Athearn's Peaked end rib side 70 ton N&W pix posted (H2a standin)

[Mark5]

They got some pix up:

1950s scheme


1960s scheme (63+)


Fuzzy pix, but looking pretty nice, now lettered as H2a instead of H10 as indicated in the artwork, also no COTS. ;D

Mark

[lock4244]

All you need now is a pumpkin -9 and you're all set for some authentic N&W peavine action 

They do look nice... Athearn is hitting home runs as of late with their rollingstock... 'cept for those "cushioned" drawbars on everything.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I never realized it before, but the mchenry couplers look to actually have some detail to em. Nifty!

And Mark, are you a happy man now?

[Mark5]

And Mark, are you a happy man now?

Dunno. The "N&W" looks a tad small on these (should be 24"). When they come in I will go see them at MBK armed with my scale rule. They got the size pretty much right on the previous open hopper releases so I may be "seeing things".

Credit to Athearn for not releasing these as H10s with COTS.

When I get a break (soon hopefully) I'll finish up the N&W hopper decals.

Mark

[ljudice]

Where are the holes stuffed with hay to prevent coal from falling out???

That's how I remember these cars...

[Mark5]

Where are the holes stuffed with hay to prevent coal from falling out???

That's how I remember these cars...

Lol, you must be thinking 1980s.

[ljudice]

yep - and even into the 90's - we used to get the UOR and UHR coal trains in NJ from off the NS and they would have dozens of cars with the hay flying as they went along.

By the time the rebuilds started showing, CR had moved those trains off the Lehigh Line and up to Albany and down the River Line.

[Mark5]

OK, got to see these in the store today.

First glance was an "uh oh" ...

With trusty scale rule in hand the worst was confirmed - the "N&W" is too small. Result = wallet happy, hopper roster unhappy.

The "N&W" works out to be about 18" tall - it should be 24". N&W used 24" "N&W"s on all it's hoppers from 1951 to 1970. The lettering is closer in size (but not in shape) to the 17" N&W used from the turn of the century through 1951 ...

I'm probably one of the few that cares about this but incorrectly sized lettering really stands out in a string of N&W hoppers.

Mark

[inkaneer]

OK, got to see these in the store today.

First glance was an "uh oh" ...

With trusty scale rule in hand the worst was confirmed - the "N&W" is too small. Result = wallet happy, hopper roster unhappy.

The "N&W" works out to be about 18" tall - it should be 24". N&W used 24" "N&W"s on all it's hoppers from 1951 to 1970. The lettering is closer in size (but not in shape) to the 17" N&W used from the turn of the century through 1951 ...

I'm probably one of the few that cares about this but incorrectly sized lettering really stands out in a string of N&W hoppers.

Mark

I'm surprised no one seems to care about the extreme coupling distance.  How long is Atlas and Athearn going to force us to buy rolling stock with trainset coupling distances.  Isn't it about time they redesigned these trucks to allow closer coupling distances? 

[bbussey]

Recent releases of Atlas rolling stock have featured redesigned coupler pockets on the trucks to allow for closer coupling.

[Mark5]

I'm surprised no one seems to care about the extreme coupling distance.  How long is Atlas and Athearn going to force us to buy rolling stock with trainset coupling distances.  Isn't it about time they redesigned these trucks to allow closer coupling distances? 

I care about it - I fix it.

Mark

[ljudice]

Hmmm...  Not good, although my intent was to pick some up for MOW use, removing all the lettering and applying custom stencil decals...

As far as caring about lettering, we all sympathize...  I was attempting to explain to the wife the other night the angst I have been feeling over these NS diesel headlight location issues and after about 2 1/2 minutes instead of expressing spousely concern was suggesting psychiatric counseling.

Hmmmm....

[SirTainly]

I care about it - I fix it.

Mark

Does no one make a 24" decal (I see Microsale doesn't at the moment)? If not, might be worth having someone do a custom run of quite a few then redecalling the cars correctly. Since it's only 2 per car I'd imagine that it'd be possible to set up a production line on the workbench and rattle through them.

[Mark5]

I care about it - I fix it.

Mark

Does no one make a 24" decal (I see Microsale doesn't at the moment)? If not, might be worth having someone do a custom run of quite a few then redecalling the cars correctly. Since it's only 2 per car I'd imagine that it'd be possible to set up a production line on the workbench and rattle through them.

I was referring to the couplers.

As for decals, there are none available but that will change this year.

Mark

[Bob Bufkin]

Mark

Am I seeing things because the ride height looks kind of high on the photos you supplied?