Hi guys. Just wondering how an athearn mike perfroms, and is it a good deal to buy it for $50, new?
Smoother runner, not a good puller but 50 bucks is a great deal.
Wade
The reason it only costs $50 is because it is notorious for having a plastic gear that breaks with alarming frequency and then is almost impossible to aquire from Athearn. OTOH, NWSL has one available.
You will also have to mount your own operating front coupler.
Gene
Hmm... That's interesting. I thought Genesis was better than that...
Maybe I'll save up for a BLI mike instead.
Save for the BLI. Look on the BLI site for the direct sale discount locos. At one time there were quite a few USRA light Mikes for sale there. IIRC, $135 for sound.
Gene
If it runs well, it probably is not one of those with the afflicted gear, as it has been out a pretty good while now. The Athearn Mikes do need some weight added to pull well, but the mechanism is really good, and I don't know about you, but it's a long way from $50 to $135 from where I am looking.
Don't get me wrong, I like the BLI Mikes okay too, and I have one, and I really like the sound. I have 5 non-sound Genesis Mikes and I like them too.
IMO, get it. I have one and the only problem ive had with it is the soder on the contacts to the motor broke. Simple fix once i got instructions on how to take the boiler off from Athearn(they were VERY helpful). and the Athearn one is the closest to a real B&O Mikado as anyone has made. I can't recall the B&O having a Mike with the headlight in the center like on all the ones out now.
Quote from: Hoople on April 08, 2007, 11:23:14 AM
Hi guys. Just wondering how an athearn mike perfroms, and is it a good deal to buy it for $50, new?
It depends on the warranty the seller will give you if the axle gear is cracked.
It is interesting that Athearn in thier latest news letter referred to the HO Challenger as thier FIRST Genesis Steam Locomotive, and the Big Boy as thier second.......
If you want a USRA Light Mike; also take a look at:
- Oriental Powerhouse (made in late '80's) - they runs as well as any HO steam locomotive ever, they show up on ebay from time to time
- BLI
- Bowser
- Cary boiler on a Mantua chassis
before spending your money.
I have two of them, no gear problems with mine, but they needed a lot of weight to pull reasonably well. One is in the process of getting a Bachmann tender. While I am not unhappy with them, I would not buy any more either.
Nigel makes good sugestions about the other choices.
Sheldon
Yes Nigel, I also noticed that Athearn's most recent Newletter said that the HO Challenger was their FIRST Genesis Steam Locomotive.
I've written to Athearn asking them about this and what did they consider their 2-8-2 and 4-6-2 locomotives to be, as my boxes clearly say "Genesis".
I got the feeling from that newsletter that Athearn would rather forget both the 2-8-2 and the 4-6-2, given all the problems and Athearn's complete lack of customer service.
I have two of these and one pacific, the first one is from the very first batch and has worked flawlessly since I got it several years ago, the other developed the split gear syndrome soon after I got it. I contacted Athearn and they told me to send it back and they would fix it, which they did, however, now the headlight does not work.. The pacific seems to have caught the split gear disease and when I called Athearn they told me to E-Mail them and they would send me the wheelset with a new gear attached and instructions as to how to change it.
As far as how strong a puller it is, it seems about average for a plastic steam loco of it's size, it's definately more powerful then a Spectrum Consi or S Y Mike, a little less so then an IHC Mountain.
The Oriental Powerhouse Mike mentioned in one of the replys was actually manufactured by the same Korean company that did the Athearn one (Samghongsa) but it is totally different, and is a little more powerful a puller, it dosn't run any better, and does not have an opperating headlight, I have one and I was very dissapointed with it.
Another option worth checking out would be the IHC Mike, which, while not as well detailed as the others, was very reasonably priced and is an excellent runner. I don't know if they currently catalog this loco, but I'm sure their still around as they made them by the zillions. P.M.
Good Morning All,
Having owned two of each the Athearn and BLI light mikes, I can tell you that the BLI model is the better buy even though the out of pocket expense is more. There are no split gear problems, and BLI response time on a repair is much quicker than what Athearn's is these days and the BLI mkes are much better pullers. All that was spoken before me about the Athearn mike is correct in regards to the weight issue. However, in the first run of the mikes there was also an issue of tracking, which had any number of corrections possible. Also, you will have to put your own operating pilot coupler on the Athearn model where the BLI has one factory installed.
I too was interested in the last Athearn email proclaiming the Challenger as the first Genesis steam engine.
The mention of the IHC mike was interesting in that I also had one of those at one time. The IHC line of engines does not follow any one prototype and in general, I do not believe they are even considered to be of USRA design. Now if you can get past that, you can have a really nice engine. Yes, they are VERY spartan with regards to detail, but just changing the bell and whistle, and adding some pop valves will dress up the engine nicely. I also added a LaBelle crew to mine. This engine will also need a operating front coupler added. The mechanism used in the IHC models is really quite nice with a flywheel mounted up in the cab to the rear of the motor, painted black and really not noticed. All the IHC engines I have owned, or still do(I have two of the 2-10-2s) ran every bit as good as my Bachmann Specturm engines and in the case of the light mountains, were actually better pullers. The one BIG drawback to the IHC engines is the flange size. All IHC engines except the new 2-10-2 have oversized flanges making it necessary to use code 100 rail on your layout.
Bob
Thanks for all the help. I'll just save up for a BLI mike, because if I bought the athearn one for $50+$150 for sound stuff=$200 when I could get a better, more powerful WITH sound BLI one for $135 or $150 (trainworld).
Yep, if you want sound anyway, the BLI is the way to go all right.
I do not know about all IHC engines, but I think they have all gone to the RP25 wheel contours. At least, I know the little 0-8-0 I got a while back had small flanges. Nice little engine.
I agree with Virginian. Go BLI for a Mike if you can afford it. The sound, for me, is very special on the BLI Mike ... having at one time or another had several BLI steam sound locomotives as well as Athearn and Lionel, what I found is that the BLI heavy Mike sound, even on my DC/Analog, is so familiar to the sound I remember hearing as a kid, when the ICRR Mikes went through our town (specially on a late summer night when all was very quiet and the windows were opened. The sound of my BLI mike never fails to take me back in my memory to those days.
I have a couple or three IHCs which have been or are going to be converted to 'ICRR resemblance' locomotives. For me, that means pretty much stripping everything down to the shell and starting over with necessary brass and styrene details. But I agree with Virginian and others, the IHC, though 'generic' in looks, not really prototypical of very many roads and not as well or accurately detailed as Spectrum, BLI, etc., are very good, dependable runners, specially for the price.
I just picked up an IHC 'Premier' Consolication on eBay for a little over 30 bucks, as well as another 2-10-2 DCC ready 'Premier' for 81 bucks. Nice locomotives for those prices.
lanny nicolet
Good Evening All,
I work partime in a train store in the NW subs of Philly. We just got in a couple of IHC engines and they still have the oversized flanges. There have been sooooo many people tellin IHC for the past few years that reducing the flange size would be a good deal for them, that if they had reduced the size on all their locos then I would think that they would have advertised that fact. If they have, I certainly missed the announcement. So any IHC engine you plan to invest in, you should investigate if you are using anything other than code 100 rail.
Bob
Bob,
The most interesting thing about the IHC large flanges is the fact that Mehano, the manufacturer, made several of the same locos years ago with small flanges for Life Like. Someone at IHC surely should wake up.
Sheldon
Bob, I am not questioning your word. It is just so strange that they would have changed the flanges on some of them, and not all of them. I wonder what in the world their reasoning is, assuming of course it has even been done consciously.
I have several IHC steamers. I'm not sure the company reasons. >:(
Gene
I've had 5 Athearn Mikes, no gear problems and they run very smooth although, I will admit they do have trackinig problems with the lead and trailing trucks. I added an ounce to the fromt of each loco with lead and bracss castings and they pull pretty good for my small pike. If you're getting sound though, I'd get a BLI, but, a couple guys in the club have had problems with these also, decoders or poor connections internally, being across the border didin't help for service times either, 6-8 weeks
brad
I have 3 mikes all with gear problems the good news is athearn now has the replacement gears have replaced mine all work great.The gears are available from athearn.
Virginian,
No offense taken. I, for one, hope that IHC actually does start putting RP25 sized flanges on their engines for reasons I stated earlier. I have two of the 2-10-2s with the smaller flanges, equipped with Tsunami decoders and operating couplers on the pilot that I installed, and I am very happy with them.
I am fortunate to live in an area quite close to the IHC company and at all the local train shows, there is usually a large area set up by a company rep(who I just found out is no longer with the company) with a large selection of the IHC motive power as well as passenger cars. I had a chance to speak to him last fall about the flange size and that is where I got my info that the company has been beseiged with requests for smaller flanges. It is quite possible that they have started the retrofit and my store's supplier has just not gotten them yet. If our stock comes from IHC directly, then it is QUITE possible that they want to dump the majority of the older stock first, interspersed with the newer stock. One can only guess.
Bob
Bob,
you may be exactly on point about them changing over. Their web site shows almost everthing sold out with no comments about restocking or replacement products. They may well be dumping all the old product to make such a change.
Sheldon
The prices on the IHC ad in this month's MR sure sound like they are dumping everything except the 2-10-2! The 0-8-0 for $50 and the Hudson for $90. There "semi-streamlined" look awful Canadian to me!
Gene
I picked up an IHC Hudson with the "elephant ear" smoke lifters from a place up here called SuperStore.
The set was 50 bucks CDN, and had all the cars painted with Smurfs or something.....total value on the track/power pack/cars.....about a buck and a half.
The Hudson, OTOH, is a smooth runner, strong puller and came with a smoke generator. I have been running mine around my layout......4% grades and 18" radii and no troubles. It has directional lighting and all metal wheels w/pickups on the tender. The wire grab irons and the old green CN paint scheme, really make for a sharp replica.
Sid
doctorwayne,
A few questions and comments;
It seemed when I went to the linked page I could not read the intire post?
How much additional weight did you add and how well balanced was the loco afterward?
I added 2.5 oz to mine by filling the steam chest and fee spaces in the front of the boiler with moldable lead from A-Line, much easier than all that cutting.
How much was the pulling power increased?
Using 4.3 oz 50 foot flat cars equiped with my special truck/wheel combination for all tests, mine went from 26 cars before to 35 cars after, on level track.
The truck/wheel comination I use is Kadee trucks with Intermountain wheel sets. Extensive testing has shown this to be the most free rolling and has by it's self increased the pulling capacity of my locos by 30% to 40%
Sheldon
In my never-to-be-humble opine-ments, I believe that the very best HO Mike ever produced is a Cary boiler on a Bowser mechanism. They look gtood if done right, and pull like a Georgia mule!!
One day, I am going to go that route, just to say I did, and install a Tsunami decoder in it. Tsunami sound is very good-and, they will "drift" when off-address. Can make for a very convincing engine terminal, along with the sound modules that Greenway has available; coal down the chute! Wow! Just like when I was a little boy!!
I also remember up from the Quincy, Mass station, there was a coal company-I want to say Alvin Hollis" was the name-but they sold "Blue Coal"! Hmmmmmm...a little paint, methinks...
Rich
Oh yes, those old time loco kit bash projects.
I am currently gathering parts for a similar project. Two Mantua Pacific mechanisms with Cary boilers and a host of detail parts. Seems no one wants to take my money for any ready to run Pacifics so Bowser will be the primary winning bidder.
Sheldon
docterwayne,
That is a good result, but for all that work, I think I will just buy a BLI mike with traction tires or build a Bowser kit before I mess with anymore Athearn Mikes beyond the two I have.
Sheldon
Bowser sells the Cary boilers ready to mount on the Mantua/TYCO drive as well. And, they have a prepackaged detail kit to go with it.
Sheldon
Hi Wayne,
Fantastic work as usual. But I think Atlantic Central's right: I wouldn't have bothered with all of that work either, opting for a BLI light Mike instead.
I was able to add something like 2.5 ounces of weight to a couple of my Athearn Mikes, without having to do all of the heavy-lift work that you did on yours. Not that my efforts were really all that simpler:
(http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/558/02_after.jpg)
(http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/510/NKP_587_NKP_624_5_.JPG)
Essentially, I replaced as much of the plastic details as I could with lead and brass parts, added a snotload of brass wire, and then crammed as much flat sheet lead under the polot as I could without interfering with the leads truck's swing. Most of the new weight was added forward of the sand dome, which is where the engines really need it (it's not that the engines are badly weighted, it's that their center of gravity is behind the drivers).
Quote from: Atlantic Central on June 04, 2007, 07:40:10 PM
docterwayne,
That is a good result, but for all that work, I think I will just buy a BLI mike with traction tires or build a Bowser kit before I mess with anymore Athearn Mikes beyond the two I have.
Sheldon
Oof; if you're looking for a USRA light Mike, stay FAR away from the Cary, Bowser, or Cary/Mantua engines. They're really NOT USRA light Mikes; they're freelanced engines that bear a vague resemblance to a real engine (sort of like how a transvestite sort of looks like a real female).
The BLI light Mike will give you FAR more bang for your buck. Sure, the old pot metal engines will pull better (I know; I own dozens), but how many of us really need to pull 100 car freights, or even have layouts large enough to do so? The BLI engines are better detailed, pull very well, run more smoothly, cost less if you factor in all of the parts needed to make one of the old metal engines the equal of the BLI, and even come with sound pre-installed. Even if you're attempting major redetail efforts like mine, the BLI engines are a better starting point, since it's faster and easier to scrape off and reattach details onto a plastic shell than it os on a metal one. Save the time and effort of a metal kit for the engines that you can't find in plastic.
Ray,
Thank you for your thoughts, I am well aware of the BLI light Mike. And, I would buy a few if they offered it unlettered and stealth as I have no interest in DCC or sound.
Your photos show very nice work - good job!
I model a freelance railroad and have no concern for that level of specifc prototype accuracy, just good, believable proportion and detail. I am well aware the cost will be similar or higher to build and detail such a kit.
And, I do have a large layout under construction (800 sq ft room, double deck, 8 scale long double track mainline), as well as a number of friends with large layouts. 30 to 50 cars trains are pretty normal to us, prototypical for the this loco and my era, 1953. So pulling power is important, but the BLI mike is passable in that department. Sometimes we run longer ones just for fun. My BLI N&W class A pulls 70 cars with ease (with the sound turned off) and I will buy another if the stealth models ever do show up.
As for my reference to Bowser/Cary/Mantua/etc, the quote of mine you posted refered to buying the BLI or building a kit rather than modifing any additional Athearn locos.
My other reference to older kits (which you did not quote) was in regard to creating several Pacifics for my freelanced Atlantic Central. There are currently no other choices (except way too many PRR K4's). I will not buy brass, it has allways been overpriced in my opinion. I want two or more identical locos to give my large layout that fleet equiped appearance of a large railroad. I currently have 5 Bachmann 4-8-2H, 3 Bachmann 2-8-0, 3 Bachmann 2-6-6-2, 2 Proto 2-8-8-2, etc, etc.
BLI appears unlikely to ever produce the B&O P7, and, they have expressed no interest in producing it unlettered. Maybe if they did they would have a few more preorders, at least 3 or 4 from me. The USRA light Pacific does not appear to have bright future either.
But, at the rate they are going, BLI is not going to last long anyway. Their wacky pricing stratigy and misguided view of the market looks like it may already be hurting them. Everybody does not want sound and DCC, a lesson they learned the hard way.
Didn't mean to rant, but your comment reminded me of how disappointed I am with BLI from a marketing standpoint. I have three locos from them, the Class A and two stealth Reading T-1's, but based on their trends in marketing, I am reluctant to even think they will offer anything else I want.
Sheldon