Athearn Genesis Frisco GP7 w/Tsunami 2

Discussion in 'Electo-Motive Division (EMD)' started by Coonskin, Dec 3, 2020.

  1. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Hi all:

    I’m likely going to purchase one (subject). Does the engine come with a user manual w/functions listed?

    Also, is the TSU2 installed in same a full blown TSU2 or a “licensed” version with less features?

    Thanks.

    Andre
     
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  2. gstout

    gstout Member Frisco.org Supporter

    It comes with a manual, yes. I don't know about TSU because I don't like sound, but the locomotive performs beautifully.

    GS
     
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  3. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    It depends on the particular release. If the model comes with LED headlights, the answer is that it has all the features of a full blown Tsunami 2.
     
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  4. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Thanks for the replies.

    I went ahead and purchased the like-new #594 GP7 off my friend. Looks great. Excellent slow speed. Just assigned “594” as it’s address and have adjusted its Vmax and Vmid so it will match the speeds of my Whizkid road-type engines.

    Plan to use it as loaner power for now. Considering purchasing an upcoming Genesis b&y F3 to go with it. We shall see.

    Loaner power: The Frisco owes the KC&G some favors. (The KC&G let the Frisco use the KC&G’s Ozark Sub to cover their Central Sub schedules after the Frisco dumped a bunch of cars and tore up a bunch of track on their mountain just south of Winslow.)

    All fer now!
     
  5. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Andre, if you look at Speed Tables on the PDF files I sent for you locomotives, you can match the CV25, 29 and 67 - 94 on one of those sheet and that should get them very, very close.
     
  6. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Thanks for the input Whiz.

    So far it looks like I’ve got it very close across the speed range I use. (Highest speed steps I use on psgr and light moves is 50-60 of 128.)
     
  7. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Have any of you ever popped the shell off? Going through the documentation resulted in not seeing any instructions for removing the shell. However, my "blind in one eye and can't see out of the other" syndrome may have bit me. Don't want to poke n' gouge without some idea as to where/how. (Hm. May Google this after posting this.)

    Anyway, this engine in particular (LOTS of detail) looks empty without an engineer behind those sliding side windows.
     
  8. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Google to the rescue:

    That didn't take long to learn: Unlike some of the Rubik's cube puzzles some engines can be, apparently the coupler box screws hold the shell in place. Easy enough.
     
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  9. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Once the shell is separated you still need to pop the cab tabs from the underside inside the hood. After a bit of surgery on the figure, I got him installed.

    Much mo’ bettuh!

    D065787E-ADFA-4F89-9073-9A1E4F26D795.jpeg

    Went ahead and replaced the supplied plastic couplers with Kadee 148’s. Seeing as there are air hoses on the pilots, I snipped off the trip pins.

    All fer now!
     
  10. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    This Geep has got me thinkin’ that it sure is nice to see Frisco road power running on my own layout again. It’s been a LONG time.

    What’s going through my pea-sized brain now is that an F3A to run with #594 (or used in consist with KC&G power) would be the berries.

    Quick option would be the Genesis F3’s I read about here in a thread. However, I may just roll my own using one of my Stewart/Kato F’s.

    Who knows what the future may bring? :D
     
  11. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    While the Stewarts (if they have a Kato drive) would be superb, you would be hard pressed to duplicate the quality of detail on the Genesis F3s without a lot of work; time better spent on something else.
     
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  12. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Agree with Keith - my Stewart F3's with the Kato drive ran perfectly well with my Genesis F3's, though I never did run them with the Genesis GP7 I have. No longer have anything to run them on!
    But, Keith's point is good - the Stewart F's are very nice, the body shells are in fact excellent, but they do not have all the added detail "stuff" the Jenny's have.
    K
     
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  13. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Agree 100% that a lot of work would be required to get a Stewart/Kato to the Genesis level. Upside is I have a Stewart/Kato on hand, thus there be would the needed work involved, but the only cash outlay would be a decoder plus installation.

    In contrast, I think I recall the latest Genesis F3A’s w/sound are $300 plus? That’s a pretty fair chunk of change.

    HOWEVER, all of this is just thinking out loud. Yes, it would be nice to have a Frisco F unit as loaner power, but to do so is either going to be a lot of work or a lot of money.

    As Allen McClelland said decades ago in one of his V&O videos... “it’s all part of the fun of model railroading!”

    :)
     
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  14. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    It's fun adding all the details to a Stewart F3 as well. Just takes time that the Genesis models usually have these items installed.
    K
     
  15. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Some loaner power showed up at the Ozarka service area the other day!

    LoanerPwr.jpg
    :LOL:
     

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