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Post by notabob on Aug 22, 2014 17:04:12 GMT -8
F-unit galore (Genesis & RTR), more overpriced (but very pretty) 34K LPG tanks, RTR SP, SF, NS, & undec GP40Xs, RTR 50' outside-braced boxes, new run of RTR 5250cf ACF hoppers, 1955 Ford F-100 panel truck, and a large brace of all sorts of RTR streamlined passenger cars.
Personally, I'm most excited by the ACF hoppers. They make a great fleet car, and as much as I like the ultra-detailed cars - at the $19.98 list, I see a few more of these in my future...
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Post by atsfan on Aug 22, 2014 17:13:50 GMT -8
F-unit galore (Genesis & RTR), more overpriced (but very pretty) 34K LPG tanks, RTR SP, SF, NS, & undec GP40Xs, RTR 50' outside-braced boxes, new run of RTR 5250cf ACF hoppers, 1955 Ford F-100 panel truck, and a large brace of all sorts of RTR streamlined passenger cars. Personally, I'm most excited by the ACF hoppers. They make a great fleet car, and as much as I like the ultra-detailed cars - at the $19.98 list, I see a few more of these in my future... Link please ? |
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Post by notabob on Aug 22, 2014 18:04:59 GMT -8
F-unit galore (Genesis & RTR), more overpriced (but very pretty) 34K LPG tanks, RTR SP, SF, NS, & undec GP40Xs, RTR 50' outside-braced boxes, new run of RTR 5250cf ACF hoppers, 1955 Ford F-100 panel truck, and a large brace of all sorts of RTR streamlined passenger cars. Personally, I'm most excited by the ACF hoppers. They make a great fleet car, and as much as I like the ultra-detailed cars - at the $19.98 list, I see a few more of these in my future... Link please ? |
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Post by bigblow69 on Aug 22, 2014 18:12:06 GMT -8
After what I received in my last batch of Athearn purchases from pre-orders I am seriously considering cancelling my items I have on order now. Sorry shame me once...
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Post by mlehman on Aug 22, 2014 20:02:02 GMT -8
F-unit galore (Genesis & RTR)SNIP... I'd love to get another AB set of Rio Grande, but the moth just flew from my wallet to say no. |
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Post by catt on Aug 23, 2014 4:44:37 GMT -8
I don't need anymore Center-Flos so the 3 ADM and the 3 ATX should satisfy that itch.I would not mind getting some of the Trinitys but I can't justify spending that much for a car (or afford to spend that much).
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Post by mkulak on Aug 23, 2014 4:56:27 GMT -8
I can't believe they are still using the ACF 5250 mold as well as 50' plug door boxcar! The 5250 is such a blob of plastic! it really need to updated at least to an acceptable level. I have been trying to get Atlas to do it(5250) in their Trainman line(plus) they already do the car in N and should be an easy transition to HO. As for the boxcar at least this time the roadnames are current with the boxcar, last time they did BN, CN(website logo) and several others that were foobies.  |
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Post by stevewagner on Aug 23, 2014 5:04:23 GMT -8
Amen re Athearn's ACF 5250 cu. ft. Center Flow. I commented on the 50' plug door boxcar in another thread. I'll add that Eastern Seaboard Models has beautiful models of the PRR/LV boxcar -- but only in N scale.
The listings that show up if you search for "New Announcements" using the "Advanced Search" from Athearn's home page include Genesis GP9's for PRR and UP, including B units for both, and in two C&NW paint schemes; but the firm didn't post a .pdf page for these under What's New yesterday.
Am I correct in thinking that Athearn's .pdf page for Genesis Canadian National F7's show the earlier livery with gold instead of the later mustard yellow?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2014 6:27:11 GMT -8
I see Athearn is offering SCL F-units in the Genesis line. About a year ago Athearn cancelled the SCL Genesis F's and the poop hit the fan on Athearn's Facebook page. Second times the charm, so SCL fans better step up.
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Post by atsfan on Aug 23, 2014 6:37:17 GMT -8
I can't believe they are still using the ACF 5250 mold as well as 50' plug door boxcar! The 5250 is such a blob of plastic! it really need to updated at least to an acceptable level. I have been trying to get Atlas to do it(5250) in their Trainman line(plus) they already do the car in N and should be an easy transition to HO. As for the boxcar at least this time the roadnames are current with the boxcar, last time they did BN, CN(website logo) and several others that were foobies. Not only using it but charging high prices as if it is new tooling. |
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Post by atsfan on Aug 23, 2014 6:40:19 GMT -8
I can safely say I won't ever get any of these models.
Not because I don't want any.
Because it is almost impossible to get Athearn.
They only make exact to preorders.
Many large stores don't pre order any more.
Just maybe email notices.
Atfhearn is losing sales in their quest for zero inventory.
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Post by Donnell Wells on Aug 23, 2014 8:26:19 GMT -8
I can safely say I won't ever get any of these models. Not because I don't want any. Because it is almost impossible to get Athearn. They only make exact to preorders. Many large stores don't pre order any more. Just maybe email notices. Atfhearn is losing sales in their quest for zero inventory.
If Athearn is losing sales, then why do they sell out of just about everything they produce? You can remedy your dilemma simply by submitting a preorder.
Donnell |
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Post by 12bridge on Aug 23, 2014 8:27:15 GMT -8
Good point Donnell, but the flip side, I see plenty of Athearn sitting ont he shelves at the hobby shops, dozens of engines, cars, etc, many at low prices.
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Post by Donnell Wells on Aug 23, 2014 8:35:43 GMT -8
Good point Donnell, but the flip side, I see plenty of Athearn sitting ont he shelves at the hobby shops, dozens of engines, cars, etc, many at low prices.
True. But remember Athearn is a manufacturer that happens to sell direct in addition to its dealer network (and that only through a distributor). So, what you see on the shelves at hobby store has already been purchased from Athearn. The shops must now recoup their investment by selling what they just bought to you.
Donnell |
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Post by riogrande on Aug 23, 2014 9:09:40 GMT -8
I can't believe they are still using the ACF 5250 mold as well as 50' plug door boxcar! The 5250 is such a blob of plastic! it really need to updated at least to an acceptable level. I have been trying to get Atlas to do it(5250) in their Trainman line(plus) they already do the car in N and should be an easy transition to HO. As for the boxcar at least this time the roadnames are current with the boxcar, last time they did BN, CN(website logo) and several others that were foobies. If a product is too toy like, simply don't buy it. There are plenty of toy like products on the market so most of us just pass them over with little or no comment. (move along, move along, nothing to see here) Now I agree, there is a need for a better more finely tooled 5250 hopper and a few other cars. Personally I'm still lobbying for better 1970's bulk head flat cars now, although for now I've built up a modest fleet of MDC/Athearn bulkhead flat cars as stand-in's to carry lumber, pipes etc. Cheers, Jim |
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Post by curtmc on Aug 23, 2014 13:37:55 GMT -8
Totally different argument there Donnell... They "sell out" because too few are made.
1) Many people in this hobby do not, and will not, preorder items. Manufacturers begging for preorders, or short shipping to supposedly penalize those who don't, isn't going to change that. The result is lost sales.
2) Underproduction - matching production to only preorders - is losing sales - the high number of potential sales to those who see something done well and then decide to get it. The result is lost sales.
3) #2 is why hobby shops are failing. They can't restocks of items done well. The result is lost sales.
4) Fewer hobby shops means less sales outlets and less product visibility. The result is lost sales.
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Post by curtmc on Aug 23, 2014 13:57:03 GMT -8
Athearn is still doing their ACF5250 because many/most are buying them - and the tooling was paid for long ago...
I just hope the paint work on the new items is better than the recent AutoMax cars where many were botched...
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Post by mkulak on Aug 23, 2014 13:57:06 GMT -8
I can't believe they are still using the ACF 5250 mold as well as 50' plug door boxcar! The 5250 is such a blob of plastic! it really need to updated at least to an acceptable level. I have been trying to get Atlas to do it(5250) in their Trainman line(plus) they already do the car in N and should be an easy transition to HO. As for the boxcar at least this time the roadnames are current with the boxcar, last time they did BN, CN(website logo) and several others that were foobies. If a product is too toy like, simply don't buy it. There are plenty of toy like products on the market so most of us just pass them over with little or no comment. (move along, move along, nothing to see here) Now I agree, there is a need for a better more finely tooled 5250 hopper and a few other cars. Personally I'm still lobbying for better 1970's bulk head flat cars now, although for now I've built up a modest fleet of MDC/Athearn bulkhead flat cars as stand-in's to carry lumber, pipes etc. Cheers, Jim Toy like might be a bit harsh for the model: The former AHM, Tyco, IHC, and probably several other companies 5250cf would be closer to that statement especially with both long and round hatches on the top! but as said with the price point and the age of the model(molded in the late 60's early 70's) it is way past it prime.  |
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Post by catt on Aug 23, 2014 14:40:54 GMT -8
Athearn's ACF 5250 may be past it's prime but I am too and at $20.MSRP they are more than good enough for me.
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Post by markfj on Aug 23, 2014 14:56:36 GMT -8
Ok, everyone seem to agree the Athearn ACF 5250 isn’t great, but sells well. So, does that mean ExactRail, SMD or Tangent won’t offer a better model because the market is flooded with Athearn BB do-overs? I was a click away from buying an Athearn ACF 5250 on eBay the other day for $20, but didn’t because I would rather put the money towards a better quality car (even though I want several ACF covered hoppers with the paint schemes that Athearn offers). If there is enough interest, I’m sure someone will make a better car.
Thanks, Mark |
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Post by Brakie on Aug 23, 2014 15:37:06 GMT -8
Ok, everyone seem to agree the Athearn ACF 5250 isn’t great, but sells well. So, does that mean ExactRail, SMD or Tangent won’t offer a better model because the market is flooded with Athearn BB do-overs? I was a click away from buying an Athearn ACF 5250 on eBay the other day for $20, but didn’t because I would rather put the money towards a better quality car (even though I want several ACF covered hoppers with the paint schemes that Athearn offers). If there is enough interest, I’m sure someone will make a better car.
Thanks, Mark Mark,I suppose its what a modeler wants and I would think twice before forking over $35-40.00 for a car I already owned by Roundhouse or Athearn in the same road name. However. Like I mention in another topic I need a handful of the better cars to have a nice rotation of cars on my 1'x 10' ISL but,still that doesn't mean I'll rush out and buy the same road names so I can have those 60 cars.. I did manage to pluck a Atlas TO&E FMC boxcar off e-Bay for $24.99 BIN with free shipping--the same price as a souped up Athearn ex Roundhouse RTR FMC boxcar.For me it was a no brainer. |
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Post by riogrande on Aug 23, 2014 16:02:47 GMT -8
Toy like might be a bit harsh for the model: The former AHM, Tyco, IHC, and probably several other companies 5250cf would be closer to that statement especially with both long and round hatches on the top! but as said with the price point and the age of the model(molded in the late 60's early 70's) it is way past it prime. Isn't "The 5250 is such a blob of plastic!" a bit harsh also? Anyway, regardless of the euphemisms, most agree that the tooling is showing it's age, although some folks will still be satisfied as we've seen by comments here. I still have some older models including Athearn bb and MDC, and heck, I've even picked up a few MDC bulkheads recently as "stand-in's" but right now I don't see myself adding anymore 5250 hoppers to one or two that I have right now. The tooling is really is past it's prime as you mentioned. Anyway, if Athearn sells them, someone must be buying them. Also, if it helps Athearn stay in the game and bringing other better models to market, that's not so bad. |
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Post by notabob on Aug 23, 2014 16:07:55 GMT -8
Ok, everyone seem to agree the Athearn ACF 5250 isn’t great, but sells well. So, does that mean ExactRail, SMD or Tangent won’t offer a better model because the market is flooded with Athearn BB do-overs? I was a click away from buying an Athearn ACF 5250 on eBay the other day for $20, but didn’t because I would rather put the money towards a better quality car (even though I want several ACF covered hoppers with the paint schemes that Athearn offers). If there is enough interest, I’m sure someone will make a better car.
Thanks, Mark I think the market is plenty big for both the highly detailed and more basic cars. Obviously, enough people (including myself) have no issues shelling out $30-40 for a highly detailed car of the quality that Rapido, NARC, ExactRail, or Tangent produce. Those cars are worth the price, at least to me. But then again, there are also plenty of less detailed cars that are sufficiently realistic for the price to find their way into the same fleets as the more detailed cars. Few of us can afford fleets numbering in the dozens or hundreds of such detailed cars. So whether it's Athearn's RTR nee-BB 5250 ACFs or Trainman 4750 Thrall s - those are all sufficiently close for most people's needs considering their sub-$20 street prices. That's the reason why they continue to be made, run after run, and why people continue to buy them. They are certainly good enough for the price, and most importantly - they sell and continue to pull in sufficient revenues for the manufacturers, regardless of what armchair model train manufacturer CEOs on here (not pointing any fingers, you all know who you are) seem to think. |
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Post by notabob on Aug 23, 2014 16:18:33 GMT -8
I can't believe they are still using the ACF 5250 mold as well as 50' plug door boxcar! The 5250 is such a blob of plastic! it really need to updated at least to an acceptable level. I have been trying to get Atlas to do it(5250) in their Trainman line(plus) they already do the car in N and should be an easy transition to HO. As for the boxcar at least this time the roadnames are current with the boxcar, last time they did BN, CN(website logo) and several others that were foobies. Not only using it but charging high prices as if it is new tooling. Seriously, atsfan? $19.98 MSRP with what will likely be ~$15 street price is a high new-tooling price? :sigh: Anyway, to bring the thread back on topic of August announcements... Athearn continues to push out F-units like there's no tomorrow. I model a more modern era and haven't done the research to postulate one way or another, but I'm curious - is there really that much demand remaining for new Genesis and RTR F units to be released what seams to be at least twice a year? |
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Post by curtmc on Aug 23, 2014 16:19:53 GMT -8
FYI. At some point the economy is going to catch up to those "better cars" at the $40+ price point... Anybody who would do a "better ACF5250" at this time would be taking a real risk...
Exactrail has a lot of "better detailed" stock which are not selling well (CoilShields, bulkheads, centerbeams, 60' Berwick box...), and BLMA, and Tangent (despite how great their cars are), and Walthers, and... Even the great Spring Creek Pd3000s don't seem to be selling as fast as they should be.
Here is the Catch-22 the manufacturers currently face... Highly detailed cars in the $35-55 range sell to a far smaller share of the market (and typically in smaller numbers per order) than the lesser detailed $20 cars, but yet the online forums seem to be chock full of those few wanting the more detailed cars. The market really isn't big enough for both so in many/most cases (but of course not all) there's going to be one or the other, and in the cases where the other already exists then some are going to have to accept it... And to most of those in the hobby, paint (or paint schemes) sell better than details.
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Post by grahamline on Aug 23, 2014 16:25:44 GMT -8
I don't believe the bulk of the people buying the Athearn and Atlas covered hoppers know or care if it's a 4740, 5250 or whatever. It's a car to put in their grain train. If the more perceptive modelers get something that closely matches a real-world prototype, so much the better.
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Post by curtmc on Aug 23, 2014 16:29:23 GMT -8
Yes, especially when the costs of doing another run of F-units is basically just the minor details and painting... And Athearn knows the window of opportunity of cashing in on all those who want 1950s-1970s items is passing by faster than the window of opportunity on modern items.
Which segment of the market do you think is decreasing more due to age, limited incomes, passing on to the roundhouse in the sky, etc... Those modeling the 1950s? Or those modeling current day? There will probably be a point when the announcements are predominated by 1980s and 1990s items but that time is in the future, and the point when most 2010 items predominate will follow that if the hobby is still around...
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Post by riogrande on Aug 23, 2014 16:34:51 GMT -8
Anyway, to bring the thread back on topic of August announcements... Athearn continues to push out F-units like there's no tomorrow. I model a more modern era and haven't done the research to postulate one way or another, but I'm curious - is there really that much demand remaining for new Genesis and RTR F units to be released what seams to be at least twice a year? I model 70's and 80's so F's are not much part of that picture either, but to folks who model the 40's thru 60's, they will be pleased. I don't know what the demand is but the F unit's Athearn is offering may be versions never offered in Genesis. Thats the case with the D&RGW F7's: www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=F7+d%26rgw+ATHG&CatID=THLDYes, Athearn has never offered the 5700 class laste phase F7's in D&RGW four stripe. If I were a 50's era D&RW modeler, I'd be all over that! Just sayin... |
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Post by curtmc on Aug 23, 2014 16:36:36 GMT -8
FYI. I watched a bunch of (what some others would call "blob 'o plastic") Bev-Bel 50' ACF special painted boxcars (yes the Athearn blue box 50' car with the sliding doors, clasps many call unrealistic, and incorrect roof) sell for $30 plus in the past month in auctions... to those more interested in the paint than the details.
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Post by Brakie on Aug 23, 2014 16:37:56 GMT -8
Exactrail has a lot of "better detailed" stock which are aren't selling well (CoilShields, bulkheads, centerbeams, 60' Berwick box...), and BLMA, and Tangent (despite how great their cars are), and Walthers, and... Even the great Spring Creek Pd3000s don't seem to be selling as fast as they should be.
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And the bonus for many with shallow budgets is many of those cars will end up on e-Bay at deep discount BIN prices..I picked several Atlas,Red Caboose and Intermountain cars by doing that.
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