Athearn Genesis FP-7s Annouced 01-24-20

Discussion in 'New Products' started by Oldguy, Jan 24, 2020.

  1. fr613

    fr613 Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I also see that the air compressor aftercooler coil is missing from the F9B roof. That was a distinctive feature of very late F7s and all F9s.
     
  2. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Curious: What source, or sources, does Athearn use for technical accuracy?

    Andre
     
  3. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    http://www.frisco.org/shipit/index.php?threads/scaletrains-frisco-offering-to-be-coming.13395/
    I keep checking their site hoping to see the announcement, but no luck so far.

    I guess I should give credit where it is due, Athearn got 5047 right for an early-mid 60's time frame.
    Look at this picture: http://frisco.org/mainline/wp-conte...as-in-June-1964-on-Train-710-Mike-Condren.jpg
    Spark arrestors and from what I can see a Leslie RS5T horn just like the real thing.
     
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  4. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    I missed that earlier this week. That is another feature that they got correct on the OW model that they missed on this offering. At this point I'm leanining towards pretending that 5142 is instead 5122 or 5132, because it does look right for an F7B.
     
  5. fr613

    fr613 Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I’m glad to hear that they got 5047 right. I have fond memories of it from my teenage years. 5045 should be correct for a mid to late 50s look, with Nathans, but without spark arrestors, and I’m pretty sure I’ve seen photos of it on the Central Division in that configuration. It appears they got many quirky details right. But Frisco F9Bs seem to torment them. With the O&W F9B, they installed the coil backwards. It was a rather odd mistake to make, and far as I can tell, they didn’t make that error with any other road.
     
  6. fr613

    fr613 Member Frisco.org Supporter

    In the past, for each project they would do the research they could themselves, and attempt to find competent assistance from outsiders who were reasonably knowledgeable about that particular project.

    Many years ago, when Athearn had a different cast, I reviewed the paint samples of the Frisco F3s for them. I used the paint diagram and a good caliper, gave them a list of dimensional changes to make, and mentioned the yellow, which on the samples, was a bright reefer yellow. They made all of the dimensional changes, and said that they would use the DuPont chips for the colors. I had seen those chips and thought that the yellow would wind up being too dark in indoor lighting when painted over black. With the possible exception of the color, I thought they came out nicely.

    Athearn’s had quite a bit of turnover over the years, and I don’t know who does what anymore.

    Dan
     
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  7. pensive

    pensive Member Frisco.org Supporter

    One other nit to pick: the side louvers on the A units appear to be vertical rather than horizontal.

    Rich
     
  8. fr613

    fr613 Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Oh man! I missed that. That wouldn’t be correct for 5045 in the 50s. I don’t know if any of those units ever got the replacement side panels with the vertical louvers. I know 47 didn’t. It’s the only model I haven’t seen photos of, and I sure hope they didn’t mess it up.
     
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  9. fr613

    fr613 Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Is there any chance you could post a photo of 5047? I'm glad they got the unusual horn (for an cab unit) right, but I'm curious about the louvers, and also wondering if they added the windshield access grab irons on the right side of the nose. A quick review of photos reveals that none of these three A units had vertical louvers, at least during the 4 digit number period. The only photo to be found of an FP7 with the verticals is of the last one built, 5051.

    Thanks very much,

    Dan Hall
     
  10. pensive

    pensive Member Frisco.org Supporter

  11. fr613

    fr613 Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Thanks very much Rich. I actually meant Athearn’s model of 5047. I should have been much clearer. I have the 5047/5133 pair on order, but it may be a while before I get to Little Rock to pick them up. I do intend to get them, in spite of potential flaws, but I’m disappointed that the project wasn’t managed a little more efficiently.

    Dan
     
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  12. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    Sorry about that, I got so caught up in everything that was wrong the other night I forgot to finish taking pictures, so I went back out and snapped a few more tonight.

    After reconsidering things the last couple days, I think I'm going to keep the units and just pretend that 5142 is an F7B instead of an F9B, which is a bummer because I was looking forward to putting a full striped F9B between a pair of SD45s.
     

    Attached Files:

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  13. fr613

    fr613 Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Thanks for the photos. It looks great! Except for that one thing. Admittedly, it won’t bother a lot of people, but to a diesel rivet counter, the vertical louvers stand out like a sore thumb. Rapido and Bowser have replaced shells and other parts to correct major errors after the release of some of their products. It would be nice to see that kind of follow up from Athearn.
     
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  14. gstout

    gstout Member Frisco.org Supporter

    To the rest of us, it looks just fine (and we're glad to have it).

    GS
     
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  15. Ayerox

    Ayerox Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Just an update from Jon Stackpole, product manager at Athearn. He acknowledged their mistake on the B units, the 5133 being mislabeled on the box as an F9B instead of an F7B and the incorrect body for the 5142. According to Jon Athearn has reached out to the factory and plans to produce the correct shell for the F9B. No date given at this time but a suggestion is to hold on to your receipt for that unit. Hopefully down the road Athearn will have the correct replacement shell for the 5142.

    Jay Cox
     
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  16. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    That would be fantastic if they did that, but I'm not holding my breath on it.
     
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  17. KCTRWY

    KCTRWY Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Jay, thanks for reaching-out to Athearn and providing the update. I think that good things will come of your efforts. Jim S.
     
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  18. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Personally, I would not be a happy camper had I ordered a set of those engines. At their price point, such oversights on their part are not acceptable.

    However, IF the general modeling public accepts such and thankful to have it, then the mfg'ers will have no incentive for betterment, and could devolve into delivering brown-box Tyco fidelity at today's prices. After all, to them it's about the bottom line.

    Andre
     
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  19. geep07

    geep07 Member

    Andre,
    They where" Called Out" on their mistake and they have aknowledged it and responded that they will rectify the mistake and give the corrected item back to the consumer, free of charge .
    If they did not do this they would have a blemish on their reputation and we would stop buying their products.
    After all it is about the bottom line on both ends of the string. Also, those that purchased these items,including myself, in question where pre-ordered and did not have any clue that there was discrepency in the B unit issue or any other issue.
    I am thankful that they produced an FP7 in the simplified B/Y paint scheme and all the detail parts that are on it. I did not want to do one up from scratch. The correct YELLOW, the decals, the detail parts, masking, etc.,etc. Got mine yesterday, pulled it out of the box, very pleased with it. Going to install my choice of decoder and speaker and enjoy it.

    John
     
  20. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    My bottom line is that the only unit that they really missed on, based on all the photos I have seen is #5142 the F9B; it needs the dynamic brake fan.

    I have written Athearn, providing them a copy of my original correspondence with them upon announcement in February 2020 and their response, and asked if a remedy will be provided.
     
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