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Post by markfj on Dec 29, 2021 5:27:04 GMT -8
Add small sized steam switchers to that gap too. Of course it’s been discussed before that tooling costs for a small steam locomotive are relatively the same as the costs for a large one. I guess that’s the reason why we have so many variations of the UP Big Boy on the market, but you can count on one hand how many 0-6-0s we have. I suppose there isn’t much demand for small steam either, but it would be nice to see some more offerings.
Thanks, Mark J. Reading, PA
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Post by el3625 on Dec 29, 2021 6:20:46 GMT -8
I only suggested a retool because they have not done any SD45'srecently and maybe that is what they are doing, who knows. I would take the RTR's any day, at least they came with the low roof details. air hoses, correct horn and the correct color GRAY. I am happy with the EL RTR's I have, to me they sure look better than SXT's EL SD45's because that ugly gray is the first thing you see and then the disappointment kicks in. I do not need all of the extra "options" that you do not see or would use when mixed in with other locomotives. Some like it, some don't. If you have 40+ locomotives why does everyone have to have all the extra's?
Bruce
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Post by middledivision on Dec 29, 2021 6:52:19 GMT -8
Maybe they can retool their SD45 so we can get the correct color of gray for the EL's, Scaletrains sure cannot get it right. Maybe this is in the works, have not seen a SD45 from them in some time. Just do not make them to intricate. Would really like to see an Erie Lackawanna Genesis ICC bay window caboose. While I sympathize regarding the color, is there enough of a market for the SD45 to justify tooling a brand new G2.0 one? I doubt it, but that is merely my opinion (the current Athearn SD45 is RTR). With Rapido now entering the EMD freight engine field I suspect there are other models that Athearn needs to worry about upgrading to modern standards before going for a duplicate of an older prototype - and that's without going into the need/want people have for an SD9 or GP30 (though of course the GP30 is rumoured to be ScaleTrains). Not to mention the big gap in the hobby at the moment - a Rivet Counter/ G2.0 level small switcher(s) ideal for shelf layouts for all those who are space constrained. The SD9 just might come off your list in 2022.😉
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Post by riogrande on Dec 29, 2021 7:19:08 GMT -8
While I sympathize regarding the color, is there enough of a market for the SD45 to justify tooling a brand new G2.0 one? I doubt it, but that is merely my opinion (the current Athearn SD45 is RTR). With Rapido now entering the EMD freight engine field I suspect there are other models that Athearn needs to worry about upgrading to modern standards before going for a duplicate of an older prototype - and that's without going into the need/want people have for an SD9 or GP30 (though of course the GP30 is rumoured to be ScaleTrains). Not to mention the big gap in the hobby at the moment - a Rivet Counter/ G2.0 level small switcher(s) ideal for shelf layouts for all those who are space constrained. The SD9 just might come off your list in 2022.😉 Sigh - I finally replaced my old LL/P2k SD9's with the Walthers. Here we go again. BUt I'd much rather have a rivet counter GP30
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Post by mdvle on Dec 29, 2021 10:08:28 GMT -8
Add small sized steam switchers to that gap too. Of course it’s been discussed before that tooling costs for a small steam locomotive are relatively the same as the costs for a large one. I guess that’s the reason why we have so many variations of the UP Big Boy on the market, but you can count on one hand how many 0-6-0s we have. I suppose there isn’t much demand for small steam either, but it would be nice to see some more offerings.
A small steam switcher, to modern standards, would I think make a lot of people happy - the ability to accurately use shorter 36' and 40' cars, in a legitimate packed in city environment, could create a lot of shelf layout opportunities.
But I suspect the problem is too much of RTR steam is collector driven, hence the focus on things like CP's 2816 and Royal Hudson or the more popular large US steam locos.
What we really need is more companies tooling new stuff for the North American market and shaking things up a bit.
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Post by gevohogger on Dec 29, 2021 10:11:12 GMT -8
Would really like to see an Erie Lackawanna Genesis ICC bay window caboose. And duplicate the one you guys keep asking Tangent for?
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Post by riogrande on Dec 29, 2021 11:00:36 GMT -8
Would really like to see an Erie Lackawanna Genesis ICC bay window caboose. And duplicate the one you guys keep asking Tangent for? Shotgun appoach!
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Post by el3625 on Dec 29, 2021 11:19:18 GMT -8
If you just sit on your duff and do not ask you most likely would never get one. You have to dangle the carrot out there to get a bite. I would really like one!
Bruce
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Post by mdvle on Dec 30, 2021 15:38:54 GMT -8
Athearn has created the entry on YouTube tomorrow live January announcements show, image is a SD90MAC in EMD paint scheme
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Post by nebrzephyr on Dec 31, 2021 7:19:58 GMT -8
Includes the Santa Fe SD45-2 Bi-Centennial. Bob
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Post by middledivision on Dec 31, 2021 8:47:10 GMT -8
New SD45-2 run and still no ditchlights.
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Post by sd80mac on Dec 31, 2021 10:37:45 GMT -8
New SD45-2 run and still no ditchlights. Interesting to note that they are including ditch lights in the box for the NS 1700 version that the modeler can install if they want to. I suspect adding ditch lights to the SD45-2 would require serious tooling upgrades to a model that already isn't a super hot seller.
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Post by mdvle on Dec 31, 2021 13:59:57 GMT -8
Athearn January Announcement Stream - no surprise given it's NY Eve, this was pre-recorded 0:01 - Genesis 2.0 - SD90MAC-H 0:04 - Genesis 2.0 - SD80MAC 0:09 - Genesis - SD45-2 - BNSF is currently restoring 5704 to Bicentenial scheme to be donated to museum 0:14 - Genesis - GATC 20k Tank Car 0:16 - RTR - 54' FMC 4700 3-Bay Covered Hopper 0:18 - RTR - 50' Evans Double Plug Door Boxcar 0:20 - RTR - Ford C Tractor with 20' Trailer 0:22 - RTR - 1950s Sedan/Taxi 0:23 - RTR - 20' Container 0:23 - Roundhouse - 50' Covered Gondola YouTube link
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Post by mdvle on Jan 4, 2022 11:56:07 GMT -8
Just a reminder, Train Tuesday is now at 7:30pm Central which may open up live watching to additional people. Today's edition will feature the SD90 and SD80 models
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Post by mdvle on Jan 4, 2022 18:16:34 GMT -8
Athearn is running a survey regarding a new live feed they are considering, asking when people would like to see them (day and time)
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Post by mdvle on Jan 4, 2022 18:23:29 GMT -8
Athearn Train Tuesday - January 4th 2022 0:03 - Genesis 2.0 - SD90MAC-H 0:14 - Genesis 2.0 - SD80MAC 0:41 - shows in studio CP 7022 SD70ACu YouTube link
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Post by mdvle on Jan 11, 2022 18:05:35 GMT -8
Athearn Train Tuesday - January 11th 2022
0:02 - Genesis - SD45-2 - some of the artwork has been fixed/updated based on feedback 0:17 - SPECIAL TRAINWORLD EVENT - Saturday June 22 8pm EST - talk about the bicentennial SD45-2 with Jim and Tony Cook 0:23 - Genesis - GATC 20K Tank Cars 0:31 - RTR - HO 54’ FMC 4700 3-Bay Covered Hoppers 0:40 - discussion regarding parts service - athearnhelp@horizonhobby.com (apparently an investigation found some people who complained about a non-response were using a wrong email address) 0:47 - shows in studio a Genesis 2.0 BNSF Dash-9 0:50 - GP39-2 in studio (D&H) Q&A - any insight if any Viewliners in the works? - Jim agrees, no insight, Jon & Janek lock the door when they see Jim. Doesn't see too far removed, might here what they are up to soon. - when will the Dual Cube speakers be available? - TBD means shipping delays, so no idea - more Canadian stuff please! - not a problem - CF7's please. - yes, hear about it, not aware of any plans - comments on BNSF buying MRL - any surprise announcements soon? - not real soon, but working on something
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Post by The Ferro Kid on Jan 11, 2022 19:59:35 GMT -8
Athearn Train Tuesday - January 11th 2022 - CF7's please. - yes, hear about it, not aware of any plans Hmmm. Almost sounds like they know somebody else is doing one.
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Post by mdvle on Jan 12, 2022 11:40:44 GMT -8
Athearn Train Tuesday - January 11th 2022 - CF7's please. - yes, hear about it, not aware of any plans Hmmm. Almost sounds like they know somebody else is doing one.
Time to potentially make a fool of myself.
Anyone who watches these things in real time can see the questions being asked (sometimes with a great deal of enthusiasm), and obviously many of them the answer would be the standard "do it through the email address so we can track it".
So the question then becomes why highlight certain of these product suggestion questions?
In some cases it can - particularly with hindsight - be obvious. Example, the frequent mentions of the California Cars.
In other cases it seems a hint that they might be working on it, but it isn't guaranteed. This is where I caution anyone interested to go and watch the video and listen to what exactly Jim says because my summary can be off, but I think there is a possibility that Athearn may be working on Viewliners based on the highlighting of that question and the rambling answer/non answer.
As for things like the CF7 getting highlighted - I wonder if this is a "we are pondering it, but unsure if the demand is really there" type of feeler, trying to see if bringing it up brings more people requesting it.
I can't see them highlighting something that they think/know someone else is doing. There is no benefit to doing that.
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Post by mdvle on Jan 18, 2022 17:53:53 GMT -8
Athearn Train Tuesday - January 18th 2022 Starting this Friday, Athearn Extra, hosted by Jim from his workshop, at 7pm CST - this week guest Tony Cook - likely a monthly thing 0:04 - RTR - 50' Evans Double Plug Door Boxcar 0:12 - RTR - 1950s sedan 0:18 - RTR - Ford C tractors with 28' trailers 0:33 - Friends of Athearn - weathered CP military SD70ACu photo - will be setting up an email for submissions of photos of Athearn products 0:41 - sample photo of the arriving soon GP9 models (CP Pacman) - Jim promises TH&B sample next week 0:44 - Q&A - any new Amtrak announced soon? - ponders, then says yes and no, depends on what you consider new - Athearn needs shirts and hats. - working hard on some really big news coming soon - speaking of high hood geeps, any Genesis RI? - Jim is excited and likes RI - any catalogs? no, gives explanation YouTube link
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Post by fr8kar on Jan 18, 2022 20:47:26 GMT -8
A little info on the Ford C tractors with 28' trailers...
Based on the artwork, it looks like the ribside and smoothside trailers are the former A-line tooled Pines trailers. Both of these are 102" wide trailers, which became legal nationwide in 1982, so that's the earliest date you could expect these trailers to appear. The Ford C tractors cover a much wider range of years more in line with what Jim discussed in the video.
The P-I-E tractor would likely be appropriate for the 60s through the 80s as a local delivery tractor, but the P-I-E Nationwide trailer is a 1986 and later scheme. Ryder and P-I-E merged in 1983 and operated as Ryder/P-I-E for those three years. The late 80s and early 90s were a bloodbath for trucking companies, so many carriers were merged into others or simply liquidated. P-I-E Nationwide was liquidated in 1991 after absorbing Transcon the year before.
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Post by mdvle on Jan 19, 2022 18:01:09 GMT -8
For those interested Athearn has created the placeholder on YouTube for the first Athearn Extra
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Post by trainboyy on Jan 28, 2022 4:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by packer on Jan 28, 2022 5:44:32 GMT -8
Wonder if they’re making up for the debacle with the last run of Gp18s? (which resulted in me returning mine)
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Post by cera2254 on Jan 28, 2022 6:31:51 GMT -8
Guess I may have to have the Cr patched LV GP18.
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Post by cemr5396 on Jan 28, 2022 6:56:06 GMT -8
wah wahhhh...
cries in AC4400
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Post by spsf on Jan 28, 2022 8:22:26 GMT -8
Wonder if they’re making up for the debacle with the last run of Gp18s? (which resulted in me returning mine) What was the issue with those again?
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Post by carrman on Jan 28, 2022 9:23:58 GMT -8
Never am going to see the phase 3 MILW GP9's.......
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Post by lvrr325 on Jan 28, 2022 13:33:03 GMT -8
Interesting on the LV GP18s, the 302 and 303 were done by Proto in that scheme and aren't hard to find. I have both, somebody did a nice job weathering them, and I paid $40 each.
304 they left out because it got the Paducah nose around 1972. Fairly certain I'm going to have to build one of those myself.
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Post by milw200 on Jan 28, 2022 15:57:24 GMT -8
Doing an image search, it appears the MP GP18s received short hoods in the 1970s. For the MP experts here, did all units receive short hoods and over what timeframe did this occur?
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