Genesis SLSF GP15-1s Are Delayed Again

Wholesale Trains indicates that now the SLSF GP15-1s will be in April 20. I believe this is the fourth delay (Oct/10, Dec/10, Feb/10, Mar/10 and now 4/10).

It would be good marketing strategy if they would

(1) Drive a stake in the ground on the arrival date
(2) Put out a press release on the arrival date and reason for the multiple time delays

 

These will have the option of changing the horn to replicate the Leslie Model the Frisco used. Upon arrival I will post the proper CV setting to do so. As far as the sound quality is concerned, we will just have to wait and see. I feel the Tsunami's in my GP38's sound really good, but they also have a custom built sound chamber and a great speaker.

 

If that is why we are waiting, it sure would have been nice if there was some sort of announcement AND a definite release date. This is almost the same way the Texas Special cars were produced by Overland. Delay, delay, delay AND the customer has to ask about it. Ay, yay, yay, yay . . . . . Can gray hair turn any whiter?

 

Back in early October when they pushed the date from Dec to Feb I asked on facebook about it and the person who takes care of that stuff. They said it probably has something to do with quality control and something not being right. From what I've heard from a few people is that it's not to uncommon to get something brand new from the RTR or genesis line with some sort of defect, normally a paint smear/smudge. I've never had this happen before though. I'll leave this to the rest of yall to figure out.

Ethan

EDIT: I thought of something else. Athearn makes there stuff in china so maybe some sort of delay in the shipping yards. I know that happened with the SD70ACE's

 

As aggravating as this is, let's hope that it results in a stellar product once it reaches the retail shelf. I have two of Athearn's SD70ACe's and I am disappointed in both of them. These were delayed a few times and when they finally showed up, the trucks were defective!

I don't know what the issues are, but a delay will be worth it, if it means problems are being corrected.

 

The latest date on the Athearn website is 5/17/2011. This is the fifth release date. Soon they will be one year late based on their initial release date of October 2010.

 

Even at that they are still ahead of the Overland Brass Cabooses!

 

Wholesale Trains is saying they will be available after 5/20/2011. Today is 5/10 so that's 10 days and counting. Is this the "Final Countdown"?

 

Late June! That makes delay #7 and a total of a 8 month delay! I took the these units off my list when they bumped them from Dec. to February.

Ethan

 

I'm fairly certain that once the box arrives in the mail and we open up one of these that all of the delays will be quickly forgotten. Delays like this seem to be a sign of the times. At least they haven't been canceled.

 

Ken makes a great point and hopefully in this case the delay makes certain that the bell was indeed moved to the correct location. As far as Kadee is concerned, judging by their recent releases they are going in the direction of producing modernized boxcars. Maybe its time to get them to produce the modernized rebuilt version of the PS1 sans the roofwalk and bearing the large coonskin. Hint! Hint!

 

I agree with Ken's assessment of the Walther's Trainline GP15. I had one (gave away recently to a good friend), and it was probably my best performing locomotive. It didn't have the right horn or pilot, and the red was too deep, but man that thing was smooth! It could easily handle 30-35 cars by itself around 18" curves and was quiet as a church mouse. And I paid about $35.00 for it new in 2003. By contrast, my Genesis F3 bucks and stalls unless the track is freshly cleaned, and the constant diesel start up sound gets annoying after awhile. Plus, I had to hold the sound remote control almost directly on top of it to get the horn to work. The bell was marginally better, and I quickly gave up on the sound features. That is why I'm not real excited about the new Genesis GP15's. If you guys get one and have good luck with it, I may try to pick one up in a year or so on eBay.

Pat Moreland,
Union Mo.

 

Pat,

The SLSF GP15-1s should be available when you come to my layout in June. If they are delayed again, you can run my CNW and MP GP15-1s. I think they run pretty good.

 

I can't say I know how y'all feel, but I certainly hope that this engine meets up to y'all's expectations. You've waited a long time for it. I certainly hope that the FRISCO ORANGE hasn't come out wrong. Keep us posted and post up some pics when they arrive. I'm curious...

Thanks!

Manny

 

I tried to respond to this with a quote of Rick's post, but for whatever reason could not. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to the operating session next month, and will probably want one of the GP15-1's once I get some time at the throttle. They should have a slightly longer wheelbase than the F3's, shouldn't they? If so, that should give them a little bit better performance (especially over turnouts) than what I have experienced with my sole F3.

Pat Moreland,
Union Mo.