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A few months ago I found a great deal on a set of three Walthers Superliners (Phase IV) from Internet Trains. Now I need a locomotive to get them going. I want a Genesis locomotive, but I am confused by all the offerings out there. I don't have a decent hobby shop in my area, so I can't easily consult with a dealer.
First, I'm confused by the numbers P-40, P-42 and AMD-103, all of which seem to apply to the same type of locomotive.
I'd really like to have a Phase V locomotive, but selection seems pretty slim. I found a limited run Athearn RTR unit on Internet Trains for about $74, which seems a little high. Eventually I'll want a dummy to match, but there doesn't seem to be any Phase V dummies available at all. http://www.internettrains.com/atamd103amph.html I thought I had seen the same locomotive for about $10 less at another site, but I don't remember where.
If I wait a few months will I be more likely to have a better selection of Phase V equipment?
I might consider (in order of preference) a Phase III or Phase IV paint scheme, and Athearn has several in kit form, but from the listing on the Athearn site and on Internet Trains, all they offer are model numbers and terms like "Amtrak #1", and "Amtrak #2" or "Intercity" and "Northeast Corridor" They don't use the traditional terms like "Phase III" and "Phase IV" I wrote to Athearn and their explanation did not offer much clarification. I'm getting frustrated. Can anyone help?
By the way, I will be running these on 18" curves. I find the Walther's Superliners will go round the curves with no trouble (though they do look a bit goofy). I am hoping the locomotive will as well. If it won't work, tell me now!
My long term plan is to buy additional Superliners to have at least one sleeper and two coaches, along with a baggage car, and maybe a transition sleeper. But I plan to build this gradually to keep costs manageable.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
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Kato has an excellent selection in N. I have about a dozen of them in all phase schemes.
Posts: 363 | From: Southwest North Central Florida | Registered: Apr 2002
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Alot of the variations of the 'genesis' diesel are internal with only minor external diffrences. An athearn 'genesis' will go round an 18" curve but with cars coupled you will be really pushing it. With this sort of equipment 30" would be a desirable minimum though with careful tracklaying you could get away with 22" hope this helps
Posts: 17 | Registered: Sep 2002
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Hate to break it to you but the Athearn/Walthers phase V P42's are extremely hard to get! A few were on eBay in the past and all were very pricey.
As of now, all of the previous phase V's (#'s 182, 163, 184, 146) are sold out everywhere. A new batch (#'s 203, 134, and 207) is coming out soon and if you want them, act fast. As all of us Amtrak modelers want them
The Athearn kits come in all of the phases Amtrak used. Phase III(fade and constant sripes), IV(Intercity and Northeast Corridor). It's hard to describe the differences of the paint schemes. I've posted a picture of each of the major schemes to help you. For more info see this link. http://www.4rr.com/INTRO/top_001.htm
As for P40, P42, AMD-103 The P40's were the first of the Genesis locos (#800-843)(P=passenger, 40=4000 horsepower). The P42's are the newest (#1-207)(P=passenger, 42=4250 horsepower). AMD-103 is another name for Genesis, and the computer proccesor is an AMD.
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Thanks for the info. This has really helped a lot. I'll take your comments in order.
BNSF wrote:
quote:An athearn 'genesis' will go round an 18" curve but with cars coupled you will be really pushing it.
Can you explain what you mean by "pushing it?" What sort of troubles might I encounter?
For those who aren't aware, my "layout" is nothing more than a shelf around the upper perimeter of our dining room. I don't have space in our little cottage for a traditional layout.
I have some 85' Phase I IHC Amtrak cars and they go around just fine pulled by a powered Athearn F7A and an F7B dummy. They look a little goofy if you watch where the cars meet, but there are no problems with the physics. The Superliners do likewise, but they've had trouble staying connected to the F7 locomotive for some reason. But that was just a brief experiment, F7s and Superliners are anachronistic. If I have the same trouble with a Genesis, should I try longer couplers?
I use Power-Loc track and I do have some 22" curves, but they don't quite fit on the shelf.
Chief, thanks for the pix. I am familiar with the Phase III variants and Phase IV schemes, but I didn't realize the differences with the NEC scheme. With the help of your photos I was able to decipher the message from Athearn. Evidently their "Amtrak" scheme refers to Phase III and "Intercity" refers to Phase IV.
Though I really want a Phase V, I don't want to spend the $$$ for one. I'm thinking I should go with a kit and save my money for additional Superliners. And in case I can't get it to work on my 18" curves I won't be out too much money.
Having now had the opportunity to see all schemes and variants in one place, I'm leaning towards Phase IV for looks, as it most closely matches the Superliner Phase IV scheme. But I have never actually seen a Phase IV unit in real life, save for the NEC unit #52 mentioned above.
Most of the Amtrak trains I have actually seen prior to Phase V were in Phase III, so I am torn between wanting to run the colors I have actually encountered, and the scheme I like better. I don't think too many locomotives were actually painted in Phase IV.
Anyway, thanks to both of you for the help. I'll let you know how it works out.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
I do own the Budds(recommended 24"radius) and run them on 22". I substituted KD # 26 longer shank couplers to eliminate de-railments on the 22"curve because the diaphragms were rubbing and the cars have limited lateral truck swing.
Posts: 213 | From: Grand Rapids Mi USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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By 'pushing it' i mean your luck in terms of reliability. P40/2's and superliner cars are big pieces of equipment. If your track is good and you dont operate at 200mph you should be ok. Though some modifications of equipment may be necessary (substituting longer shanked couplers for example) and checking the wheelsets are in gauge. Out of interest i have 2 n-scale kato p42's with 8 superliner cars and deluxe innovations roadrailers and this train looks just ok on 18" curves!! Most of my curves are 12" or greater. Hope this information helps.
Posts: 17 | Registered: Sep 2002
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I found a great deal on a closeout at http://www.lankel.com I got an Athearn P40 Phase III (fading stripes) #838 (with the "Opportunity, Responsibility, Community" motto on the side), for just $30!
Plus! I got a Phase III (solid stripes) P42 dummy for just $13!
I figure I can just swap the shells if I want to lead with the P42.
The service was fast. I ordered Sunday night and they arrived on Wednesday, having been shipped from South Dakota all the way to California. Shipping was just $6.50, about two dollars less than Internet Trains' minimum shipping, and about a week faster.
I have run the powered unit a little, but it is still in the assembly stages, so I don't have couplers attached yet. They both came with horn and hook couplers, which surprised me, but since this was a closeout, they may have been from an older production run. I think I have enough Kadee #5 couplers on hand to do at least one of them, maybe both.
My only concern is that it seems to run a bit loud. Might it need a little lubrication somewhere, or is that just typical for the model?
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
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I think the Athearn P-40/42's are loud. Perhaps some lube may help. But these locos do not have the upper quality Athearn Genesis series motors, so don't expect too much. But they should still be good runners. If not, then there may be a problem.
Good luck with your trainset.
Posts: 579 | From: San Bernardino Subdivison | Registered: Dec 2001
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If properly tuned up the old Athearn drive can be made to operate very well, and as quiet as anything on the market. Jim Furhman has instructions on his web site for tuning up Athearn drives. I tried posting his web address, but I don't know how to get this board to add a link. When I tried openning it from Yahoo, I had no luck. Go to www.trainweb.org/ocmr/ then go to "Members Pages" and go to Jim Furhman's web page. He has a wealth of information on his site, but click on his Athearn tune up clinic. Jim has Athearn locomotives that he has tuned up that run as well as any model on the market! The open framed Athearn motors draw more power than the can motors, but not a lot more when properly tuned. If you are running your trains around a room, you could increase the radius at the corners by "bridging across" and increase your radius to 30" without losing much space in the room. Just use flex track on cork roadbed on the corners.
[This message has been edited by Russ Bellinis (edited 10-24-2003).]
[This message has been edited by Russ Bellinis (edited 10-24-2003).]
[This message has been edited by Russ Bellinis (edited 10-24-2003).]
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The P40's were the first of the Genesis locos (#800-843)(P=passenger, 40=4000 horsepower). The P42's are the newest (#1-207)(P=passenger, 42=4250 horsepower). AMD-103 is another name for Genesis, and the computer proccesor is an AMD. 
