Athearn June N Scale Announcements

[amato1969]

PS-2 2893 3-bay covered hoppers:
http://www.athearn.com/newsletter/052716/13_N-scale_PS-2_2893_Hopper_052716.pdf

F89F bi-level auto racks:
http://www.athearn.com/newsletter/052716/14_N-scale_F89F_Autorack_052716.pdf

Discuss! 

  Frank

[unittrain]

I'm liking the autoracks. would like to see a tri level done based on the 60s.

[central.vermont]

Anyone know if any of the PS-2 covered hopper road names listed would be pre1960?

Jon

[Missaberoad]

Anyone know if any of the PS-2 covered hopper road names listed would be pre1960?

Jon

Assuming the reweigh dates are correct

Monon is 12-1955
N&W is 5-1955
Reynold's is 3-1955
Int. Min & Chem is 5-1956
Wabash is 2-1954 (edit: this is a 1970s era car see below)

GTW is 4-1970
ICG is 4-1974

[central.vermont]

Thanks for the info but I question the Wabash only because it has an ACI label on the car.

Jon

[Missaberoad]

Missed that I was zoomed in on the left side of the car 

The ACI label and the particular Consolidated Lube Stencil would date it post 1974.
Would also indicate that the car should have a much later re-weigh date.

[MichaelWinicki]

Like to see some PC autoracks.

Already have a slew of the 3-bay covered hoppers.

[jagged ben]

I will have to pull the trigger on that Southern autorack with the side panels, just to support decisions to make those types.  Interesting there's no indication that model will be more expensive.   I wonder if @bbussey knows anything about this.

Also SP for me.

I hope at some point they also do a straight intermodal version of that flat car.

[GonzoCRFan]

Am I the only one bothered by the informational blurb stating these cars are appropriate for present-day modelers? 

[ljudice]

Am I the only one bothered by the informational blurb stating these cars are appropriate for present-day modelers? 

Present day modelers who model the 1960s!! 

As opposed to modelers in the past.

[nkalanaga]

It does seem a little strange that they put ACI labels and consolidated stencils on the Wabash cars, since the Wabash was effectively nonexistent by the time they appeared.  That would seem to limit sales to the Wabash fans, the most likely buyers, not a good business decision.

I'm with Unittrain.  I want to see a tri-level from the 1960s.  Side panels were just appearing in my 1974, and bi-levels were much less common in the Northwest than tri-levels.  I can't comment on the NP model, as I don't remember ever seeing a picture of an NP autorack. 

[thomasjmdavis]

The Warbonnet had an article (2nd quarter/2002) on the PS2 covered hoppers and some of the info has application beyond ATSF.  Early PS2 (through at least the ones ATSF bought in 1954- Ga90) had evenly spaced hatches.  Apparently it was found in practice that this did not result in even loading, so from 1955 (Ga94) on, hatches were offset as they are on the model.  So any build date prior to late 1954 is suspect at best and might indicate a foobie.

The Monon numbers appear to be correct for a PS2 2893, but I haven't found a photo yet.  I note in the graphic they are lettered for "CIL" which would put them in 1954 or 55, and reporting marks would have changed to MON sometime after the official name change in 1956 (not sure how long the CIL reporting marks lasted).  Does make me a potential customer for this car.

Wish they would redo the original ATSF scheme- haven't been able to find one.

[thomasjmdavis]

There is a drawing of the Monon car online
http://www.monon.org/drawings/2011/2011-01Hopper4401-4430.jpg

Note that in the drawing, the centers on the hatches are correctly dimensioned, but not drawn to scale (they look more evenly spaced than they really are- compare to the centers between the hoppers shown at the bottom of the drawing which are drawn to scale).

[mplsjct]

How about a pick up truck, or a suburban, or anything to load on these bi level auto racks?

Preferably something that doesn't take a lot of assembly or painting.

Is that asking too much?

[bbussey]

I will have to pull the trigger on that Southern autorack with the side panels, just to support decisions to make those types.  Interesting there's no indication that model will be more expensive.   I wonder if @bbussey knows anything about this.

Also SP for me.

I hope at some point they also do a straight intermodal version of that flat car.

Yes, I do know about it. I was told when I approached them about obtaining a sample to design anti-vandal panels that they would have occasional releases with panels. That still doesn't negate the need for panels on the other cars.