Post by Christian on Oct 4, 2022 2:00:05 GMT -8
Athearn, Atlas, and Rapido have all stepped up with commuter equipment this year. A hobby segment that has been tiny and mostly supplied with resin cars and occasional parts from smaller manufacturers. Commuter trains running into larger cities has been part of the railroad landscape since shorty after the Civil War. Lots was electrified as soon as technology allowed but a lot remained in steam and then diesel.
I think that Walthers was the first to dip a toe into the water of big time commuter equipment modeling with their gallery cars from long ago. Southern Pacific, I think. Not counting the weirdness of the light weight trains that Walthers bought from small manufacturers. Atlas with their AEMs and ALPs provided east coast electric power, but cars remained elusive although lots of kitbashing of passenger cars could provide a train.. Athearn and Rapido both came out with modern gallery cars, but without supporting locomotives and with restrictive paint schemes. Licensing issues which still remain with some commuter railroads. And other models from smaller manufacturers kept hopes alive.
Dribs and drabbles. Until this year when the dam broke.
I think that Walthers was the first to dip a toe into the water of big time commuter equipment modeling with their gallery cars from long ago. Southern Pacific, I think. Not counting the weirdness of the light weight trains that Walthers bought from small manufacturers. Atlas with their AEMs and ALPs provided east coast electric power, but cars remained elusive although lots of kitbashing of passenger cars could provide a train.. Athearn and Rapido both came out with modern gallery cars, but without supporting locomotives and with restrictive paint schemes. Licensing issues which still remain with some commuter railroads. And other models from smaller manufacturers kept hopes alive.
Dribs and drabbles. Until this year when the dam broke.
