Athearn Genesis 2.0 Is Here!

Available in the following road names:

• FMG (Australia)
• Canadian Pacific
• Union Pacific
• EMD Demonstrator

Athearn Genesis 2.0 HO G27327 G2 SD90MAC-H Phase II, Union Pacific #8522 (DCC and Sound Equipped)
Part #: ATH-G27327
MSRP $339.98

EMD SD90MAC-H PHASE II WILL POSSESS THE FOLLOWING FEATURES:

• Available for the first time in Plastic!
• All lighting feature new LEDs
• Rubber MU hoses for durability
• All New Tooling
• Better than brass detail
• DCC+Sound models contain full-feature Tsunami2 sound decoder with EMD 265H prime mover sounds by SoundTraxx

UP FEATURES:

• Antenna dome on cab roof per prototype blue flag holders on engineers side of cab nose
• Nose door no window
• Cab side long style sun shades
• As delivered strut placement on truck sideframes

LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

• Brand new model previously only available in brass
• Fully-assembled and ready-to-run
• DCC-ready features Quick Plug plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector
• Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, photographs, and more
• Accurately-painted and -printed paint schemes
• Coupler cut levers
• Rubber MU hoses
• Trainline hose
• See through cab windows
• Full cab interior
• Walkway tread
• Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
• Windshield wipers
• Lift rings
• Wire grab irons
• Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, & breather pipes
• Sander lines
• McHenry scale knuckle couplers - Kadee compatible
• Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain
• All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth & quiet operation
• All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
• Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
• LED Lighting for realistic appearance
• Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
• Packaging securely holds for the model for safe storage

GENESIS 2.0 FEATURES:

• Etched, see-through walkway steps
• Illuminated number boards
• Illuminated ground lights
• DCC+Sound models feature dual Sugarcube speakers for optimal sound quality

SOUND EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE:

• Onboard DCC+Sound models have full-feature Tsunami2 sound decoder with EMD 265H prime mover sounds by SoundTraxx
• Sound units operate in both DC and DCC
• Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode
• Engine, horn, and bell sounds work in DC
• All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode
• Precision slow speed control
• Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights
• Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes
• CV chart included in the box

These models are available at selected retailers now.

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Program a Locomotive with a Sound Only and Motive Only Decoder

So I have a locomotive that has both a sound only and motive only decoder...now what?!?!

Step 1 - take a deep breath...
Step 2 - exhale slowly...
Step 3 - read on.

It's not as big a deal as you may think. The time honored method is to use the long and short addresses to separate them out for programming. Really?!?!... How?

First, you have to realize that it will be necessary to unplug/unsolder one of the decoders while you configure the addresses of the other one. That way you are guaranteed to not inadvertently program both with the same values (except for the long address...read on).

Second, set the short addresses of each decoder to be different and the long addresses to be the same. Many use the 4-digit cab number for the long address in both decoders, then use the first 2 digits for the short address for the sound decoder and the second 2 digits for the short address of the motive decoder. If your locomotive only has 2 digits then you are on your own (sorry).

So with decoder 2 unplugged set decoder 1's CV29 to use 2-digit addressing by setting bit 5 to 0 and set the locomotive's short address to the first 2 digits of the cab number. Then set CV29 bit 5 to 1 and set the locomotive's long address to the cab number.

Now, after plugging decoder 2 in and unplugging decoder 1, set decoder 2's CV29 to use 2-digit addressing by setting bit 5 to 0 and set the locomotive's short address to the second 2 digits of the cab number. Then set CV29 bit 5 to 1 and set the locomotive's long address to the cab number.

Here's an example. With a locomotive cab address of 5291, decoder 1 responds to address 52, decoder 2 responds to address 91 and both decoders respond to address 5291. (Don't forget to plug decoder 2 back in)

One caveat with this method. If the sound only decoder is a Digitrax SoundBug you can't use JMRI to assist with this method. This is due to the SoundBug's inability to provide an acknowledge signal after a change. JMRI must have that acknowledge signal to recognize the decoder.

This is just one method. If you know of another please leave a comment with a short description of how to do it.

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If you have an idea for a blog post here, let me know. If I can comment on it, I will or I'll see if someone else can and post it.

Digitrax PR3, JMRI DecoderPro and Non-Digitrax Decoders

There have been reports that occasionally when programming a non-Digitrax decoder with JMRI's DecoderPro, changing the locomotive address for example, the decoder's sound stops functioning. Digitrax support recommends a decoder factory reset and states that DecoderPro will sometimes change unwanted CVs.

This is an issue with the Digitrax PR3 and not JMRI.

Below is from the JMRI website.

Using the PR3 programming track to program Non-Digitrax Decoders

To implement that "neutral mode" described above, the PR3 automatically writes CV128 to 0 or 1. This happens when a JMRI throttle is used to run the locomotive on the PR3 programming track, and there's nothing JMRI can do to prevent it. Unfortunately, this can interfere with the CV programming on some non-Digitrax decoders. For example, it will set the "Master Volume" CV128 on some SoundTraxx decoders to a very low volume.

If you are using the PR3 with a decoder that uses CV128 for something, you should either not use a JMRI throttle to run the locomotive on the PR3 programming track, or remember to rewrite CV128 with the right value just before removing the locomotive from the track.

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A Word to the Wise - Don't Do This!!

or this!!

Re-evaluate your layout's shortcomings. It will save you a lot of heartache. Not to mention possibly your home.

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If you have an idea for a blog post here, let me know. If I can comment on it, I will or I'll see if someone else can and post it.

China Tariff Update From Walthers

Released by Walthers 15 Aug 2019:

As you have likely heard or read in the news, there has been a lot of activity recently relating to tariffs with China. In early August, it was stated that the administration would activate an additional 10% import duty on the final $300 billion in product the U.S. imports from China. This 10% tariff was to go into effect September 1, 2019 and would have included model trains and accessories. Yesterday, President Trump announced that an import duty on certain products will not go into effect on September 1st, rather they will be delayed until December 15th. Model trains and accessories are, indeed, on the list of products that will not go into effect until December. As of right now, we are pleased to say there will be no impact to the pricing of our Walthers branded product. We will continue to watch this situation closely, advocate for our products to be excluded should the tariffs come to pass, and inform you of developments that impact you as soon as possible.

We thank you for your continued support and wish you continued enjoyment of this great hobby.

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If you have an idea for a blog post here, let me know. If I can comment on it, I will or I'll see if someone else can and post it.