Model Railroading > Athearn Quality Control - Genesis

Hi all.

I'd be interested to see what other peoples experiences are. 

I've had two Athearn Genesis AC4400's arrive in SP colours. Placing both of the locos on the track all was initially good. These were both DC units, so I quickly added a TCS EU821 decoder, and programmed all the lights. What I found interesting, is that both locos only had "ground lights" (beneath the cab) on one side of the loco only. I thought this was strange, and after a few days I opened one of them up and found that there was only LED in one side. Oh, maybe that's the way they were suppose to be (for SP). However I decided to add in another 0402 to the other side, and all was good. Fast forward several weeks, and last night I attacked the second loco. Opening this one up revealled LED's in both sides, however one was crushed or broken (hence it wasn't going). Interestingly enough, on this second loco (unlike the first) it had a LED and a cylindrical retainer that held the LED In place, and was screwed down. The first loco had none of this. So as with the first, I wired a new LED in, and re-assembled. All good now, but I thought it was a bit poor QA from Athearn on these. Anyone else had similar issues?

And no, sending the loco back to the States (from NZ) wasn't an option. Postage ain't cheap anymore.

Allister
Christchurch
New Zealand.
 

I purchased 4 of the D&RGW Genesis GP40-2's and the one that I opened to get it on the layout is missing a light bulb.  Athearn sent me a replacement but I haven't gotten it soldered and installed yet.

Of the last six Athearn purchases I've made, one had an issue. Two SW1500's (which include ground lights), two tunnel motors and one C-50-8 were all flawless. One Genesis boxcar had a bad truck.

Sorry to hear about your issues.