Athearn Announcements - January 2017

[ryan_wilkerson]

(NEW) N-scale ACF 3-Bay 4600 CenterFlow Hopper   
   http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=ACF+4600&CatID=TNRF
   http://www.athearn.com/newsletter/012717/14_N-scale_ACF_4600_CenterFlow_012717.pdf
EDIT: just noticed the separate thread by Mark5 for this one.


(MDC) N-scale High Cube Smooth Side Box Car   
   http://www.athearn.com/newsletter/012717/13_N-scale_High_Cube_Plug_Box_012717.pdf
   http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=50mdc1plugss&CatID=TNRF

N-scale 57’ FGE Mechanical Reefer   
   http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=57+Reefer&CatID=TNRF

N-scale EMD F45 Diesel Locomotive   
   http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=f45&CatID=TNLD

N-scale Z-8 Challenger Steam Locomotive   
   http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=4-6-6-4&CatID=TNLS

[wcfn100]

Some open hoppers too.

http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=40%27+Rib+Hopper&CatID=TNRF

Jason

[unittrain]

This is the largest amount of N ever announced by Athearn in one month as far as I know. A lot of good stuff.

[gbcaboose]

I like that the 4600 Centerflow's come in 3 singles and a 3 pack.

I have always heard that those Smoothside hi-cube cars were foobs. I thought that's why Athearn hasn't released many, if any of them since they got them from MDC.

Also, has anyone heard why Athearn's never released any of MDC's Waffle side cars. I always liked those.

Mike

[Cajonpassfan]

Well my wallet is safe, at least with the cars. Too new for my era. Odd that with the new and reissued Challengers in many iterations, there's not a single era-appropriate freight car one could pull with them ... well, maybe the hoppers?
Otto K.

[screeh]

I have always heard that those Smoothside hi-cube cars were foobs.

Sppokshow notes: "Although vaguely reminenscent (sic) of cars manufactured by PC&F, I'm told that this model is a complete foobie and not based on any actual prototype." - http://www.spookshow.net/freight/mdchicube.html

The cars would make reasonable stand-ins for at least some of the road names produced, it all depends on how exacting your expectations are e.g.:

• BNSF 712745 has similar proportions but the sides have recessed panels to the right of the door, looks like an ACF car? https://www.flickr.com/photos/96665117@N02/18894919655/
• CRLE 10325 looks pretty close http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1063930
• SSW 24250 has a noticeably wider door http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4153155

[draskouasshat]

Otto, shall we say a prayer for the early challenger to make it to n scale?
I showed the Athearn booth this at the N scale convention last summer. I got an "oh sh!t!" Out of the rep at least!

Adam Draskovich [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[CBQ Fan]

I am in for at least one F45 just because.

[jagged ben]

LOL, I thought the MDC hi-cube had died.  I believe I sold all of mine.  As delicious as some of those paint schemes are, I think my money will have to go to the hoppers and a couple more 'Solid Cold' reefers. 

[Cajonpassfan]

Otto, shall we say a prayer for the early challenger to make it to n scale?
I showed the Athearn booth this at the N scale convention last summer. I got an "oh sh!t!" Out of the rep at least

Dream on Drasko, not happennin' 
Too bad...
Otto K.

[nkalanaga]

Since the SP&S Challenger I reserved in April 2015 hasn't arrived yet, and I don't need another one, that's out.

I don't need the Hi-Cubes or hoppers, so those are out.

The BNFE reefers are in my era, but I have several stockpiled, and only two industries that could use one, so their out.  If they made a GN version, I could use a set, with WFCX or patched BNFE initials. 

If I keep buying F45s eventually I'll have the entire BN roster, so I'll skip those as well.

The BN Centerflows, on the other hand, I'll definitely need.  And they're the proper style, which is even better.  Hopefully the next run will include CB&Q, which I can also use.  Might get a SOO as well, although I don't NEED it.  My feed mill can use almost any grain car. 

The KCS car is an oddity.  Athearn notes that the body style and NEW date don't match, but the lettering is also 1990s(?) or later, with the CAPY line deleted.  That's a weird one. 

So they will be getting some of my money, and I'm sure a lot of people will want the models I don't.

[casmmr]

C&O, B&O 3 bay hoppers due Dec, 2017, I think that I have found another 18 cars for my coal train.  Better place my pre order now and make sure that I get them.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

LOL, I thought the MDC hi-cube had died.  I believe I sold all of mine.  As delicious as some of those paint schemes are, I think my money will have to go to the hoppers and a couple more 'Solid Cold' reefers. 

Yep. It's a bummer, because I realized I have a decided and noticeable lack of western major road boxcars in my fleet. I think I have one ATSF, no BN, no UP, maybe a WP and a MP. I've got a couple SP cars, but probably not enough.

These would've been fun, but too bad.

[Cajonpassfan]

Went to the big train show in Pomona today and saw the new Athearn SP&S 4-6-6-4's....very nice models, see pics below. Amazing we get something like that in N scale. Sorry I couldn't get better lighting, but at a show, we take what we get. I do hope they sell well.

I also had a nice talk with the Athearn rep at the booth inquiring about the early UP CSA Challenger, like the one they're about to introduce in HO. Impression I got is that there was less than enthusiastic preorder response from the buying public in HO, so the N scale version is unlikely (unless the HO models sell really well). It wouldn't hurt to let Athearn know if you're interested in a N scale version...

Otto K.

[Ike the BN Freak]

I'm in for the BN covered hoppers, probably get a Soo Line and a couple of the ATSF ones.