I found an Athearn SD70 Illinois Central and picked uo the Digitrax DN163K1C decoder. Do you remember which decoder you inatalled if any? Did it run good. Enjoued the vid
@tsgmultimedia OH I watched this one too 😂. Both great vids! I just got the Digitrax Mobil board and put in my Illinois Central just a while ago. Runs like a champ!
Thank you, for reviewing N scale! :-) Hoping manufacturers of N scale see the abundance of golden opportunities they have to make things better, and that there are engaged, informed customers who do notice and to whom detail fidelity is a priority as well as operational characteristics. It is entirely in their interest and to their benefit to do so. Jen
ScaleTrains, Intermountain, and Rapido (and Broadway Limited if you exclude their SD70, AC6000, and GEVOs due to their molded front grab irons) are already doing that. Very little molded detail on these, and they have prototypical lighting effects. Kato and Atlas are still using almost exclusively molded-in details even to this day.
Great review. I really like the new style of product reviews you are doing. Your overall view of practicality is a great feature as most modelers are not worried so much about prototypical correctness as performance.
GREAT review. Like the way you present the facts on the models and your honest opinion on them, it's nice to hearing you take on the models, keep them coming....😀
Talking fantasy models,has any model co ever considered ,,what ifs,,,say e g rio grande sd 40dash two standard as well as ssw sp ,how about some coco diesels for the wp and u 25 c for the u p?they should sell like hot cakes
Thanks for doing reviews of N scale equipment so often overlooked by other reviewers. Personally, I feel you were a little generous to this Athearn loco. Perhas a few years back it might be fair, but compared to other models available in today's market it appears to fall shorter than a one point deduction. It just isn't that close to the standard set by Scale Trains products. The now lower price does make it a decent model for the price, but I'm not in favor of grading on the curve when it comes to product reviews.
Thanks for your feedback, Jerry! What would you have deducted more spikes for? Keep in mind that when I do critical reviews I have to be as objective as possible. Price and value are subjective.
@@jerrysmith1929 Nothing I pointed out was worth removing spikes for if I didn't remove spikes. I have a list of stuff I evaluate during critical reviews. Some are spike-worthy and others are only observations. Models need not have working ditch lights, for example. Numberboards are the same (also for example). This is part of the reason I have moved away from critical reviews. No matter how objecting you think you're being, someone always disagrees. The "product spotlight" style of presentation allows the viewer to make that determination. My videos are lit well enough and shot well enough for the viewers to decide if they want what I'm showing.
@@tsgmultimedia I liked the "product spotlight". My suggestion, in keeping with moving away from "critical reviews", drop the "spikes" and let the viewer do their own ranking. As I said, I appreciate that you do reviews of N scale products.
WOw Standard cab SD70s. I guess because i grew up on Burlington Northern/BNSF's line the only SD70's I saw were the wide safety cabs. I might see if I can find an HO SD70 standard cab for my freelance. Awesome review as always John, getting better each time :)
Thanks THS! I learn stuff every time I do one. I'll probably end up forgetting the stuff I learn but it's neat to discover it the first time anyway. :))
Forget all the bashing (and I don't mean from the reviewer Dan) because this isn't a true to life model. Athearn offers the true prototypical paint schemes of NS, IC, CN, and Conrail in the model too, so no one should be getting bent out of shape because Athearn offers what is sometimes termed a "Fantasy Scheme". No one is twisting the arms of those that don't like a non-prototypical engine to buy one. Dan has a valid point about how Athearn may misspeak on the packaging and how the true UP 2219 is an SD60, but he also confirms that aside from a couple of detail technicalities, this is a superb model...especially for it's scale. This kind of model is geared towards those who like SD70's and Union Pacific and would have liked to have seen real SD70's in the ownership of the UP. And it is a fact that a super quality factory paint job nowadays can blow away the painting skills of at least 99% of modelers. I am an HO scale modeler that loves the Southern Pacific and standard cab SD70's and can't paint worth a lick to satisfy my taste for details. Athearn's HO-scale SD70 is an amazing model and I would jump all over several of them if they were to be offered in SP's Bloody Nose scheme and in HO-scale.
Hahaha...That explains the completely different voice and speaking style! Although I did pick up on the different voice and speaking style, I really thought it was just a change in the microphone or something. Sorry John, no disrespect intended.
The sill color is definitely correct, this would be yellow reflective tape, around 2010 UP switched from red reflective tape on the sill to yellow to comply with new FRA regulations.
There's no way to judge that, Ian. Which cars? On what track? What's the grade? This is why we use objective units of measure like .8 ounce of drawbar pull.
@@ianmoone7529 If I remember right, I hooked up 12 coal hoppers, loaded and unloaded, once. I have no idea how much they weigh, though. I got a sense that this is very strong, and .8 of an ounce is pretty high for any N scale locomotive. They usually either don't register on the gauge or else they register lower than .5 of an ounce. I'd expect this locomotive to pull 30-40 cars (that are at the NMRA recommended weight) or more on a flat track. Maybe even 50.
Listen to the foamers gripe! Who cares if it's not prototypical? The wonderful thing about model railroading is, things don't have to be prototypical. lol Nice review John. Well presented as usual. Keep up the good work buddy.
The way the ditch light housings are attached to the front, that would take some pretty delicate and fine work. The number boards, not so much. The one good thing about painted number boards, though, is that there is no light leaking out from the edges. :))
i Asked Chris Pal@#!@z on Kens Whats neat Live stream a few weeks back on these , NP & SP&S Livery in Particular & he Replied They are a Fantasy Scheme release. A Bit weird i Thought that they did this but it got me thinking this is a Great idea , Might do something similar to My Fleet with modern locos For BN ..Great review.....Cheers-Rich.....
That sounds neat! I have been talking about heritage units and still believe that these big companies that have gobbled up all their competition over the years oughta just paint some of their units as they would likely have appeared today. They can certainly afford to do it and boy would that be cool. Imagine seeing a big green BN heritage GEVO or SD70ACe. Now THAT would look cool!
Nice review. I was interested in this mostly to see what Athearn N Scale locomotives were like. Sadly though Athearn should have probably not produced a UP version because of the obvious comments that ensue over it. Since Atlas has already made very nice N Scale SD60's both standard and wide cab, this fictitious representation really has no place, but it is a nice model on it's own and Athearn did a very nice job on it none the less.
Seems to me that they should state it up front if it's an apocryphal paint scheme. Kinda like BLI's Centipede in UP paint from a couple of years ago...
I thought so too Jen. Just like how Atlas stated explicitly that their N Scale SD24 in SP colors was fictitious. I really like how "up front" that was. In this case I make an exception for Athearn because the SD60 and SD70 are almost identical. This model looks a LOT like the real 2219 (SD60).
great review
I found an Athearn SD70 Illinois Central and picked uo the Digitrax DN163K1C decoder. Do you remember which decoder you inatalled if any? Did it run good. Enjoued the vid
Same install as this: ua-cam.com/video/DESKnsnI6Gc/v-deo.htmlsi=J44w1SsRtf2bONfy
@tsgmultimedia OH I watched this one too 😂. Both great vids! I just got the Digitrax Mobil board and put in my Illinois Central just a while ago. Runs like a champ!
Thank you, for reviewing N scale! :-)
Hoping manufacturers of N scale see the abundance of golden opportunities they have to make things better, and that there are engaged, informed customers who do notice and to whom detail fidelity is a priority as well as operational characteristics. It is entirely in their interest and to their benefit to do so.
Jen
ScaleTrains, Intermountain, and Rapido (and Broadway Limited if you exclude their SD70, AC6000, and GEVOs due to their molded front grab irons) are already doing that. Very little molded detail on these, and they have prototypical lighting effects. Kato and Atlas are still using almost exclusively molded-in details even to this day.
Great review. I really like the new style of product reviews you are doing. Your overall view of practicality is a great feature as most modelers are not worried so much about prototypical correctness as performance.
GREAT review. Like the way you present the facts on the models and your honest opinion on them, it's nice to hearing you take on the models, keep them coming....😀
I never knew the difference between a standard cab and a wide cab!! Great review, thanks for the video.
I wish these came in the box with DCC and loksound, I want one of these but don't want to pay 200 to have it put in.
PS. Love the show. Keep it up. Doing great job.
Great review!
I'm not an N scale modeler/collector, but this was a very thorough review, nice job.
Nice review John.
Very nice review on the locomotive! Thanks for sharing! ~Pedro
Talking fantasy models,has any model co ever considered ,,what ifs,,,say e g rio grande sd 40dash two standard as well as ssw sp ,how about some coco diesels for the wp and u 25 c for the u p?they should sell like hot cakes
Thanks for doing reviews of N scale equipment so often overlooked by other reviewers. Personally, I feel you were a little generous to this Athearn loco. Perhas a few years back it might be fair, but compared to other models available in today's market it appears to fall shorter than a one point deduction. It just isn't that close to the standard set by Scale Trains products. The now lower price does make it a decent model for the price, but I'm not in favor of grading on the curve when it comes to product reviews.
Thanks for your feedback, Jerry! What would you have deducted more spikes for? Keep in mind that when I do critical reviews I have to be as objective as possible. Price and value are subjective.
@@tsgmultimedia you pointed out near half dozen shortcomings yet gave near perfect rating.
@@jerrysmith1929 Nothing I pointed out was worth removing spikes for if I didn't remove spikes. I have a list of stuff I evaluate during critical reviews. Some are spike-worthy and others are only observations. Models need not have working ditch lights, for example. Numberboards are the same (also for example). This is part of the reason I have moved away from critical reviews. No matter how objecting you think you're being, someone always disagrees. The "product spotlight" style of presentation allows the viewer to make that determination. My videos are lit well enough and shot well enough for the viewers to decide if they want what I'm showing.
@@tsgmultimedia I liked the "product spotlight". My suggestion, in keeping with moving away from "critical reviews", drop the "spikes" and let the viewer do their own ranking. As I said, I appreciate that you do reviews of N scale products.
@@jerrysmith1929 Yes, it's already working that way. Search for "N Scale Friday" on the channel. You should enjoy that more.
WOw Standard cab SD70s. I guess because i grew up on Burlington Northern/BNSF's line the only SD70's I saw were the wide safety cabs. I might see if I can find an HO SD70 standard cab for my freelance. Awesome review as always John, getting better each time :)
Thanks THS! I learn stuff every time I do one. I'll probably end up forgetting the stuff I learn but it's neat to discover it the first time anyway. :))
Forget all the bashing (and I don't mean from the reviewer Dan) because this isn't a true to life model. Athearn offers the true prototypical paint schemes of NS, IC, CN, and Conrail in the model too, so no one should be getting bent out of shape because Athearn offers what is sometimes termed a "Fantasy Scheme". No one is twisting the arms of those that don't like a non-prototypical engine to buy one. Dan has a valid point about how Athearn may misspeak on the packaging and how the true UP 2219 is an SD60, but he also confirms that aside from a couple of detail technicalities, this is a superb model...especially for it's scale.
This kind of model is geared towards those who like SD70's and Union Pacific and would have liked to have seen real SD70's in the ownership of the UP. And it is a fact that a super quality factory paint job nowadays can blow away the painting skills of at least 99% of modelers. I am an HO scale modeler that loves the Southern Pacific and standard cab SD70's and can't paint worth a lick to satisfy my taste for details. Athearn's HO-scale SD70 is an amazing model and I would jump all over several of them if they were to be offered in SP's Bloody Nose scheme and in HO-scale.
You got that right. All except the part about dan, who has not been involved here since mid January! :D
Hahaha...That explains the completely different voice and speaking style! Although I did pick up on the different voice and speaking style, I really thought it was just a change in the microphone or something. Sorry John, no disrespect intended.
I have now corrected my boo-boo's. Thanks for being polite about my mistakes.
It was all good for a chuckle. :)
The sill color is definitely correct, this would be yellow reflective tape, around 2010 UP switched from red reflective tape on the sill to yellow to comply with new FRA regulations.
Thought so! See, I do remember some of the stuff I learn about train things.
It's a real nice Loco. Backroads
It was N Scale Friday a day late!
Glad to see to see N scale Friday will come back....on Friday...we can only hope.
Pulling power?
Maybe watch the video. :D
In approximate cars please.
There's no way to judge that, Ian. Which cars? On what track? What's the grade? This is why we use objective units of measure like .8 ounce of drawbar pull.
I should be more clear. What's the most cars you've ever pulled?
Thanks.
@@ianmoone7529 If I remember right, I hooked up 12 coal hoppers, loaded and unloaded, once. I have no idea how much they weigh, though. I got a sense that this is very strong, and .8 of an ounce is pretty high for any N scale locomotive. They usually either don't register on the gauge or else they register lower than .5 of an ounce. I'd expect this locomotive to pull 30-40 cars (that are at the NMRA recommended weight) or more on a flat track. Maybe even 50.
I love this locomotive
Listen to the foamers gripe! Who cares if it's not prototypical? The wonderful thing about model railroading is, things don't have to be prototypical. lol
Nice review John. Well presented as usual. Keep up the good work buddy.
I could care less
Never knew these engines came with the standard cab. I’m very familiar with the wide nose locomotives, like the sd70mac, and the ac6000.
Cool!
CSX didn't have any.
nice review ! but it's not ho scale or steam. So all of you into N scale have fun with this loco.
Painted ditch lights, no number board lights, and gold looking bulbs? Kinda pathetic in this day and age.
The way the ditch light housings are attached to the front, that would take some pretty delicate and fine work. The number boards, not so much. The one good thing about painted number boards, though, is that there is no light leaking out from the edges. :))
i Asked Chris Pal@#!@z on Kens Whats neat Live stream a few weeks back on these , NP & SP&S Livery in Particular & he Replied They are a Fantasy Scheme release. A Bit weird i Thought that they did this but it got me thinking this is a Great idea , Might do something similar to My Fleet with modern locos For BN ..Great review.....Cheers-Rich.....
That sounds neat! I have been talking about heritage units and still believe that these big companies that have gobbled up all their competition over the years oughta just paint some of their units as they would likely have appeared today. They can certainly afford to do it and boy would that be cool. Imagine seeing a big green BN heritage GEVO or SD70ACe. Now THAT would look cool!
Nice review. I was interested in this mostly to see what Athearn N Scale locomotives were like. Sadly though Athearn should have probably not produced a UP version because of the obvious comments that ensue over it. Since Atlas has already made very nice N Scale SD60's both standard and wide cab, this fictitious representation really has no place, but it is a nice model on it's own and Athearn did a very nice job on it none the less.
Seems to me that they should state it up front if it's an apocryphal paint scheme. Kinda like BLI's Centipede in UP paint from a couple of years ago...
I thought so too Jen. Just like how Atlas stated explicitly that their N Scale SD24 in SP colors was fictitious. I really like how "up front" that was. In this case I make an exception for Athearn because the SD60 and SD70 are almost identical. This model looks a LOT like the real 2219 (SD60).