plan on doing soon. Naturally, required maintenance to be performed

--Ed

[Don Gibson]

QUOTE: Originally posted by brothaslide

I What has been your expericen been with the Athearn RTR Engine line?

In a single word: Inconsistant

When you accuire more than 3 engine's, you'll see. There is little or no Quaity Conrol.
Every manufacturer occasionally ships a bad product - but Athearn takes the prize.

[Anonymous]

I have an AC4400CW, and a GP60M/GP60B pair. They're very nice running and looking models. Minor problem with the geeps in that they run at noticably different speeds. They have not been run much so I'm hoping that as they get more broken in that they will smooth out and run well together. Otherwise, highly recommended.

[CP5415]

I have an AC4400 & P42.

I think they're great loco's.

Gordon

[cwclark]

I have 2 - EMD SD 50's and an EMD SD MAC 70 that are RTR and they are fantastic...very little detailing required and they finally built a locomotive where the headlights beam brighter than the beam of light coming from the cab of the locomotive...Chuck

[Anonymous]

there a solid loco. i have a SD50 that i really love, better than P2K's

[brothaslide]

I have been hearing some negative things on different forums about the quality of Athearn RTR engines. I have 3 Athearn RTR engines (2 SD45T-2s and 1 GP60M). I don't have a layout so I haven't able to run them yet. What has been your expericen been with the Athearn RTR Engine line?