The HO scale Athearn Trains Genesis EMD SD70ACe diesel locomotive includes a SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder. Watch the model run through Bay Junction on the Model Railroader club layout, the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy (MR&T).
Video: Athearn Trains Genesis HO scale EMD SD70ACe diesel locomotive
By Angela Cotey | January 10, 2011
| Last updated on January 29, 2021
Watch this locomotive equipped with a SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder run on Model Railroader's train layout
I own 1 it is amazing. hope for more!
Simon, I think your ditch light problem is the light itself, not the locomotiove.
However, the horn does need improvment, and the numberboard had a defect. The rolling stock is of great value, thought.
I bought 4 of them and tested them and inspected them carfully. All have poor horn sound. 2 have twisted or misaligned bulbs in the ditch lights. 1 had a plastic housing on the left side behind the cab was loose in the box. For the money I would have expected perfection, not in this case. Other and what I mentioned they are excellent looking. Athearn needs to do more out of the box inspection to prevent the defects that the buyers have encountered also.
I wish Proto 2000 would expand the range of locos, these are excellent, I too have had "issues" with Athearn locos and now I buy Atlas and Kato and as I said, I would buy more Proto 2000 if they expanded this range of product. Yes, Athearn rolling stock is good though as the other guy said.
Very cool sounds except the horn….needs improvement
Better than the MTH but quality control seems to be an issue out of the box.
While listening to the video, it seems the horns are drowned out by other sounds. If this is due to the locomotive then some improvement needs to be done.
ATHERN WAS A GOOD MODEL 10 YEARS A GO MTH IS A GREAT MODEL NOW
Like others have mentioned, I am not amazed of the quality from Athearn Genesis engines. I also have several of these engines from MTH and to me they are just better. For instance, when do Athearn actually add personel in their engines? To me this means a great deal, since I am not to fund of "ghost-trains" on the layout.
Very nice model.
I don't buy Athearn HO scale DCC equipped engines anymore. Too many "issues" and defects right out of the box. Their rolling stock is EXCELLENT though. Sorry for the bad attitude, but I have been burned enough by Athearn and I'm done. Stick with Atlas.
Including the loco my son purchased it looks like there are at least half a dozen mentioned here with the same number board snapped off in the box. The packaging must have a design defect. Since posting our initial thoughts one of the ditch lights has burned out, so lighting also seems to be an endemic issue with this model. It is a shame that relatively small issues like this detract from the model.
I own 3 of the SD70 Ace units Sound and looks are fine.
All arrived in A 1 condition. They look great and run very well.
As with all models Athearn or MTH some are going to have
problems and can be returned to a true all service hobby shop for repairs . These are great units far better than the
current MTH unit which I also have owned and sold to another modeler when I recieved my Genisis units
In the video I noticed your number board was off as I also received one with a number board that I had to glue back on. I love the looks and the detail of these locomotives but I am very disappointed in their performance as both my BNSF engines had warped rear truck side frames and the units appeared to be too light for a model of this size. Hopefully Athearn will try to correct this problem in the future.
Nice to see Athern can make a nice model also, I Still preffer my Kato AC4400, Its a really great engine, Although I do not have sound decoders in them yet. I agree with the guy who said to put the mic. closer to the items u R showing to us so we can hear them better. Thanks and keep up the good videos. Looks like your new Bay Junction is comeing along well. thanks for shareing it with us also.
The engines sound great except that the diesel horn sounds muffled. Is the muffling of the sound a function of the placement of speaker?
Beautiful diesels, nice lights, nice bell, but the horns could be alot better.
Looks good and sounds good.
I run DC but use 3 MRC 6 power p;acks. Sound is excellent. I do prefer running Steam as diesels leave me cold. Otherwise a good Athearn product.
I had purchased the MOPAC non sound unit but brought it back to the hobby shop because all the wheels were not sitting flat. In my opinion that is going to affect tractive effort greatly, if four of the twelve wheels are spinning. My hobby shop called Athearn and they said "just tweek the trucks" I don't think so. The Athearn went back and I went with MTH because I prefer units that run and stay on the track. The details look fine when it is running around the layout. If I was using it only for display I think the details on the Athearn are a little better.
The Genesis has much better detail, but after hearing the sound on the MR video,I'd have to give MTH the win on sound. Horn for sure. I've seen both locos at the Worlds Greatest Hobby Show last week. So I guess it's what you feel is important to you
Video streaming is a bit shaky. The mics should be a little closer to the engines. [or place the mics near the edge of the scene that is going to be recorded. Also the host [Dana] should speak just a little slower, rather than try to end the take too quickly. Over all, the review was O.K.
Don Wick
West Bend, WI
Own one. The movement is choppy. Even in the video you can see it shoot forward with throttle advance. My MTH version runs much smoother. It's also heavier and capable of pulling more. The horn on the Athearn is pathetic. As to detail and looks, the athearn is awesome. Overall I like it but wish the performance was better.
Great sound and smooth running model. Thanks for the great videos. How about some videos for new 'N' scale locos since I model in 'N' scale.
great looking engine, but disappointed with the horn sound