Product Review Athearn Genesis HO GP40-2 DRGW - Rio Grande Diesel!

[@gacj2010]

Another great review. There are no better done.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks so much!

[@jhoodfysh]

Well done Daniel, thank you

[@DanielCortopassi]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@pacset2]

very nice Dan

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!

[@paulkirkmanMYTRAINS]

Nice review.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!

[@matts2806]

Excellent as usual -- note that this was one of the last few DRGW GP40-2s to get a UP patch (three others outlasted it, and only by a matter of a couple of months).

[@DanielCortopassi]

I didn't know that. Thanks for the info and for watching!

[@espeescotty]

One good thing that Athearn does and gets correct is that they use the Blomberg B trucks on these units instead of the GP40-2 standard which was the Blomberg M. Rio Grande wanted the Blomberg B's because of their outside clasp brakes, which doubled the number of brake shoes per truck compared with the newer Blomberg M's.

[@DanielCortopassi]

That's a good point. A couple years ago I bought some Genesis Blomberg B sideframes, so they are available if anyone wanted to swap them out on another model. Thanks for watching!

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

Very impressive looking and decently detailed gp40-2 model from Athearn Genesis, I hope to purchase some of the newer model gp series locomotives that Athearn Genesis has produced recently since they are now equipped with an improved dcc decoder and led lighting. This was an impressive and well observed product analysis review as always which is presented on your channel- Tom.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked the review. Athearn has made some nice improvements to the Genesis line recently. Thanks for watching!

[@newhavennscale]

Very informative review, Dan. Thank you.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!

[@Trains-With-Shane]

I very much enjoy these reviews, Dan. This looks like a nice unit.

[@DanielCortopassi]

It's a pretty good one. I'm glad you like the reviews. Thanks for watching!

[@debbiemilka2251]

Hi Dan, I'll be brief. I have a 1960's HO model of a 1931 R4 NYC Independent subway car. I think I paid $65 for it. I want to make it up like it is supposed to be and I have lost or misplaced all the exterior detail pieces and the accompanying diagram of where what all goes where. It's a resin cast shell. I found one today. Completely painted and decalled and no glazing for any windows. The expected price is $395. Gosh ! Gadzooks ! That's a lot of money. Too bad I can't rent it. It's nice enough, but, that nice ? I'm thinking more like $295. I dunno. (sic) Thanks Dan. Love your channel.

[@DanielCortopassi]

That's a tough one. Only you can decide if the price is worth it to you. I haven't done much traction modeling so I'm not too familiar with what's available. Have you tried any traction-oriented email lists? You might be able to get someone to get you a copy of the diagrams at least. I don't know if the detail parts you misplaced were part of the kit or aftermarket. If they are aftermarket parts you could also try looking for those. Sorry I can't be of too much help with this one. I'm glad you like the channel. Thanks for watching!

[@riogrande5761]

I bought all the numbers from this series and a few extra that I hope to renumber eventually. Of course I am a Rio Grande fan and am modeling the period that these GP40-2's ran, mid 1970's thu end of caboose era. I'm undecided whether I put a Tsu2 or Loksound 5 in my DCC ready versions.

[@DanielCortopassi]

These are pretty nice. My preference for a decoder would be LokSound, though they can be a little tricky to program if you don't have the programmer software. The Tsunami 2 seems like a big improvement over the original, so either one would be a reasonable choice. Thanks for watching!

[@riogrande5761]

@@DanielCortopassi You're welcome. I do have the Lokprogrammer but so far working on the layout occupies all my little bit of hobby time.

[@epacm50]

Awesome Review Dan! The new run for this locomotive should take care of the non-conforming issues. In my grading system, this model would of failed the assessment test. Wrong coupler height is an automatic failure in my system.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked the review. Maybe when they do more of these I'll review that version if I can get one. Thanks for watching!

[@randallellison6421]

Cool locomotive, I like that particular style of Rio Grande's scheme, something about the large billboard style lettering just makes it really stand out!

[@DanielCortopassi]

I like this color scheme, too. One of the reasons I wanted to model SP in the 1990s is so I can also run a lot of Rio Grande equipment. Thanks for watching!

[@debbiemilka2251]

I forgot to say I bought as a teenager way back then from Model Traction Supply Company.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm not sure if they're still around or not. If they're not, maybe product line was bought by someone else. If so then maybe you could still get parts that way. I'm just spitballing here, so that may not be very helpful. Good luck with your project!

[@lucgagnon5241]

Hi Dan. That's a very good review here. No doubt Athearn (Genesis) is making fine models. You know where I stand in regards of their stuff. But those engines are really bad runners, at least most of them, if the mechanical part is not reviewed and fixed. And they all absolutly need a "keep alive" unit to performe. Besides, we're talking about Athearn here. Atlas is better engineered... to my opinion. But details look nicer on Athearn engines !

[@DanielCortopassi]

When I get my layout underway I really want to use it to do a better and more "real world" test of how the locomotives run. There's only so much you can tell from how it runs on the workbench. I have been using capacitors in all my new DCC installs, to help prevent stalling. I like Atlas mechanisms, too! Thanks for watching!

[@ciaranburke3243]

Like these mini reviews Daniel very fond of American locos although I live in Ireland and model irish and british stock 👍

[@DanielCortopassi]

I have to confess I am not that familiar with Irish trains. I have had more exposure (though not a lot) to British trains. I've seen some pictures of neat train layouts with British scenery and equipment. Anyway, I'm glad you liked the review. Thanks for watching!

[@ciaranburke3243]

@@DanielCortopassi Google murphys models and irm irish railways modellers daniel and it will give you an idea what we run here some nice stuff 👍

[@ohiovalleyrailfan]

This'll mate nicely with the Scaletrains GP30 you reviewed a few weeks ago

[@DanielCortopassi]

It would, but I think Mark is going to want this one back. I have a couple more Rio Grande units that I need to finish, so eventually I'll be able to pair them up. Thanks for watching!

[@scottwalters6031]

Did any one notice the window practically falling out of the conductors door ? Five points?

[@DanielCortopassi]

That one must have slipped by me. Quality control issues again. Thanks for watching!

[@Babelsberger]

Hi Dan! What is the best way to terminate the body wobble? (If it exist....) I have 2 new locos with this "fault", but no experience to fix this ...

[@DanielCortopassi]

It's more difficult with locomotives, since the trucks typically aren't attached with screws. I would remove the shell and examine the mechanism and see if you can tell where there is play that allows the truck to rock side to side. It might be a matter of adding a shim or two in strategic locations. Just like with a freight car, you'd only need to fix one truck. Good luck with your engines and thanks for watching!

[@Babelsberger]

@@DanielCortopassi Ok, i will check and try this, Thanks, Dan!