Uploaded July 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
In July of 2023, Athearn shipped the latest run of their Genesis MP15 locomotives in HO scale.
This newest run included some much desired upgrades from the factory, namely working front and rear ditch lights, and working ground lights under the cab.
In this video, I give you an up close look at the model from every angle, go over the details and features, check the coupler height and wheel gauge, test run the model on a DC test track before installing the DCC decoder.
After that, I install an ESU LokSound 5 and sugar cube speaker.
Finally, I added a yellow frame stripe, graffiti decals, and weather with the airbrush and pastel powers.
After this video was uploaded, I got this engine out to the layout for some test runs. I was about to easily move a string of 15 cars on flat track. Unfortunately, on grades its pulling power is greatly degraded. I could only pull about 5 free rolling cars up a 2% grade that was on a curve.
0:00 Intro
0:48 Photos of the finished model
1:23 Unboxing
6:13 A look at the details
8:30 Wheels and Couplers
10:23 DC test run
12:04 Remove the shell
12:25 Motherboard and Wiring
21:26 ESU Speaker baffle
26:01 A word about ESU sound decoders
28:46 Installing the 21-pin 58429 sound decoder
29:27 Smokebox Graphics yellow reflective frame stripe
32:15 Masking, Clear Coat, and Decaling
33:28 Airbrush Weathering
Share this video to help support my Channel!
Comments? Leave them down below.
In July of 2023, Athearn shipped the latest run of their Genesis MP15 locomotives in HO scale.
This newest run included some much desired upgrades from the factory, namely working front and rear ditch lights, and working ground lights under the cab.
In this video, I give you an up close look at the model from every angle, go over the details and features, check the coupler height and wheel gauge, test run the model on a DC test track before installing the DCC decoder.
After that, I install an ESU LokSound 5 and sugar cube speaker.
Finally, I added a yellow frame stripe, graffiti decals, and weather with the airbrush and pastel powers.
After this video was uploaded, I got this engine out to the layout for some test runs. I was about to easily move a string of 15 cars on flat track. Unfortunately, on grades its pulling power is greatly degraded. I could only pull about 5 free rolling cars up a 2% grade that was on a curve.
0:00 Intro
0:48 Photos of the finished model
1:23 Unboxing
6:13 A look at the details
8:30 Wheels and Couplers
10:23 DC test run
12:04 Remove the shell
12:25 Motherboard and Wiring
21:26 ESU Speaker baffle
26:01 A word about ESU sound decoders
28:46 Installing the 21-pin 58429 sound decoder
29:27 Smokebox Graphics yellow reflective frame stripe
32:15 Masking, Clear Coat, and Decaling
33:28 Airbrush Weathering
Share this video to help support my Channel!
Comments? Leave them down below.
