ban on Athearn

[waltersrails]

i like them myself

[HOScaleModelRailroader]

I don't think it's just Athearn - it's across the board with all manufacturers it seems that have outsourced overseas almost entirely. I saw a bunch of expensive Tower 55 DCC stuff at our club with couplers way out of NMRA specs and truly horrible axel gears that had burrs or didn't have complete teeth upon closer inspection. I have to chuckle - I have old DC TYCO stuff that even after decades of abuse, run great. I can understand cutting a few bells and whistle corners to reduce cost .... but a lot of the RTR stuff now is ... junk. Expensive. But junk all the same.

[Anonymous]

I'll keep buying athearns. I love them, and have never had a problem with one. Although I only have the blue box ones. I dunno if the RTR ones have more issues since i dont own any. But it is kinda depressing to hear that some them arent up to par with what they used to be.
~matt

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Davidvd59

I had the opposite issues, my ac4400 was complete junkand couldn't get it run, make noise wow! I would not EVER buy another one from Athearn. The Sd 40's have been completely reliable and fairly quiet for an Athearn. The Athearn are still running when my Kato's have died.

What type of Kato's you have that died? Allan.

[Anonymous]

I had the opposite issues, my ac4400 was complete junkand couldn't get it run, make noise wow! I would not EVER buy another one from Athearn. The Sd 40's have been completely reliable and fairly quiet for an Athearn. The Athearn are still running when my Kato's have died.

[canazar]

Intersting. I keep seeing these posts and now I have to wonder. The first couple I thought, "oh people are just grumbling..blah blah..." But I keep reading about the problems and it sounds like they realy do have some MAJOR quality control issues. Makes me a bit nervous to bite the bullet on a Athearn. Soulds like you are gambling to get a good engine

[Anonymous]

I agree that the "newer" line of RTR Athearn loco's whilst great detail and overall appearance is a plus there are some quality issues that can be very disheartening.
I purchased an SD40 unit recently only to find that the unit was not running full stop.
On closer inspection I found the rear bogie gears were being "crunched" by the casing surrounding the rear truck. I returned the unit to the dealer and accepted a replacement. Guess what- got home and found the same problem. I still have the unit and Athearn have requested I return it to them- I will be trust me.
On the other hand the other two units I purchased in the RTR line. AC4400 have been good runners and I am pleased with them.
I think it boils down to Athearn needing to do quality checks on their products before they leave the chinese factory. Quality control is important and should not be overlooked.

bnsf-fan[:D][:(]