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 OTW's - The "Of The Week" Series
 Locomotive of the Week (LOTW)
 LOTW Febuary 1 - Febuary 7, 2015
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kovacste000
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 Posted - February 01 2015 :  11:03:24 AM Link directly to this topic  Show Profile  Add kovacste000 to Buddylist
Post all your LOTW's here. I'll do mine once I decide, hopefully.
-Steve

"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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PGE33
Hudson

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 Posted - February 01 2015 :  1:37:43 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add PGE33 to Buddylist
Picked up this Roco-built Atlas GP-38 on Friday at the LHS.
I'd been eyeing it for some time, and after test-fitting a different shell, I got it.
What fits on it?
Later Kato- made GP-38 shells.
Life-Like GP-38 shells.
And, older Bachmann GP-40 shells.
All they need is body mounted couplers.
No more nasty pancake whine and grind!
Evan
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Chops124
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 Posted - February 01 2015 :  4:53:12 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add Chops124 to Buddylist
I kind of enjoy the Tyco whine and grind, sort of like HO sound
effects- until the works seizes up. I have relegated my Tyco
power to 20 minutes at a time status and use Athearn for any
prolonged hauling.
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RDC1
Hudson

P&R

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 Posted - February 01 2015 :  5:43:29 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add RDC1 to Buddylist
quote:
I kind of enjoy the Tyco whine and grind, sort of like HO sound
effects- until the works seizes up. I have relegated my Tyco
power to 20 minutes at a time status and use Athearn for any
prolonged hauling.

Originally posted by Chops124 - February 01 2015 :  4:53:12 PM



My Tyco Royal Blue takes 20 minutes of running before I can make it haul anything with any grace haha

~ Dave

They're ALL toys

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kovacste000
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 Posted - February 01 2015 :  7:45:23 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add kovacste000 to Buddylist
quote:
quote:
I kind of enjoy the Tyco whine and grind, sort of like HO sound
effects- until the works seizes up. I have relegated my Tyco
power to 20 minutes at a time status and use Athearn for any
prolonged hauling.

Originally posted by Chops124 - February 01 2015 :  4:53:12 PM



My Tyco Royal Blue takes 20 minutes of running before I can make it haul anything with any grace haha

Originally posted by RDC1 - February 01 2015 :  5:43:29 PM

Same with my Chattanooga, actually.

-Steve

"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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burlington77
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 Posted - February 01 2015 :  11:12:15 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add burlington77 to Buddylist
I swear that the other night I was reading a thread about rare locomotives, but now I can't find it. Anyway it made me think of this one, so I'll just post it as my LOTW. I don't really know enough to know if it is rare or even special. I just know it's not what I usually see around here:





So any and all comments welcome.
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RDC1
Hudson

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~ Dave

They're ALL toys

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Chops124
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 Posted - February 02 2015 :  8:40:08 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add Chops124 to Buddylist

Sweet old AHM Krauss-Mauffei pulling a string of Tyco Dutch Maid cars at the
El Paso Model Train Club. Rescued from the junk pile, her motor was frozen.
A drop of lube and little wheel cleaning and she burst forth anew, running
her little heart out.

Edited by - Chops124 on February 02 2015 8:41:39 PM
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RDC1
Hudson

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quote:

Sweet old AHM Krauss-Mauffei pulling a string of Tyco Dutch Maid cars at the
El Paso Model Train Club. Rescued from the junk pile, her motor was frozen.
A drop of lube and little wheel cleaning and she burst forth anew, running
her little heart out.

Originally posted by Chops124 - February 02 2015 :  8:40:08 PM



Chops, sweet resurrection ... multiple kudos.

Hey, how about posting your old time fire engine for accessory of the week, close up of course!

~ Dave

They're ALL toys

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kovacste000
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 Posted - February 02 2015 :  10:20:39 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add kovacste000 to Buddylist
quote:

Sweet old AHM Krauss-Mauffei pulling a string of Tyco Dutch Maid cars at the
El Paso Model Train Club. Rescued from the junk pile, her motor was frozen.
A drop of lube and little wheel cleaning and she burst forth anew, running
her little heart out.

Originally posted by Chops124 - February 02 2015 :  8:40:08 PM

That actually sounded quite beautiful.

-Steve

"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
 Country: USA  ~  Posts: 3533  ~  Member Since: February 17 2014  ~  Last Visit: January 11 2023 Alert Moderator  Go To Top Of Page

toptrain
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 Posted - February 03 2015 :  07:58:35 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add toptrain to Buddylist
** A loco patiently awaiting proper restoration in its box. A some day project.

*** A United PFM, Southern Pacific GS4.

frank

toptrain

" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
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Barry
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That will be quite the machine Frank.

quote:
** A loco patiently awaiting proper restoration in its box. A some day project.

*** A United PFM, Southern Pacific GS4.

frank


Originally posted by toptrain - February 03 2015 :  07:58:35 AM

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kovacste000
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 Posted - February 04 2015 :  09:27:43 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add kovacste000 to Buddylist
quote:
That will be quite the machine Frank.

quote:
** A loco patiently awaiting proper restoration in its box. A some day project.

*** A United PFM, Southern Pacific GS4.

frank


Originally posted by toptrain - February 03 2015 :  07:58:35 AM



Originally posted by Barry - February 03 2015 :  10:31:05 PM

Oh, yeah, that'll definitely be pretty sweet. I completely agree.

-Steve

"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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toptrain
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 Posted - February 04 2015 :  11:16:57 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add toptrain to Buddylist
Well Steve and Barry, Thank you for the nice comments. Being a SP model it is low on the rebuild priority list. If it ran in NJ, PA, or NY it would be done by now.
frank

toptrain

" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
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Mustangs_n_Trains
Big Boy


Mustang Man

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 Posted - February 04 2015 :  2:24:07 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add Mustangs_n_Trains to Buddylist
No kind of follow in Frank's theme.. My LOTW is a custom made Mantua Mountain Mechanism kit, built into a Southern Pacific GS4? steam locomotive. It is the first one like it I have ever seen fully assembled into an actual locomotive. These kits are ultra rare and did not come with boilers from the factory. The fell out of production post 1952 and were only ever available as special order. I had three in my collection. I have since sold one. This one is a gem as far as I am concerned! For a total purchase price of $58, I'd say it was a bargain too!














Sean

"If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!" - Mario Andretti!
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RDC1
Hudson

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Mr Stang, I like how the builder left his mark under the tender .. very kool
~ Dave

They're ALL toys

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kovacste000
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 Posted - February 04 2015 :  8:32:12 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add kovacste000 to Buddylist
That is an absolute beauty.I've seen some of Lyle's other pieces online but I'm not 100% sure who he is/was.
-Steve

"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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Chops124
Big Boy





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 Posted - February 04 2015 :  9:26:21 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add Chops124 to Buddylist
quote:
quote:

Sweet old AHM Krauss-Mauffei pulling a string of Tyco Dutch Maid cars at the
El Paso Model Train Club. Rescued from the junk pile, her motor was frozen.
A drop of lube and little wheel cleaning and she burst forth anew, running
her little heart out.

Originally posted by Chops124 - February 02 2015 :  8:40:08 PM

That actually sounded quite beautiful.

Originally posted by kovacste000 - February 02 2015 :  10:20:39 PM



You are very kind, I must mention the fire station, and layout it sits on, is the El Paso
Model Train Club. I believe the fire house scene was built by a then teenager in or about
1987, shortly after the Club took over its new quarters.

Standing invite: all TFers welcome to come and run your train(s) at the club, bring your
Tyco, bring your Genesis. All good here. Also, we are HO DCC ready at the flip of a switch.
We have a dang big N scale layout and a medium small O scale layout too (analog).
You and I will do a heck of a photo shoot of your work.

Edited by - Chops124 on February 04 2015 9:28:05 PM
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kovacste000
Big Boy



Daylight 4449

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 Posted - February 04 2015 :  10:20:52 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add kovacste000 to Buddylist
quote:
quote:
quote:

Sweet old AHM Krauss-Mauffei pulling a string of Tyco Dutch Maid cars at the
El Paso Model Train Club. Rescued from the junk pile, her motor was frozen.
A drop of lube and little wheel cleaning and she burst forth anew, running
her little heart out.

Originally posted by Chops124 - February 02 2015 :  8:40:08 PM

That actually sounded quite beautiful.

Originally posted by kovacste000 - February 02 2015 :  10:20:39 PM



You are very kind, I must mention the fire station, and layout it sits on, is the El Paso
Model Train Club. I believe the fire house scene was built by a then teenager in or about
1987, shortly after the Club took over its new quarters.

Standing invite: all TFers welcome to come and run your train(s) at the club, bring your
Tyco, bring your Genesis. All good here. Also, we are HO DCC ready at the flip of a switch.
We have a dang big N scale layout and a medium small O scale layout too (analog).
You and I will do a heck of a photo shoot of your work.

Originally posted by Chops124 - February 04 2015 :  9:26:21 PM

No problem, Chops.

-Steve

"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
 Country: USA  ~  Posts: 3533  ~  Member Since: February 17 2014  ~  Last Visit: January 11 2023 Alert Moderator  Go To Top Of Page

toptrain
Moderator




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 Posted - February 05 2015 :  08:43:49 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add toptrain to Buddylist
Sean that is quite a locomotive you have there. All the western modelers here must be drooling over it. Too find one, A GS4, that has Mantua heritage is a very rare thing. Kits were sold but it is ridicules hard to find one built up like that one. A little of your magic and it would be perfect.
Being a official CNJ nutty modeler, I dream of someday finding A CNJ heavy Mikado, set up as a CNJ Super Mike for working the back track's ridicules grades along side of the Ashley Plains, south of Wilkes-Barre. My boy is building one now. Kitbashing a old brass USRA. heavy MIKE. I think it was a old Akane model. I get photos once it is done.
frank

toptrain

" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
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JNXT 7707
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 Posted - February 05 2015 :  6:47:09 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add JNXT 7707 to Buddylist
My LOTW is a new Bachmann UP F7A. I got it mainly for the drivetrain, to mate up with the Bachmann ATSF F7A in my Super Chief ABBA set so I have two matched powered units (replacing the shell with a F7B).
I have to say I am pretty impressed with the shell detail on this. Just for fun, I'm posting an Athearn Genesis UP F7A below it for comparison's sake. I know the Genesis drivetrain is superior, as well as the shell - but still, it's interesting comparing the two, considering the Genesis costs 3 times what the Bachmann does.



The Athearn Genesis:


http://tycodepot.com/
Edited by - JNXT 7707 on February 05 2015 6:48:39 PM
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microbusss
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tiger

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 Posted - February 05 2015 :  7:26:08 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add microbusss to Buddylist
Union Pacific! gimmies!
ok ok I wants the Bicentennial 4-6-0 & the KM Rio Grande too

Edited by - microbusss on February 05 2015 7:27:07 PM
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metalsmith1
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REAAvatar

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 Posted - February 06 2015 :  12:39:59 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add metalsmith1 to Buddylist
Plain and simple this week. LOTW is Tyco Chattanooga 0-8-0 and matching 2-8-0

Also added a modified Tyco steamer with a gear drive and modified tender.
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kovacste000
Big Boy



Daylight 4449

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 Posted - February 06 2015 :  09:21:29 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add kovacste000 to Buddylist
quote:
My LOTW is a new Bachmann UP F7A. I got it mainly for the drivetrain, to mate up with the Bachmann ATSF F7A in my Super Chief ABBA set so I have two matched powered units (replacing the shell with a F7B).
I have to say I am pretty impressed with the shell detail on this. Just for fun, I'm posting an Athearn Genesis UP F7A below it for comparison's sake. I know the Genesis drivetrain is superior, as well as the shell - but still, it's interesting comparing the two, considering the Genesis costs 3 times what the Bachmann does.



The Athearn Genesis:



Originally posted by JNXT 7707 - February 05 2015 :  6:47:09 PM

There's actually quite a few distinct differences between the two models. The hand rails on the Genesis has more detail, the horn on the Genesis looks more fragile, etc.

-Steve

"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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JRG1951
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 Posted - February 06 2015 :  10:36:57 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Send JRG1951 a Yahoo! Message  Add JRG1951 to Buddylist
Athearn Vs Bachmann
I grew up with Athearn. I still have a lot of the ready to run and old blue box stuff, But they are no longer the company they used to be. A friend had some Genesis F7's with sound. These were early units with MRC sound. They were crap. I will continue to run Athearn where they have the model I need, but all my F units will be Bachmann. The best model with the finest detail is a bust if you can't get it or when it breaks you can't find parts.

A $300 diesel engine or a $500 steam engine will seldom be in my budget.

Price
/tyco/forum/uploaded/JRG1951/20150206100452_F7s.gif

Diagram > You won't find this on Athearn's Site
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/HO_F7-A_Sound.pdf

Parts > You won't find this type of organized list on Athearn's Site
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66_68_203

I truly miss Irvin and his way of doing business. His was a great success story.

Bachmann is not perfect, but they are working hard to be better.

Regards, John

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. <> Junior

Edited by - JRG1951 on February 07 2015 12:24:15 PM
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JNXT 7707
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 Posted - February 06 2015 :  12:38:15 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add JNXT 7707 to Buddylist
quote:
There's actually quite a few distinct differences between the two models. The hand rails on the Genesis has more detail, the horn on the Genesis looks more fragile, etc.

Originally posted by kovacste000 - February 06 2015 :  09:21:29 AM



Oh yes, when you have the two models side-by-side there are indeed many differences: paint color, flush window glass, ventilation screen detail, letter spacing of "Union Pacific" just to name a few. However, what strikes me is the level of detail on the Bachmann unit for the price. The Bachmann was new-in-box from ebay for $34, the Genesis was over $100 new-in-box 10 years ago (both are DC/non-sound equipped).
Operationally the Bachmann is nearly identical to the Genesis, the biggest difference is weight - the Bachmann is fairly light, however it has plenty of places to add stick-on weights to remedy that.


http://tycodepot.com/
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kovacste000
Big Boy



Daylight 4449

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 Posted - February 06 2015 :  5:51:24 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add kovacste000 to Buddylist
quote:
quote:
There's actually quite a few distinct differences between the two models. The hand rails on the Genesis has more detail, the horn on the Genesis looks more fragile, etc.

Originally posted by kovacste000 - February 06 2015 :  09:21:29 AM



Oh yes, when you have the two models side-by-side there are indeed many differences: paint color, flush window glass, ventilation screen detail, letter spacing of "Union Pacific" just to name a few. However, what strikes me is the level of detail on the Bachmann unit for the price. The Bachmann was new-in-box from ebay for $34, the Genesis was over $100 new-in-box 10 years ago (both are DC/non-sound equipped).
Operationally the Bachmann is nearly identical to the Genesis, the biggest difference is weight - the Bachmann is fairly light, however it has plenty of places to add stick-on weights to remedy that.



Originally posted by JNXT 7707 - February 06 2015 :  12:38:15 PM

I have a Bachmann unit myself in NYC livery and it's really good under DCC since it's DCC/Sound equippedYeah, either way, they're both good models in my book.

-Steve

"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
 Country: USA  ~  Posts: 3533  ~  Member Since: February 17 2014  ~  Last Visit: January 11 2023 Alert Moderator  Go To Top Of Page

PRR 4800
Big Boy


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 Posted - February 07 2015 :  10:15:19 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add PRR 4800 to Buddylist
quote:
Athearn Vs Bachmann
I grew up with Athearn. I still have a lot of the ready to run and old blue box stuff, But they are no longer the company they used to be. A friend had some Genesis F7's with sound. These were early units with MRC sound. They were crap. I will continue to run Athearn where they have the model I need, but all my F units will be Bachmann. The best model with the finest detail is a bust if you can't get it or when it breaks you can't find parts.

A $300 diesel engine or a $500 steam engine will seldom be in my budget.

Price
/tyco/forum/uploaded/JRG1951/20150206100452_F7s.gif

Diagram > You won't find this on Athearn's Site
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/HO_F7-A_Sound.pdf

Parts > You won't find this type of organized list on Athearn's Site
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66_68_203

Bachmann is not perfect, but they are working hard to be better.

Regards, John

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. <> Junior


Originally posted by JRG1951 - February 06 2015 :  10:36:57 AM



Seems to me like Bachmann's spent the last couple decades trying to become a better company, and distance themselves from the folks who made crappy locos with cracked gears in the 80's, while Athearn has spent the last decade getting worse, dropping blue box (now that's a complaining session we've all had enough of) and going elitist on us in some ways.
Bachmann may have their faults, but they continue to make better models all the time,and their customer service is some of the best I've ever experienced. Respect for them.

--CRC
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kovacste000
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 Posted - February 07 2015 :  10:45:34 AM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Add kovacste000 to Buddylist
quote:
quote:
Athearn Vs Bachmann
I grew up with Athearn. I still have a lot of the ready to run and old blue box stuff, But they are no longer the company they used to be. A friend had some Genesis F7's with sound. These were early units with MRC sound. They were crap. I will continue to run Athearn where they have the model I need, but all my F units will be Bachmann. The best model with the finest detail is a bust if you can't get it or when it breaks you can't find parts.

A $300 diesel engine or a $500 steam engine will seldom be in my budget.

Price
/tyco/forum/uploaded/JRG1951/20150206100452_F7s.gif

Diagram > You won't find this on Athearn's Site
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/HO_F7-A_Sound.pdf

Parts > You won't find this type of organized list on Athearn's Site
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66_68_203

Bachmann is not perfect, but they are working hard to be better.

Regards, John

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. <> Junior


Originally posted by JRG1951 - February 06 2015 :  10:36:57 AM



Seems to me like Bachmann's spent the last couple decades trying to become a better company, and distance themselves from the folks who made crappy locos with cracked gears in the 80's, while Athearn has spent the last decade getting worse, dropping blue box (now that's a complaining session we've all had enough of) and going elitist on us in some ways.
Bachmann may have their faults, but they continue to make better models all the time,and their customer service is some of the best I've ever experienced. Respect for them.

Originally posted by PRR 4800 - February 07 2015 :  10:15:19 AM

Definitely.I mean, compare an Athearn Blue Box diesel from 30 years (my Athearn GP unit in custom Alaska Railroad livery) to a modern Athearn (2007 Athearn 60th anniversary GP unit). The 30 year old diesel is much better quality overall than the newer one. Although the newer one has more detail, is DCC ready, (it does look quite nice), it doesn't really run as nicely as the 30 year old diesel although I still like it, especially for the price I got it initially.So yeah, Bachmann has indeed gotten worse in the last 10 years or so. My very first train set was an Athearn one made about 10 years ago and it has a lot of the same qualities of a regular Blue Box model, except newer. And yes, as for Bachmann, they've definitely tried making their products better in the last 10-20 years. For example; the Spectrum lineup. They had their issues here and there but they were nowhere near as severe as the older Bachmann locos from the 70s and 80s, most definitely. They're definitely getting better, for sure while Athearn is slowly losing their quality that they've always been known and loved for.

-Steve

"A lot of modellers out there who go to these train shows see broken HO stuff and go, 'This is useless' when, in reality, they can still be used for modeling whether it's as a prop on your layout or a cool project to make something old new again."
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JRG1951
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 Posted - February 07 2015 :  1:21:42 PM Link directly to this reply  Show Profile  Send JRG1951 a Yahoo! Message  Add JRG1951 to Buddylist
Jerry,
If you look at a late production Bachmann F7s you will see some minor improvements. The current units have improved window sets, number boards, and hand rails added to the sides of the headlight. The DCC sound units now have flywheels.

/tyco/forum/uploaded/JRG1951/20150207130746_F7Bach.gif

Micro-Mark has DCC sound units for $108. They are equipped with a SoundTraxx decoders to boot. It would be hard to buy any decent F unit and put a DCC sound unit in for that price.

http://www.micromark.com/Bachmann-HO-Standard-Line-F7-Diesel-Locomotive-A-Unit-with-Sound-Norfolk-Southern-No-4271,10753.html

A DCC ready unit can be had for $50 at New Egg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4WG1JS3369

Regards, John

Blessed are the people whose leaders can look destiny in the eye without flinching but also without attempting to play God. <> Henry A. Kissinger

Edited by - JRG1951 on February 07 2015 1:44:22 PM
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