Athearn Bombardier trucks

[ATSF_Ron]

Years ago I sold my first run Bombardier cars because of the poor rolling quality of the trucks.  I see Athearn is advertising they have been "redesigned for smoother rolling."  I'm not sure if this refers to the upcoming release or the last release.  Has anyone had experience with these supposedly redesigned trucks?  Hopefully they're better than the originals!!  Thanks,

ATSF Ron

[Dwight in Toronto]

OMG … those Athearn bilevels were deplorable.  I know nothing about a new release, but pretty much ANY redesign could not possibly be any worse.

[kiwi_bnsf]

The Athearn Bombardier passenger cars with the retooled trucks have not shipped yet — the first release with them is due in the very near future (likely before the end of 2024).

See PDF here:  https://www.athearn.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-athearn-us-Library/default/dw9f6d494d/announcements/may-2023/06_ATHN_Bombardier_Passenger_Car_042823.pdf

[ATSF_Ron]

Thanks kiwi_bnsf. I wasn’t sure if the redesign was the last release or the upcoming one.

Dwight, I’d have to agree with that statement! 😂

[jwaldo]

They couldn't be any worse unless they switched to square wheels.

I wonder if Athearn's parts department will sell the upgraded trucks separately. I put a lot of work into weathering and detailing my first Metrolink set; if I could actually make it roll worth a darn I'd be overjoyed.

[Dwight in Toronto]

I have to shame-facedly admit that I ended up swapping every one of those horrid Athearn trucks for not-even-remotely-prototypical MT bogies. 

I got fed up watching my Athearn MP36PH spin its wheels while trying to pull a meagre 6-coach GO Transit commuter train.  I decided that an easy-rolling rake of useable coaches was preferable to seeing shiny disc brakes on wheelsets that refused to rotate.

I too have my fingers crossed that the improved trucks will be made available for the older bilevel cars.  If Athearn were to do the right thing, they would provide those new trucks as a customer loyalty initiative, but I’m not crossing my fingers in hopes of that!