S07E07 | CNW High End Models Like ACF 4600 Arrowhead and Athearn Genesis - What Is Your Time Worth?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 มี.ค. 2023
- #Athearn #HOScale #modelrailroad
If you struggle between which car to buy, when they cost as much as they do...we take a moment to pause and look at two identical cars. They happen to be the RTR Arrowhead Models and RTR Athearn Genesis CNS ACF 4600 models. These cars are very nice, but which one is worth your money and why?
We also join Bob Rivard, in the wild, to catch a SOO Sunday Transfer. As well as pop into the North Metro Model Railroad Club and see what they've been up too. So much to see, so little time.
Hopefully we slowed this one down enough, for you to enjoy and maybe along the way, you learned a few things?!?! Thanks for reading...we mean, watching. - บันเทิง
![[ไฮไลต์] ฟุตบอลหญิง เยอรมนี vs ออสเตรเลีย รอบแบ่งกลุ่ม | โอลิมปิก 2024](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/i_8UO61YqO8/mqdefault.jpg)
Always enjoyable and outstanding. Thanks for the time effort and energy you put into these.
Thanks Peter! It’s great to hear feedback, on what’s working. Not everyone enjoys my style, but I like to have fun with the content and keep the pace going.
Again, thanks for tuning in and hopefully you enjoy the future episodes! Have a good one.
These videos are the best!!
That intro was soo funny!
😆 I’m glad ya found the humor in it…not everyone gets a little parody & zinging of the nay-sayers. It’s all in good fun…if they don’t like it? Don’t watch it. 😜
Thanks for posting & tuning in!
Excellent episode! I almost fell asleep with your calmer and slower intro. Just keep being yourself! Great comparison of the two ACF 4600 covered hopper cars. You are right, it is the service after the sale that really makes a good company. Wow, those locomotives were working hard to get up the hill, they almost looked like steam engines with the amount of smoke coming from the exhaust. The prototype footage is always great to watch.-Tom
Tom, great take, as always.
The comment trolls do get old, as I’m 100% fine with constructive criticism. If you’re able to provide solutions or have a solid argument.
Those EMD units were sure puking the exhaust…ya don’t see that everyday.
I really enjoy the way you do your videos, so just keep doing what you are doing. Your unique presentation style is what I enjoy most, you keep it light and moving along. Like you said, I listen to constructive critiques, if you just want to bash me that is fine, but I'll just ignore the comments. With those EMD units I thought they might have been Alcos since they were smoking that much. Ah the "good old days" days before EPA emission restrictions! Oh no, I just realized you only have a couple more videos for this season 07. What will I have to look forward to on Fridays once you wrap it up with episode 10? I guess I'll go back to watching paint dry. -Tom
This is a great video! Thanks for sharing this with us.
It’s great to hear the efforts to create this, are being enjoyed. They’re for you guys to take in and think about what we’re doing with this hobby.
I gotta agree with the Curmudgeon's!!
You’d think for a blue box junkie, he’d love a RTR kit!?! 😆
Thanks for tuning in!
That intro! 😆Well done as always, see you next Friday.
😂 It’s all in good fun.
I’m a big supporter of the various manufactures and fellow modelers. Attempting to always be respectful and rib them a little at the same time.
So glad you enjoyed the content, I’ll be in Florida next Friday…let’s hope I can churn out a new episode by then. It hasn’t even been started. 😬 And we’ve got a hockey tourney this weekend. 🤦🏻♂️
Man those Geeps were running rough!! awesome to hear all four of em at notch 8 climbing that hill though! and as always your Vids are top notch and I love every single one of em!! Somehow you make 20mins seem like 10 or less mins I guess that's how good the vids are I just don't want them to end!
I’ve been told by a few engineers, the reason they’re belching like that…is from sitting there idling all weekend. Carbon builds up on the loco and thus the plume of exhaust. Just to the left, those units are coming out of Shoreham…eventually that’ll all burn off. 😬
Thanks for the kind words on the edit, a few flat spotted wheels have voiced their displeasure, but as I say about the fright cars, “If you don’t like it, don’t buy it.” The same could be said for these videos, “If you don’t like ‘em? Don’t watch ‘em.” 🤷🏻♂️
I try to respect everyone and their opinions, but occasionally I’ll pop-off and post a rebuttal. 🙈
Thanks for tuning in and more importantly, thanks for leaving feedback. Have a great weekend!
"If you don't like it, don't buy it.."!!! 💯 I think as modelers, we want manufacturers to give us the most for the money, some companies can't because of their manufacturing process...but if you can fix it, that is the hobby isn't it, make it your own?? Ah well...who am I? Great video!!!🍻
Well stated, I agree totally on updating the under detailed cars. That USED to be what the hobby was about…build it and run it. It’s clear, many of us modelers don’t have the refinement skills that the assemblers over seas do. 🤔
@@SootheMilwaukeeRoad not sure it is refinement as much as it it patience, understand what the hobby was/is, and the idea of making it your own. At some point dealerships tell you "it's your car"; some stuff isn't worth complaints. 🤷🏽♂️
I broke my cupola once. Funny enough, I was drinking apple juice at the time and lost my balance. Another great episode. Maybe it’s me, but a lot of models are getting more expensive and you don’t get what you pay for. It’s nice to get honest reviews from people like you. Wouldn’t mind seeing a Head-to-Head featuring Mott’s and Minute Maid.
Mark, we’ll just say, Mott’s wins every time vs Minute Maid. That’s Ferrari vs Fiat…case closed. 😉
I look at Athearn Genesis and see them cutting more and more corners…the CNW car we just reviewed, feels like their roof wall is a retread of a modern hoppers. The plastic couplers get old…Tangent, ExactRail, Arrowhead…all provide Kadee’s and aren’t asking for the moon to do so.
Where’s the “standard” for high end couplers?!? 🤔😆
Thanks for sharing your take, it’s great to hear.
Interesting point about the animated / rotating bearing caps. I asked Blane (nice guy) face-to-face at the St Louis RPM July 2022, if Arrowhead were going to start include rotating bearing caps as a feature on their rolling stock. Blane asked "Is it a really big deal for modellers?" Of course I said it is, as the expectations for realisms have progressed that we (customers) expect it on high-end models. I asked the same question of Rapido Trains Inc. staff at the same event. They said that the rotating bearing caps are nice for the customer, but a pain in the backside for the manufacturer. I'm at the point now that I don't want to purchase any further locomotives without rotating bearing caps, so I'll wait for my next SD70 ACe etc. until they are a feature. I'm very surprised Rapido are not following the Genesis and Scaletrains lead on the bearing caps.
You know Wayne, I was in the boat of not caring…until ScaleTrains others have started putting the roller bearings on. It’s a cool detail when you dive into the weeds like that.
To your point about the locos?!? I know my dad picked up a few Rivarossi U-Boats and they had rotating caps, my mind was blown!
I feel like we’re living in the “golden-age” of the hobby…the stuff we’re experiencing on the detail front is insane. I’m grateful for a lot of the goods out there, it makes this hobby fun.
32+ year old Geeps... getting it done!
You’re not kidding! Talk about work horses…people drool over a ‘57 Chev…yet these ‘54 Geeps are WAY cooler!
Another great episode! Way to deal with first world issues, objectively compare and contrast but as you say we have it good and the choices are ours to make. I sure love seeing the GP's screaming up the grade.
Those Geeps were hauling…if S-scale offered a smoke machine like that…you’d have a pretty dense haze in your basement. One could say, “Your crew has their head in the clouds…which would be true with or without the smoke.
At the end of the day, it is about enjoying the hobby…both on the detail front and the prototype front.
Thanks for tuning in AND for hosting the killer TC Modelers Meet here in MN. Looking forward to the 2024 TC meet. 👍
nice intro! you made me laugh :D man that is a lot of exhaust smoke coming out of those engines! as always great video! happy St-Patrick's day to go with your cap
😂 I wasn’t sure how I’d break this video down…the review is honestly 7 minutes of content…revisited and refined. It’s been on my “edit reel” for over a month…I try to give each episode this kind of attention, but it’s hard. For every minute of footage you see, that is an hour of my time. It all adds up. 😬
So it’s great to hear from modelers like yourself…if you enjoy it? I’ll try my darnedest to keep the standards held high. Thanks again for tuning in!
One point about the ACF 4600 cu.ft. covered hoppers' so far Arrowhead has only made the post-1971 version, while Athearn has done BOTH [re and post-1971 versions. Since I model 1969 the Athearn car was the de facto winner, Another factor; the Athearn's first release of the ACF 4600 was available in both the CB&Q and the Union Pacific, which are the roads Imodel, so game set and match to Athearn (for my personal fleet). regarding the rotating bearing caps; they look cool at slow speed but most of the ones that I have experienced had much more "drag". I replaced most of my Athearn trucks with solid plastic ("delrin") trucks with Intermountain wheels and they roll faster than a frightened kitty.
☝️This comment is 100% spot on!☝️
The schemes are a valid point. Which may also be a slight downside for a car specific to the CNW…Arrowhead has the advantage making a car specific to one road. Where Athearn is trying to cover multiple roads…which may explain some of the different hatch’s & roof-walk.
My dad swaps trucks off certain cars as well, performance is better than eye candy, right?!?
Excellent points, thanks for sharing your take and tuning in!
Thanks for making this video! I love the parody. But you did back it up. I bought those ACF cars from Arrowhead as well. I had two that were perfect and one that had some loose parts. No biggie though it was an easy fix and with over 100 separately applied parts and only 1 fell off thats a defective rate of less than 1%...which ain't bad.
You a CNW fan?!?! No! 😂
It’s interesting to hear your experience with Arrowhead. They’ve been great to deal with and that goes a long way for resolving any issue.
I delayed this release, until I resolved the issue. I tried to glue that darn airline back on a couple times, but it kept popping off. The memory in the wire was flexing it off the car. I may just bend my own…no harm to foul, we’re modelers.
Hopefully your trip to HI, doesn’t have you & your fam packing to move there! Though, Neil could use a class act like yourself nearby to enjoy the hobby with. 🤷🏻♂️
@@SootheMilwaukeeRoad we leave HI today...your video helped with the depression of returning to the land of ice and snow.
The head to head was great. I totally understand the whole detailed thing. To each is their own. I ended up with 4 intermountain autoracks. Metal screens, details out the wahzoo. They look great, don't get me wrong here. But as odd as it sounds I prefer the scale trains racks, shoot even the atlas or walthers racks. They should put fraaaaaa gee lay on the box. I can already hear me singing the blues if one derails or whatever.
Enough of that. Great episode again!
Thanks for the feedback & I’m with you…
FRAAAA-GEEE-LAY (best comment)
th-cam.com/video/lR29zxrY2LM/w-d-xo.html
I always wonder, when is enough…enough?!?
Excellent points made, thanks for sharing and tuning in!
THAT was a very educational vid. Interesting about the Soo caboose. Those Alcos pollute like a steam engine:):) MFG comparison was interesting, maybe Scale trains and Rapido might do better?? Thanks as always, you make my day in modeling....
Thanks Dwight!
I’ll be honest, it’s been sitting on my “edit reel” for a while…refining it over time. As I wanted to do the models justice. Arrowhead’s are WICKED GOOD…the QC lacks, but hopefully that’s dialed in over time. If they do? Tangent has a serious rival on their tail.
p.s. I’m honored to be the bright spot in your modeling endeavors. It’s great to see you making progress on your fleet. At the end of the day, it’s about enjoying what we do with our free time. That said, the majority of my free time is spent creating these. It’s great to hear they’re being enjoyed. Have a good one, we’ll see ya around!
👍👍Nothing like the smell of deasil in the morning! Both appear to be nice cars, but both have issues, I do like Athern however. 🚂🚂
Right on the nuts Dave! Both cars do have issues, but we as modelers can iron certain ones out.
When Bob shared the “Smokin’ Sunday Extra” with me, I said, “This one HAS to be a featured clip.”
It’s funny you mentioned the smell, I thought the exact same thing! The neighborhood must have LOVED those things climbing the hill. 🙈
Thanks for tuning in & posting. It’s great to hear from ya.
Thanks for another well-done video. I have no skin in the game here, with Arrowhead vs. Athearn Genesis, as those are way too new for my era layout. But at $60 retail a car, I can buy 2 or 3 used like-new Kadee Brand cars in my era, or a handfull of Blue Box kits off eBay. But your point about what our time is worth is spot on. Arrowhead has a gorgeous 1960 era hopper now that looks great. When they go back another decade, I may need to jump aboard with their cars. Also, I wasn't aware they ran a double train like that on the SOO. Where did they stop to split it into two trains? Again, thanks for the vid! - Paul
You nailed it, with your feedback.
I’ve been seeing Kadee cars for $15-20 at shows and think, “Dang, those are $40+ cars…they were certainly ahead of their time.”
Thanks for tuning in and for leaving the feedback. It sounded like Rapido was going to do some more earlier era cars, like their exterior boxes they had done.
@@SootheMilwaukeeRoad Did Bob say where the SOO train splits?
@@gnsamp They split the train at Cardigan, with a stop at New Brighton, to pickup or drop cars for the MTRY.
Great video! I don't mind paying a little extra for nicely detailed models because I'm simply not patient enough to super detail them (even though i appreciate the level of detail). I love weathering, but adding/gluing tiny details? No thanks, I like spending my time on other things. But that's me. I own plenty of Genesis railcars and am happy with them, but I've honestly never really looked at Arrowhead before. This got me intrigued. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Excellent take. It’s great hearing what fellow modelers enjoy and prefer to avoid. You nailed it on the detail front…it allows you to focus on what you like.
You’re not spending all the time detailing…it’s straight to weathering. I’m with ya all the way.
Thanks for sharing & tuning in.
The head-to-head comparisons are always interesting. And a little hidden drawbar never hurts. Oh, wait maybe it does. The North Metro Club is always enjoyable. You need to confirm with Bob Rivard that the SOO train will split at Cardigan Jct. Keep the great videos coming.
It’s been confirmed, they split at Cardigan. I just spoke with Bob and he said, they would drop or pickup cars at New Brighton, then head to Cardigan Jct.
I would agree, Motts is good apple juice.
Who knew, the Soo crew had an opinion on apple juice. I’m a Lime-aid fan myself, but it just doesn’t have the same look at Scotch. 😂
Great to see competition in the hobby. Keeps everyone striving to produce better models.
As soon as Arrowhead produces something for my era railroad Erie Lackawanna I will be a purchaser.
Thanks for the great videos.
100% The same could be said for fellow modelers, we can push one another to get better.
I’m a backer of Arrowhead for sure…I buy Athearn too, but I believe Arrowhead can get their QC under control and if they stay competitive in the market?!? That’s them setting the bar…not us. Tangent I believe is the BEST on the market, bar none.
Thanks for posting, it’s great to hear a fellow modelers take.
@@SootheMilwaukeeRoad OMI
@@RonStanek TMI
@Soo the Milwaukee Road just kidding.OMI is like $$$$$
If you can get good deals at a show, then tweak them alittle, why pay mpre?
Nothing like clearing the pips!!
Those Geeps were more than likely sitting around the yard a day or two idling away. And Bob caught their first time actually getting notched up to blow all the carbon out. We will leave a couple GP38’s idling a day or two waiting for an elevator to load. Come back with the loads, hit the first hill, and they blow enough carbon build up out to kill the mosquitoes in the whole county. They sure take a while to clear out after sitting that long too
SPOT ON!!! I should have mentioned why they were belching the exhaust. With this being a Sunday Extra…they’d have sat idle for a few days. Shoreham is right around the bend and these boys needed to crank it up to make the grade. Note: They didn’t have pushers!?! 🤔
If someone didn’t like this episode, their layout probably matches the Viking’s Super Bowl trophy case
😳😆😂🤣 Nailed it!!!
I always appreciate feedback, good or bad. However, I really appreciate quality humor. Thanks for the laugh! 😆
I, myself, am not a "detail kind of guy".
I like undec. blue boxes.
Nothing wrong with that, there’s something to be said for durability.
Thanks for sharing your take.
Bingo!
Glad ya liked it! Thanks for tuning in & posting.
I think the weld seams, etc. would show up better on the Arrowhead model if the factory hadn’t glopped on the paint so thick. FWIW, Blaine has moved production of these models to a different factory, so hopefully subsequent runs won’t have the issues you describe.
This is a great update, thank you for taking the time to share and note the decision to use a new plant.
Thanks for tuning in & posting.
Awesome curmudgeon gripe, know that feeling.
RTR Kits, priceless!
Both are really nice cars, but Arrowhead has some insane details
PLUS
Blaine will respond to you and talk to you face to face like you are important to him vs a corporation very interested in fantasy schemes vs realistic prototypical schemes not produced…
Another great video WS!!!
Blaine has been a class act to deal with. It’s the customer service that helps build a company. I’ll support Arrowhead as much as one can, because he’s pushing the envelope. No, the fine detail isn’t for everyone, but his willingness to set the bar and be competitive in the market?!? Kudos to him for doing so.
Model railroad manufacturers are just responding to demand and offering freelanced models because they generate revenue.
Great video again William, I don't see the point of underbody detail, you don't see the detail when the trains are running ,I rather have a robust model that looks okay ,over a highly detailed model that is continually having parts falling off it, a model is an investment for many years service, I hate it when I loose parts on a model and manufacturers who don't provide spares. Cheers John.
Home run John!!!
Moloco was one of the most robust models I had weathered to date…I don’t know what they use for glue, but the car I was working on…it was like a TANK!
You make such a great point, it’s an investment…intended to stand the test of time. Not have issues and no CS. I get it, they can’t supply it all, but if they’re going to be delicate? You’ve gotta have a way to cover your bases.
Thanks for sharing your take, I agree with you on durability.
LMAO it reminded me of"Mountain Man" from Duck Dynasty.
😆 Great comparison!
🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃👍 good show
Thanks Tom!
🚂🚂🚂🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃👍👍
☝️ This train will split at Cardigan Jct.
Ya pretty disappointed you didn't review the apple juice. I mean how does it compare to unfiltered? Does Motts have added sugar? Cane or beet? Do the apples come from family owned orchards? LOL I always look forward to your videos. Great combination of information and entertainment.
If we didn’t have people falling asleep during the Arrowhead vs Athearn review…we’d of lost ‘em all during an apple juice review. 😆
Sure you can replace that Beacon if need be!!!!
well, its easy to say: if you don't like it, don't buy it.
however what is missing here (in my opinion), is some important factors for this decision:
-sometimes manufacturers only offer a little drawing of something you might really need or want for your layout, you have NO idea how it will turn out, if you don't buy it---in this case PREORDER it---- you might loose the chance to get something you really want but then you have to wait a couple years cause its sold out... if you wait until there is a detailed review, you might have lost the chance to get one...
-another important point is something personal for me, the fact that there are US modelers in overseas. when we pay 60-90 dollars for shipping and 50-80 additional dollars for import tariffs, we would like to have a nice product without any issues because usually we are left in the dark if there is an issue.... we usually can't send it back because that would cost as twice as much as the product itself... the frustration is extremely high when you pay around 1100.- for a nice 3-unit locomotive and then when it arrives ALL ladders are bent, so you can invest more time and effort and/or money and fix something that you just paid a big amount of money... or a broken part, nonworking decoder or whatever it might be...
-another factor is: overseas modelers often have to order for bigger amounts so that shipping is somehow split between different products, that makes small orders very difficult and we often have to plan well ahead how and what we are going to order, pre order and ship. we can NOT check out a product before we order it, except there has been a previous run, but that doesn't mean the new run is similar or same in quality, detail or function... when companies don't announce the runs, preorders or delivery times it gets pretty hard for us here, suddenly company X makes an update WE HAVE THIS AND THIS CAR IN STOCK, well if you don't have the money to make a big order (because again, import and shipping costs...) then you might run out empty again....
i think simply saying: if you don't like it, then don't buy it is not totally fair... but thats only me...
I’m not sure why your post has so many lines crossed out, but you really make a lot of excellent points.
The drawings as a base for ordering is one my dad & I have found to be so frustrating. Especially when they arrive with issues…we had an extremely costly brass caboose arrive with the wrong herald and lettering…and we’re not saying, “It’s close enough…” but it’s the highest level of model in the market and missed the mark by a lot. We inquired about it and were told, “Send it back and we’ll refund you.” That was a slap in the face…it’s an extremely iconic and unique model. We’re just asking for it to be done right. It’s a Ferrari with a Fiat motor…🤦🏻♂️
Your shipping point is a good one as well…we experience that with Brekina and other 1:87 vehicles…it’s crazy, but we’re fortunate to have some hobby shops that’ll pool orders and balance the costs for everyone.
Thanks for tuning in and a huge thanks for posting your take. You posted a great series of points. Have a great weekend!
Does it mean that I have mental problems when I am waiting impatiently for the Curmudgeons griype-of-tha-week
😆 Mental problem? No. Inpatient? Yes! 🤣
How’s the weight for the arrowhead? I had some of their RailGon gondolas and they were really light.
It’s odd. Some replies do not appear to have posted to TH-cam. If you received the previous reply? Disregard this one.
Both cars are weighted close to NMRA standards. I don’t have the exact figures, but they’re around 4 oz’s each. A little weight never hurts.
You’re so right about those gondola’s…I’ve got a couple and they’re too light.
Didn’t see the first reply.
I have a GTW version of this latest Athearn run and it’s a nice car for sure.
😂 No thanks to tame!!!
😂 I hope it didn’t put ya to sleep…ya hate to be startled awake by the ol’ Curmudgeon!
@@SootheMilwaukeeRoad Hadnt long woken :-) Possibly 17 hrs ahead of you??? I may not comment much but I do enjoy your rather lively videos !
Can I have a scotch too?
You can have a Scotch anytime, in fact, it may or may not improve the viewing pleasure?!? 🤔
You can always feel free to send me $50 and some sort of undec kit, I won't complain!
The true catch would be, do super detailed kits only supply the exact number of grabs needed?!? Ya drop one and you’re bending your own. 🤦🏻♂️
Bah, to hell with the manufacturers. They ain't giving their models away, nor are they especially charitable. Let them earn what they deserve.
If opinions aren’t voiced, how will they get it? Yet, we’re not the ones setting the bar, when manufactures say, “This will be the BEST!” Not just Arrowhead, but other manufactures boast the same.
I agree with you 100%, they’ve gotta earn it…
Thanks for posting, it’s great to hear fellow modelers take on the matter.