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I buy them because I like the amount of detail added to the new loco and I also run dcc ready only. I think they are good product between the like of genesis, and scale trains plus they fit my budget. Also adding detail at my age is getting very hard!! What about you guys. That's why I stay away from older models!
I have a number of Athearn RTR models. The added detail makes them much better than the old Blue Box and I don't have to add details. It's hard to tell the difference between them and my Scaletrains models when they are traveling on the layout. Some though, are better than others; they improved as the years went by.
I buy them because I like the amount of detail added to the new loco and I also run dcc ready only. I think they are good product between the like of genesis, and scale trains plus they fit my budget. Also adding detail at my age is getting very hard!! What about you guys. That's why I stay away from older models!
Hmmmm, I guess I don't. Not a single Athearn RTR on my recently purchased list (last 5 years). Save a couple blue box thrift store finds, they are all Genesis. My latest is the U50. I've not gotten to run it yet.
I only have blue box Athearns so far. Remotored and made them DCC ready with a Kato motor and light board transplant. They look good (enough for me) and run nicely.
I am also interested in venturing into the newer stuff. I had a pre-order in for a 2-8-0 that came out recently, but canx'd as I was concentrating on the UK market models. That has turned out to be a major bummer as while they look awesome, they ran like cr@p and I've been either fixing or modifying to make them run, throwing them away, or sending back for refund. Athearn stuff seem to run reliably. Since I missed the 2-8-0, I may go for the 2-6-0 mogul.
As for details, my experience has been that there is a point when too much detail becomes a hindrance. I have broken too many fine details in either regular handling or in repair. Some of my locos that came with brake rod details now have that brake rod details back in the box. I had a Kato HO D51 that I was afraid of handling. Too many piping and stuff all over. That one got sent back due to an inherent shorting issue.
Hmmmm, I guess I don't. Not a single Athearn RTR on my recently purchased list (last 5 years). Save a couple blue box thrift store finds, they are all Genesis. My latest is the U50. I've not gotten to run it yet. View attachment 221369
I have one Genesis engine. One of the new GP9E releases. The only thing I don't like about it is that the sound starts as soon as the wheels hit the tracks.
Most of my Athearns are Blue Box, I only have two RTRs and no Genesis series. I don't know why I only have two, both are pretty good runners, one is an F7A and the other is an F59PHI. I will say that the F59 is heavier, and a much better puller than the F7.
Hmmmm, I guess I don't. Not a single Athearn RTR on my recently purchased list (last 5 years). Save a couple blue box thrift store finds, they are all Genesis. My latest is the U50. I've not gotten to run it yet.
I did some more sleuthing with my inventory spreadsheet.
Since the Ready-To-Roll line was introduced in 2001, I have purchased/acquired 8 of them. Must have forgot I purchased the SD45 in 2018 as it seems I now have two! Guess I'll have to make one into a "B" unit. The F59s were a gift from a friend. The P-42s were from a swap meet, and they are the only ones I have run.
