Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
The funny thing is that retooled RTR locos now run in the 70-80 dollar range...as you referred to a modern widecab, I referred to the RTR ac4400cw's selling for 74.99-89.99. Honestly,they are priced as well as others and that without working ditchlights on the RTR's. RTR is good, but Genesis is better. I have Atlas,RTR,Genesis,Kato,BLI,T55,P2K and I honestly would only buy RTR if no other manufacturer makes that type loco. I would rather buy a discounted Atlas on Ebay or wherever than a RTR loco.
In RTR defense, they also re-wired the electric pick ups from that bent bar to copper frames on both sides of the trucks. They also have the board that allows for a 9 or 8 pin DCC decoder to be used without harnesses. Also, you can make one sound equipped with plugging in a MRC 8 pin sound decoder and removing the rear weight to allow for speaker mounting. I am not a fan of MRC, but even giving them their fair due, the SD45-2 is one of the best sounding locos I have ever heard.
leejax01 wrote: RTR doesn't compare to Atlas...in fact Genesis barely does...
Really! Wow...that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. So basically, I can't go wrong with Atlas? That's good to know. I thought my Genesis SD70's were awesome, but I wasn't sure how the rest of the competition stacked up. I wanted something with a similar level of detail.
So, stick with Atlas factory equiped with DCC and sound and I'll be in good shape?
~ Jason
RTR doesn't compare to Atlas...in fact Genesis barely does...Atlas has manned cabs and detailing is excellent. They run extremely well and IMHO, I say they produce the best overall loco. If you go to sound QSI out performs MRC anyday.
tomnoy3 wrote: Correct me if Im wrong, but I think that as far as rolling stock, Athearn is only using the RTR lable. -Tom
-Tom
No, you can get rolling stock under the Genesis line. However, I must apologize, because I was actually refering to the motive power. I'll edit my original post for clarification.
It depends on which RTR rolling stock your talking about. Some range from the old blue box kits coming assembled with metal wheelsets and kadee style couplers while new toolings are almost genesis quality such as the Maxi Is, 30k tanks, slurry tanks, and 2970 hoppers. Seeing picks of the new spine car looks like that will be in the same ranks.
Also, with the Trinity 5161 cars, they actually started as genesis but we bumped down the RTR with the only differnece being the trucks and the couple/ couple pockets.
Correct me if Im wrong, but I think that as far as rolling stock, Athearn is only using the RTR lable.
Rookie question, however, I used the search and came up empty-handed. What are the major differences between Athern's Genesis and thier Ready to Roll lines of motive power?
Obviously, the Genesis is more detailed, but is the difference signifigant? Are there any mechanical differences between the two?