Review: Athearn Genesis HO Dash 9 (9-44CW) w/Tsunami 2 DCC!

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

Very impressive dash 9 locomotive models, Athearn has really improved their locomotive detail and lighting features over the past 5 years from my viewpoint and these Genesis 2.0 series models are incredible with their detail accuracy and sound quality features.

[@zackerymaggert344]

The whole scaletrains and athearn fight is just amazing to me. Athearn has its problems and so does scaletrains. But my gosh if this little battle with these too is not pushing out amazing product's

[@25mfd]

that's the beauty of competition which is why i hated when BLMA sold out to atlas... we need MORE makers to provide more products and at competitive prices as the cost of HO goods is really through the roof

[@kyleftw1679]

Athearn AC4400CWs have been announced, first run it already announced.

[@vasolama4543]

There is also a scaletrains vs Intermountain fight

[@rayrr2013]

I so wanted the BC Rail one. The ditch lights rock lights combination looks so cool IMHO.

[@AKTG197]

They're well worth the money

[@jack9989]

This not a post office problem, It's a Athearn PROBLEM just about every Genesis I have purchased of late have had part falling off or major handrail problems. For some reason when I get a Scaletraine Rivet counter which has the same package it arrives in one piece. Also Athearn costumer service has gotten horrible now!

[@jlwii2000]

I suspect a post office problem but not guaranteed. The post office guy drops every package at the door from about waist high, so usually when I see so many problems in one shipment it's indicative of rough handling. I didn't say it had to be rough handling but that I suspect it is. The same day I recieved a shipment of ScaleTrains SD40-3 with a truck frame that was broken so I thought it might be an issue with the carrier. With this order costing me over a grand, I want them to be perfect as much as anyone.

[@jack9989]

@@jlwii2000Don't get me wrong I love Athearn trains they make up 70% of my locomotives, I understand were you're coming from, the post office is sometimes a bit careless with packages. The fact is we paid big money on these highly detail locomotives which absolutely need to be handle with care. If they are so fragile now and are practically are becoming unshippable without sustaining damage. Something needs to change when I contract Athearn they tell me to retune it to the place of purchase because they no longer carry spare parts. This suck because I sometime have to paid my own return shipping and then hear the retailer say that they no longer have that locomotive in stock, which becomes a hunting expedition. Again something needs to change so we don't get stuck with these problem all the time, Horizon Hobbies in my option is hurting Ahtearn. All they know are RC car and Planes.

[@joelkirchner8476]

The extra air conditioning unit supplied with the CNW units is due to the fact that CNW's Dash 9s did not have A/C when delivered. The extra part in the bag has a fan on top and a grill on the side. The one supplied on the model (as delivered) does not. UP installed A/C on the units after they acquired the CNW. Kudos to Athearn for including this part so modelers can model one later in service models. Some units ran around with yellow primer or black A/C units. As for PTC antennas, the CNW duo received PTC after they were repainted into UP colors. They were both repainted in early 2018 which is about when UP really began installing PTC equipment in earnest. One other thing to note for later modelers is that at some point UP blanked out the windows on the nose doors and painted over the blank in UP yellow, which stands out against the CNW yellow. They also lost their wonderfully sounding K5HR24 horns for the UP's standard three-chime horn.

[@tylerhays7365]

That is amazing of reviewing the Athearn Genesis 2.0 Dash 9 series. I actually have 2 of the Genesis 2.0 CN "Canadian Cab" C44-9WL's in my collection already. The spinning bearing caps is the real great detail that is a big standout and the chain detail. Well done!

[@kyleftw1679]

Awesome job, hopefully that problem with the decoder can be resolved.

[@billm.2373]

Nice out-tro! Merry Christmas back!

[@vermontrail-fan5557]

Nice review James, those Dash 9’s are probably some of the best ones I have seen with my eyes, Athearn did a great job.👍🏻

[@Brian_rock_railfan]

Merry Christmas 🎄🎅

[@kevinharris1392]

Athearn did a fine job with these dash 9's. Here is the "but"... the 9-44 has been done to death. Would have much preferred if someone did the AC4400 instead. I haven't bought an Athearn unit in awhile, since Scale Trains came out. Even lately alot of the Scale Trains locos I've got have had missing parts and the handrails really warped. But that's the risk of having to buy everything online now. Need more brick and mortar hobby shops like we use to have.

[@kyleftw1679]

Athearn announced they would be doing a AC4400 in Genesis 2.0 a while ago, expect the pre-orders to be available in January.

[@marblox9300]

Funny, I have the same 2 units - Athearn - but not genesis. 2 UP (lightning Bolt) and 5 CNW. Also have 2 BNSF Heritage.

[@BAHolmes]

I believe that compartment in the poly bag is an AC unit because CN&W originally ordered them without AC and it was added to them later.

[@ap70621]

I have had bad luck with quality control issues with my last couple Athearn locomotives.

[@markhayes6407]

Other than the parts falling off of some of the units these locomotives are very nice . Details and sound. I have a SP unit coming in march 2022

[@SFCRambo60]

Merry Christmas to you and your family also hope you have a Happy Safe New Year.

[@dzgtnbz3680]

Me personally I love spending $288 each. And then when they arrive you get a bonus of gluing small parts back on of three out of the four of them. And the worst thing is when you have them on your layout and you can't find the parts that fell off after a while at least in the box they you can usually find where they are.🥵🤬

[@kenworthcustomlogisticstru8096]

Love all the products reviews on the ho scale train's, train cars.

[@epiccsx]

Good to see some Dash 9s in the Genesis line!

[@johnbeavers8236]

James thank you for doing such a great job with your videos/ reviews. After several years off, I am getting back into the hobby and going to add DCC. In my past, Atlas had the best overall running locomotives. What brand would you suggest as the best overall today? Scaletrains Rivet Counter? Any suggestions are appreciated and any DCC control / power pack feedback is appreciated too. Thanks! JB.

[@kyleftw1679]

I know you're not asking me, but Athearn has the best variety and quality products. I would recommend NCE DCC systems because they are easy to use, and have alot of features, specifically the NCE power cab starter set.

[@carlmiles8655]

James Merry Christmas and have a Blessed New Year you and your family GOD BLESS YOU GUYS STAY SAFE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY AND THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR LOVE OF THE HOBBY WITH US AINT NO HATE HERE MY BROTHER YOU GOT A GREEN SIGNAL FULL SPEED AHEAD ;-)

[@jeffschweppe8743]

Have you done a review on the ho scale norfolk southern c40-9 stard cab? I have one and I really like it. Also like your reviews.

[@yankeesforlife24]

8646 and 8701 the “twins” never had ptc. They were flagged by the mechanical desk in Omaha and were sent down to Arkansas to be equipped. There someone realized they were still in cnw paint and unpatched and off to the paint shops they went.

[@mmoj1970]

Hi James, top video as usual. I'm in the process of building a new layout, you mentioned that your filming the building of your layout for trainworld. Is that available to watch yet?

[@Brian_rock_railfan]

great video 🚄🚄👍

[@roberttrains8696]

Awesome video James there a lot of paper work and a lot of parts good reviews on both engines the color look different the truck chain looks great well once again a great reviews....Robert Trains

[@andrewtorres4995]

On your next preview can you show us what kind of chemicals do you use to clean your track on your layout

[@cp368productions2]

That's why I didn't buy locomotives until I knew I was going to be able to at least make it have a short run soon. Just in case it didn't work out of the box.

[@thomasharroun8068]

Athearn should improve QC and supply a small parts bag

[@kyleftw1679]

They do, it's not really QC in this case.

[@mr.shadestrains6033]

Awsum trains 🚂❤️👍very nice 👍👍👍👍👍

[@kcgrailgilbert8466]

Nice dash 9 from Athearn Genesis

[@upmodeler73]

Did you notice that the side frames on the UPs are not done correctly. Should only have two side frames with shock struts not all four. Also did you have any with the bearing cap glued in the hole.

[@kyleftw1679]

These are a certain order with them.

[@upmodeler73]

Which numbers. The ones UP bought do not now. The 9702 that Athearn did is painted as it was in 2012.

[@alcomotion]

Excellent review!

[@taylorbaggarleyunionpacifi3409]

I love these units I am getting couple these

[@randydobson1863]

HELLO JAMES ITS IS RANDY AND I LIKE U VIDEO IS COOL JAMES FRIENDS RANDY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR'S

[@herbertw.jr.carrier6122]

I'm guessing that Athearn didn't put a "keep alive" power booster inside to work on dirty track. That's unfortunate.

[@O-PAC]

Yeah that’s one thing I wish Athearn would do. Athearn has a wider variety of road names but I like the fact that ScaleTrains has current keepers in their locomotives. I pay less for ScaleTrains but I get more for the money.

[@kyleftw1679]

Really not needed with these large 6 axles.

[@7171-Ws6]

Battery’s are on the engineer side walkway

[@AGSSouthRailfanner]

Lovely, it would've been cool if C&NW 8806 (Operation Lifesaver) was there

[@RailsOfTheSouthProductions]

Well 8806 is an AC44, not a D9, hopefully they’ll release G2 AC44s

[@AGSSouthRailfanner]

@@RailsOfTheSouthProductions oh ok thx for letting me know

[@randallellison6421]

@@RailsOfTheSouthProductions rumor is the AC4400CWs are coming, there just hasn't been an official announcement yet.

[@RailsOfTheSouthProductions]

@@randallellison6421 doesn’t surprise me in the slightest

[@kyleftw1679]

@@RailsOfTheSouthProductions Expect a AC4400 announcement very soon. They already picked the roads.

[@iatif1995]

I love how athearns truck lights aren't even that bright. Scaletrains however has brighter truck lights

[@michaeldennis9063]

My ice skate antenna was also broke off on my UP

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Nice dash 9

[@HulaViking]

Do you have a problem with the coupler on any of these? I have an Athern Genesis loco that doesn't want to couple with any rolling stock.

[@jlwii2000]

no they coupled to some auto racks no problem.

[@anthonyborden2513]

James hey looking for your show on train world tv on building your layout it's not on there

[@anb740]

A day late and a dollar short. Over $40-50 more than the much better Scaletrains versions. Quality control issues have been plaguing Athearn for some time. You couldn’t pay me to get one of these.

[@jantheman9999]

The MSRP's are $12 apart. Street prices can vary quite a bit. Definitely pays to shop around at different retailers for the best deals

[@SouthernPacificPatch]

MSRP for Scaletrains C44-9W with DCC/Sound: $361.99 MSRP for Athearn C44-9W with DCC/Sound: $349.99 Scaletrains sells their models for $289.99, and you can find dealers selling the Athearn version for $288.98.

[@kyleftw1679]

@@SouthernPacificPatch Alot of people don't know what they are talking about. Thanks for clarification on the MSRP.

[@thomasharroun8068]

I think the CNW yellow and UP yellow should be the same

[@kriskozub2419]

Unbox a Locomotive?