Athearn Genesis VS. Rivarossi Big Boy Comparison

[@BenjaminJTemple4019]

I got my first Rivarossi Union Pacific Big Boy Steam Locomotive back in 1996. It was my first steam locomotive period. It took me months to save up for it and to get it. I was very happy with it, but I was a teenager at the time. As I learned more about steam locomotives and more about the Union Pacific Big Boy Steam Locomotives, I found lots of things I was not happy with. First was the molded on details, instead of hand applied piping along the smoke stack and so on. The pull power was another big problem for me. When Athearn Miniature Trains and Precision Craft Models came out with their version of the Union Pacific Big Boy Steam Locomotive in 2006, I was very pleased to see the details, pulling power and DCC with sound. However, as time went along and other companies joining in to build this locomotive, I would trade up for better. I currently do not own a Rivarossi Union Pacific Big Boy Steam Locomotive or a Athearn version of this model. Hands down, I would have to go with Broadway Limited Imports version of the Union Pacific Big Boy Steam Locomotives.

[@RailsofMichigan]

I would have liked it if you could have done a comparison on the locomotives pulling ability I had an athearn genesis big boy but I did not like the sound in it much and its pulling was even worse on a layout with grades could only do ten cars maybe 15 Rivarossi steam locomotives always seems to be the best pulling.

[@jordanorriss6889]

My Rivarossi Big Boy runs just fine along with sound and all the rest of it, I don't see what is wrong with yours but maybe it's the type of sound chip you've got in yours?

[@sparky107107]

the athern sounded more like a clock ticking way to fast horn not to bad ,, bell right on ,, rivarossi much better chugging sound , horn needs some teaking and the bell just a tad too slow ,, I myself have ordered a big boy from MTH and should get it end of may ,, I will put up a video of that one for sure and if you let me , link this video too it

[@struck2soon]

Would love to see a video of it! I can't decide whether I want the MTH Big Boy or the BLI version due for release soon.

[@sparky107107]

they are saying the MTH one now is August , they just keep moving the date back and back

[@stevecarlisle9140]

sparky107107

[@stevecarlisle9140]

all these sound equipt locos sounds crappy.

[@azmike1]

But do these Locos run? Will they creep realistically and run down the track at 40 scale MPH? :Lots of guys that have these run them fast because most of these Big Boys aren't very sensitive to electricity and they have to run 100 MPH to be smooth.

[@struck2soon]

That Athearn sound decoder is AWFUL! Sounds more like a hammer drill than a steam loco.

[@walidkhier5640]

The Athearn sounds like a sewing machine rather than a steam engine.

[@bpp325]

I'm very disappointed Athearn would put out a loco with that sound program. It's really really bad. We're talking $400+ for this?! No way.

[@davidlasanen7690]

It sounds like shit, not worth the money at any price!!!!