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I have a Question about the HO BNSF GP38-2.

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  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Phoenix, Arizona
  • 1,989 posts
Posted by canazar on Sunday, April 10, 2005 4:54 PM
As far as I know and what I have seen, the Athearn Genisis and the Ready to Run serires are plastic hand rails... At first I was very nervous, but they can take quite a beating.

John k

Best Regards, Big John

Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona.  Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the  Kiva Valley Railway

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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 10, 2005 2:50 PM
Do they [ the Athern units] come with metal handrails or plastic like the
protos? Or can you add them?[^]
  • Member since
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  • From: Phoenix, Arizona
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Posted by canazar on Sunday, April 10, 2005 1:06 PM
BNSF

I have 2 RTR series (same as yours) but in GP-60M BNSF. I woudl imagine the boards and motors would be very simialir. I have found they take a bit of cleaing on the motor once and awhile. , (easliy done with small brush and a bit of oil) For me, maybe once every 2 months. I dont get to run them much. They are also bit a light I think comapred to others... But.

They are great runners. I put in the DCC chip \via the plu and play, very simple. And the headllights are great. I will be buying more in that lne for sure. Great inbetween detail/performance/price.

You will be happy. Im a jeaous, I want to get some of the GPs they came out with.

Best Rgerads
Johnk

Best Regards, Big John

Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona.  Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the  Kiva Valley Railway

  • Member since
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 10, 2005 6:21 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by GrayLoess

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF railfan.
Which one? The P2K or the Athearn?
BNSFrailfan.
The P-2-Krap
Oh thank God because I still am gona Order the Athearn's this Monday.
BNSFrailfan.
  • Member since
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 4:07 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF railfan.
Which one? The P2K or the Athearn?
BNSFrailfan.
The P-2-Krap
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 7:33 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by GrayLoess

QUOTE: Originally posted by gbailey

The P2K GP38-2 is FAR superior to any of the Athearn products.


Yeah, until the gears crack and the circuit board craps out.[xx(]

I'll stick with the big A, thanks.
Which one? The P2K or the Athearn?
BNSFrailfan.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 7:22 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by gbailey

The P2K GP38-2 is FAR superior to any of the Athearn products.


Yeah, until the gears crack and the circuit board craps out.[xx(]

I'll stick with the big A, thanks.
  • Member since
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  • From: Dallas Texas
  • 262 posts
Posted by Todd McWilliam on Monday, April 4, 2005 11:52 PM
I think athearn is superior to proto 2000, not in detail, but running wise.
Chicago & North Western Railway/Iowa Northern
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 4, 2005 11:38 PM
Athearn is fair value. There are other manufactures at higher prices as your tastes change. To get the maximum performance and reliability from your Athearn, google Athearn Tuning. I own several Athearn and though there are features I don't care for like the bon fire in the cab lighting I also like it as a good solid base for kit bashing.
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 4, 2005 9:26 PM
The P2K GP38-2 is FAR superior to any of the Athearn products.

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 4, 2005 8:32 PM
Thank you all for your help.
BNSFrailfan.
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 4, 2005 7:37 PM
RTR is an improved blue box, or BB. It is the same frame with a better motor, better wheels, more details and some are DCC ready. You should be very happy with them. Reliable like a blue box but alot quieter and look better.
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 4, 2005 7:08 PM
Blue box, Athearn's answer to Mr Coffee.
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 4, 2005 7:04 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by JPM335

Genesis or BB?

If BB they run just like any other BB. kinda loud but they pull well and are very reliable

If genesis....Well, I didnt know there were Genesis GP38-2s
No there not the Genesis type. There the Ready to Run type. By the way,What does BB mean?
BNSFrailfan.
  • Member since
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 4, 2005 6:46 PM
Genesis or BB?

If BB they run just like any other BB. kinda loud but they pull well and are very reliable

If genesis....Well, I didnt know there were Genesis GP38-2s
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I have a Question about the HO BNSF GP38-2.
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 4, 2005 6:43 PM
I am in the process of Buying a Pair of HO Scale BNSF GP38-2 from Athearn's.
How well do these Units run? What about their performance? Any ideas?
Please someone tell me there much better than the SD70MAC's. LOL. Thanks.
BNSFrailfan.

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