! I didnt like Walthers Dash-9 Amtraker, it just looks quite toy like. Their F40PHs are pretty nice I think, though they dont have the detailing of the Spectrum units, they have better looking stripes and are at a more prototypical height, the Spectrum units are way too short. The Spectrum and Walthers units both run beautifully, so doesnt the Athearn P40. My latest Amtraker, the Amtrak California #2001 F59PHI (the real 2001 just got wrecked!!) from Athearn runs like a dream too. Ive never owned an Atlas unit, but Ive heard nothing but praise for them (all my track is Atlas though). Walthers detail could be much better, but they run great (at least the one I have does). Their Amtrak Passenger cars though, still rein supreme though with me. My favorite locos though come from Athearn, just all around nice units.WaitAmfleet said:
, I thought you had model trains, not planes. There's no flying in trains. :lol: Seems like those little green aliens are at it again, this time making trains fly. Weren't they in the dining car a couple of days ago morphing steaks into pork chops and rice into potatos. :lol:AlanB said:WaitAmfleet said:
79 MPH over the Berkshires. Your kidding right? <_<P40Power said:I gotta give my dear Athearn P40 803 credit though, it hauls my 15 car combined Lake Shore Limited around by its self quite well, though it slips once in a while on the hill portion, it still can get em up to scale 79 MPH with relitive ease. She hasnt run for a while though, too much work on the new layout
I had that engine...had being the key word. About a month ago I purchased one of the new Athearn p42-phase V models and the lights would work, but no movement. I took off the body shell and found that the engine would not operate. I even checked all of electrical pick-ups. I took it into the local hobby shop with no avail. So I ended up bringing it home and did alot of work. I changed the engine parts out with the p40 and now it works fine. Kind of dissapointing I had to sacrafice the good ol' p40. Still looks great though,P40Power said:I gotta give my dear Athearn P40 803 credit though, it hauls my 15 car combined Lake Shore Limited around by its self quite well, though it slips once in a while on the hill portion, it still can get em up to scale 79 MPH with relitive ease. She hasnt run for a while though, too much work on the new layout
...and I can always switch them back if needed 
But ya never know your P40 might have to return someday if a model truck gets in the way of that beast at 79MPH :lol: , I hope not though, it would be a shame to have a sweet lookin unit like that get wrecked . . .I might have to get a phase V unit for myself sometime . . .do they still make em? I remember them being a limited run deal or something. I had the same problem with an Athearn SD40-2, the thing would sit there with the lights on and make a slight humming, but if ya pushed it a ways it would start going un like your P42, but it still wouldnt pull worth crap. . its the only Athearn unit I ever had trouble with except for a rubber band drive one cuz the rubber bands always slipped on it. . But anyways, Athearn is coming out with a "second run" of these engines. They were very popular but also very limited like you said. You can pre-order this october delievery here.I believe they are. I will see if I can find the numbers. I know 123 is one of them.P40Power said:
Athearn's P-40/P-42 units have been on the market for almost 5 years and many manufaturers will scale down production and sell what's made before starting production again. They may also stop the production all together and redesign the product. Rarely will a manufacturer stop production after 5 years unless there is absolutely no demand.P40Power said:
Did you reserve yours online, or did do you have a local hobby shop holding it for you. Im asking because if you planned on reserving it online, I might be able to find an extra Walthers catologue with a "priority code" on it, if you dont already have one. It can help "bump you up" on the reserve list.Viewliner said:
Well then buy a track geometry car and make sure that your rails are properly aligned. :lol:P40Power said:
Speaking of this, doesnt walthers make a geometry car? I have not been able to find it ANYWHERE!AlanB said:Well then buy a track geometry car and make sure that your rails are properly aligned. :lol:
