New Athearn Caboose and Boxcar Review - Just Arrived June 2024!

Come with me as we take a close look at the new products delivered today. First up is the standard Athearn 60' Gunderson boxcar, painted in the newest UP scheme of solid Armor Yellow and high reporting marks.Then, it's on to the Athearn Genesis C-50 ICC caboose, painted for SP 4747 (a modern UP shoving platform). This model came with DCC and Tsunami sound on board.
Summary: the boxcar had almost Genesis level of detail, minus brake-pipe airhoses on the car ends. The weight matched NMRA standards. The trucks were a bit too loose for me, so they'll need tightened up. Otherwise, the car rolled VERY freely!
The caboose was overall good. The sound was just right - not too loud or weak. There were only 2 lighting functions used. While that is accurate for this prototype, there are 3 extra function pads on the decoder that could be used for other lighting. It did weight just a little under the NMRA specs, but should still operate fine on most layouts. But there was a obvious seem between the frame sill and carbody. Despite that, the caboose (er, shoving platform) had really nice detail top to bottom, coupler to coupler.

[@hillbillyrailfan]

Another great video. Really cool Caboose/ Shoving Platform .

[@waynemiller7382]

I thought Soundfcar includes brake squeel ?

[@ronaldbrooks5982]

Show us a prototype photo

[@scottwalters6031]

Nice boxcar. To bad paint job is not accurate to the prototype.

[@signalupproductions]

Interesting. Looking at the pictures I have of these cars, what's the difference?

[@scottwalters6031]

The Athearn boxcar is a 20 plus year old Gunderson design. The new UP cars are newer NSC design I believe. Count the stiffening post and size. The atlas 7538 Bnsf version would be almost correct if it had two doors.

[@signalupproductions]

Interesting! Thanks for the info. Not sure I would have ever caught the differences!