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Post by Donnell Wells on Feb 12, 2016 15:51:34 GMT -8
Please stay on topic.
Thanks,
Donnell
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Post by GP40P-2 on Feb 12, 2016 16:14:10 GMT -8
Somebody at the Chinese factory just needs to "accidentally" drop that tool. Athearn can slap any paint scheme on the old BB GP38-2/40-2 or 50 and the entry level buyer won't care that it isn't a (dimensionally incorrect) GP35. They got the paint scheme that they want on a similiar looking and sized model (in a beginners eyes), at a good price, on a model that can be upgraded in the future if they want to pursue the hobby, and is a somewhat higher quality model right off the bat.
Kill it (and bring on a new RTR or Genni)!!!
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Post by Great-Northern-Willmar Div on Feb 12, 2016 19:10:05 GMT -8
Okay, I must admit I got my facts wrong about the list price on the Athearn EMD GP35.
The current list price is $119.98 and NOT $134.98. The $134 is for the totally new SD38 and SD40.
The $119.98 discounted at a volume e-retailer like M.B Klein is $89.99. The new and very nice Athearn RTR SD40 with a list price $134.98 is discounted to $99.99 by Kleins.
The SD40 may be $10 more, but is Genesis quality when compared to the old RPP GP35.
For all of those talking about the old blue box GP35. It is irrelevant to this topic. Why? Because it is no longer in production. Those molds for it and its other wide body brethren have I would assume been made into scrap a long time ago. Blue Box GP35's are maybe the worst as far tooling of the wide body blue box diesels. The door latches are inside out, there is a slot in the fuel tank for a screw driver and other things are just poorly done.
If Athearn were to scrap the old RPP molds and send them to the scrap yard in favor of new RTR unit in the quality and price of the SD40 and 38, I believe the response would be very positive. Just like the response for the newly designed SD40 and 38. Speaking of scrapping old RPP tooling. The SD45 has a new chassis. Now it needs a new shell. The old RPP and current RTR CF7 isn't necessarily a great prize either.
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Post by Judge Doom on Feb 13, 2016 3:19:06 GMT -8
Okay, I must admit I got my facts wrong about the list price on the Athearn EMD GP35. The current list price is $119.98 and NOT $134.98. The $134 is for the totally new SD38 and SD40. The $119.98 discounted at a volume e-retailer like M.B Klein is $89.99. The new and very nice Athearn RTR SD40 with a list price $134.98 is discounted to $99.99 by Kleins. The SD40 may be $10 more, but is Genesis quality when compared to the old RPP GP35. For all of those talking about the old blue box GP35. It is irrelevant to this topic. Why? Because it is no longer in production. Those molds for it and its other wide body brethren have I would assume been made into scrap a long time ago. Blue Box GP35's are maybe the worst as far tooling of the wide body blue box diesels. The door latches are inside out, there is a slot in the fuel tank for a screw driver and other things are just poorly done. If Athearn were to scrap the old RPP molds and send them to the scrap yard in favor of new RTR unit in the quality and price of the SD40 and 38, I believe the response would be very positive. Just like the response for the newly designed SD40 and 38. Speaking of scrapping old RPP tooling. The SD45 has a new chassis. Now it needs a new shell. The old RPP and current RTR CF7 isn't necessarily a great prize either. The only good thing about the BB GP35's were the plastic Blomberg B sideframes you could steal to upgrade Proto 2000 Geeps... |
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Post by atsfan on Feb 13, 2016 5:35:14 GMT -8
For me, the current Athearn SD45 is not that bad. Certainly not Genesis quality, but the mold isn't ready for the furnace.
Of course I wouldn't mind a brand new Genesis SD45, but that to me seems less likely than a brand new Genesis you know what.
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Post by bnsf971 on Feb 13, 2016 5:38:45 GMT -8
Of course I wouldn't mind a brand new Genesis SD45, but that to me seems less likely than a brand new Genesis you know what. I think there are two chances of that: slim, and none. And Slim just left town... |
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Post by atsfan on Feb 13, 2016 6:09:43 GMT -8
Of course I wouldn't mind a brand new Genesis SD45, but that to me seems less likely than a brand new Genesis you know what. I think there are two chances of that: slim, and none. And Slim just left town... People said the same thing about the Athearn GP38-3, GP50, and GP40-2, all of which were well represented by the RTR line (and still are). The GP50 RTR line was just released in almost the exact same roads and paint as last year's Genesis GP50. |
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Post by Donnell Wells on Feb 13, 2016 17:32:27 GMT -8
I think Athearn has hit a pricing "sweet spot" with its RTR line. $134.98 will not break most modelers' bank, and we are getting a good ROI with the "Genesis-esque" quality tooling. A new RTR GP35 would fit right in!
Donnell
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Post by Amboy Secondary on Feb 13, 2016 19:37:22 GMT -8
I think Athearn has hit a pricing "sweet spot" with its RTR line. $134.98 will not break most modelers' bank, and we are getting a good ROI with the "Genesis-esque" quality tooling. A new RTR GP35 would fit right in!
Donnell
Exactly what my thought is, and it's not too soon for Athearn to do this. It would not save me from re-motoring the two I have right now, but I can use a few more. |
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Post by Donnell Wells on Feb 13, 2016 20:58:04 GMT -8
I have four or five RTR GP35s that have been fitted with some Cannon parts. I am highly considering abandoning the shells in favor of scratch building new shells from Evergreen styrene and Cannon parts. The frame and drive components are fine, but the shell...well, we've discussed that already.
Of course this would not take place any time soon, but whenever it does, maybe this will inspire Athearn to do the same?! (Wishful thinking?)
Donnell
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Post by loophog on Feb 13, 2016 21:03:59 GMT -8
What people don't seem to get about the RTR SD45 is unlike the old SD40 and GP35 is that the SD45 is a half upgraded shell. It used the long hood and walkway sill from the RPP tooling but with new cab, cab base doors and nose along with road specific detail parts therefore Athearn really has no good reason to further upgrade it. That being said the new SD40 is absolutely beautiful and far better then the old RPP RTR SD40.
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Post by lvrr325 on Feb 13, 2016 21:56:10 GMT -8
For like the third time, some people don't care, so if you don't like it, just don't buy it.
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Post by Donnell Wells on Feb 14, 2016 6:13:15 GMT -8
What people don't seem to get about the RTR SD45 is unlike the old SD40 and GP35 is that the SD45 is a half upgraded shell. It used the long hood and walkway sill from the RPP tooling but with new cab, cab base doors and nose along with road specific detail parts therefore Athearn really has no good reason to further upgrade it. That being said the new SD40 is absolutely beautiful and far better then the old RPP RTR SD40.
The upgrades to the SD45 were fairly extensive, most of it taking place along the roof, and front and rear ends. The pilots and hood sides were pretty much left untouched, except for the coupler buffers, I think. It's kind of a weird mix of new and old that actually works, but doesn't, but then it does, but then doesn't...
If I were Athearn, I'd start looking more closely at that ex-RPP catalog for project ideas. They still have the SD7/9, C32-8, B23-7, B40-8, C30-7, C40-8W (Dash 8-40CW), GP60/60M/60B, SD90MAC phase 1 and 2 that they could redo. Yes, they are older models, but updated versions could bring in some extra cash. Just saying...
Then again, we could still use a "Triclops" SD60M, and an F59PH. Athearn could also redo their SD40P, or their GE Universal series of locomotives. A revamped SW7 would work, which could translate into other similar SW-type switchers. Plenty of options to choose from, or they can go ultramodern with some of the new stuff put out buy today's various locomotive rebuilders. The field is still wide open!
Donnell |
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Post by atsfan on Feb 14, 2016 7:37:57 GMT -8
As a general rule, if you take the time to scratch build one, just as it is complete the new improved version will be announced.
:-)
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