Don Gibson wrote: Genesis is Athearn's top-of-the-line, to sell just below others best porducts.RTR is MIX of updated older products, and new tooling.Unfortunately Athearn's quest for pricing has been at the expense of 'Quality Control'. (Some do, some don't). I have 2 (out of 8) Genesis with motor replacements, and 1 (of 3) with warped trucks. and 2 RTR CF-7's that run flawlessly.Go figure.
Genesis is Athearn's top-of-the-line, to sell just below others best porducts.
RTR is MIX of updated older products, and new tooling.
Unfortunately Athearn's quest for pricing has been at the expense of 'Quality Control'. (Some do, some don't). I have 2 (out of 8) Genesis with motor replacements, and 1 (of 3) with warped trucks. and 2 RTR CF-7's that run flawlessly.Go figure.
Athearns' issue has ALWAYS been quality control. They have gotten gradually better at it but they aren't up to Atlas or KATO or even Proto 2000 in that department. Athearn really needs to make a slogan like Ford did years ago when Honda, Toyota and Nissan were kicking their but: Quality is Job #1. Oh wait, the Japanese auto manufacturers are still kicking Fords butt. But from what I hear, Toyota is slipping. Camry is no longer the reliability leader and my co-worker just called in to the office broken down on the hightway in his brand new Toyota Prius.
Until they get a 'handle' on QC, I wont be buying more. Old BB engines with NWSL wheels and Mashima motors equal my Stewart's @ half the price.
I suspect you must be able avoid Athearn and don't need things exclusively made by them like tunnel motors or Thrall gons, etc. I need those and can't tell Athearn to "take a hike".
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
RG,
Interesting that you mentioned warped trucks. On previous threads I mentioned my wife's cousin who purchased 2 Genesis SD75Ms a couple of years ago (2005, I think). He was livid about the warped trucks, especially since he paid $100+ cash for each one. Though I was critical of Athearn's QC then, my thought was that this was likely an isolated or uncommon incident. Apparently it wasn't.
However, to be fair to Athearn, I'm certain (o.k, hoping ) that the owners/managers received an earful from unhappy customers and have been making hard efforts to ensure improved product quality from the Chinese manufacturer.
As I've stated, my SD45-2 runs very smoothly and I'd like to think that this will be the rule rather than the "occasional exception" with the majority of Genesis units produced today.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
riogrande5761 wrote: Don Gibson wrote: Genesis is Athearn's top-of-the-line, to sell just below others best porducts.RTR is MIX of updated older products, and new tooling.Unfortunately Athearn's quest for pricing has been at the expense of 'Quality Control'. (Some do, some don't). I have 2 (out of 8) Genesis with motor replacements, and 1 (of 3) with warped trucks. and 2 RTR CF-7's that run flawlessly.Go figure.Athearns' issue has ALWAYS been quality control. They have gotten gradually better at it but they aren't up to Atlas or KATO or even Proto 2000 in that department. Athearn really needs to make a slogan like Ford did years ago when Honda, Toyota and Nissan were kicking their but: Quality is Job #1. Oh wait, the Japanese auto manufacturers are still kicking Fords butt. But from what I hear, Toyota is slipping. Camry is no longer the reliability leader and my co-worker just called in to the office broken down on the hightway in his brand new Toyota Prius.Until they get a 'handle' on QC, I wont be buying more. Old BB engines with NWSL wheels and Mashima motors equal my Stewart's @ half the price.I suspect you must be able avoid Athearn and don't need things exclusively made by them like tunnel motors or Thrall gons, etc. I need those and can't tell Athearn to "take a hike".
Not to mention the fact some runs sell out quickly! Here today sold out tomorrow!
Then how about those sweet looking tank cars such as the Ethanol and the 16K? Then how can we overlook the SD45-2s,the new SD45s,the upgrade SD40-2s etc? Let's not forget Athearn is adding many road specific details and correct length low hoods..
Need a N&W HH SD45? How about a NS HH SD40-2?
Athearn is cranking out sweet looking locomotives and cars at very affordable prices.Even Atlas had to introduce the Trainman Line.As far as P2K those remain overprice for the detail errors IF what the diesel gurus say holds true.We all know Katos great interest in HO..
Let's face the cold facts..The 2 most aggressive manufacturers is Atlas and Athearn as their monthly news releases shows.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Absolutly!
The SP SD45's sold out after a month, same with the Rio Grande SD40T-2's. I pre-order anything I dont' want to miss out on from Athearn. A lot of items fly off the shelves and don't last long at all.
leejax01 wrote:When you say "warped truck", do you mean that the wheels don't all sit flat on the rails or on a flat surface?
I could very well be wrong, but I believe that the sideframes were warped. From what I heard Athearn was really good about replacing those at no cost.
Point understood Brakie,
Problem is that once word gets out of an annoying defect with a product, that product's reputation is damaged, temporarily or long term. Yes, Athearn made improvements regarding the warped trucks issue, however, we didn't see it mentioned on the Horizon website. Was it mentioned in any Model Railroader magazines? IMHO, Athearn should have immedietly put out the "word" in the magazines, website, and even on a few of the major forums that this issue was being addressed. (Though I'm not a fan, I have to give MTH credit for taking advantage and putting product info on forums as well)
I'm not Athearn bashing as I"ve stated that I am buying their products again. But as with my wife's cousin, who pays cold cash$$ for his purchases, he was adamant about not wanting to shell out money for a Genesis locomotive again and is sticking with P2K, Atlas, and Kato.
I'll eventually take my Gen SD45-2 and Gen FP45 over to his house and run those units on his layout and let him judge for himself.
leejax01 wrote:With the "Quieting Athearns" thread going strong on it's second page and with some strongly worded replies about the present RTR motor, I hope that Athearn/Horizon delivers on the rumored new motor for the RTR series.
Rumored new motor, huh? I wonder if it will be an upgraded gold motor, or just a totally brand new one (if the rumor is true)?
Some of that new RTR stuff is looking so good you'd think it was Genesis or Atlas. And I think the Genesis line is starting to pass the level of detail found on Atlas products.
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