Being faily new to MRR and NEVER in HO (I grew up on the right side of the N track!) I have heard a few comments on certian n scale locos, compereing them to ho Athearn locos. Is this a good thing or bad. Does althern make quality stuff? Just wondering
My understanding is that there are two "different" Athearn loco product lines according to my HO friends. They like the detail of the Athearn Genesis locos, but feel Kato locos perfrom much better but are less detailed. I don't have an opinion on Athearn in N Scale, I don't own any locos or rolling stock yet, but I have some Auto Maxes on order so we will see.
Having been in HO for many years before becomming 'N'ormal, the Athearn line prior to the Genesis was generally faultless in performance. GPs, SDs Uboats were plagued with hoods too wide if you cared about rivets - a design issue of the motor size. When I say faultless consider this, I was involved in a Club that received a building, including utilities and security in exchange for operating 9hrs a day 17 days a year. Athearn locos could be put on the track on day one, run 3-4 hrs a day pulling 25-30 cars on an 800' mainline for the full 17 days, be put in the box and taken out again the next year and do it again w/o PM since the drive is so well designed. Lube was typically only needed every 3-4yrs.
