Athearn Announcement November 29, 2024 ("December") 2nd month in a row without N

[Mark5]

Nothing in N scale ... again (two months in a row) 

(The most recent announcement in N scale from Athearn was September 27 ("October") https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=58555.msg806431#msg806431)

HO Scale gets announcements though:
SD60 (new tooling) https://www.athearn.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-athearn-us-Library/default/dw590b3179/announcements/december-2024/01_GENHO_SD60_112924.pdf
50ft PC&F 6' & 8' Youngstown Plug Door Box Car https://www.athearn.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-athearn-us-Library/default/dwff24d298/announcements/december-2024/02_GEN_50ft_PCF_Box_Car_112924.pdf
EMD SW1500 https://www.athearn.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-athearn-us-Library/default/dwce2aae7d/announcements/december-2024/03_ATHHO_EMD_SW1500_112924.pdf
GE AC4400CWhttps://www.athearn.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-athearn-us-Library/default/dw2be9f0a7/announcements/december-2024/04_ATHHO_AC4400CW_112924.pdf
60ft Pullman Common Standard Postal Car (new tooling) https://www.athearn.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-athearn-us-Library/default/dwfbe1ab95/announcements/december-2024/05_ATHHO_60ft_Pullman_Common_Standard_Postal_Car_112924.pdf
48ft Wedge Trailer https://www.athearn.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-athearn-us-Library/default/dwf4e8f773/announcements/december-2024/06_ATHHO_48ft_Wedge%20Trailer_112924.pdf
28ft Wedge Trailer and Dolly https://www.athearn.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-athearn-us-Library/default/dw5cefcb78/announcements/december-2024/07_ATHHO_28ft_Trailer_Dolly_112924.pdf
40ft Gondola https://www.athearn.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-athearn-us-Library/default/dw70ade525/announcements/december-2024/08_RND_40ft_Gondola_112924.pdf

Maybe N scale will get an announcement next month?

Mark

[C855B]

Haven't their recent and sparse N announcements all been redoes of existing tooling? (I can certainly stand correction on that.) I get the sense they are ceding most of their market space to ScaleTrains, which would make oodles of sense.

[EspeeGoldenState]

Nothing to announce. But announcing cancellations.

Cancellation of Orders Bulletin

Unfortunately, from time to time, Athearn will not receive enough pre-orders to justify the cost of a production run and as a result, we must cancel the production of those models. These cases are rare, but they do happen and, in an effort to keep you apprised of Athearn’s effort’s we will post when necessary specific project cancelations.

In March 2024, Athearn announced a production run of the N 65' Mill Gondola and the N 52' Mill Gondola. These were part of the March sales announcement and had a pre-order due date of March 29th, 2024. The models that will not be produced are as follows:
Athearn N 65' Mill Gondola

• ATH-1999 N ATH 65' Mill Gondola, SP #160577
• ATH-2000 N ATH 65' Mill Gondola, SP #160605
• ATH-2001 N ATH 65' Mill Gondola, SP #160611
• ATH-2002 N ATH 65' Mill Gondola, SSW #72004
• ATH-2003 N ATH 65' Mill Gondola, SSW #72007
• ATH-2004 N ATH 65' Mill Gondola, SSW #72023
• ATH-2005 N ATH 65' Mill Gondola, DRGW #30017
• ATH-2006 N ATH 65' Mill Gondola, DRGW #30023
• ATH-2007 N ATH 65' Mill Gondola, DRGW #30055
• ATH-2008 N ATH 65' Mill Gondola, CSX #490587
• ATH-2009 N ATH 65' Mill Gondola, CSX #490590
• ATH-2010 N ATH 65' Mill Gondola, CSX #490595
• ATH-2011 N ATH 65' Mill Gondola, LV #34153
• ATH-2012 N ATH 65' Mill Gondola, LV #34174
• ATH-2013 N ATH 65' Mill Gondola, LV #34317
• ATH-2014 N ATH 65' Mill Gondola, SOU #52327
• ATH-2015 N ATH 65' Mill Gondola, SOU #52333
• ATH-2016 N ATH 65' Mill Gondola, SOU #52339

Athearn N 52' Mill Gondola

• ATH-2017 N ATH 52' Mill Gondola, DRGW #56375
• ATH-2018 N ATH 52' Mill Gondola, DRGW #56377
• ATH-2019 N ATH 52' Mill Gondola, DRGW #56381/56387/56424 (3)
• ATH-2020 N ATH 52' Mill Gondola, BN #564307
• ATH-2021 N ATH 52' Mill Gondola, BN #564445
• ATH-2022 N ATH 52' Mill Gondola, BN #567390/567403/567415 (3)
• ATH-2023 N ATH 52' Mill Gondola, GTW #148007
• ATH-2024 N ATH 52' Mill Gondola, GTW #148011
• ATH-2025 N ATH 52' Mill Gondola, GTW #148025/148038/148171 (3)
• ATH-2026 N ATH 52' Mill Gondola, NdeM #86763
• ATH-2027 N ATH 52' Mill Gondola, NdeM #87777
• ATH-2028 N ATH 52' Mill Gondola, NdeM #86765/88432/88451 (3)
• ATH-2029 N ATH 52' Mill Gondola, DH #15005
• ATH-2030 N ATH 52' Mill Gondola, DH #15077
• ATH-2031 N ATH 52' Mill Gondola, DH #15027/15039/15045 (3)
• ATH-2032 N ATH 52' Mill Gondola, CP #330907
• ATH-2033 N ATH 52' Mill Gondola, CP #330925
• ATH-2034 N ATH 52' Mill Gondola, CP #330913/330917/330920 (3)

[GaryHinshaw]

There are several new freight cars in the queue:

13,600-Gallon Acid Tank - e.g.: https://www.athearn.com/product/n-13600-gallon-acid-tank-mdcx-1172/ATHGN15309.html (ETA Jan 2025)

FCA VersaCoil Gondola - e.g.: https://www.athearn.com/product/n-fca-versacoil-gondola-ns-168676/ATHGN13743.html

NSC 6000 Gondola - e.g.: https://www.athearn.com/product/n-nsc-6000-gondola-with-load-aimx-20149/ATHGN6718.html

NSC 6400 Gondola - e.g.: https://www.athearn.com/product/n-nsc-6400-gondola-with-load-deax-11388/ATHGN12578.html

[thomasjmdavis]

The cancellation of the 65' gondolas did not surprise me, coming after the MTL release of their 65' gondola (based on ATSF/AAR of the 1940s) and relatively recent run of ESM G26.  Granted, different paint schemes, but we all only need so many 65' gondolas, and as a purchaser of such things, I have plenty of the Athearn from earlier releases.

And the 52', while no doubt updated and improved, as far as I could tell was still the same prototype that was produced in the thousands by MDC back in the day. If they want to sell them, I would recommend doing more marketing- test shots, video, etc., not just a couple bullet points next to CG artwork- if they are improved, modelers want to see the improvements- and know that they are the equivalent of current tooling quality, before they shell out $31.95 each. 

[samusi01]

I am getting close to writing off Athearn as a viable N scale manufacturer, as they seem to be going the way of Intermountain. The high cube gons, both 6400 and 6000, were supposed to be out almost a year ago - February 2024, per their announcement PDF - and their auto-max cars were supposed to be released in 2023. At the moment, Otter Valley will be getting my money for their versions of the former.

[GaryHinshaw]

I didn't realize the NSC gons were announced so long ago.  The only model on that list that I've been tracking is the acid tank car.

At the moment, Otter Valley will be getting my money for their versions of the former.

I only became aware of these recently.  What can you tell us about them?  Is OV contracting directly with a factory, or going through some other channel?  I wouldn't be surprised if Athearn paused their development to see how these play out.

[samusi01]

What can you tell us about them?

Bluntly, not much. My watch list has them listed as Q1/25, and I've not yet gotten around to spending the time to research their listed road numbers and figure out what may be appropriate or foobies, as I've not yet purchased any OVR cars and I'm not sure how many foobies they may crank out.

[learmoia]

N Scale NSC 64 Ft 6000 Cubic Gondola HS - AIMX (6 pkg) #2 AN OTTER VALLEY EXCLUSIVE!! Description: The NSC 6000 Gondola is used scrap and metal industries. Between scrap yards, resellers and steel plants. Cars can be seen found all over North America in either unit train or manifest train service. Includes Road Numbers: 20001 20016 20084 20128 20186 20210 Era - Post 2018 Model Features:

Is OV contracting directly with a factory, or going through some other channel?  I wouldn't be surprised if Athearn paused their development to see how these play out.

Given the details list and $250 for a 6 pack.. my guess is Rapido..

- Accurate ends and sloting based on field measurements.
- Different offset slots for 7 rung and 8 rung ladder cars
- All new model designed up using industry sources, and field measurements
- Correct size air reservoir and brake levers in -release- position
- Metal wheels - Coupler Cut bars and correct air hoses
- Knuckle coupler
- Separately applied ladders,
- Fully detailed underbody
- Near-scale size draft gear box with specialized cushion detail
- Crisp painting and lettering per prototype.
- Rotating wheel caps, with appropriate Bremco or Timken where appropriate

[EspeeGoldenState]

https://www.ovrtrains.com/N-Scale/Coming-Soon-c-43/

Estimated arrival date: February 15, 2025

The 6000 Cu Ft is offered in singles but out of my timeframe. The 6400 Cu Ft ones that are good for timeframe seem to only be offered so far in 6 packs.

Sorry for the even more thread drift.

[James Costello]

I think (and I hope) it's just likely they're giving the factory time to catch up with the announcements. Athearn's production schedule was consistently at that 12 month mark for years, but has definitely slid out to 15-18 months in the last year or so and has gotten worse. The acid tanks were supposed to be the next new tooling delivered, but as mentioned, they're running late. Even the last run of the F89F TOFC flats with the 45' trailers were a Dec 2022 announcement with a Jan 2024 delivery, so they're definitely running closer to the 2 years for their N scale products at the moment. Not sure if the issues are the same with HO or not. Their website and the shipping calendar isn't helpful either 

F89F - had sliding 2024 ETAs now says "Preorder"
Acid Tanks - now says January 2025 shipment
6000 cuft gon - now says "Preorder"
6400 cuft gon - now says "Preorder"

[Englewood]

I don't think I've spent a single penny on Athearn products this year, even though I have 5 different products of theirs reserved.

[GaryHinshaw]

I regard Athearn as the UTLX of N scale.  As long as they keep cranking out ethanol, LPG, and (eventually) acid tanks, I'll have no qualms with them.

[sp org div]

They have demonstrated their ability to produce fantastic models but it seems to sway significantly at times
Their Espee bay windows were a home run in quality and detail which I would pounce on if they were to produce any more circa 70’s models of that caliber… unfortunately that era seems to have faded significantly by manufacturers but I still have money to burn if they will just play
I understand its easier to rerun old tooling to pay for new and it seems like they just fell off the wagon at this point but then its almost like the N industry still hasnt recovered from the pre-covid / china factory closings of years gone by

[MRLX1020]

My Crystal Ball says there will be some iNterestiNg N scale announcements to round out 2024 from Athearn...