Athearn N Scale Announcements - March 26, 2021

[Mark5]

IIRC, 2971 was only produced in the mid 1970's for a few owners, e.g. SP,  DRGW, SLSF.

You're right (ACFX, SLSF, C&EI, DRGW, NAHX, MP, P&LE, SP). http://www.railgoat.railfan.net/acf/acf_2b_center_flow_2971.htm

I guess I was thinking about this 1966 built series (3200s): http://www.railgoat.railfan.net/acf/acf_2b_center_flow_3200.htm

They are longer than the 1980/81 NW cars. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=310958

Looks like the WW series Athearn is doing are really 3200s (the real ones that is).

Is the Athearn model a pre-1971 proto, or do they have high or lo brake wheel variations along with the horizontal rib (pre-71) or no rib (71+)?

[Maletrain]

Regarding "ear" vs "year" or "era": 

An automatic spell checker is going to pass on all of those, because they are all real words, even though only one of them makes sense in the sentence.

There is really just no substitute for a real person actually paying attention.  Proof reading is what they need.  It is part of "attention to detail".

[jagged ben]

...

Is the Athearn model a pre-1971 proto, or do they have high or lo brake wheel variations along with the horizontal rib (pre-71) or no rib (71+)?

I forget the details but I'm pretty sure the Athearn model is an older proto than the IM or MT.  I'd wager it's pre 1971.

[cfritschle]

All of the Athearn 2-bay Centerflows that I have are the pre-1971 version, and I am reasonably certain that is the only body style they have for the 2-bay.  However, Atlas also makes a post 1971 ACF 2-bay Centerflow (although currently sold out) to add the variety available from Micro-Trains and InterMountain.      https://shop.atlasrr.com/c-685-n32.aspx

[cjm413]

You're right (ACFX, SLSF, C&EI, DRGW, NAHX, MP, P&LE, SP). http://www.railgoat.railfan.net/acf/acf_2b_center_flow_2971.htm

I guess I was thinking about this 1966 built series (3200s): http://www.railgoat.railfan.net/acf/acf_2b_center_flow_3200.htm

They are longer than the 1980/81 NW cars. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=310958

Looks like the WW series Athearn is doing are really 3200s (the real ones that is).

Is the Athearn model a pre-1971 proto, or do they have high or lo brake wheel variations along with the horizontal rib (pre-71) or no rib (71+)?

Off the top of my head, CNW was the only road to have 2970's with the high mounted handbrake, and Athearn didn't cover this version in HO or N.   I vaguely recall Plano making a new set of end cages for the Athearn HO model, but I couldn't find it listed...

The only variation that Athearn offers that comes to mind would be the RI cars with trough hatches.

[cjm413]

All of the Athearn 2-bay Centerflows that I have are the pre-1971 version, and I am reasonably certain that is the only body style they have for the 2-bay.  However, Atlas also makes a post 1971 ACF 2-bay Centerflow (although currently sold out) to add the variety available from Micro-Trains and InterMountain.      https://shop.atlasrr.com/c-685-n32.aspx

Atlas model has the wrong ends and crude detail.

[Rossford Yard]

Regarding "ear" vs "year" or "era": 

An automatic spell checker is going to pass on all of those, because they are all real words, even though only one of them makes sense in the sentence.

There is really just no substitute for a real person actually paying attention.  Proof reading is what they need.  It is part of "attention to detail".

I'm an architect.  Years ago, I had a youngish secretary who brushed off any errors saying that she had run it through spell check.  Many of my specifications means to say, "Free from defects" but often called for construction with "free form defects."  I left it in after a while, as a test to see if bidders were actually reading the specs, LOL.

[JoeD]

Athearn's Husky Stacks are body mounted.  It's an update to the old MDC tooling.  In my opinion MT's husky stack is superior though.  More accurate ladder grabs and more realistic walkways, even if they are plastic while Athearn's are etched metal.

I like the way you think

[Mark5]

I like the way you think

Hey Joe - you guys oughta fast track the 2970s to body mount - it's a great model (even if it is 1971+  ).

[wazzou]

The NP's ACF 2970 CuFt Hoppers were built in 1967.

[cjm413]

Hey Joe - you guys oughta fast track the 2970s to body mount - it's a great model (even if it is 1971+  ).

They are a pretty easy conversion.  Off the top of my head, I recall I used 1015's and Trainworx 100T trucks with the offset kingpin hole.

[cjm413]

They are a pretty easy conversion.  Off the top of my head, I recall I used 1015's and Trainworx 100T trucks with the offset kingpin hole.

Correction - I used 1015's and Atlas 100T trucks, so MTL 100T trucks should also work.

Although this is an easy conversion, it would be nice to see them come from the factory with correct 100T trucks vs. perpetually having to buy them as separate parts and further overpopulating my parts box with undersized trucks that have offset kingpin holes...