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Post by nw611 on Aug 15, 2012 13:46:18 GMT -8
On its facebook page Athearn posted pictures of its new Genesis GEVO HO model. Is it any different from Tower 55 models ? Ciao.
Raffaele
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Post by calzephyr on Aug 15, 2012 15:29:15 GMT -8
On its facebook page Athearn posted pictures of its new Genesis GEVO HO model. Is it any different from Tower 55 models ? Ciao. Raffaele It looks to be the same phase as the T55 tooling and they are probably using that tooling for the starting point. Hopefully, they willl upgrade some of the details like the cab door moved to the engineer side to represent the new units. There have been a lot of changes to the long hood also. Larry |
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Post by drolsen on Aug 16, 2012 5:23:40 GMT -8
I'm really not familiar with the GEVO phase variations since they are too new for my modeling era, but I think they're interesting diesels. Has Intermountain produced an early version like this one? If not, it seems like the Athearn model would be a good complement to their later units, so that you could have a representative fleet of GEVOs covering the different production variations. Of course, it remains to be seen how the two models will look sitting next to each other. I tend to like to have models from one manufacturer to represent similar prototypes, since each manufacturer's models have their own "style." An Athearn and Kato Dash 9 or AC4400CW look different to me, when placed side by side, for example.
Anyway, it's good to see the former T55 model finally return. It looks like they're going to do a nice job with with the added details.
Dave
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Hergy
Full Member
Posts: 117
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Post by Hergy on Aug 16, 2012 10:10:11 GMT -8
Interesting that the GEVO is/was far enough along in development that a test shot could be made. It seemed that this was a back burner item for Athearn. Perhaps the Heritage units had an influence. Down the road we'll have IMRC and Athearn competing for the GEVO sales. Too bad to have a duplication when there are so many other Locos that have never been modeled (like the 8500HP turbines). Wonder if we'll have AC4400 heritage units and real GEVO heritage units?
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Post by calzephyr on Aug 16, 2012 10:22:26 GMT -8
I'm really not familiar with the GEVO phase variations since they are too new for my modeling era, but I think they're interesting diesels. Has Intermountain produced an early version like this one? If not, it seems like the Athearn model would be a good complement to their later units, so that you could have a representative fleet of GEVOs covering the different production variations. Of course, it remains to be seen how the two models will look sitting next to each other. I tend to like to have models from one manufacturer to represent similar prototypes, since each manufacturer's models have their own "style." An Athearn and Kato Dash 9 or AC4400CW look different to me, when placed side by side, for example. Anyway, it's good to see the former T55 model finally return. It looks like they're going to do a nice job with with the added details. Dave I believe the Intermountain and the original T55 are much alike since they both represent early models of the ES44 units. I do not own either of the models, just an observation from the pictures. Larry |
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Post by calzephyr on Aug 16, 2012 10:25:25 GMT -8
Interesting that the GEVO is/was far enough along in development that a test shot could be made. It seemed that this was a back burner item for Athearn. Perhaps the Heritage units had an influence. Down the road we'll have IMRC and Athearn competing for the GEVO sales. Too bad to have a duplication when there are so many other Locos that have never been modeled (like the 8500HP turbines). Wonder if we'll have AC4400 heritage units and real GEVO heritage units? The tooling that Athearn received from T55 deal was complete and had been produced. The drive system needed to be redesigned but the body had been produced and was complete. It did need some updates with the handrails and ditch lights if I remember corectly, but the basic tooling for the body was good for the first phase units. Larry |
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Post by calzephyr on Aug 16, 2012 17:28:01 GMT -8
In the latest ad from Athearn, they are still advertising the NS units for the RTR model also besides the ES44 model shown recently. It would seem they are offering the lessor priced model also for those who cannot afford or want to pay the higher Genesis price.
The ad states these are just in time for the Holidays!
Larry
Sponsored by:
Athearn - NS Heritage GE Paint Schemes
Just in time for the holidays, we're offering ten different Ready To Roll� AC4400 locomotives in the Norfolk Southern Heritage ES44AC paint schemes. The AC4400 captures the flavor of the NS Heritage Series and is a perfect "what if" locomotive. Don't miss out! Pre-order by 9/21.
Check out the entire lineup.
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Post by curtmc on Aug 18, 2012 14:53:39 GMT -8
First GEVOs (ES44ACs) were UP 5695-5699 and they were pre-production demos (built Jan and Feb 2003 in UP paint). They roamed across the US and Canada seeing service on CSX, BNSF, UP. CN and CP before going back to UP and becoming part of their fleet when UP purchased them in Dec 2004. Those units had some different details and the only models we'll likely ever see of them were done by OMI.
The first regular production ES44AC units were UP 5354 series units and that is what the Tower 55 and Intermountain units both are model of.
- Curt Mc
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Post by railfan4life on Aug 18, 2012 17:43:37 GMT -8
Athearn updated their Facebook page yesterday with some explanation on the ES44AC tooling they acquired from T55 and their new ES44AC. Sounds like they will use the T55 tooling with some enhancements to some of the details. They also show some new photos. Looks promising.
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Post by atsfan on Aug 18, 2012 18:59:55 GMT -8
Here is the text. I used many layers of protection to get to Facebook.
Why Athearn uses this versus their website beats me. FB is like a cancer on the internet.
The Intermountain model is nice so waiting another year for this one is not killing me.
"Basically, we’d be starting over with the shell. This is an expensive and time-consuming process. Since we have several other new, as-yet unannounced locomotive and freight car projects in the works, and finite resources, our decision on whether or not we’ll retool the T55 GEVO will be made down the road.
We truly appreciate everyone’s excitement about our model. We’ll be making the official announcement by the end of the year. Be sure to look for painted samples of BNSF, CP, and UP ES44AC locomotives at an upcoming show.
Disclaimer: This model was assembled from first test shots for initial evaluation in the R&D process. Production will have improved fit and appearance to meet Genesis standards. The test model does not represent any specific road name."
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Post by atsfan on Aug 18, 2012 19:00:48 GMT -8
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2012 17:38:22 GMT -8
Here is the text. I used many layers of protection to get to Facebook. Why Athearn uses this versus their website beats me. FB is like a cancer on the internet. The Intermountain model is nice so waiting another year for this one is not killing me. Are you actually going to buy any of these, Bob? I thought they were out of your era of modeling. |
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Post by diburning on Aug 27, 2012 21:36:37 GMT -8
Athearn will most likely retool the walkway tread (which was a bit light), the stairs (the T55 model didn't have any tread or holes on the steps), and the trucks (the trucks were spartan).
I'll have an Intermountain and T55 model to compare tomorrow so I'll take photos and point out the differences/flaws of each.
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Post by calzephyr on Aug 28, 2012 7:32:18 GMT -8
Athearn will most likely retool the walkway tread (which was a bit light), the stairs (the T55 model didn't have any tread or holes on the steps), and the trucks (the trucks were spartan). I'll have an Intermountain and T55 model to compare tomorrow so I'll take photos and point out the differences/flaws of each. Thanks for the review. I always like to see detailed pictures and reviews on new models. It is interesting how we see various details on models compared to the past releases. I would expect Athearn to do a good job of updating this model. Larry |
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