Sneak Peek: Athearn's GO Rail SD60E w/Tsunami 2 Sound! HO Scale, Genesis!

[@natestrains1166]

The ditchlights stutter a lot when flashing. They also should continue to flash for about 20 seconds after the horn is blown.

[@billblack8575]

Finally some lit number boards! Thanks for the review James. Most of my stuff is either Genesis or Rapido, and it's nice to see them finally taking this step! Hopefully see you at train fest sir

[@dispLock]

They sure have a nice one there,. Might have to think that one over. Thanks James.

[@vermontrail-fan5557]

Great job James, like you said it is pre-production so it is not perfect but it’s very nice in looks. I noticed the horn was a K5LA on the top and the decoder had a different horn, but I am sure Athearn Willis that when it comes out. Also the bell was under the walkway. Great job again James have a good night and happy Halloween.😊❤️🌙👍🏻👍🏻🎃

[@nsfantodd]

I own 2 SD60Es and have another one on order. They have amazing detail, and are Tsunami 2 equipped. I have 6 Genesis engines equipped with Tsunami 2 and one equipped with ESU Loksound. As far as running abilities, they run virtually identical including slow speed control when CVs have been set up. I prefer the Tsunami 2s as they are much easier for me to program. I can do all the programming on the main, including function mapping with my throttle. As far as the pre-production engine in the video, it clearly has an some sort of problem. I have never had a Genesis engine run like that with or without Tsunami sound.

[@schmidtw900]

Pretty sweet !!! Great run thru !!

[@earlphipps7915]

I rely on your site for product reviews. I just wonder why there are very few Atlas products mentioned. It seems that most are Athearn or Bachman.

[@1wtrahan]

Great vid James Thanks as alway

[@miguelangelgarrido7233]

muchas gracias por subir el video abrazo grande

[@massimo40]

Really cool engine, genesis engines are always super nice. Nice video!

[@biggiefitz6275]

Happy Halloween, James!

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

What an attractive locomotive, Athearn Genesis does great work on their locomotives aside from their locos being lightweights/ not very heavy.

[@tonyfrancesco3701]

Good looking loco

[@KSR_YT06]

Just wondering, but how are you able to get pre Production models? Do you have to sponsor them or something?

[@centralohiorailfan]

13:39 I bet every model railroader will do This on their model railroad

[@Drewtrainfan]

Happy Halloween James.

[@samiam619]

Hope to meet you at Trainfest! I’ll be wearing my L.A. Dodger hat...

[@GMTX-kg8ep]

Do you plan on doing a video on their patched SP Union Pacific SD70M’s coming out soon?

[@ck5644]

Personally, I'm glad they haven't switched to Lok. The motor control is fine on the T2s that I have, what you see in the video is not normal. That 710 recording is much improved over the original 710 recording and, unlike Lok, the horns are very loud and robust. I just wish the dynamic brakes were more accurate for EMDs.

[@micksbackyardaquaponics1408]

That was a great video clip you dun there on the train and it was good to see it and what is the price on one off those trans. 👍 👍 🚂

[@youharrytube100]

Love it

[@Trashman702]

Every ATHG locomotive I buy I buy in DC and install ESU decoders. TSU just doesn't compare

[@hdspringer2561]

Aaron Roberts #me too.

[@IronhorseRailProductions]

Saw this real engine a while ago

[@TrainChasers15]

Everything is right on the unit, but the horn is supposed to be a K5LA, not a RS5T

[@Trainmaster909]

They have 3 K5LA sound files loaded onto the decoder.

[@scottwalters6031]

That Loco just needs a few cv adjustments.my genisis and rtr loos run fine right out of box.Not ready to jump on the Loksound band wagon yet.

[@dmgraham69]

for those interested, this is the actual painting of James' Sneek Peek kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZmYZnSXgJulkJI

[@natestrains1166]

When is trainfest?

[@BNSF1848]

Nate's Trains November 9 and 10

[@natestrains1166]

@@BNSF1848 thanks

[@xandernicol3980]

It was my birthday yesterday

[@deanpurcell7771]

What is Go Rail? Just a slogan or a separate corporate entity?

[@j.christopherlindsey8933]

I believe it's just a slogan. Something like "if you want the best and cheapest way to ship over land, go rail."

[@deanpurcell7771]

@@j.christopherlindsey8933 Thanks.

[@j.christopherlindsey8933]

@@deanpurcell7771 After your reply, I did a bit more digging to ensure I was correct. It's not exactly just a slogan, but also a seperate organization with that mindset, which I didn't know existed. The link is gorail.org.

[@deanpurcell7771]

@@j.christopherlindsey8933 Thanks for that, very interesting. I wonder how many units NS painted like that and if any other railroads did something similar. I model Canadian Pacific in the mid seventies but I think that modelling the modern era would be a lot of fun with all the graffiti and everyday and heritage paint schemes! Especially now that CP is coming out with heritage schemes!

[@willparsons32]

That's why I don't buy Tsunami decoder locos - they have crappy speed step pick ups very jittery and stops suddenly.. the sound sync is also wayyy off! LocSound or bust!!

[@gillevans9175]

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[@breakfastclub3909]

they are cut levers. Who on earth calls them cut bars? we pull cut levers every day in the real train world.

[@DavidDragonhammer]

What I want to know is why is everything in HO or any other scale so dang expensive? the children that wants to start out in this field of playing have to take out a loan to afford these things,when are they going to stop over charging for this stuff and make this more affordable to the common person? I remember building my first set for less than that engine you are showing,what they charge on that can buy me a two weeks of groceries or better yet a part rent.

[@mpetersen6]

First thing you need to remember is, it's a business, not a charity. That said is model railroading items over priced? Possibly. But consider what is involved in development of various engine types. The drive trains are going to cover a wide variety of engine types. The paint work and markings are cosmetic. The major cost is in the tooling for the shell etc. Injection molds aren't cheap. Also I wonder just what the mark-up is one these items.

[@DavidDragonhammer]

@@mpetersen6 I have a wide degree of knowledge on this,injection molds are not cheap initially,but if told how much you over pay for items made by them,you would think twice,about that statement,sorry been in the retail and building side of it,am well aware how they play the game,but ,so many cant afford the cost ,when it makes profit,how far do you gouge the customer??

[@mpetersen6]

@@DavidDragonhammer Oh I well understand the benefits of scale of production. One question I have is just how large is the market. How many model railroaded are there. I may be wrong but it's my understanding that the numbers are going down. Either overall or as a percentage of the population. One thing that should be said is how many engines does one need. A small switching layout can get by with one. A medium sized layout maybe 6 to 10. A large layout. In that case maybe it's best to join a club

[@DavidDragonhammer]

@@mpetersen6 Isnt a question of joining a club,what I asked what cost is it for children to buy into this,if numbers are going down,isnt part of this cause of cost?? When is enough a enough?? I been around trains for a very long time,in the real world and in the scale,its just how much is profit?? before you loose interest in something?? I find it funny when does profit out way ,when fun looses??

[@mpetersen6]

@@DavidDragonhammer Good point. What is the cost of an X-box and related games along with cable and subscription services? IMO the big problem is the middle man. Let's say Athearn builds a locomotive for 20 bucks, parts and labor. Add in administration and engineering. Say another 20 bucks. They sell the unit for 60. I'm just pulling these figures out thin air. I have no idea what their actual cost is. Now we have the importer, say Walthers. Office overhead, warehousing, shipping, advertising, web site support etc. It adds up. If you're buying from a local hobby shop that adds another level of costs. And he's got his inventory, taxes, property taxes if he owns the building, rent if he doesn't. Possible mortgage payments, food and housing. Clothes for his/her kids. The guy at the end isn't getting rich. Especially today with LHS's going under due to the internet. Now do entry level engines and cars really need to be DCC. Do they need to be high quality? Top shelf engines and rolling stock? Not really. But they do need to run fairly reliably. And costs are not just rolling stock. You've got your power supply, track, turnouts. Space to run trains. Years ago when I was but a wee sprout practically every kid in the neighborhood played baseball. Now i hardly ever see kids playing ball. Times and interests change. It sucks, but they do. Reducing cost for the end user. One way is used (and possibly abused) engines and rolling stock. Ebay, Craigslist, the want adds, garage sales etc. Another way might possibly be a buyer's co-op and going directly to the manufacturer. Here's how I see model railroading technology in the future. Motive power will no longer get their power from the rails*. Or their operating commands. Bluetooth receivers will relay commands. On board power will be from lithium ion or something better batteries. This is happening in G Scale now as understand it. O Scale shouldn't be too difficult. On higher end models the couplers will be opened and closed via wireless commands. The only things that will most likely be wired is switch machi es and visual effects. But these will also be operated wirelessly. But other things will not change much. Barring holographic scenery that won't change much. Scratchbuilding will either be as it is now or 3d printing. Operations will most likely be trending towards unit trains** except for period layouts and small switching ones. *An exception to this would be spot were the engine is parked to recharge the battery. But then there is wireless charging. **The coal unit train will go the way of the dodo. Unit trains will primarily be containers. Along with grain hoppers and stone. Passenger trains are also unit trains.

[@pooleandrew]

You'd think they'd preprogram the proper horn....definitely DOESN'T have an RS5T....😔

[@maxc9133]

Your vids are nice and all, but I want to see the model trains at speed. Not at 3mph please ):

[@IAIS96]

Mine just came in I just need to pick her up I'll probably will run the crap out of this locomotive because NS 6920 and 911 seem much more special since they have a fancy box unlike this one other than that SD60Es are excellent locomotives

[@Trashman702]

ATHN window tint always has and still does suck

[@hoscalecsxgrandrapidssubdi3437]

Wow smh Thank GOD for #scaletrains or esu very jerky cute but doesn't walk well in heels 🤔🤨😏 .You folks make very nice products, design, but somewhere between production lines and final inspection the team falls short. I have seen Bachmann units move better at low speed steps. I hope final product somebody will fix the issue smh.

[@mpetersen6]

One way to increase low speed performance would be to increase the gear ratio between the motor and the wheels.i don't now what ratio this is but let's say it 100:1. Double or or triple that to 200 or 300:1. No the motor is pulling a two or three times the rpm for the same speed which should improve low speed performance.

[@hoscalecsxgrandrapidssubdi3437]

@@mpetersen6 Nice locomotive but preformed horrible on the review. Iam glad James and others do these kinds of videos. Hope this is just a decoder issue.

[@ReadingAreaRailfan]

There nice but kinda stupidly over priced.

[@Holshot14]

I love how your trying to promote an outdated TSU 2, when a superior esu V5 eating them alive, and doesn’t lurch like a fat wheeled out law at the track.

[@goaliegeorge]

EMZZRKT you obviously have not tried a Tsu2, because there is nothing the v5 can do the Tsu2 cannot, not to mention many known electrical issues with the China-built v5. And for anyone that has been modeling for any time, knows that you are supposed to break-in locos by running them to get the gears meshing better. He’s just opened the box. Most models work fine, but ‘most’ is not all. These as well as any other brand are mass produced and you may get occasional ‘cogging’ due to a bit extra flashing. These are exceptional models and I applaud Athearn for their work!

[@Holshot14]

goaliegeorge My bad fella, I didn’t know the TSU 2’s 21 pin NEM’s had 12 outputs, unlimited programming options, custom sound file applications, intuitive programming interface, and auto tune👍🏻. BTW, I have one of these on order (non sound of course). I didn’t mention anything about the model itself, just the electronics controlling it. Also I have NEVER had a loco lurch like that with a factory installed decoder.

[@goaliegeorge]

EMZZRKT so, I guess it comes with its own dental plan too? The promise of infinite upgrades is a lie.. ask the v3 or v2 users? They don’t get updates (read bug fixes) anymore. You are free to choose your own decoder, that’s why they have non-sound versions. He said flat out it’s a pre-production sample and I’ve never had a Tsu2 cogging like this myself. So the Tsu2 motor control is fine (vastly improved over the original Tsu) and doesn’t need any ‘calibration’. The extra lights are not actually on the decoder. If you get a v5, you only get 8. The others are on a mfg motherboard with a secondary processor. But while you chime in waiting for your updates to download, I’ll take the Tsu2 with the extra sound channels (sounds do not cut out because you turned on the bell), clear audio and full EQ to allow me to maximize my speaker (the esu is pre-filtered, meaning no low end in the files) and I’ll be running my trains while you have to wait for all the bug fixes to be downloaded. Later ‘fella’.