Review: Athearn SD90MAC Phase II Cab, UP & CP Tsunami 2 Sound! SD90MAC-H2

This video contains products that were purchased, provided or discounted. In most cases, products are a mix of discounted and otherwise purchased. In addition, TrainWorld.com is a sponsor of the channel. The description may include links to products on the website of the company reviewed, a link to TrainWorld.com or both. This video contains products that were purchased, provided or discounted. In most cases, products are a mix of discounted and otherwise purchased. In addition, TrainWorld.com is a sponsor of the channel. The description may include links to products on the website of the company reviewed, a link to TrainWorld.com or both. www.trainworld...

[@sparky107107]

well you just did it again . you do a review and i order 2 of them right after. James you are hard on my wallet. lol. with your great unbias reviews

[@tomnook2612]

Wallet is dead

[@taylorbaggarleyunionpacifi5399]

I can say I love these sd90mac thanks for review James merry Christmas buddy

[@jlwii2000]

Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@taylorbaggarleyunionpacifi5399]

Thanks James come my layout when it is all fished

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

What an impressive locomotive I am glad to see that Athearn is upgrading / improving the quality of their locomotives with additional weight, led lighting, etc..., excellent locomotive review- Tom.

[@randallellison6421]

Glad to see someone do a highly detailed model of one of these, its long overdue! Even though I may never own one it's still nice to see someone do this model justice. By the way, for those wandering about the sound of the prime mover, there's a video that I believe Highball Productions did several years ago that featured one of these in a consist and from that video, soundtraxx did a good job on the sound. (The video is called "The Little Rock Sub" if I remember correctly) Now if we can get somebody to do an SD70ACe-T4 in HO!

[@sd90mac61]

My type of locos and the SD80s as well, I've got several CEFXs, 3 NS, 1 Conrail, 1 Indiana Railroad, and 1 home decorated Athearn undecorated 90 Mac, that I got a while back, when Athearn was Athearn before they changed to Genisis.

[@haroldalexis4200]

Great demonstration awesome features beautiful details. Thanking you for this video. 👍☝️🚥🚧🚞

[@nathansearle959]

Athearn never disappoint when it comes to detailing because I have the Cotton Belt F-7 A-B units and the detailing on those are floorless

[@markhayes6407]

Great review as always. The details are awesome. Not modeling that era but may get the UP just because. Keep up the good reviews. Mark

[@ibslacking9102]

Got the Trainworld call telling me they will be shipping mine shortly

[@72pinebarron]

Trains are cool. Your videos make the even cooler. Thanks.

[@OmegaDeus8467]

Hello Willie! Another great video. I have expected this model to be release in late January but Athearn put a fast one releasing it before Xmas. My uncle bought his yesterday, I am ordering mind today. Thanks for the reviews always. Awesome looking model BTW!

[@jefflizotte4758]

thank you for the review James,you always do a great job at it.I have been following your channel since you started it years ago.Merry Christmas and a great year in 2020.

[@bradleyogden5688]

I'll wait for the demo's to come out. Done well James, better and better each time. Merry Christmas.

[@JF-lt5zc]

Great review. New to your channel and getting back into trains after a 20+ year hiatus. The detail on the cab and chassis on these is incredible. I kit bashed an SD90 (Rail Power Products) back in the early 2000's. Turned a 90 in to an 90 H, which weren't available in kit back then. While I think I did a pretty good job and got honorable mention in a contest, there is no comparison to the precision injection that Athearn and others are able to produce these days. Still, it is disappointing in a few aspects: Despite being Genesis and supposedly having a good motor, I noticed a ton of lurching when you were doing your movement tests. Really, it isn't much different than the garbage motors in the old blue boxes from back in the day. Could be a break in is needed? Or gears cleaned up? Hard to say, but for the price, I expected better. I've seen reviews of MTH that cost 1/3 less and perform better out of the box. I also noticed that the lights constantly flickered and am surprised that you didn't mention this. Is it due to them being LED and the camera catching what the human eye ignores, or is it just bad circuitry? If I were to pick up one of these (not likely as the are just SO huge for typical layouts and i already have my bashed one), I'd address the motor and lights as well as replace the handrails with brass. The plastic is pretty god, but there are injection dimples all along the bottom of the rails. Any way, thanks for the reviews. Your style and narration are great!

[@peterernst1455]

Really cool indeed, love the CP version those colors really pop! Merry Christmas to you and your family

[@ironhorsemedia2881]

Very nice detail and review ! Love the under warranty like how it says on some UP SD70Ms and the locomotive type like how UP has the CT44AH (for example) on this model UP called it an SD90AC

[@mamanbear1]

Good review - love the refined detailing on the new Athearns. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@ruatrainman2]

First off I've gotta say, I hope you are feeling well and recovering from your surgery. I like Chris Palomarez and Matt Gentry a lot ,they are cool dudes, but the podcast they did for these left me wanting to see more. After watching this video I'll be heading over to Trainworld to order two for myself. Thank you for your awesome reviews bud, these are absolutely beautiful models and worth the $$, imo. Oh and eat that bacon in the dark eh, lol, take it easy buddy and Merry Christmas to you and your family. Dave B.

[@jlwii2000]

thanks! Be sure to tell Ken at TrainWorld I said hello!

[@longrider50]

Nice job as always. Happy holidays to you & yours.

[@floydbeard5073]

Details are getting super awesome

[@chazco]

Got a kick out of the "Under Warranty" on the UP cab. Merry Christmas.

[@KingTrump2024]

It's an Athearn, you'll need it :)

[@vermontrail-fan5557]

Nice review James, those locomotives look awesome, can’t see anything wrong with them.😉 The K3LA horn on both sound very nice, I know CP is know for there K3LA’s. Overall I would say Athearn has smashed this product especially before Christmas. I will be going to the West Springfield Massachusetts train show this year to replace my 2019 video do to lost footage. I hope you are doing great, please tell your family that I said a Marry Christmas and a Happy New Year and I hope they enjoy it. Have a good night.😊❤️🌙👍🏻👍🏻🎄

[@alain355]

Thanks for the review, Merry Chrismas James, and a happy new year from Paris

[@SWORails]

These units are incredible, they can haul 42 cars no problem

[@GYRUSS]

A great review as usual merry Christmas and have the happiest of New Years.

[@leifhighland2281]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the two athern locomotives. Very nice. I think I might have to go get one or two of them.

[@miguelangelgarrido7233]

hola buen dia muchas gracias por subirel video te deseo una feliz navidad abrazo grande

[@GMTX-kg8ep]

Nice! I’m so doing this unit! Does it still have the radio chatter feature like the production sample?

[@jlwii2000]

yes

[@GMTX-kg8ep]

jlwii2000 nice! Thanks!

[@drubutleriii891]

I’ve seen that U.P in Chicago and that thing is HUGE.

[@IAIS96]

Very nice I have the UP version will be picking it up very soon but the CP version is very very nicely done too

[@bearcatftball61]

I know it’ll be another year or so before we see a SD70ACu but I’m eagerly waiting with a lump of cash. I model Norfolk Southern, but I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t want a red CP and one of their military locomotives. Awesome review.

[@bearcatftball61]

Boardobeast it was bound to happen at one point.

[@MattKonsol]

Very nice update review bud! Btw merry Christmas and a happy new year! Matt k.

[@jre617]

Wow, been a long time since I've looked at an Athearn model. Impressive. Thanks for the review.

[@just4funTrains]

Hi I just program 3 locos and all have ground lights above the trucks, How do I turn OFF?? as soon I put in the track they light on . Thanks

[@j.christopherlindsey8933]

Side note... glad to see NS and CP are both repurposing these locomotives. Probably won't ever see a CP, but I've seen plenty of NS SD70ACUs.

[@erike8226]

James are the number boards lit all the time?

[@marineraptor6696]

lucky you, mine being shipped and soon i will have my cp 9300 sd90mac-h2 version but i'll add esu loksound 5 decoder.

[@TheCanadianRS]

You probably have the only SD90 mac for Cp that runs! Lol The real SD90MACs are dead here in winnipeg in CPs Logan yard. About 50 of them. Been here for years.

[@ginogalante]

I thought they were converting the SD90s into SD70ACUs

[@stephengrybowski9573]

It's interesting that they made a model of what turned out to be an unsuccessful design. It's a beauty though.

[@rogercampeau3370]

They have started converting some into SD70ACUs seen pics of two of them in the old CP grey and maroon scheme.

[@Form44208]

How do you turn off the ground lights and also set it up for alternating ditch lights? Tried the way indicated on the manual and from a SoundTraxx video but still can't get lights to alternate. Athearn has not returned my e-mails. This is my first Athearn.

[@keithdickson8364]

That thing is long. You would need a large layout for that.

[@mikevervynck9358]

Merry Christmas to you James and happy new year

[@carlosmagno1112]

Em breve, estarei de posse de uma ! Belíssima máquina !

[@seankolker]

you buy these at House of Trains since your in Omaha? I live in Sioux City and am always in Omaha to go to HOT

[@scottwalters6031]

I picked up my units on friday.these look to be very well done.They will need some CV adjustments thou,out of the box they are not as smooth as yours.

[@kamala2111]

Looks very good nice review

[@davidwallace171]

yes i got sd90 mac-h but you can not get Illuminated ground lights to go off or on in dcc

[@hohobbyist1098]

Athearn Genesis, with a few exceptions, always has the best detail.

[@jasonworden8209]

I have the phase 1 and I don't think my roof plate comes off. Wish it did so I could easily add details 🤔. Mine is phase1, #8500. It pulls so well I love it. ❤️

[@jasonworden8209]

Finally figured out how to get the roof off 😆. Just wanted to update I added 3 oz of weight to mine and it pulls way better. I have 13 standard size rolling stock on the back, and on a 3% grade she would lose traction after speed step 8-9 on speed steps 128. After adding the 3 oz's of sticky weights, she pulls up the grade like a champ! I have now also bought the Indiana model. I love them both! Very reliable! I know the grade is hard on them, so I'm switching over to a 2% grade incline/decline set from woodland scenics. ✌️

[@valentusslimroast6716]

I know you're joking ~ yet most don't realize that south western saskatchewan receives more hours of sunlight on average than anywhere in north america

[@billblack8575]

Nice job sir as always. After train fest (where we spoke for a moment on Saturday) I ordered 2 B36-7 in the Southern scheme from Rapido, and love them both. Do you have a review planned for those? Thanks for the great work promoting our hobby...

[@braaandon5716]

Bill Black Use function 21 and 22 21 is a drum beat and 22 is a cow bell and if timed correctly I think it will fit and sound good! I think it was the 36s

[@jlwii2000]

I'm not sure, I'm backed up quite badly at this point but I'll try to get it in the mix if I get one.

[@billblack8575]

@@braaandon5716 thanks! I love not only the details on Rapido stuff but the comedy. I actually read the owner manual

[@pokeyrailfanning]

Awesome video James what do you plan on buying yourself for Christmas?

[@jlwii2000]

bought an ES44AC and a Dash 9

[@pokeyrailfanning]

jlwii2000 nice got me a DCC Sound CN SD70ACe From Athearn Genesis. And some rolling stock and some stuff to my layout

[@drubutleriii891]

What DCC system do you use???

[@sparky107107]

please come to Strasburg on May 16-17. I would love to meet you . and I am sure everyone else would too . you tube meet and greet. family friendly. and lots to do

[@jlwii2000]

ah, I can't. I've got my final paperwork processing appointment for retirement in Omaha on May 15th.

[@spektrumyt.]

Awesome video, James!

[@rodcurry6387]

Does anyone know why Athearn discontinued HO scale production on this locomotive? Didn't they released this locomotive January or February 2020?

[@Drewtrainfan]

I like these ho scale SD90MAC locomotives.

[@chriskilla247]

I am not hating But your layout look boarding But I love your channel keep up the good work I been here since your 1st lay out

[@jlwii2000]

layout is getting torn down anyway, next one will be better.

[@davidwallace171]

yes the sd90 mac-h look; good

[@keatonsparksvideoproductions]

You should do a video on a dcc conversation blue box locomotive

[@AbelG8781]

U HO guys got it made lol we 2 Rail O scalers get left in the dust all the time.

[@AbelG8781]

@bill hammond iii wow. Old comment. I kid you not. I left O scale now and I'm N scale since last year!!!

[@SvenTSchixe]

@@AbelG8781 What was wrong with O scale? I am new to model trains that is why I ask, I am starting in HO scale. Thanks in advance 🇨🇦 🍻

[@WasatchGarandMan]

Is it just me or do SD90s look kinda like ALCo RDS diesels at the front?

[@sergioarroyoguerrero5434]

The SD70ACe sister , SD90MAC-H ( SD9043MAC ) and SD80MAC . I have a SD90MAC UP with USA flag in N scale DC and Kato SD9043MAC and SD80MAC DC .

[@ETrain-mv4ck]

Very cool

[@jdpancoast1790]

Love the train

[@SvenTSchixe]

Did you say this pulls 75 cars?!!!!

[@wykedinsanity]

when you bsay UP i always think UP of michigan lmao

[@waltercarpenito1737]

why don't ATHEARN GIVE them to you -they charge enough --- figures in loco --

[@RailfanJason]

Sounds more like GE than it does EMD. Impressive models though.

[@jlwii2000]

The 265H is a 4 cycle prime mover, so it does sound more like a GE. EMD typically is a 2-cycle.

[@RailfanJason]

Wondered about that. UP had them for such a small amount of time, I never got to see them in person when they were in use.

[@sparky107107]

and the 2 i just bought too .

[@michaelmcdougall4527]

Merry Christmas she Doesn’t sound like EMD THANKS

[@Windows95Fan532]

It looks like a union pacific flagless SD90ACe

[@ssrailvideos]

prices are absolutely wack, 249 for a DC model!??!?. that was a sound locos msrp last year. atheran needs to stop

[@gavinm1347]

USA Commuter Railfann they released Boston and Maine units that I wanted to buy and they were 600 dollars for a A,B unit with sound. I wish they had a product line that is mid tier.

[@ssrailvideos]

@@gavinm1347 i admit the detail has gotten better but not enough to rasie the price so much, i payed 220 for an intermountain et44ah and that is the most detailed loco ive ever seen. athearn needs to chill out

[@andrewstrainstuff1773]

Great locomotive but the low speed lurching should be fixed but I wont complain. Not many people will have it at 1-2 speed steps

[@KingTrump2024]

$400 CAD for an Athearn unit?!?! I don't think so. They are still way under in terms of detail and reliability compared to Atlas, Scaled Trains, or Rapido. I wont be buying.

[@SvenTSchixe]

@CNGuy1987 What is a Brass model?

[@polandball7482]

It looks like an sd70ah

[@BradMidwestRailfan]

Another let down by Athearn , No walkway lighting, spinning bearing caps, and cheep handrails

[@jantheman9999]

What's wrong with the handrails?

[@JF-lt5zc]

@@jantheman9999 They aren't brass. :)

[@AJDeere]

Sounds like a gevo haha

[@waltercarpenito1737]

you think for all that money they charge for that loco they would put some figures in there GRUNCH athearn

[@jantheman9999]

The cab roof is held on by magnets so you can easily add figures.

[@osvaldomartinez19]

If only it had real looking traction motors its possible like the ones Rc cars use to spin the wheels the ac motors that look like motors if u know which ones I mean but nice anyway

[@seankolker]

It irritates me they do a locomotive thats so few in production and schemes and yet say they cant do others cause of same reason even tho thats not true........example Id gotten a UP SD90MAC, not this unit. C30-7s even a DASH9 even tho Scaletrains has already has a Dash 9 that are awesome

[@jantheman9999]

Pretty sure they will eventually do the rest of the "family" including your mentioned UP SD90MAC :]

[@sd90mac61]

U pay alot a money for these units, and yet these idiots still see them with the WORSE couplers, how SAD👎👎

[@blakeseaton2471]

Sounds terrible!!