I’ve found out it’s an old Athearn loco from the 80’s so I’m going to search for the manual - Thanks for the encouraging words :)
January 10, 2026 at 11:34 PM
I’ve found out it’s an old Athearn loco from the 80’s so I’m going to search for the manual - Thanks for the encouraging words :)
Scaletrains is 100% guaranteed to be unit specific with their detail (look at what their SP SD9s were like). Athearn and intermountain not so much
January 10, 2026 at 1:21 AM
Scaletrains is 100% guaranteed to be unit specific with their detail (look at what their SP SD9s were like). Athearn and intermountain not so much
And finally, 2 boxes of HO scale rolling stock and accessories, including several Athearn kits that have never been assembled.
January 6, 2026 at 2:28 AM
And finally, 2 boxes of HO scale rolling stock and accessories, including several Athearn kits that have never been assembled.
The quality is pretty amazing although the costs cause an ulcer in the wallet. Remember the old $5 Athearn kits. Now it seems everything starts at $50.
I'm still on the fence with converting to DCC. I'd like to because of the operational flexibility and simplicity but have convert all my locos.
I'm still on the fence with converting to DCC. I'd like to because of the operational flexibility and simplicity but have convert all my locos.
January 6, 2026 at 12:56 AM
The quality is pretty amazing although the costs cause an ulcer in the wallet. Remember the old $5 Athearn kits. Now it seems everything starts at $50.
I'm still on the fence with converting to DCC. I'd like to because of the operational flexibility and simplicity but have convert all my locos.
I'm still on the fence with converting to DCC. I'd like to because of the operational flexibility and simplicity but have convert all my locos.
Athearn seemed like it was made by NASA after years of running my train-set Tyco stuff.
January 5, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Athearn seemed like it was made by NASA after years of running my train-set Tyco stuff.
Spending NYE building kits and hanging out with dear friends.
I've successfully convinced the one friend who does Warhammer 40k to start building Athearn Bluebox kits... and painting HO scale figures. 🙏
Happy New Year everyone! Here's to a successful 2026! 🎆
🚂
I've successfully convinced the one friend who does Warhammer 40k to start building Athearn Bluebox kits... and painting HO scale figures. 🙏
Happy New Year everyone! Here's to a successful 2026! 🎆
🚂
January 1, 2026 at 4:34 AM
Spending NYE building kits and hanging out with dear friends.
I've successfully convinced the one friend who does Warhammer 40k to start building Athearn Bluebox kits... and painting HO scale figures. 🙏
Happy New Year everyone! Here's to a successful 2026! 🎆
🚂
I've successfully convinced the one friend who does Warhammer 40k to start building Athearn Bluebox kits... and painting HO scale figures. 🙏
Happy New Year everyone! Here's to a successful 2026! 🎆
🚂
"There's a fire on the layout! Whatever will we do?"
SEND OUT THE GINGER ALE FIRE TRUCK!!!!!!!!!!
SEND OUT THE GINGER ALE FIRE TRUCK!!!!!!!!!!
December 31, 2025 at 4:59 PM
"There's a fire on the layout! Whatever will we do?"
SEND OUT THE GINGER ALE FIRE TRUCK!!!!!!!!!!
SEND OUT THE GINGER ALE FIRE TRUCK!!!!!!!!!!
In a world of athearn blue boxes and scaletrains kit classics, I too have felt like an arbour models product
December 28, 2025 at 4:50 AM
In a world of athearn blue boxes and scaletrains kit classics, I too have felt like an arbour models product
So… new locomotive is completely kaput but thankfully its an old athearn blue box so replacement parts should be easy to find.
December 25, 2025 at 8:09 PM
So… new locomotive is completely kaput but thankfully its an old athearn blue box so replacement parts should be easy to find.
Any model locos from 30 years ago are Rip Van Winkels. You can clean and tune, but don’t expect a lot.
I’m a USA person with a bunch of beloved Athearn blue boxers from the ‘70s and ‘80s. I feel your pain.
I’m a USA person with a bunch of beloved Athearn blue boxers from the ‘70s and ‘80s. I feel your pain.
December 24, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Any model locos from 30 years ago are Rip Van Winkels. You can clean and tune, but don’t expect a lot.
I’m a USA person with a bunch of beloved Athearn blue boxers from the ‘70s and ‘80s. I feel your pain.
I’m a USA person with a bunch of beloved Athearn blue boxers from the ‘70s and ‘80s. I feel your pain.
Kinda shocked Athearn didn't do this kind of thing back in the day
December 21, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Kinda shocked Athearn didn't do this kind of thing back in the day
Honestly I forgot them since they're solid middle tier manufacturers usually. Like I never would hesitate to buy their stuff, but it rarely excites me either. Curse of "to many SD40-2's" for Athearn-Walthers-Bowser-ScaleTrains-Rapido CA. Etc. Blurs my memory of them all.
December 21, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Honestly I forgot them since they're solid middle tier manufacturers usually. Like I never would hesitate to buy their stuff, but it rarely excites me either. Curse of "to many SD40-2's" for Athearn-Walthers-Bowser-ScaleTrains-Rapido CA. Etc. Blurs my memory of them all.
Out of curiosity, where would you put Bowser, Athearn, and Broadway?
December 21, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Out of curiosity, where would you put Bowser, Athearn, and Broadway?
i’d rather scratchbuild than shell out $50 for something like that (granted i probably will anyways — the athearn release is a wood underframe which means i can’t use it in 1930)
December 19, 2025 at 3:59 PM
i’d rather scratchbuild than shell out $50 for something like that (granted i probably will anyways — the athearn release is a wood underframe which means i can’t use it in 1930)
I'm fairly certain my dad had those EXACT bulkhead flat with logs models when I was a pup
I kinda wonder if he still has them. Had a few boxes full of old Tyco and Bachmann and Athearn stuff with horn hook couplers and everything
I kinda wonder if he still has them. Had a few boxes full of old Tyco and Bachmann and Athearn stuff with horn hook couplers and everything
December 12, 2025 at 1:31 AM
I'm fairly certain my dad had those EXACT bulkhead flat with logs models when I was a pup
I kinda wonder if he still has them. Had a few boxes full of old Tyco and Bachmann and Athearn stuff with horn hook couplers and everything
I kinda wonder if he still has them. Had a few boxes full of old Tyco and Bachmann and Athearn stuff with horn hook couplers and everything
Because apparently I needed yet ANOTHER project, inspiration and opportunity struck at the Greenberg show this weekend- and I have a plan.
Maybe I can actually finish it before the next Christmas train show.
Maybe I can actually finish it before the next Christmas train show.
December 9, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Because apparently I needed yet ANOTHER project, inspiration and opportunity struck at the Greenberg show this weekend- and I have a plan.
Maybe I can actually finish it before the next Christmas train show.
Maybe I can actually finish it before the next Christmas train show.
I do have one photo to share! A visitor came by asking for assistance in lubricating two freelance locomotives he bought from the club's auction last year. It turns out that the club has the matchinng caboose! With permission, we sold the caboose to the visitor, but only after a reuniting photo!
December 8, 2025 at 1:18 PM
I do have one photo to share! A visitor came by asking for assistance in lubricating two freelance locomotives he bought from the club's auction last year. It turns out that the club has the matchinng caboose! With permission, we sold the caboose to the visitor, but only after a reuniting photo!
I have Kato P-42's and Superliner cars. Kato locos run the best but Athearn Genesis are more detailed.
December 8, 2025 at 12:35 AM
I have Kato P-42's and Superliner cars. Kato locos run the best but Athearn Genesis are more detailed.
I remember buying that one at this hobby shop at the corner of Santa Theresa Blvd and Snell Avenue in...gosh...maybe 1980? That was also my go-to for Athearn model railroad stuff. And balsawood airplane kits. Such at time to be a tween. <3
December 8, 2025 at 12:16 AM
I remember buying that one at this hobby shop at the corner of Santa Theresa Blvd and Snell Avenue in...gosh...maybe 1980? That was also my go-to for Athearn model railroad stuff. And balsawood airplane kits. Such at time to be a tween. <3
(not quite Tyco but still)
December 5, 2025 at 5:28 PM
(not quite Tyco but still)
I wish fine scale versions of these types of playsets existed. I'd love to unload an Athearn genesis bilevel like this. Adding play value beyond the trains holds a strong appeal.
December 2, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I wish fine scale versions of these types of playsets existed. I'd love to unload an Athearn genesis bilevel like this. Adding play value beyond the trains holds a strong appeal.
Surfliner cars available from Athearn next year.
November 30, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Surfliner cars available from Athearn next year.
My little haul od goodies from #nationalfestivalofrailwaymodelling yesterday. I think I got a couple of bargains, and definitely some bits I wanted. And kept within budget.
#modelrailways #modelrailroads #modelrailway #hoscale #187scale #bsmrguk #176scale #oogauge
#modelrailways #modelrailroads #modelrailway #hoscale #187scale #bsmrguk #176scale #oogauge
November 23, 2025 at 10:08 AM
My little haul od goodies from #nationalfestivalofrailwaymodelling yesterday. I think I got a couple of bargains, and definitely some bits I wanted. And kept within budget.
#modelrailways #modelrailroads #modelrailway #hoscale #187scale #bsmrguk #176scale #oogauge
#modelrailways #modelrailroads #modelrailway #hoscale #187scale #bsmrguk #176scale #oogauge
Probably about the same to be honest. UK model prices tend to be pretty stable. Buying US prototypes in the UK relies heavily on the second hand market, but prices are good. I picked up an Athearn UP AC4400 (newer, Dcc ready, model) today for £50 which I was really happy with.
November 23, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Probably about the same to be honest. UK model prices tend to be pretty stable. Buying US prototypes in the UK relies heavily on the second hand market, but prices are good. I picked up an Athearn UP AC4400 (newer, Dcc ready, model) today for £50 which I was really happy with.