We tested the Athearn Trains N scale EMD F59PHI diesel locomotive on our Salt Lake Route model train layout. Equipped with a SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder, the locomotive looked and sounded great hauling a set of Athearn N scale Bombardier bi-level commuter cars.
Video: Athearn Trains N scale F59PHI and cars
By Angela Cotey | July 8, 2011
| Last updated on February 11, 2021
The Athearn Trains N scale locomotive features a SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder
It's called an F59PHI not a F59PH1.
Pretty cool. Would like to have it for my N scale railroad!!!
I think they could have done more with the diesel horn, but the other effects are quite acceptable.
I've been wondering what n scale sound was like and if the dcc oprated well. Thanks for satisfying my curiosity! I hope more locos willbe appearing soon.
Nice model, Poor horn blast sound. Spacing between the cars is poor as well, needs to be closer. also could use some diaphrams to look more realistic.
Like I have said before the voice is fine BUT! the sound for train is to low LOW!!!!!!! Why? can't you correct this………
It looks like Athearn has made some manufacturing improvements to their drivetrain mechanism. The startup acceleration and slow speed running seemed smoother than I've observed before. The sound seeemed reasonable for an N scale model as well.
It would have been nice to see some complete train run bys though. It is always interesting to see how smoothly the equipment passes over turnout frogs, especially with trackwork as widely in use as the Kato Unitrak is.
I can barely believe the sound quality of that N scale loco.
Very Good!
Nice looking loco, pity the horn sounds are not quite realistic. And the gaps between the coaches need to be shorter.
I like the layout and have looked at a lot of it under building projects, wish I had a room as big .
The engine is really detailed nice, but, like others I found the horn to be rather poor. I, too, liked the scenery on the layout.
I was pleased to see the F59PHI running under DCC – although the horn seemed rather tinny. I plan on doing an N gauge layout this fall so this fits well into my interests. The horn blasts are a nice touch but I presume they can be intermixed as 2 long – 1 short – 1 long … all as a single function.
Great!
nice
That was a grear train!
Excellent model, very well painted and otherwise was as close to being an exact match to the real thing, Only negative I found was the horn sounded somewhat tinny,
Hi Kelly,
Yes I know it's a PHI. I misspoke.
Have a good day,
Dana
Cool train, not satisfied with the spacing though between the coaches. Neat sounds, would have liked to see more runbys on the layout in different spots and distant shots. Also Dana its a PHI not PH One!
NM Railrunner would have been most desert appropriate. Sound is truly a new exciting chapter for N scale.
Glad to see Athearn coming out with commuter train sets again. What I'm looking for is the Sounder Transit F59PHI loco and Bombardier bi level commuter cars which serves Seattle and the surrounding suburbs. Any chance Athearn plans to produce that?
Yes it does. I went to the website and found it for HO scale. Would this train be ideal for a begginer railroaders gift? I'm sure my friend would love this.
Impressive sound in so small a locomotive!
That is a nice train does it come in HO scale?