Any thoughts on the new U50? Detail, sound etc.
Anybody have one yet?
Driveline is identical to the two turbines. I have a Veranda turbine and its a good runner. In real life the U50 rode on the B+B trucks from the turbines as they were traded in. U50C is a whole nother animal.
This isn't new, just a new run.
Of course I'm still po'ed at their Genesis garbage that I own that I won't buy this from them.
I model southeastern (SCL, ACL) and northeastern (NH,PC,NYC) equipment. However, I've always been a big fan of this unique looking monster locomotive and plan on getting one.
Although Union Pacific power showed up on the east coast from time to time back in the 1960s-70s, the U50s primarily roamed the western USA. But when I get one and operate it as "visiting foreign power", I'll ask the prototype police to let me slide every now and then.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
JEREMY CENTANNI Driveline is identical to the two turbines. I have a Veranda turbine and its a good runner. In real life the U50 rode on the B+B trucks from the turbines as they were traded in. U50C is a whole nother animal. This isn't new, just a new run. Of course I'm still po'ed at their Genesis garbage that I own that I won't buy this from them.
I don't what it is, but it seems Athearn has never had good luck with steam locomotive models.
We don't hear too much discussion about their recent steam, except for a few problems like yours, and there is never many people even commenting that they even own Athearn steam.
I understand your frustration with that loco, but considering that not all products from a given brand even come from the same factory these days, you may be cutting off your nose to spite your face.
I have lots of Spectrum and newer regular line Bachmann steam, I am very happy with them. But there are specific Bachmann items with less than perfect track records I would never own.
I have found it much better to judge each model on its own merrits then to assume that every product from a given brand is bad, or good, just because of an experiance with one different product from that company.
Based on your problems, I would likely not buy the steam loco you have, even if I was interested in an FEF.......
But my Genesis F units are great, as are a long list of other Athearn products I have purchased over the last 46 years........
They all have made some lemons, they all make some winners......
Sheldon
Sheldon,
The U50 is a turbine that some refered to as a diesel cab forward. A classic engine of the UP. and SP.
DAVID FORTNEY Sheldon, The U50 is a turbine that some refered to as a diesel cab forward. A classic engine of the UP. and SP.
Despite not having any real interest in the Union Pacific, and despite modeling a earlier era by about 10 years, I know exactly what a U50 is, and it is not a turbine.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_U50
My point was that I would not exclude an Athearn U50 because I had an Athearn FEF that was a dud.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL JEREMY CENTANNI Driveline is identical to the two turbines. I have a Veranda turbine and its a good runner. In real life the U50 rode on the B+B trucks from the turbines as they were traded in. U50C is a whole nother animal. This isn't new, just a new run. Of course I'm still po'ed at their Genesis garbage that I own that I won't buy this from them. I don't what it is, but it seems Athearn has never had good luck with steam locomotive models. We don't hear too much discussion about their recent steam, except for a few problems like yours, and there is never many people even commenting that they even own Athearn steam. I understand your frustration with that loco, but considering that not all products from a given brand even come from the same factory these days, you may be cutting off your nose to spite your face. I have lots of Spectrum and newer regular line Bachmann steam, I am very happy with them. But there are specific Bachmann items with less than perfect track records I would never own. I have found it much better to judge each model on its own merrits then to assume that every product from a given brand is bad, or good, just because of an experiance with one different product from that company. Based on your problems, I would likely not buy the steam loco you have, even if I was interested in an FEF....... But my Genesis F units are great, as are a long list of other Athearn products I have purchased over the last 46 years........ They all have made some lemons, they all make some winners...... Sheldon
That would almost make sense.
But the fact of the matter is, my FEF-2 is a pile.
My DDA40X is a pile.
The only Genesis I have worth a darn are two SDP45s I bought used.
The 2 I bought new are junk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
I won't let it go for the garbage prices we are charged for garbage
Well I guess I'm safe, I have no interest in any of those models........
I don't really have many Athearn locos, but the ones I have are fine, Genesis F units, RTR RS-3's, and some old F units completely reworked/remotored.
And I have one of those original Genesis Mikados, still running on the factory gears....but I did dis-assemble it completely to add a bunch of weight.....
Not much in their line of locos fits my modeling theme and era, and they are not offering as much in undecorated any more.
But I still buy my share of their rolling stock........
You are the very first person I seen complain about the DD40AX. What is the matter and why didnt you have Athearn deal with it instead of just trash Athearn?
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Wow!
I enjoy visiting this forum and checking out what's going on but................ good grief! Respectfully guys I thought this was a thread about the U50 Right? I was looking forward to some enjoyable banter and info about this interesting hulking monster that's fascinated me since the late 1970s.
I sure would appreciate reading from potential buyers or modelers that purchased the previous run. You know........:How well does it track? Is yours sound equipped? Any electrical or mechanical issues? Any photos or videos to show?........that kind of stuff!
Yet, why is this morphing into something else?
Antonio, well acording to Jeremy none of us should buy anymore Athearn products.........
But, respectfully, I don't see were this thread is really off topic, Jeremy said he won't buy one because of problems with other Athearn products, others have responded. Sorry it is not yet the conversation you are looking for, but it is just that, a conversation.
Antonio, maybe the moderators should come in and clean the thread up from "off topic" chatter?
These kinds of posts are modus operandi here. But I agree, this is about the U50 and about other engines a hobbyist has been unhappy with. I've never understood the "throw the baby out with the bath water" concept that some subscribe to.
If the U50 is a good model, let it stand on it's own. Being a western modeler myself, I don't have the luxury of putting Athearn on by "do not buy" list.