Hello everyone,
These are my comments and thoughts about the new Athearn/Roundhouse GP38-2 engines that were just shipped to dealers. I picked up two in CSX. These are my personal call outs, both good and bad. I think the manufacturer needs to have these quality control tested in the US with a model railroader before they go to the public.
THE GOOD
Once I got it on the track and running, it was smooth, and not that noisy. For the value and detailing (or lack thereof), it’s a nice engine. I put in an NCE 9 pin decoder. Plenty of room for it, so nothing special had to be done.
THE BAD
First off, I know they’re using the old MDC molds to make the frames. While it’s their choice to use McHenry couplers (owned by the parent company Horizon), the coupler box is only accessible once you take off the frame. Here’s where the only (and a big one) issue arises. The instructions tell you how to remove the frame. Fine, I get it. I’m not a novice, and have removed plenty of shells from engines, including the Athearn brand. Since I was getting frustrated and didn’t want to break something, I asked my friend who does train repairs to see if he can get the shell off and I watched to make sure it wasn’t me. It wasn’t me, but what they did. Once the 4 clips in the underframe by the tank were pushed in, and then grabbing the shell by the sides at the specified location, it still wasn’t moving. He had to use two screwdrivers, one on each side to pry it apart, and then another one to get in there to raise it up. After 20 minutes of this it came off. The culprit? The factory put some type of double stick foam tape on the sides of the motor! We scraped that off the motor (both sides) and the inside of the shell. Once we did that, we changed out the couplers to Kadee, added my decoder, and the shell went right back on with no issues.
At the end of the day, if they came out with other engines, I would have to think about it, knowing now what the challenge would be. I was very grateful to have someone help me with this.
Neal M
Neal,MDC never made a GP38-2; Athearn is just calling everything in the lower-cost levels "Athearn Roundhouse" these days (before, Athearn used "Roundhouse" to refer to pre-WWII models). The only two diesels that MDC ever made were the RS-3 and the EMD Model 40.
The one to blame for the coupler pad situation is ol' Irv Athearn himself, who chose that design ~35 years ago. Athearn isn't about to re-tool the chassis for a low-cost model when what they have works. Now, if they were going to add sound, they'd probably do it. But until then...
It's not Athearn's choice to use McHenry, it's Horizon's choice. And since Horizon owns both, that's what is going to get used.
The foam tape idea was almost certainly a Chinese attempt to either prevent the motor from shifting during transit or as a way to quiet the motor. While I don't know if the idea originated at Athearn or in China, I can say that sometimes the Chinese do things to "help" without notifying the North American importer.
IMHO, you should bring this situation to the attention of Athearn immediately so they can correct this problem as soon as possible. Obviously, one needs to be able to get inside a loco without 20 minutes of careful prying. While Horizon doesn't have too many model railroaders, Athearn certainly does. I would get in touch with them right away, either through their Facebook page or directly by phone or e-mail.
http://www.athearn.com/About/Contact.aspx
Paul,
Yes, I intend to reach out to Athearn. Thank you for the link. While MDC never made that unit, the frame, from what I was told, is an MDC frame, probably from the RS-3 mold. If they were to add sound, I'm sure they would use an Athearn frame already made. The couplers, yes I know it's Horizon, it is what it is..
Neal
First I have 4 RTR GP38-2 and 2 GP40-2s and all 6 has screwed on coupler pockets and the screws is accessible by turning the engine over and the way to remove the shell is like you did the old BB GP38-2 by gently pressing in on the sides and gently rocking the shell back and forth.
These are supped up BB engines with added grabs,dog bone drive shafts,new plastic side rails and what appears to be a slightly improved version of the older BB motor.
I don't think Athearn will upgrade these beyond what they are due to the Genesis GP38-2. I have notice the newer releases have working headlights on both ends instead of the "bonfire" in the cab.
I like mine well enough but,they are what they are a basic GP38-2 locomotive that begs for a evening or two of detailing..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
nealknows Paul, While MDC never made that unit, the frame, from what I was told, is an MDC frame, probably from the RS-3 mold. Neal
While MDC never made that unit, the frame, from what I was told, is an MDC frame, probably from the RS-3 mold.
Who told you the frame for the Athearn GP38-2 was from MDC? That makes no sense at all. Athearn has had a blue box version of the GP38-2 since the 1980's frame, shell and all. The same thing with the GP40-2.
I'd be willing to bet you that the frame in the newer RTR GP38-2 is derived from the tooling of the older blue box GP38-2. Maybe a few slight modifications.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
The old MDC RS3 frame is not the same. I suspect that this model is just an improved Athearn 'Blue Box' GP38-2. The 'squeeze to release the body clips' are the clue...You do not get Genesis quality/features at Roundhouse pricing....
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Yep. Agree with jbernier. It's Athearn blue box heritage all the way.
I did have a couple of the Athearn RTR GP40-2's, which were simply gussied up blue box GP40-2's and really weren't much better than the bb version except for the better paint job and plastic handrails vs. the old metal stanchion type handrails. In fact the RTR GP40-2 still didn't have the motor isolated from the frame and required that be done by the modeler - it was not DCC ready.
Frankly, putting the Athearn blue box heritage GP38-2, GP40-2 and F7A into the Roundhouse line helped to end the confusion of the wide variance of products that were for some years, lumped into the RTR line - you could have old crude Globe based F7 as Athearn RTR and yet you could have the very well detailed SW1000 or SD45T-2 also branded as Athearn RTR - yet the F7A was worlds apart. The rebranding, at least helps to separate the lower end, older simpler, less detailed models from the better RTR, and again from the top Genesis line.
Locomotives carrying the Roundhouse brand:
Model 40
SW7 ??? Its on the list.
F7A/B
GP38-2
GP40-2
GP50
GP60.
Other then that all of the other locomotives is Athearn RTR and comes with road specific details and DCC ready..
Paul3 The only two diesels that MDC ever made were the RS-3 and the EMD Model 40.
The only two diesels that MDC ever made were the RS-3 and the EMD Model 40.
Don't forget the boxcab (Be nice if they updated that).
Dave
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ_ALEdDUB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqFS1GZL4s
http://s73.photobucket.com/user/steemtrayn/media/MovingcoalontheDCM.mp4.html?sort=3&o=27
I would honestly love it if Athearn got with the 21st Century and installed metal kadee's on both RTR and Genesis Line. The rolling stock can keep the plastic couplers with some exceptions.
On certain models, the coupler boxes are glued together which requires a flathead screwdriver to gently pry it open, swap out the coupler, snap the coupler box, and screw it back on.
The plastic kadee's on both RTR and Genesis lines need to go.
riogrande5761Who told you the frame for the Athearn GP38-2 was from MDC? That makes no sense at all. Athearn has had a blue box version of the GP38-2 since the 1980's frame, shell and all. The same thing with the GP40-2. I'd be willing to bet you that the frame in the newer RTR GP38-2 is derived from the tooling of the older blue box GP38-2. Maybe a few slight modifications.
The current model is nothing but an updated version of the original Athearn GP38-2, frame and all. The four tabs in the fuel tank area were Athearn's answer to improving their shell attachment method. Previous models used tabs on the frame which were clunky in appearance. There's no MDC history in the frame.
Rob Spangler
wp8thsub riogrande5761 Who told you the frame for the Athearn GP38-2 was from MDC? That makes no sense at all. Athearn has had a blue box version of the GP38-2 since the 1980's frame, shell and all. The same thing with the GP40-2. I'd be willing to bet you that the frame in the newer RTR GP38-2 is derived from the tooling of the older blue box GP38-2. Maybe a few slight modifications. The current model is nothing but an updated version of the original Athearn GP38-2, frame and all. The four tabs in the fuel tank area were Athearn's answer to improving their shell attachment method. Previous models used tabs on the frame which were clunky in appearance. There's no MDC history in the frame.
riogrande5761 Who told you the frame for the Athearn GP38-2 was from MDC? That makes no sense at all. Athearn has had a blue box version of the GP38-2 since the 1980's frame, shell and all. The same thing with the GP40-2. I'd be willing to bet you that the frame in the newer RTR GP38-2 is derived from the tooling of the older blue box GP38-2. Maybe a few slight modifications.
That is 100% my understanding too. I don't own any Athearn GP38-2's, but I have owned both the bb and RTR sister loco the GP40-2, and they have the same heritage, history and development path. Both the GP38-2 and GP40-2 started out as blue box Athearn diesels, and were later put into the RTR line with minor upgrades - are now among the items migrating into the Athearn Roundhouse line.
riogrande5761Both the GP38-2 and GP40-2 started out as blue box Athearn diesels, and were later put into the RTR line with minor upgrades - are now among the items migrating into the Athearn Roundhouse line.
Athearn RTR is a step down from their Genesis line but,these RTR locomotives has road specific details while the GP38-2,GP40-2,GP50 and GP60 does not and Athearn classifies them as "Beginners" since the GP38-2,40-2 and GP50 has been done in the Genesis line as you are aware.
Here's a RTR SD40-2 with DCC/Sound data. Rather impressive for a nonGensis I think.
http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH16723
The same details apply for the nonDCC/Sound SD40-2.
http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH16622
The SD40-2 is not the only locomotive to come with DCC/Sound and specific details.
BRAKIE Athearn RTR is a step down from their Genesis line but,these RTR locomotives has road specific details while the GP38-2,GP40-2,GP50 and GP60 does not and Athearn classifies them as "Beginners" since the GP38-2,40-2 and GP50 has been done in the Genesis line as you are aware.
Which is why it was a really good idea for Athearn to re-classify part of their RTR line.
Here's a RTR SD40-2 with DCC/Sound data. Rather impressive for a nonGensis I think. http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH16723 The same details apply for the nonDCC/Sound SD40-2. http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH16622 The SD40-2 is not the only locomotive to come with DCC/Sound and specific details.
Re: specific details - the SD45 (RPP heritage but substantially upgraded), SD40T-2 (blue box heritage but majorly upgraded, and the SD45T-2, tons of prototypical details. The SD40T-2 was upgraded so nicely, I was surprised that Intermountain has decided to offer an SD40T-2 - although I might try on if I can swing the $$ because they will come sound equipped and have Loksound.
Maybe sadly, Athearn has never offered their tunnel motors with sound so far, although I think the SD45 is just starting to get it? The chassis was modified to have a speaker - although Athearn hasn't offered any SD45's I need recently, maybe someday they will run more D&RGW or classic SP.
The SD40 was fully retooled and has road specific details and sound, as well as the newer SD39 and SD38's. I have one of each SD40 and SD89 in bloody nose SP.
Paul3It's not Athearn's choice to use McHenry, it's Horizon's choice. And since Horizon owns both, that's what is going to get used. The foam tape idea was almost certainly a Chinese attempt to either prevent the motor from shifting during transit or as a way to quiet the motor. While I don't know if the idea originated at Athearn or in China, I can say that sometimes the Chinese do things to "help" without notifying the North American importer.
McHenry/E-Z Mate couplers have actually been used by Athearn since the late 90's or early 2000's, starting with the Genesis line. The choice was made to save costs over using Kadee couplers. Since Kadees are US made, there's shipping costs in addition to the more expensive US manufacturing, and it adds up fast. McHenry couplers are made by Kader, and now that Kader owns Sanda Kan (Athearn's factory), it's even more cost effective for them than ever, so I doubt Kadee couplers will ever be used.
After working with Chinese factories myself, I can confirm that they sometimes make little unannounced "upgrades" here and there. Sometimes they help, other times they can make a mess of things. This time sounds like a mess.
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