Athearn Genesis ES44AC (2020 Run) Review & Testing
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- Опубликовано: 15 окт 2024
- Full review and standardized testing of the 2020 run HO scale GE ES44AC from Athearn Genesis.
Locomotive weight: 541 grams / 19.1 oz
Drawbar Pull: 110 grams / 3.88 oz
Drawbar Push: 110 grams / 3. 88 oz
This model was announced in December 2019 and delivered in December 2020 in 6 different paint schemes, 17 unique road numbers in both DCC with sound and DC/DCC ready:
Canadian Pacific "Retrucked" - 8727 8723 8714 8703
Canadian Pacific "As Delivered" - 8717 8700
Union Pacific "Fader" - 5537 5529 5454 5363
Union Pacific "Replacement Doors" - 5408
Union Pacific "No Flag" - 5293
BNSF "w/PTC" - 5950 5939 5923 5915
BNSF "w/PTC Primer" - 5789
MSRP:
DC/Silent - $239.98 USD
DCC/Soundtraxx Tsunami II - $329.98 USD
Detail - Very good. Fine scale handrails which are nice and straight. The PTC antennas on the cab roof are nice road specific detail for CP. Nothing had broken off or was loose in the box. The paint is sharp and crisp. Like previous runs, the cab side window glazing appears fogged in mine, almost like they attempted tint but it doesn't look dark like it should. 9/10
CP FEATURES:
Nose door with window
Low number boards
3-window cab side windows
Desktop control stand
Salem air filter
Rear brake wheel
Low rear sand filler
High rear vertical headlight
Operation/Drive train - Very slow crawl speed, nice smooth, quiet operation. I would like to see Soundtraxx follow ESU's lead and have a brake release sound before the locomotive starts to move but I think this can be adjusted in the decoder. 8/10
Weight - Weighing in at 541 grams / 18.1 oz, it's on the lighter side compared to previous releases ie: the 2013 run which weighed in at 581 grams. It's no light weight by any means though and still weighs in close to the older run Kato AC4400CWs. Interesting that despite being 40 grams lighter than the 2013 run, it can pull quite a bit more being able to put 110 grams down to the rail both pushing and pulling compared to 85 and 88 grams for the 2013 run. This might be accomplished with better algorithms in the decoder? 9/10
Sound - Great sounding recordings of the GEVO 12 in the Soundtraxx Tsunami 2 decoder. I will likely go into the EQ and turn down the prime mover sound and then increase the low end which seems to help improve the prime mover sounds. Currently the best sounding K5HL horn in my fleet in my own opinion. I also like the alternative EQ in the function 9 spot where it immediately cuts the volume in half. 9/10
Lighting - Headlights and ditch lights are all LED. No step lighting. A huge improvement compared to the old rice bulbs on previous runs. Would still like to see step lights and ground lighting some day and possibly even the little light that illuminates the walkway below the cab door. 8/10
OVERALL SCORE: 8.6 / 10
This is a solid model and what we would expect from Athearn Genesis. A great addition to any fleet and ready to haul freight right out of the box with great sound and LED lighting that will last a long time. Compared to previous runs, this is a great improvement by Athearn and Soundtraxx and I am impressed that it is able to pull/push more despite being lighter than the 2013 run.
Disclaimer: Horizon Hobby sent this locomotive to me to review. I did my best to subject it to the exact same tests and unbiased scrutiny as all my previous reviews. Please keep this in mind when viewing.
For comparison, all of my other review and tests of the following HO scale locomotives can be found at this link:
• HO Scale Locomotive Re...
Atlas Gold CN Dash 8-40C
Kato CP AC4400CW
Kato CP SD90/43MAC
Intermountain CN ES44DC
Intermountain CN SD40-2W
Athearn Genesis CP ES44AC (2013 Run)
Athearn Genesis CN GP40-2LW
Rapido VIA Rail F40PH-2D
Intermountain Citi Rail ES44AC
Bowser CP SD40-2
Rapido VIA Rail F40PH-2D Rebuild
Rapido CN GMD-1
ScaleTrains.com CN ET44AC
Rapido BC Rail Dash 8-40CM
Athearn's website for the ES44AC:
www.athearn.com...
Where to buy:
www.horizonhob...
Thanks for the review. I have just picked up an Intermountain example as I do like the livery on this. This will make it my third Canadian Model Train. in the fleet. I may get one of these later but my review of the Intermountain model will come around June. I really enjoy the American/Canadian model trains. They seem to be better made than the other brands I have covered.
Wow they nailed that horn! It looks good! I’m hoping a AC4400CW might be picked up by a company like Athearn or Scaletrains in the future.
Sign me up for half a dozen!
NIce review Ben! The Tsunami 2's are great , and for me are a mix of ST and ESU's best bits. Just remember that less is often more when it comes to sound...especially with the tiny speakers we have! Have a play with the 7 band EQ and try cutting the low end , especially if you can't hear any difference as you adjust the slider.
Good job and all the best for Xmas.
Cheers Gregg.
Thanks Gregg. Always appreciate the tips from someone who has earned their phDCC! Merry Christmas mate!
@@BArailsystem LOL...You'e welcome Sir! Have a great Xmas with your family:-)
Gregg.
I have actually seen CP 8703 many times in person, and this one looks very real to the prototype. I think Athearn did a great job with this locomotive.
Wow! Wow! Woooow! The detail is amazing, why don't these companies do great publications like you? They'd sure get me to buy more!
Thanks for the kind words!
Thank you for the review. Just a heads up -- in your description you list "DCC/ESU Loksound - $329.98 USD" but that should probably be Tsunami2.
Whoops, good catch. Thank you! Updated.
Great veview! I really like the new release of these!
Thanks Deryk!
I picked up unit 8723 today. Pretty happy with it. Your review was spot on.
Great to hear!
That horn is great for sure, they made nice improvements to the unit.
I think so too!
Wow...finally a decent horn.The lighting definitely stepped up. Beautiful unit. Way to go Soundtraxx, I am impressed with the sound quality. Athearn has a great model here.Just get rid of those crap couplers.Excellent review Ben,Merry Christmas!
Thanks Al, same to you!
Awesome review! Glad to see you're doing reviews again.
Thanks! More to come!
They nailed that 1st Gen K5HL!
Yes!
Nice review, getting one of the BN fantasy units as a Santa Claus gift. Can't wait for Christmas morning!!!
Awesome!
Great Review! Super Detail but what would I know after teaching Advertising/Marketing at college level for 36 years. Keep up the fine work. Very to the point and no nonsense. Great video with the detail close ups. Keep thils going, the industry needs reviews like this. Honest and to the point. If I can be of any help feel free to contact me.. Merry Christmas
Thank you! Will do! Merry Christmas!
Thanks for the review. Hopefully Santa brings me one. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Thanks, same to you!
Well, they could have at least included rotating wheel hubs :). No, seriously, that is a very well done loco. Thanks for providing the review.
Yep for sure, lit number boards and step lights would be nice too.
@@BArailsystem oh wow I’m surprised. The 60E came with step lights and light number boards. Wonder why they didn’t with these.
Very nice engine. Would you ever get the MTH gevo? I've had mine for a couple years and have been impressed with it, though it's just the DCC-Ready version.
Probably not, I have a lot of Athearn and its easier to run them together because they sort of come speed matched and only require minor adjustments. When you throw one in from a different manufacturer it gets complicated.
Nice vid man I have 2 of the first run in DC with the steerable trucks I got a buddy who’s going to put ESU V 5’s in them there for my KS potash train I have on order with 3 Kato AC4400’s
That is going to be an epic train!
Very nice locomotive! Quite like this new release, especially with the nice K5HL!
Yeah, love that sound!
3 off engine too.... 8706 has a K5HLB. Would like to see if Athearn would create 8706 though.
Wow.. sounds awesome..thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.. Lance
Thanks Lance
Great review Ben, you certainly make it tempting. The only negative I saw was the horns. They look a bit like they are poorly molded and a little twisted but otherwise a superb model from Athearn.
Have a great Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. Regards, David.
Thanks David, I did notice that too, haven't tried to correct them yet but its on the list.
I will be modeling the ES44ACs in 2009 and before, but they made a couple like that so 8700 got put on the wishlist.
Yeah, I am digging the road number specific stuff they are doing. Gives lots of options for the modern modeller.
Hi Ben love the videos you do,would you happen to know the colour code for the Red colour Athearn do there Ac and es 44s in .Thanks Clive.
Thanks, no sorry I don't know that information. Maybe contact Athearn's service department? I've always had good luck matching CP modern red with Createx red airbrush paint. That's usually what I use.
You should grab some ScaleTrains Dash-9's when they come out with the CP ones.
CP had AC4400CWs, not Dash 9s.
Great review! How much did you pay to get this engine? Which store did you get it from? Trainworld?
MSRP is in the video info and link to Horizon's website. I'm sure hobby shops in Canada would be an option as well.
You couldn't wait till Christmas to open you're present ha ha .
NOPE!
Great review man. This model looks awesome. Seems as though they've made improvements, but maybe its just me but it's so frustrating and nauseating to see Athearn charging top dollar of over $300 with no rotating baring caps, see through grills, cab figures, extra external lighting, brake chain detail, and no actual reflective fra striping. Like man that's where the hobby is going and yet Athearn won't change, and because of it I've vowed never to buy their locos till they do all the while at
Very true Flash, its important for manufacturers to get feedback. I remember back in 2012 we were all vocal about Athearn still using incandescent lighting when every other manufacturer was using LEDs and they did make the switch.
@@BArailsystem yea, because the guys that refused to switch the LEDs left the company!
How did you get horizon to send a unit for review ?
Not sure, they reached out to me.
I have a standard BCrail from Athearn and its great 👍
Nice 👍
Hopefully a stupid question, but how does one trigger/control the startup and shutdown sequence on these?
Selectable in the decoder. I usually set mine to track power starting the prime mover.
@@BArailsystemThis is my first Tsunami2. I'm so use to ESU decoders and using F8 as both a mute and startup/shut down. Sounds like i have some minor programming to do.
Could you program this to use both headlights at the same time, like setting out cars over the road?
Yes you can by changing the function mapping. I usually do that afterwards so you can have either the headlights or rear headlights remain on when switching.
Just like opening up an early Christmas present minus the wrapping paper.
Pretty much!
The shell looks like the plastic could be sharper. Either that , the paint was too thick.
I’m not too sure about the sound thou, I’d like to compare it sis by side with a LokSound unit.
My opinion: ESU primemover is better, sounds match the motion better. Soundtraxx horn and bell is better.
The sounds have more control in the Tsu2 to match the motion as you mention. The CVs are set up per Athearn requested defaults, not how I’d set it up! Look at the SoundTraxx RUclips channel for more tips on how to set up the momentum and braking. Much more control to allow it to do that as you wish.
genesis models are pretty nice, they do tend to recycle sounds a lot though
They use Soundtraxx decoders.... they all sound the same :(
Every brand seems to be getting in that pattern in all scales
@@adamzap5507 I prefer Loksound, it has a few more options to make things a bit more random.
@@KingTrump2024 I agree.
when you activate the horn, it definitely says "get out of the way"
I agree! Sounds like 292 coming blasting through downtown Lacombe at 40 MPH
Which track are you using if I may ask?
Micro Engineering
@@BArailsystem thanks for your response! What do you think for each: ME, Peco or Atlas super flex 83?
Nice video my friend
Thank you! Cheers!
Thx
No lit number boards?
Strangely, no. Not sure why they chose not to have lit number boards.
Does this have cab chatter?
I believe all the Tsunami IIs have cab chatter.
Where do you order one of these unit’s?
You can order directly from Athearn or your nearest hobby shop that is an Athearn distributor.
@@BArailsystem ok awesome thank you !!
Does anyone else find that the Tsunami decoders 1st speed step is always super fast and that they need to tune them? I have had to do this with my 3 Tsunami engines; i.e. my Tsunami 1 fitted SD40-2Ws and my Tsunami 2 fitted SD70i.
I upped the acceleration CV to 30 and that seems to help. Still need to break it in yet though.
@@BArailsystem I've found I had to turn the PI control settings almost completely off and then the momentum up to get them to run decently. Which is fine, but pretty annoying to pay all that money and to still have to tinker. My SD70I was so loud originally that my wife could hear it from the garden...and it set off like a jack rabbit at speed step 1..
The Tsu2 has more settings that the original Tsu for motor control. Check out the SoundTraxx RUclips channel for more tips. These are set as Athearn requested.
@@goaliegeorge Hey George, CP runs just head light or tail light on dim (no ditchlights) if the locomotive is a trailing DPU (backwards to directional lighting). What is the easiest way to set this up besides the rule 17 function which has the ditch lights on as well?
My biggest gripe with Athearn: They still don't solder their wires to the decoder. Those damn "wire clips" they use are just worthless for good quality connections. And of course, if you go in there and solder the wires yourself: Boom, warranty voided.
This isn't a big issue for me, since I prefer ESU decoders anyway. That means I buy DCC Ready models when I buy Genesis and install my own decoder. Which I solder. Obviously, I rip out their garbage DCC ready jumper board too.
Otherwise, this is a great model.
That's a good point, I never took the shell off to see if they've changed that practice. I've got quite a few Athearn locomotives that still have the clips. Haven't had any issues with them but maybe I have just been lucky.
@@BArailsystem Yeah, they work right a large percentage of time. However, when they don't; that is one of the first things I check.
I'd love to see a model train with small petrol motor and a generator, something like a real train🙁 sadly everything is pure battery electric with fake sound.
You invent it, and I'll buy it. There is nothing like the smell of realistic scale Diesel exhaust in doors :)
@@KingTrump2024 maybe one day 👍
Lmao battery electric, all model trains run off voltage and current from a wall outlet (which is connected via a transformer in the controller).