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 EBay Athearn Genesis F7 A/B DCC; Sound not working at all

9205 views
63 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Friday, June 1, 2018 7:14 PM

Gary, remind me, do you have a Programming Track Booster?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Moneta, VA USA
  • 1,175 posts
Posted by gdelmoro on Saturday, June 2, 2018 6:34 AM

richhotrain

Gary, remind me, do you have a Programming Track Booster?

Rich

 

Yes the one you recommended (PTB-100).

As far as I know new locos should respond to address 3 on the main. The fact that they don’t Nd the programming track cant read the decoder makes me think they don’t have decoders.

Gary

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Saturday, June 2, 2018 6:58 AM

I would try programing on the main and write CV 8 = 8. 

However, while the ad clearly says Tsunami sound, only the A unit is powered, the picture on the boxes says unpowered on both boxes.

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Moneta, VA USA
  • 1,175 posts
Posted by gdelmoro on Saturday, June 2, 2018 7:02 AM

$425 for unpowered?  That would be deceptive advertising DCC & Sound in unpowered locos.  Hopefully the seller will respond to my contact request soon.

Gary

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Moneta, VA USA
  • 1,175 posts
Posted by gdelmoro on Saturday, June 2, 2018 7:26 AM

I did not see the Unpowered picture.  But the DCC & Sound made me believe it was powered.  Interesting when I rechecked the actual Box the “Un” in Unpowered was crossed out and Powered is underlined.  I really don’t want to take the shell off Incase I damage it.  Waiting for the seller.

Gary

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, June 2, 2018 8:16 AM

gdelmoro

I did not see the Unpowered picture.  But the DCC & Sound made me believe it was powered.  Interesting when I rechecked the actual Box the “Un” in Unpowered was crossed out and Powered is underlined.  I really don’t want to take the shell off Incase I damage it.  Waiting for the seller. 

Gary, I agree with you not to remove the shell but, rather, wait to hear from the seller.

The eBay listing is strange because the item is listed as new and unopened, yet the description says that decoders were added in 2013. There is a 14 day return policy with the seller if it comes to that.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, June 2, 2018 8:22 AM

gdelmoro

Put the a unit on the main, turn on power, select Address 3, Nothing. Same with the B Unit.  Put both on the programming track to read the decoder, Unable!

When you put the loco on the programming track, what exactly did you do at that point? And did the message read "cannot read CV"?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Moneta, VA USA
  • 1,175 posts
Posted by gdelmoro on Saturday, June 2, 2018 8:35 AM

richhotrain

 

 
gdelmoro

Put the a unit on the main, turn on power, select Address 3, Nothing. Same with the B Unit.  Put both on the programming track to read the decoder, Unable!

 

 

When you put the loco on the programming track, what exactly did you do at that point? And did the message read "cannot read CV"?

 

Rich

 

I put it on the program track and selected the first choice which should read the decoder version.  It says Main Off Cannot read CV

Gary

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Burlington, Washington
  • 196 posts
Posted by PHARMD98233 on Saturday, June 2, 2018 8:48 AM

Have you tried powering up with just DC as the power source?

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Saturday, June 2, 2018 9:27 AM

I did not see that the un was crossed out on my little laptop, my apologies.  I looked for the ad just now and it is gone. 

Running on DC would confirm it has a motor, but no help in getting it to run in DCC. 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Moneta, VA USA
  • 1,175 posts
Posted by gdelmoro on Saturday, June 2, 2018 10:09 AM

I got this from the seller;

New message from: nixonent2bps (4,455Red Star)

When you say neither A or B do not work, do you mean they are not powered or the DCC & Sound is not working. I am selling these units as part of a very large collection. The owner said that they had DCC & Sound. If you like the units I would be glad to do whatever is necessary to get them up and running with the DCC & Sound. If you would rather return them for a full refund that would also be fine with me.
Fred Nixon -- Nixon Enterprises

I responded that I liked the models but I didn’t know what he could do short of me sending them back and him fixing them.  i also addressed the markings on the box and the decoder installation on a NEW item.

Waiting for response.

Gary

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, June 2, 2018 10:35 AM

gdelmoro
 
richhotrain
 
gdelmoro

Put the a unit on the main, turn on power, select Address 3, Nothing. Same with the B Unit.  Put both on the programming track to read the decoder, Unable! 

When you put the loco on the programming track, what exactly did you do at that point? And did the message read "cannot read CV"? 

Rich 

I put it on the program track and selected the first choice which should read the decoder version.  It says Main Off Cannot read CV 

What if you put it back on the programming track and instead of the standard programming (option 1), you choose CV (option 2) and then ask for the value of CV29?  Does it still respond "cannot read CV"?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Moneta, VA USA
  • 1,175 posts
Posted by gdelmoro on Sunday, June 3, 2018 6:25 AM

Rich - I have it packed up and the seller is paying for me top return it and has offered to fix anything that is wrong.  I asked that he tell me what he finds before I agree to take them back.

Now that I think of it, I remember thinking that they both rolled freely as I moved them back and forth on the re-railer.  I think he got scammed when he purchased the collection. I think they ARE unpowered. If they were as advertised, NIB why would he need to cross out UN and underline Powered?

I’m thinking I’ll just get my $$$ back and keep looking.

I’m sending them back today, I’ll see what he says.

Gary

  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
  • 17,574 posts
Posted by BRAKIE on Sunday, June 3, 2018 6:42 AM

Gary,Why does the label have "Walthers" on it and Genesis on the box??

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Moneta, VA USA
  • 1,175 posts
Posted by gdelmoro on Sunday, June 3, 2018 7:01 AM

Huh? Yea.....  the whole thing is fishy 

Gary

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: College Station, TX
  • 675 posts
Posted by Arjay1969 on Sunday, June 3, 2018 8:26 AM

BRAKIE

Gary,Why does the label have "Walthers" on it and Genesis on the box??

 

Before Walthers came out with their own F-units, they contracted with Athearn to provide the units for the very first run of their Super Chief train.

Robert Beaty

The Laughing Hippie

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

The CF-7...a waste of a perfectly good F-unit!

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

Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the

end of your tunnel, Was just a freight train coming

your way.          -Metallica, No Leaf Clover

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

  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
  • 17,574 posts
Posted by BRAKIE on Sunday, June 3, 2018 8:37 AM

Arjay1969
 
BRAKIE

Gary,Why does the label have "Walthers" on it and Genesis on the box??

 

 

 

Before Walthers came out with their own F-units, they contracted with Athearn to provide the units for the very first run of their Super Chief train.

 

Robert,Thanks for the information.That makes perfect sense.

I'm more into Short lines and Industrial  switching roads and I don't keep up with passenger trains.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,247 posts
Posted by tstage on Sunday, June 3, 2018 11:56 AM

Gary,

I'm just curious: Do the units feel light when you pick them up?  I have a pair of Stewart FT A-Bs.  The A is powered; the B, unpowered.  There is a significant difference in weight between the one with the motor and the one without.  While I realize these would "feel" the same if they are both identical, seems to me if they are unpowered that they would be very lightweight.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Moneta, VA USA
  • 1,175 posts
Posted by gdelmoro on Sunday, June 3, 2018 12:11 PM

Arjay1969

 

 
BRAKIE

Gary,Why does the label have "Walthers" on it and Genesis on the box??

 

 

 

Before Walthers came out with their own F-units, they contracted with Athearn to provide the units for the very first run of their Super Chief train.

 

Did not know that, Thanks for the info.

Gary

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Moneta, VA USA
  • 1,175 posts
Posted by gdelmoro on Sunday, June 3, 2018 12:15 PM

tstage

Gary,

I'm just curious: Do the units feel light when you pick them up?  I have a pair of Stewart FT A-Bs.  The A is powered; the B, unpowered.  There is a significant difference in weight between the one with the motor and the one without.  While I realize these would "feel" the same if they are both identical, seems to me if they are unpowered that they would be very lightweight.

Tom

 

When I picked up the box off the front steps when it was delivered, I thought it was too light.  Each piece individually is obviously heavier then normal rolling stock but they roll like rolling stock. I agree no motor no decoders.

They’re going back tomorrow.

Gary

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, June 3, 2018 12:45 PM

Arjay1969
 
BRAKIE

Gary,Why does the label have "Walthers" on it and Genesis on the box?? 

Before Walthers came out with their own F-units, they contracted with Athearn to provide the units for the very first run of their Super Chief train. 

Correct. The Super Chief had an ABBA consist, or more precisely an LABC consist. The LA portion of the LABC came our first, and the locos were powered. Then followed the BC portion of the LABC, the two that Gary bought, and they were unpowered.

Maybe the seller got scammed, maybe not. Who knows, there may be a reasonable explanation.

Of course, this could only happen to Gary. Laugh

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Sunday, June 3, 2018 5:05 PM

 Hmm, I've purchased a few things from that seller. Not a lot - their prices tend to be awfully high, but I have always gotten the correct item. 

                             --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 3, 2018 6:11 PM

Gary,

Are you looking for Santa Fe F units specifically or were you just looking for F units in general?

Maybe I should re-read the original post before replying.  I'll check my LHS's here and see if any are around.  A couple of them deal in previously run items.

 

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Sunday, June 3, 2018 9:17 PM

 The same seller has another set, but this time the Walthers Proto versions. They once again use a picture of the L/A set to sell the B/C set, but a quick check of Walthers shows that on their versions, the B/C units DO have Tsunami sound and are powered. Unlike the Athearn built sets where only the L and A were powered. I'd look around though, you should be able to do a lot better than their price. 

                            --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Moneta, VA USA
  • 1,175 posts
Posted by gdelmoro on Monday, June 4, 2018 6:30 AM

rrinker

 The same seller has another set, but this time the Walthers Proto versions. They once again use a picture of the L/A set to sell the B/C set, but a quick check of Walthers shows that on their versions, the B/C units DO have Tsunami sound and are powered. Unlike the Athearn built sets where only the L and A were powered. I'd look around though, you should be able to do a lot better than their price. 

                            --Randy

 

 

Still looking, they’re hard to find.

Gary

Moderator
  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Waukesha, WI
  • 1,764 posts
Posted by Steven Otte on Monday, June 4, 2018 8:43 AM

Thread moved to DCC forum at OP's request.

--
Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editor
sotte@kalmbach.com

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Moneta, VA USA
  • 1,175 posts
Posted by gdelmoro on Monday, June 4, 2018 12:00 PM

Steven Otte

Thread moved to DCC forum at OP's request.

 

Thanks

Gary

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 9, 2018 12:41 PM

Gary,

I PM'd you with what I found at my LHS.  He said the Athearn Genesis Warbonnets were long gone.

 

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Moneta, VA USA
  • 1,175 posts
Posted by gdelmoro on Friday, June 15, 2018 7:59 AM

Ok so the seller offered to power and install decoders in both units. I told him I was not interested unless he was making an adjustment to the price since these were never NIB powered DCC & Sound units.  They were unpowered that after market power and decoders would be installed. He would not lower the price.

I requested my money back.

Gary

DrW
  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Lubbock, TX
  • 371 posts
Posted by DrW on Friday, June 15, 2018 6:47 PM

This was justed listed on eBay: The complete ABBA set with 2 powered (DC, not DCC or sound) and 2 unpowered units. From my experience, 2 units are plenty of power for 10-12 passenger cars, unless you have 4% grades.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Athearn-Genesis-HO-Santa-Fe-F-7A-F-7B-1-Powered-Set-1-Unpowered-Set-MIB/302773221624?hash=item467eb0b8f8:g:OUYAAOSw8mpbJD3s 

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!