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 Posted - November 09 2006 : 03:42:24 AM
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I couldn't take your word for it. Or your awesome picture. I just HAD to see that GP40X for myself.
Yeah... stopping in a well-stocked shop en route for work in Cinicinnati, they had one...
...A southern outfitted with a new $40 MRC, EMD gen-2 Turbocharged sound decoder. 
Dangit! I was weak. A Santa Fe GP40x, the sound Decoder, and requisite speaker to fit all followed me home [Oops!] Spent all evening hacking the frame to cram it all in and troubleshoot my very first sound deco install.
All the whole I wrestled my head with the expense.... and sacrificed some watchlist items, but i gotta tell ya:
The second I turned it on and that beacon started flashing when I blasted the horn? [Yes!] [Yes!] [Yes!] [}:)]
(Besides, it's actually my wife's fault, because SHE was actually the one who needed me to go there to look for something for her!!)
Damn this hobby is a curse sometimes [;)]
PS: Tony C- how long did it take you to decipher all the fuel tank details? I must have about 20 parts left over!! Seem to be for various tank sizes. I'm astounded that Athearn is including these bits on a $70 loco. Atlas can eat creosote!
Edited by - GoingInCirclez on November 09 2006 03:44:55 AM
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jlong
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 Posted - November 09 2006 : 11:28:24 AM
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For $15.00, I got an AHM RS-2 on ebay. The Rivarrosi motor sounds and smells like an Alco.
John Long
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 Posted - November 09 2006 : 11:30:00 AM
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Tony L.,
You're a better man than I...still haven't done anything with my fuel tank details. I looked them over and put them back in the box! Lazy, huh?
My only sound equipped loco is a Broadway Limited Santa Fe RSD-15 and I'm not DCC powered on my pike. Yes, behind the times I know.
How do you like the MRC Sound unit??? I was just reviewing both the Lok Sound and MRC units in the Walthers catalog last week and debating doing something to my KATO F40PH's.
That GP40X is an excellent buy. Athearn really did it up nice with the all the roof details included. For its price, it is a great value. And those flared radiators on a B-truck geep are too cool! Can't wait to see if Athearn offers "Elephant Ears" on the Southern Pacific GP40X models.
Tony Cook
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Posted - November 09 2006 : 12:50:45 PM
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John - LOL. For that price I got 2 more f-units and a 430 - who needs Febreeze when you can have ozone?
I love the sound of an Athearn - that growl sounds cool. But man, an EMD turbo at low idle is just sweeeeeet
Tony C - I installed the MRC Prodigy Express (new version) last Christmas, to go with my PCM Chessie T-1. For $100 it pretty much dropped right in to my 4x8... I didn't have to modify my existing block wiring, I only had to add a selector to convert it from DCC to Analog in a jiff. Works great! My only complaint is the lack of CV readouts - I bunged up the settings on another unit once, couldn't tell what they were, and had to reset it on a program track. Still, for $100 starter system I can't complain (the Advance has more features for another $50 or so).
The MRC sound unit is an excellent buy for $40. Yeah, the LokSound might do more but it costs about twice that?  The only thing that sounds funky is the air-release. But everything else is great. It pretty much dropped in place of the Athearn board; I did have to run another wire for the motor and cut part of the frame to fit the speaker in. And rewire the lights to get the beacon to flash.
Elephant ears would be cool! But I'll be more impressed if they tool those wierd HT-B trucks to go with 'em.
DO the undecs come with all the Santa Fe rooftop goodies?
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Posted - November 09 2006 : 2:28:07 PM
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Word is that Athearn IS tooling the HT-B trucks per UP and SP prototypes.
We had an Undec GP40X special ordered for a customer at the hobby shop I help out at, but I didn't see what all was inside it. There is no nose visable through the Athearn window box....all you see is the unit's weight sticking outta the cab. I know Athearn's made Hi-Hood and Low-Nose Undec GP40X models, so I'd guess the Low-Nose includes all the ATSF related roof items.
Interestingly, I saw that Athearn's soon to be released new GP35 in SF Kodachrome paint includes all these roof details. Somebody said the cab and roof items were originally cast for the SD50 runs or some similar piece and that Athearn has used them on the GP40X and now this SF example GP35. Great additions and nice that they didn't jack the price up because of them. Think about what you'd spend buying the roof A/C unit, antenna stand and antenna, beacon with bracket...would be a nice little collection of Detail West-type parts.
I like my ATSF so much, I'm thinking about going for the Southern Hi-Hood. It has unique details too...horns in both directions and nose hanging bell.
Tony Cook
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Posted - November 10 2006 : 03:10:38 AM
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Amen on all those details - that's at LEAST about $15 in parts right there. I have a cannon fuel tank set that isn't even as comprehensive as what Athearn included!
At first it seems strange: Athearn includes all those extra superdetailing bits, just like on that awesome SP Bicentennial SD40-T-2, but skips some obvious ones like hoses and wipers. But I just figured it out: they've added everything that needs PAINT. So you don't have to mess with color-matching and marring the finish - the things they left off go on easy and arguably don't need paint anyway. KUDOS to Athearn! [Yeah!]
I saw the Southern version at the shop in Cinci... big honkin' horns on those guys. Funny thing is, it costs $5 MORE than the better-detailed Santa Fe version! At first I thought this was maybe some sort of local-interest markup, but ebay bears these prices out as well. Surely a high hood isn't more expensive versus all the ATSF gear and lighted beacon, so what gives?
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Posted - November 10 2006 : 08:10:00 AM
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The extra $5 is correct for the Southern GP40X. I had guessed it was due to casting the hi-nose...but as you say the ATSF has about as much juiced into it as the Southern example. Yes, the big horns are the coolest part of the Southern GP40X!
Think I mentioned it somewhere, but I read the Athearn hi-nose piece is not correct. They made an 88" nose and it should be 81" to be right. Athearn did say future releases will be corrected. Now, why didn't they do this back in the '60s to the GP30??? Anyway, I'm temped to pick up a Southern just because the nose is wrong...kinda of an oddity. I need to measure my Southern Bachmann Hi-Nose GP50 and see if they got the 81" nose right. Would be funny if that beast is accurate!!
Tony Cook
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jlong
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Posted - November 10 2006 : 10:36:10 PM
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quote:
I guess it rolls downhill, Tony as you did it to me with your posting of the Atlas CBQ SD-24 I keep gazing at. I just had to go back and check one out I saw at a shop (current Atlas "Classic" series). This time he took it out of the box and it did me in.
John Long
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Posted - November 11 2006 : 01:01:36 AM
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| Can anyone tell me about the motor in the Athearn GP40X? Is it the same motor as found in the blue box locos? I know the 40X has the newer hex drivelines.
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Posted - November 11 2006 : 08:06:38 AM
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quote:quote:
I guess it rolls downhill, Tony as you did it to me with your posting of the Atlas CBQ SD-24 I keep gazing at. I just had to go back and check one out I saw at a shop (current Atlas "Classic" series). This time he took it out of the box and it did me in.
Originally posted by jlong - November 10 2006 : 9:36:10 PM
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That Atlas SD-24 is a beauty. Adding the CB&Q ligt package was a nice touch. I have the low-nose SD-24 Atlas Master Series Union Pacific, really really enjoy it.
Tony Cook
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Posted - November 11 2006 : 08:18:09 AM
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quote:Can anyone tell me about the motor in the Athearn GP40X? Is it the same motor as found in the blue box locos? I know the 40X has the newer hex drivelines.
Originally posted by Hypoponera - November 11 2006 : 12:01:36 AM
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I haven't popped the shell off my GP40X, but I don't think they are the same as the older Blue Box drives. From my experience, the newer Athearn RTR units are all smooth solid performers. I have a trio of the GP35s, an SD40, and now the GP40X and all are excellent running locos.
Here's the Athearn Parts Sheet for a recent GP35 and it gives a peak at the motor...
Tony Cook
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jlong
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Posted - November 11 2006 : 12:09:20 PM
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quote:| That Atlas SD-24 is a beauty. Adding the CB&Q ligt package was a nice touch. I have the low-nose SD-24 Atlas Master Series Union Pacific, really really enjoy it. |
He has a UP low nose too. Very tempting. My CBQ got quite a workout last night and it runs incredibly smooth. Yes, the CBQ light is a nice touch.
John Long
Edited by - jlong on November 11 2006 12:10:37 PM
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Posted - November 13 2006 : 6:11:41 PM
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Tony,
Can you tell me the part number of the motor? The diagram appears to show #84080, but that number is not listed at Horizon's Athearn parts list. But based on the diagram, it would seem that the motor isn't any different then the one used in the blue-box locos. I had hoped Athearn would provide a much better motor considering the vast difference in price between the blue-box and RTR loco lines.
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Posted - November 13 2006 : 6:50:43 PM
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Hypo,
To my eye, the motor does indeed look nearly identical to that used in the blue-box kits. However, the rest of the drive and pickups have been improved substantially.
The flywheels are machined with a hex-key pattern, to accept the new hex driveshafts that the RTR line has had since its inception. Most of the RTR line (possibly excepting the GP38-2 and GP/SD40-2) have also done away with the metal clip that spanned from truck to truck across the motor, so electrical pickup is more reliable as well. They all sport DCC-ready circuitry too (with the exception of the classic GP38/40 series which I KNOW lack(ed) that feature).
The RTRs are far smoother and better running than any blue-box I have. The RTR GP38's were maybe $15-20 more than the last comtempo blue-box I bought, and for that you get a killer paint job (right down to window & light gaskets, builder's plates and numberboards), celcon handrails, a much-improved drive, and even added goodies (which are more pronounced on the RTR-exclusive diesels, but even the 38/40 series have grabs now).
Don't mean to sound like an Athearn shill but, having upgraded and detailed various blue-boxes, the $20 upgrade in price is a great value and money well-spent. As we discussed above, that's the cost of some details alone... and it runs about as good as a proto, for far less.
And don't be fooled - the RTR undecs ARE true kits - and real bears (like the new 2970 2-bay ACF) to put together.
My only complaint is you can't get the new stuff as kits packaged in the US. And the new blue-box kits lack many if not all of the upgrades their RTR counterparts have.
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Posted - November 14 2006 : 12:18:32 AM
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I'm afraid my view is a little different. I am first and formost a model builder. I like to add the little details myself. I also tend to strip and repaint most of my locos or start with undec units. So great paint jobs and factory applied details don't appeal to me. I do not use DCC, so again that feature does not mean much to me.
My main concern with the RTR Athearns is the motor.I really would have liked a better motor though. It still has a high starting voltage and current draw. I had hoped a can motor would have been used on the higher end models.
But on a higher note, the new shells are very nice looking. Do they make the RTR locos as undec dummies?
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jlong
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Posted - November 14 2006 : 08:51:30 AM
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quote:My main concern with the RTR Athearns is the motor.I really would have liked a better motor though. It still has a high starting voltage and current draw. I had hoped a can motor would have been used on the higher end models.
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Can motors do not produce ozone and are odorless. It's gotta make ozone.
John Long
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Posted - November 14 2006 : 12:18:48 PM
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| I have had a couple can motors produce a burnt odor! So your saying they SHOULDN'T do that?!?! I think I have a couple remotored locos to look at! Actually I have burned-up a couple Sagami motors. And they did produce noticible ozone, odor, and even some smoke! But I wouldn't recommend intentionally roasting your motors.
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Posted - November 16 2006 : 11:50:11 AM
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I have seen a few of the RTRs as undecs; mostly these are the "new tooling / ex-RailPower" versions (SD40T-2, GP40X, SD38, etc). I may be buying an Undec GP40x soon, if I ever get the courage to try my adopted paint scheme.
I know where you're coming from on the "modeler first" front. I feel that way myself. However, it's hard to argue with a bicentennial scheme, or having so much of the little nitpicky stuff taken care of. I couldn't get gaskets and numberboards to look as good as theirs do without quite a bit of time and gray hair. And they still leave enough off for you to "add & brag" about if you choose.
I can custom paint, but masking multi-stripes scares me still.
Still, I find the upgrades to be compelling. Although I was disappointed in the Chessie GP40-2s they did - while the paint QUALITY was improved, they chopped the bottom part of the Ches-C at the walkways. [V] Still can't win 'em all sometimes.
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Posted - November 16 2006 : 1:05:38 PM
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quote:I'm afraid my view is a little different. I am first and formost a model builder. I like to add the little details myself. I also tend to strip and repaint most of my locos or start with undec units. So great paint jobs and factory applied details don't appeal to me. I do not use DCC, so again that feature does not mean much to me.
My main concern with the RTR Athearns is the motor.I really would have liked a better motor though. It still has a high starting voltage and current draw. I had hoped a can motor would have been used on the higher end models.
But on a higher note, the new shells are very nice looking. Do they make the RTR locos as undec dummies?
Originally posted by Hypoponera - November 13 2006 : 11:18:32 PM
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Funny this is mentioned right now. I just bought like a dozen old Life-Like hi-nose and low-nose toy train line GP-38-2 shells for $6 or $7 on eBay.
Why, you ask? I'm gonna strip them and do some detail work on them. Yeah, I know there's the Proto 2000, Atlas Trainman, Athearn RTR, and Bachmann new GP-38-2 models...but I wanted to see what I might be able to do with this poor old shell. I'm gonna fill in the front and rear pilots, put new radiator grilles and fans on it, treadwalk, handrails, etc. It's silly with so many good examples out there now, but they were cheap and I thought it might be fun to try a cobble together one myself. I'm thinking about doing it in black and red Iowa Interstate paint...
Tony Cook
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Posted - November 17 2006 : 12:11:02 AM
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Tony,
There is nothing wrong with reworking those GP38-2 shells! Yeah, I know there are some really nice makes out there. But I just like the idea of turning some junker into a presentable engine. And yes I have rebuilt a pair of the L.L. GP38-2s. My brother-in-law wanted a pair done up as US Army locos. So one is in bright red and the other in OD green.
By the way, that Iowa Interstate scheme looks sharp! I'd like to see it when your done.
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Posted - November 17 2006 : 6:17:47 PM
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TC,
I told Hypoponera, last eve, that I admire custom work. In fact we probably need to make sure that the art is passed on to the young folk. One of the postings encouraged us to show custom work. I agree.
Have fun with those shells. I have an 430 Century stripped and ready for custom paint.
AF
Alco Fan
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Posted - November 17 2006 : 10:58:13 PM
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Wow... how appropriate a discussion.
I think I have ya'll beat, though: I just shaved the grabs and other bits off a lowly Tyco Diesel Switcher. [:P] Trying to figure where my detailing muse will lead me on this one, although I'll admit, it's not very far just yet...
I mean, there are HO scale houses with picture windows smaller than what's on that guy. And that fatty-boom-batty hood?
I propose there can be no greater challenge than that...!
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