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Post by mdvle on Feb 17, 2021 9:45:41 GMT -8
Genesis steam? Could this be a countermove to ScaleTrains’ acquisition of MTH HO steam tooling? The timing seems more than coincidental. Or am I reading too much into it?
For those unaware, Genesis steam already exists - there are 4 listed on the website - and there have been periodic requests in the Q&A sessions for new runs of the 3 non-Big-Boy models with comments along the line of the tooling needs to be upgraded but hints that at least one of the 3 would appear in the next couple of years.
As for your question/comment, the ScaleTrains big move into steam is going to be a contributing factor, and perhaps the biggest factor, in the question on Tuesday.
Noted on here (and elsewhere), while MTH did make some good items in HO the insistence on shoving DCS into any purchase meant the majority of the market simply shrugged and pretended that MTH HO didn't exist.
But remotor and sell those steam locos with DCC and now the market will take interest, and thus it is possible a renewed interest in steam might be possible.
But another possible factor is looking out 3 or 4 years (as product development does), and what happens when the most popular diesels all have modern tooled models from someone(*)? The talk is all about the SD9/18/24, the GP30/35, and possible some of the older GE things and maybe a couple more Alcos - but if say we get 5 new tooled (not upgraded) diesels a year from Rapido/Athearn/ScaleTrains and it won't take long for the more popular items to get done - this is also why Athearn is spending on upgrading existing models from Genesis to Genesis 2.0, to protect that market segment.
So it is also possible this is a what are we going to be tooling in 4 years type question.
*- the UK is already close to this point, hence the increased move by manufacturers not just into steam, but in some cases into more niche steam.
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Post by riogrande on Feb 17, 2021 10:26:04 GMT -8
Heck, I got tired of waiting and got the Walthers Proto SD9's. The upgrade merry go round - here we go again. I do hope we see a high fidelity GP30/35/40 sooner.
GENESIS 2.0 FEATURES: Etched, see-through walkway steps. Illuminated number boards. Illuminated ground lights. DCC+Sound models feature dual Sugarcube speakers for optimal sound quality.[/quote]
So Athearn is worried that someone would duplicate a Genesis engine and that is driving the upgrade to Genesis 2?
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Post by Donnell Wells on Feb 17, 2021 10:48:09 GMT -8
Rock Island blue geeps? Totally out of my era, but I'm drawn to them like a moth to a flame. I have three Athearn U33Bs in the queue right now waiting to be adorned with new details and a fresh coat of Bankruptcy Blue!
Donnell
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Post by nebrzephyr on Feb 17, 2021 12:44:55 GMT -8
Rock Island blue geeps? Totally out of my era, but I'm drawn to them like a moth to a flame. I have three Athearn U33Bs in the queue right now waiting to be adorned with new details and a fresh coat of Bankruptcy Blue!
DonnellDonnell, it will be interesting to see how you "trick out" the U boats. Please post photos when done. Bob
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Post by mdvle on Feb 18, 2021 6:30:10 GMT -8
So Athearn is worried that someone would duplicate a Genesis engine and that is driving the upgrade to Genesis 2? Some of the upgraded models also have working class lights, which can be important to some people, and at a guess depending on the model there may be other opportunities for etched part upgrades.
But duplication I have to guess is a concern - I doubt it is coincidence that some of the first upgraded to G2.0 models are the SD70* units given the number of people who are asking for a ScaleTrains SD70ACe/etc in the online ScaleTrains Q&A sessions - while the ScaleTrains fans would buy from ScaleTrains regardless if that happens there are a lot of people who aren't brand loyal who will compare features in making a purchase decision.
And it's not just ScaleTrains or Rapido - in theory Atlas could do something, or even a new entrant could appear based on a want for a modern model with full lighting effects - which while perhaps not of interest to some/many on here is an interest to a lot of people.
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Post by riogrande on Feb 18, 2021 7:31:44 GMT -8
I'm a fan of whoever provides high quality models with features I like for a competitive price. I buy from Athearn, ScaleTrains, and most of the other better model RR company's. If it comes down to more than one company offering a same engine, then I compare and choose. That's the good thing about competition.
As far as Athearn, I like their products but am not a fanboy. Athearn, while good, my feelings about them are also tempered with a goodly number of experiences with spotty QAQC over the past 20 years. Their QAQC has improved, but issues still occur. I've had some GP40-2's with bowed frames still not totally resolved, and I recently discovered a Genesis autorack NIB that I has on the shelf unopened until recently and unfortunately it is a loss right out of the box; I discovered the condition of the model too late for any remedy. Those issue have removed fanboy status for Athearn for me.
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Post by simulatortrain on Feb 18, 2021 16:48:43 GMT -8
Atlas hasn't cashed in on heritage units yet, they might as well!
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Post by packer on Feb 19, 2021 11:18:33 GMT -8
Heck, I got tired of waiting and got the Walthers Proto SD9's. The upgrade merry go round - here we go again. I do hope we see a high fidelity GP30/35/40 sooner. I hope whomever does it, gets the modified stepwells on BN/GN ones right. No “squish” like the Walther’s GP20HH. I could fix the ones on the GP20, but will take some doing.
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Post by mdvle on Feb 23, 2021 14:56:22 GMT -8
Athearn Train Tuesday - February 23rd 2021 Guest: James Portugal (online reviewer - www.youtube.com/c/HybridHobby/videos) 0:02 - N scale 0:24 - arriving next month, Genesis propane cars 0:30 - SD60M arriving next month 0:32 - in stock, RTR boxcar PS 5344 (RI shown) 0:38 - James Portugal comes in to show off now available Genesis GP40-2 0:59 - Q&A - Virtual Railfan - Barstow CA - new for Canadian guys? - SD60M in CP, Roundhouse centerflows, see this Friday's announcements - beet cars? - not dead, cancelled them until they can explore their options, will be offered again in the future when they have a way forward - mostly talk between Jim & James for 25 minutes. YouTube Link
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Post by ambluco on Feb 23, 2021 16:28:30 GMT -8
Thank you, mdvle.
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Post by jonklein611 on Feb 24, 2021 7:43:34 GMT -8
I noticed the VIA Rail P42 dropped off the website. I wonder if they didn't get the rights squared away in time.
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Post by mdvle on Feb 24, 2021 9:24:00 GMT -8
I noticed the VIA Rail P42 dropped off the website. I wonder if they didn't get the rights squared away in time.
It disappeared at least a month or more ago (if it was even ever put up on the website - it was at announcement listed as conditional on getting the rights so may never have been on the website, I can't remember) - but with the Amtrak units arriving in June it is a reasonable guess that a point of no return on the VIA units has passed for the current production run.
There have been several queries during the Q&A's over the months but Athearn has chosen to not respond - whether deliberately ignoring or just having better questions to answer is only known to Athearn.
Whatever the reason, it must be a disappointment given they tooled up a new nose to do the unique VIA headlight.
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Post by mdvle on Feb 26, 2021 14:44:39 GMT -8
Athearn - March 2021 Announcements Yes, Athearn had a problem uploading their PDFs, they are working on it, hopefully fixed by Monday 0:04 - Genesis 2.0 Dash-9 0:18 - Genesis FGE 57' Mechanical Reefer 0:24 - RTR 85' flat 0:27 - 45' trailers 0:32 - 40' Boxcar 0:37 - Stakebed Trucks 0:40 - 40' gondolas 0:42 - Roundhouse Hoppers 0:45 - N Scale 0:50 - Q&A - Virtual Railfan - Galesburg IL - UP AC4400's in future - possible - no update on VIA P42's at this time - KO&G / Midland Valley GP7 and Genesis KO&G caboose - great suggestion YouTube link
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Post by mdvle on Mar 2, 2021 15:02:22 GMT -8
Athearn Train Tuesday - March 2nd 2021 0:02 - Genesis 2.0 Dash-9 0:27 - hoping for a surpise in the middle of the month 0:28 - Genesis 57' Mechanical Reefer 0:38 - GP40-2 review - BA Railsystem shout out, goes out tonight on Athearn Facebook 0:40 - Prime for grime contest discussion 0:43 - James Portugal returns to discuss his weathered box car - contest rules - www.athearn.com/primedforgrime/- key point - US residents only - audio disappears while they "read" the contest rules 1:00 - Q&A - Virtual Railfan - SF Jct, Kansas City MO - Dash-9 rebuilds - maybe further down the road, still lots of Dash-9's to do - chit-chat with James, people asking him his favourite loco, etc. - chatting about Amtrak - doing anymore CB&Q locomotives - Jim fell in love with CB&Q 20 years ago, trying to get more done YouTube link
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Post by scasey on Mar 3, 2021 4:42:19 GMT -8
Thanks for the review, mdvle. It seems like viewership every Tuesday has been on a downward trend. I hopped on briefly yesterday and there were only about 75 viewers watching at that time.
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Post by mdvle on Mar 3, 2021 6:42:36 GMT -8
Thanks for the review, mdvle. It seems like viewership every Tuesday has been on a downward trend. I hopped on briefly yesterday and there were only about 75 viewers watching at that time.
Live viewers perhaps (I didn't pay attention to the YouTube numbers at the beginning, so can't compare them to now), but anyone trying to measure needs to be aware that it goes out live on both YouTube and Facebook so one would need to combine the numbers - and Facebook seems from what I can guess to have a lot more viewers.
But then there are those who catch up with it later.
Just over 12 hours later yesterday's show is up to 812 views, and the February Train Tuesdays seem to average around 1500 views - certainly respectable numbers.
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Post by lars on Mar 3, 2021 7:31:36 GMT -8
We're creeping into the spring too. As people get outside a bit more I would expect numbers to drop a bit like it does in general with this hobby.
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Post by mdvle on Mar 3, 2021 13:29:51 GMT -8
In addition to the nicer weather, there have also been some discussions on email forums about hobby burnout at the moment as Covid has meant too much time spent on indoor hobbies.
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Post by riogrande on Mar 3, 2021 14:10:59 GMT -8
In addition to the nicer weather, there have also been some discussions on email forums about hobby burnout at the moment as Covid has meant too much time spent on indoor hobbies. For some maybe. But I haven't had anymore hobby time than normal so if anything I need more hobby time. Burn out not so much of an issue. Hobbyists must be busy cause I've noticed somethings like turnouts and Kadee couplers bulk packs as being sold out. MBK got a large stock of Peco code 83 Unifrog #6 turnouts in (over 100 each LH and RH) and all are sold out now. KD bulk packs mostly sold out.
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Post by unittrain on Mar 3, 2021 17:33:28 GMT -8
I'm quite active in the hobby currently working on a layout and also scratch building a bridge, I don't watch it if I do maybe for a portion of it so I don't think it's clear evidence of the demise of things hobby related there's many permutations as to why people don't watch a podcast some watch only if they're interested in the products being discussed, some may like the products being covered but find the podcast boring and on and on into infinity. Many watch it later or on a different platform.
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Post by unittrain on Mar 3, 2021 17:36:55 GMT -8
Just on YouTube the last podcast has 1k views since yesterday and the previous one has 2.2k views not bad really.
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Post by unittrain on Mar 3, 2021 17:41:24 GMT -8
One more Ken Patterson has just shy of 7k views I haven't watched it and I'm active I watch sometimes but again the numbers seem decent.
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Post by bnsftall on Mar 5, 2021 13:23:15 GMT -8
Viewership numbers aside, It would be nice if they were knowledgeble about their subject matter.
This week when talking about the just announced BNSF Dash 9's in red/silver warbonnet he noted road number 702 has BNSF lettering on the side, but a Santa Fe cigar band on the nose, which it does. He attributes this to it being a "patch job", which is totally incorrect. The unit in question (along with several others with this spotting feature) were delivered like that new from GE in 1997.
dt
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Post by middledivision on Mar 5, 2021 14:01:31 GMT -8
^^^ Probably the same guy who approved the wrong side frames on the SD75's.
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Post by cemr5396 on Mar 5, 2021 15:33:26 GMT -8
Viewership numbers aside, It would be nice if they were knowledgeble about their subject matter. This week when talking about the just announced BNSF Dash 9's in red/silver warbonnet he noted road number 702 has BNSF lettering on the side, but a Santa Fe cigar band on the nose, which it does. He attributes this to it being a "patch job", which is totally incorrect. The unit in question (along with several others with this spotting feature) were delivered like that new from GE in 1997. dt James has made errors like that on several occasions. Clearly he is passionate about trains (aren't we all?), but a historian or an expert he is not. Considering he is basically the PR guy, I personally don't think that is a big deal.
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Post by mdvle on Mar 9, 2021 15:07:33 GMT -8
Athearn "TOFC" Train Tuesday - March 9th 2021 0:03 - RTR 85' TOFC Flats 0:13 - RTR 45' Z-Van trailers 0:31 - News - Service/support moving from Long Beach to Champaign(*) Illinois effective May 1st 2021 (phone numbers will be changing) 0:37 - goes over Primed for Grime contest details again 0:42 - arriving soon SD60M Triclops 0:52 - Q&A - Virtual Railfan - Horseshoe Curve - T-shirts - working on it, maybe in spring - nothing else seemed of interest this week
[edit] * - corrected the spelling thanks to Steve, really should have checked before posting.
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Post by stevewagner on Mar 9, 2021 17:11:58 GMT -8
Thanks as usual to mdvie for his useful summary.
I managed to watch much of the You Tube version. I'll add that a Facebook posting added to Athearn's website yesterday (I t think) says that the firm's Customer Service & Support can still be emailed at at hearnhelp@horizonhobby.com -- the same announcement still lists 310-956-4374 as the phone number, which still has a California area code, but specifies that all parts requests should be emailed.
More frivolously, I'll correct the spelling for the location of Horizon Hobby's biggest warehouse: it's Champaign. mdvie's spelling is correct for the sparkling wine, which in the European Union can't be called champagne if it's not from the proper region in France; even if a German vineyard makes a similar wine using the same kind of grapes and method it has to be called Sekt instead. Illinois Central's north-south long distance passenger trains stopped in Champaign; Amtrak's still do. The main campus of the University of Illinois is in Urbana, just to the east. Many business signs in that area feature "C-U". There's an old joke, probably based on a true story, that some readers may enjoy. A passenger on a northbound local hear sthe conductor or trainman announce, "Arcola, Arcola!" for one stop and "Tuscola, Tuscola" for the next. He asks him, "Is Coca Cola next?" The reply: "No, Champaign!"
My father trained as a US Army Air Corps weatherman during World War II at Chanute Field in Champaign, and the oldest of my three younger brothers did graduate work in Urbana; I rode the IC to visit him and his wife there in April 1970, the year before Amtrak started.
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Post by cp6027 on Mar 10, 2021 8:17:47 GMT -8
Thanks as usual to mdvie for his useful summary. I managed to watch much of the You Tube version. I'll add that a Facebook posting added to Athearn's website yesterday (I t think) says that the firm's Customer Service & Support can still be emailed at at hearnhelp@horizonhobby.com -- the same announcement still lists 310-956-4374 as the phone number, which still has a California area code, but specifies that all parts requests should be emailed. More frivolously, I'll correct the spelling for the location of Horizon Hobby's biggest warehouse: it's Champaign. mdvie's spelling is correct for the sparkling wine, which in the European Union can't be called champagne if it's not from the proper region in France; even if a German vineyard makes a similar wine using the same kind of grapes and method it has to be called Sekt instead. Illinois Central's north-south long distance passenger trains stopped in Champaign; Amtrak's still do. The main campus of the University of Illinois is in Urbana, just to the east. Many business signs in that area feature "C-U". There's an old joke, probably based on a true story, that some readers may enjoy. A passenger on a northbound local hear sthe conductor or trainman announce, "Arcola, Arcola!" for one stop and "Tuscola, Tuscola" for the next. He asks him, "Is Coca Cola next?" The reply: "No, Champaign!" My father trained as a US Army Air Corps weatherman during World War II at Chanute Field in Champaign, and the oldest of my three younger brothers did graduate work in Urbana; I rode the IC to visit him and his wife there in April 1970, the year before Amtrak started. The University of Illinois happens to have a fantastic railway engineering research and education program. The campus also has an active student model railroad club that has received some support from the local Horizon/Athearn reps. Unfortunately, despite the presence of (until recently) multiple major hobby manufacturers/distributors in town, it is a long trek to the nearest model train store. Chanute Field/AFB was north of Champaign in Rantoul, but has long since been decommissioned. Many of the AFB facilities have been torn down but others are still used by the University for transportation research purposes.
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Post by mdvle on Mar 16, 2021 13:59:38 GMT -8
Athearn Train Tuesday - March 16th 2021 0:04 - RTR 40' Modernized Boxcar 0:22 - RTR Ford F-850 Stake Trucks 0:30 - Customer service move discussed again 0:33 - Prime for Grime contest discussed again 0:42 - Now in Stock - SD60M Tri-Clops 0:45 - Review of SD60M by DG Modelworks on YouTube 0:48 - Now in Stock - Ford grain truck 0:50 - Q&A - Virtual Railfan - Belen NM - make fantasy Maine Central GP40's? - don't know, fantasy units are polarizing - complete the trifecta of GMDD CN Comfort Cabs with the SD40-2W? - use suggestion email - Amtrak California cars weekly request - can one put the farm trucks onto trains? - sure - really need SF red/silver GP60M - really good idea - consider bringing back Genesis clam shell packaging, foam inserts are a pain. - thanks for the feedback - any steam coming for pre-order soon? going to have to bug the guys in development - is this the start of Athearn leaving California? - development and operations still in California - thoughts on putting cameras in locos? - interesting idea, not sure if it is something Athearn would do at this time - any plans for trains shows this year? - July - Spring Creek in Nebraska - July - St. Louis RPM - November - Trainfest - 1950s/60s L&N Caboose? - let us know what you want, Genesis/RTR/Roundhouse
There was also brief mention in the Q&A that Amtrak announced some special paint schemes today, can be seen at the 6:55 point of this Amtrak video about Amtrak's various paint schemes.
There are 5 paint schemes for P42's and one paint scheme for a Charger (unit #301).
Very end of video also shows the new phase 7 paint scheme on a Charger drawing.
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Post by mdvle on Mar 19, 2021 21:04:18 GMT -8
First Look Friday - March 20th 2021 Janek join Jim for a just under half hour showing of just arrived decorated samples of the August announcement Genesis 2.0 Dash-9 locos. YouTube link
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