My F3A Unit showed up in a very similar condition. Got a great deal from a local hobby shop thankfully but was disappointed since it was my first and probably last Athearn locomotive. And I just realized my mars light doesn’t work either since yours appears to light up.
What a lovely looking f-unit a/b set, i need to have a set in my model rr collection, your product review videos are very persuasive and tempting- tom.
Hello James I’d like to ask a small question. I saw in an older video that you had a UP F3a and b and I was wondering how do u get the Mars lights to work? Thanks
Number boards not lighted, no classification lights and detail damages???? For 500 bucks they didn't bother with the lights? Is that right or is it the video??? And Athearn are still considered the best at that price?? There is something wrong somewhere.
I have always liked the E & F units, to me they look like Ferrari's on rails! Because they look like they are going warp 9 standing still, just like the old Ferrari's!
What annoys me is how various model manufacturers can’t use a different material for the side screens that’s resistant to expanding and contracting in various temperatures. I think that brass and/or copper has a much less expansion range.
Athearn should have made their Farr grilles out of plastic rather than metal to solve the expansion problem A poorly applied detail is worse than no detail at all..
You shouldn't gloss over the ill fitting parts. IMHO customer service should be contacted and should be sent back. Quality control and inspectio0n coming out of the factory not good in this instance.
James, thanks for presenting this video. I already have so many UP F-units that I never thought I would be interested, HOWEVER Athearn has raised their game (again). My Genesis F-Units were bought from the early batches - new improvements include the installation of the winterization hatch over the last radiator fan and the "eye brow" grab irons above the windshield - not seen on Athearn's earlier UP F-units. By the way, the number boards come with decals to allow the modeler to put on the correct numbers for their era. The UP used the number boards as train indicators, so the number could be the Train Number, or the locomotive number preceded by an "X"for an extra, or after 1965 OR when on the ATSF over Cajon Pass they displayed just the locomotive number. Nice product presentation because now I want to get a pair!
Those f units looks very much detailed!
Yes, being out in the cold can do some warping to the grids, nothing that a little Tacky or Model Glue can't fix I suppose.
Athearn is great. Nowadays the sounds and smoke in HO makes them as much fun as the bigger train scales.
My F3A Unit showed up in a very similar condition. Got a great deal from a local hobby shop thankfully but was disappointed since it was my first and probably last Athearn locomotive. And I just realized my mars light doesn’t work either since yours appears to light up.
I have the same units . They also have the same problem as yours with the grills . Run great ,sound great .
Do you or anyone have a link to buy them? The site he referred to doesn't have them thank you
Good review. Very nice loco. I am an O gauger and today it was announce MTH is closing
What a lovely looking f-unit a/b set, i need to have a set in my model rr collection, your product review videos are very persuasive and tempting- tom.
Beautiful!
Nice review James. Hope your doing well, keep the reviews coming whenever you have time. Have a safe move and hope to hear from you soon.👍🏻
great review as always James..thx 4 sharing... vinny
Hello James I’d like to ask a small question. I saw in an older video that you had a UP F3a and b and I was wondering how do u get the Mars lights to work? Thanks
The grids on the two units are all damaged in my opinion :)
Im getting a MKT painted one from one of my friends for 220 DCC and Sound
Number boards not lighted, no classification lights and detail damages???? For 500 bucks they didn't bother with the lights? Is that right or is it the video??? And Athearn are still considered the best at that price?? There is something wrong somewhere.
No mention of the fan grilles coming away from the body sides?
He mentions that when he unboxes it
I have always liked the E & F units, to me they look like Ferrari's on rails! Because they look like they are going warp 9 standing still, just like the old Ferrari's!
I'm more of a steam modeller myself, but I do think diesels such as this look pretty good if they are weathered. Just sayin'
another homerun for athearn
What annoys me is how various model manufacturers can’t use a different material for the side screens that’s resistant to expanding and contracting in various temperatures. I think that brass and/or copper has a much less expansion range.
That’s a nice model
Do the re release of the Athern rtr bombardier cars
What do you want to know about them?
I'm surprised that the grill problem would pass QA. Definitely not good.
Athearn should have made their Farr grilles out of plastic rather than metal to solve the expansion problem A poorly applied detail is worse than no detail at all..
The grill issue is due to temp changes. Had the same issue with covered hopper walkways on some Exactrail cars.
You shouldn't gloss over the ill fitting parts. IMHO customer service should be contacted and should be sent back. Quality control and inspectio0n coming out of the factory not good in this instance.
James, thanks for presenting this video. I already have so many UP F-units that I never thought I would be interested, HOWEVER Athearn has raised their game (again). My Genesis F-Units were bought from the early batches - new improvements include the installation of the winterization hatch over the last radiator fan and the "eye brow" grab irons above the windshield - not seen on Athearn's earlier UP F-units. By the way, the number boards come with decals to allow the modeler to put on the correct numbers for their era. The UP used the number boards as train indicators, so the number could be the Train Number, or the locomotive number preceded by an "X"for an extra, or after 1965 OR when on the ATSF over Cajon Pass they displayed just the locomotive number. Nice product presentation because now I want to get a pair!
I have one like that but it’s from 2004 engine number is 1402
HOW much???!!!!!
$539.98. Shows price at very beginning of video
Athearn is always good..
You must be red-green color blind, since the nose anti-glare panel is green.
Hey
Can I get an f in the comments for mth