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Post by ChessieFan1978 on Feb 28, 2019 17:52:57 GMT -8
I was just reading on Facebook that Athearn and Horizon Hobbies has just laid off some people. Not sure if it's true but if so I wonder why?
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Post by csx3305 on Feb 28, 2019 18:01:45 GMT -8
Hoo boy, I can only imagine the replies this one will likely get. Standing by, popcorn at the ready.
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Post by bnsf971 on Feb 28, 2019 18:02:04 GMT -8
I was just reading on Facebook that Athearn and Horizon Hobbies has just laid off some people. Not sure if it's true but if so I wonder why? I'll start off with the obvious. Ahem: THE HOBBY IS DYING! THE HOBBY IS DYING! |
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Post by carrman on Feb 28, 2019 18:09:31 GMT -8
CraIg Walker, Joe D' Elia, and Mike Hopkin of Scaletrains wife, who had 35 years in. All gone.
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Post by ChessieFan1978 on Feb 28, 2019 18:13:56 GMT -8
CraIg Walker, Joe D' Elia, and Mike Hopkin of Scaletrains wife, who had 35 years in. All gone. I'd say that "S" word could have had something to due with it! |
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Post by GP40P-2 on Feb 28, 2019 18:26:25 GMT -8
Joe D'Elia as in A-line?
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Post by riogrande on Feb 28, 2019 18:37:29 GMT -8
So is Mike still in CA as well as Paul. Can't leave that Golden State behind but the insanely high cost if living is driving more and more out. Guessing that's why ST located in TN.
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Post by csx3305 on Feb 28, 2019 18:52:24 GMT -8
Guessing that's why ST located in TN. And in fifteen or twenty more years of everybody flocking here, this area will be throughly ruined and the native residents like myself wont be able to afford property and will have to move...the cycle continues....but I digress... |
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Post by carrman on Feb 28, 2019 20:03:12 GMT -8
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Post by brakie on Mar 1, 2019 4:55:09 GMT -8
I was just reading on Facebook that Athearn and Horizon Hobbies has just laid off some people. Not sure if it's true but if so I wonder why? I'll start off with the obvious. Ahem: THE HOBBY IS DYING! THE HOBBY IS DYING! And I will add this.. The pallbearers is standing ready to pack the hobby to --wherever dead hobbies goes.. |
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Post by middledivision on Mar 1, 2019 8:54:12 GMT -8
Well, we know they laid off the QC guys years ago
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Mar 1, 2019 10:06:30 GMT -8
Wow, I just talked to Craig at Springfield. I've known him since he used to work at Microscale.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2019 13:45:50 GMT -8
Well, we know they laid off the QC guys years ago I disagree.
Most new Athearn diesels I've actually held in my hands as of late are of better quality than those from a few years back. Somebody at Athearn listened, as there are generally less handrail issues or other QA/QC issues than I was seeing before. That doesn't mean they're all perfect, but it is possible to find some perfect, or very nearly so, diesels. The rtr Chessie SD-50's are fantastic.
I would have to say Athearn is at least holding their own (regarding QA/QC) with all the competition, if not better than some. There were specific models from the competition (multiple companies, so I'm not singling anyone out) that I have really wanted to buy, recently, and I could not find a single unit of any of those models that for me was even "passable". I have several new Athearns that I'll give at least a 9 out of 10.
Since I'm running dc only, it was a pleasant surprise to find the new Athearns can actually mu with old Stewart/Kato diesels and run well together in plain dc, as if they had been speed matched (Genesis F units, GP7u's and rtr SD-50's in particular all run with the old Katos).
I do not like the Econami decoder at all, though. The one unit I have...I would remove the decoder if I knew how to trash it. Sound and motor control is...lacking.
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Post by MONSTERRAILROAD on Mar 1, 2019 14:24:47 GMT -8
I simply do not care. Layoffs, firings, closings.
If he dies, he dies....
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randyb
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Post by randyb on Mar 1, 2019 19:16:33 GMT -8
Well ... that stinks. I was getting ready to send Craig some info. relating to something to be announced later this year.
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Post by csx3305 on Mar 1, 2019 21:14:00 GMT -8
The rtr Chessie SD-50's are fantastic. The latest batch allegedly has the (incorrect) 40-series cabs instead of the correct cabs used on all previous runs. And they put the wrong sideframes on the NS units. Or at least that's the talk I gather from Facebook, which of course can be easily manipulated or redacted by anyone with a vested interest.* At least one of the guys, I don't expect, will ever come back here to clarify the issue, given the seething undercurrent of hatred and contempt for 'rivet counters' from a select few... *I think it's a real shame that more and more of the forum traffic is migrating to Facebook, whose format couldn't possibly be more ill-suited to archival and reference purposes. And have you SEEN the kind of classic rail photos being posted there as of late? Blows most of the picture sites out of the water....but good luck trying to find them a few years from now. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2019 22:15:22 GMT -8
The rtr Chessie SD-50's are fantastic. The latest batch allegedly has the (incorrect) 40-series cabs instead of the correct cabs used on all previous runs. And they put the wrong sideframes on the NS units. Or at least that's the talk I gather from Facebook, which of course can be easily manipulated or redacted by anyone with a vested interest.* At least one of the guys, I don't expect, will ever come back here to clarify the issue, given the seething undercurrent of hatred and contempt for 'rivet counters' from a select few... *I think it's a real shame that more and more of the forum traffic is migrating to Facebook, whose format couldn't possibly be more ill-suited to archival and reference purposes. And have you SEEN the kind of classic rail photos being posted there as of late? Blows most of the picture sites out of the water....but good luck trying to find them a few years from now. Huh, what? Did I miss something? some topic? "Seething undercurrent of hatred and contempt for "rivet counters"..." Really? Here I was thinking the forums had become "more civilized" than in the past? I have argued that perhaps not all variations of some diesels can reasonably or economically be modeled in a rtr unit. Specifically, Alco Century handrails and/or stanchion placement varied slightly almost from one order to another. So which version is supposed to be tooled because they just can't all be? However, that does not mean I hate rivet counters. Hate is a strong word. Any diesel after the SD40-2 series is quite literally "new" to me, so I'm not aware of any switcheroo from 50 series cabs to 40 series cabs. I just tried to check it out online, elsewhere. All I can see is that perhaps some NS units look as if they had smaller length cabs than some others (like Chessie)? Maybe it's just my eyes and the black paint? My 12 year old son wanted a Chessie diesel, so I got him a pair of SD-50's because he also wants plenty of pulling power, and they were available. I was pleased that they are much better detailed than some other rtr units. They have the air hoses and all--everything except maybe the lift rings and see-through steps of Genesis models. My usual position is that all the details in the world are no good if the final assembly quality of a rtr unit just isn't there (as clearly is the case for some manufacturers), but again that has nothing to do with "hating" rivet counters. |
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Post by csx3305 on Mar 1, 2019 23:04:47 GMT -8
Slow down and take a second glance at my post and you'll see the implication that they used the incorrect parts when they have the proper parts already tooled and available and have used the proper parts on past runs. It is a part selection error, not a "oh we can't justify tooling costs on that one different variation for XY&Z railroad that only three people would ever consider modeling" type of situation. If a company has the appropriate parts available, but doesn't use them, it falls under QAQC concerns. Period. Then there's the ol' chestnuts like this one. I'll narrow it down for ya, it ain't the cab, but it is a glaring error and it is locationally close to the cab: www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH80423There are plenty of others, across numerous models. It isn't just the SD50's, the SD50's are just fresh in my mind this week, so I cite them. Off the top of my head, I can think of no less than three profiles here that often come out of the woodwork to make snarky comments whenever some minutiae of a model is discussed. I won't name names, nothing to be gained by that, but you're not one of them and it is not important anyway. Anyone who can't see it isn't paying attention, IMO. |
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Post by gevohogger on Mar 2, 2019 5:23:17 GMT -8
*I think it's a real shame that more and more of the forum traffic is migrating to Facebook, whose format couldn't possibly be more ill-suited to archival and reference purposes. I agree 100%. Or maybe even 1000% if that were possible. |
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Post by sd40dash2 on Mar 2, 2019 5:36:13 GMT -8
Agreed about Facebook. I don't understand the overall obsession with the site. Yes, I have been to it and after 30 minutes of holding my mouse and scrolling, didn't really gain much valuable content other than the odd good photo or posting buried among a bunch of emoticons and 'i like trainns to' type postings. Huge waste of time, not to mention the sacrifice in privacy we offer them. I'll stay here where complete sentences and searchability still exist. The signal ratio here is very high once the 'block user' feature is established.
Back to topic, I am sorry to hear about those individuals losing their jobs. Hopefully they all received the severance they were owed and will not experience personal hardships.
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Post by marknycfan on Mar 2, 2019 6:46:18 GMT -8
While I only have 5 Genesis GP-9's, 5 F-3/7 A-units and 3 more B-units, all of them are just fine, I don't expect any company to QC every single piece that arrives in the states. As far as using the wrong sideframe or cab when the correct piece is available that is pure ignorance.
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Mar 2, 2019 6:52:18 GMT -8
There are some very useful groups on Facebook — with factual content rather than the opinions sprouted here. And there is a search function which lets you find old content, just as one would search here. Overall, the signal-to-noise ratio is getting worse here.
Personally, I get my information from a mix of sites; for subject-focussed questions I turn to groups.io and/or specialised Facebook groups — not here.
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randyb
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Post by randyb on Mar 2, 2019 6:54:46 GMT -8
marknycfan wrote: "all of them are just fine, I don't expect any company to QC every single piece that arrives in the states."
I know of at least one firm (Spring Mills Depot) that does and wouldn't be surprised to learn of a couple others.
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Post by marknycfan on Mar 2, 2019 6:59:58 GMT -8
marknycfan wrote: "all of them are just fine, I don't expect any company to QC every single piece that arrives in the states." I know of at least one firm (Spring Mills Depot) that does and wouldn't be surprised to learn of a couple others. It's all about volume and manpower, Spring Mills Depot does not produce any where near the volume of Athearn, Atlas, etc... |
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Mar 2, 2019 7:21:09 GMT -8
Weird. Spring Mills Depot also has zero full-time employees... so using that argument it’s Athearn that should be able to QA every item.
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Post by marknycfan on Mar 2, 2019 7:32:51 GMT -8
Not an exact correlation Colin, I'm certain the single owner of Spring Mills has plenty of volunteers to help him, I've been in and around this hobby for 40 years to include helping out E&B Valley RR years ago, packing kits in his living room, ordering up Chinese food for dinner and getting a few kits in trade for my efforts. So the real question is can Athearn actually QC each and every locomotive hat comes in on a production run; 12 units per case, 200 cases, 2400 individual pieces...
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Post by nstophat on Mar 2, 2019 7:48:03 GMT -8
From CSX3305 "Then there's the ol' chestnuts like this one. I'll narrow it down for ya, it ain't the cab, but it is a glaring error and it is locationally close to the cab: www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH80423Ouch, that hurts, that shouldn't be an issue with that model. Do the other road numbers from this run have the same issue, or is this a one-off issue? Russ |
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Post by csx3305 on Mar 2, 2019 8:07:17 GMT -8
There are some very useful groups on Facebook — with factual content rather than the opinions sprouted here. And there is a search function which lets you find old content, just as one would search here. Overall, the signal-to-noise ratio is getting worse here. Personally, I get my information from a mix of sites; for subject-focussed questions I turn to groups.io and/or specialised Facebook groups — not here. I’ve been on Facebook since 2010, So I am no stranger to using it, but I still find it a kludge for viewing photos and participating in any kind of multi-response topic thread. Plus Athearn has been known to “sanitize” certain posts on their page that show their product in a less than complimentary light. Which is why I alluded to Facebook in the first place (hint: I wasn’t the victim of the sanitizing) As for groups.io, anything regarding prototype information that I post here is almost always checked against the MFCL first, so you’re preaching to the choir there. A good example is the recent tank car thread. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2019 8:07:50 GMT -8
Slow down and take a second glance at my post and you'll see the implication that they used the incorrect parts when they have the proper parts already tooled and available and have used the proper parts on past runs. It is a part selection error, not a "oh we can't justify tooling costs on that one different variation for XY&Z railroad that only three people would ever consider modeling" type of situation. If a company has the appropriate parts available, but doesn't use them, it falls under QAQC concerns. Period. Then there's the ol' chestnuts like this one. I'll narrow it down for ya, it ain't the cab, but it is a glaring error and it is locationally close to the cab: www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH80423There are plenty of others, across numerous models. It isn't just the SD50's, the SD50's are just fresh in my mind this week, so I cite them. Off the top of my head, I can think of no less than three profiles here that often come out of the woodwork to make snarky comments whenever some minutiae of a model is discussed. I won't name names, nothing to be gained by that, but you're not one of them and it is not important anyway. Anyone who can't see it isn't paying attention, IMO. Thanks for inferring that I'm somehow typing hastily or too passionately when in fact I actually took some time to compose my previous posts.
Text on a forum does not adequately convey the tone and I'm seldom "hostile". I try to remove any outright anger from my posts.
I clearly got everything that you said above; I'm just not 100% sure that I agree.
I got that they had used the right parts in the past and that not using them now would clearly be a significant QA/QC issue. No objections there.
However, I'm looking at a current release Chessie "SD-50", and I am comparing it to prototype photos, and I am just unable to see whatever it is wrong with it. Is the "mail slot" somehow not tooled deep enough? Because otherwise, I'm just not seeing anything wrong.
Again, my knowledge of diesels pretty much ends at the SD40-2 generation, and I freely admit that. BUT I actually look at plans for a living, so I usually can pick out things on a plan and not executed correctly in real life. Just not seeing anything wrong here in this case.
Regarding Athearn "getting it right" in the past, and not on a more recent run, I recently noticed that they actually are getting things correct on a per individual unit basis, even when not Genesis. So for me on my particular diesels of interest, I'm actually pretty happy. I'm sorry that others are not.
Regarding Facebook, just like Liam Neeson's interview a few years back on The Tonight Show, I consider it "utterly inane". Sure I do go on facebook a few times a year, and I have posted questions on Athearn's website in addition to asking for specific paint schemes to be run or re-run, but I find the whole website to be a PITA versus any "useful" content that I ever really get out of it. I really don't like Facebook.
I greatly prefer to talk to real people in person or on the telephone or at train shows or in the train store, where we still hang out on Saturdays up here in Pennsyltucky.
I am sorry to hear some Athearn people were let go, and I hope they do well wherever else they go.
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Post by NS4122 on Mar 2, 2019 8:13:22 GMT -8
The only seething that I recall came from a rivet counter that expressed his disdain for non-rivet counters with vile insults.
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