From the folks at Athearn Trains, the latest news, some you've already heard about and some you haven't yet. HO and N scalers, take note: Greetings. Here's the latest info on our projects (the ones that we can talk about). Most of this information presented here was released at the NMRA Convention in Philadelphia, but we recognize that many of you haven't heard it directly from us yet. -------------- Overview -------------- We have nearly forty (40) separate projects (HO and N scale) going right now. These include new tooling of locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, and vehicles as well as upgrades of existing Athearn and ex-MDC tooling. We aren't ready to talk about all of these (really) so we won't be answering questions about any of them. A word of advice, ok? If you send e-mails or letters asking for more info we won't be able to answer them. Because there isn't any more information. Here's the info that we do have for you, enough to whet your interest, maybe? -------------------------------------- GENESIS (ALL Genesis is HO scale) -------------------------------------- F45-FP45 ---------- The flagships of the Santa Fe railroad are accurately rendered with all-new state-of-the-art tooling, Genesis drive, directional lighting and other top features, including DCC and sound. Line listings are not yet available. ETA Summer 2007. MT4 4-8-2 Southern Pacific ------------------------------ Our models of the Sacramento-built MT4-4-8-2 will come with or without the signature SP "skyline" casing. Individually applied parts include piping, valves, generators and more. Two tender variations will be offered. Line listings not yet available. ETA Late 2007. FEF2 and FEF-3 Union Pacific ------------------------------- The Genesis realistic renditions of The Union Pacific classic oil and coal burners are available with or without smoke deflectors and Mars light and with either single or double stacks. Line listings not yet available. ETA Fall 2007. MP15AC --------- Announced long ago, we are diligently working on this workhorse. Challenged by fitting sound and interior into a very small body, we expect to see these early 2007. We know that they will be worth the wait. --------------------------------------------------- Ready-To-Roll (all Ready-To-Roll is HO Scale) --------------------------------------------------- GP40X -------- We have already announced the GP40X, and early pre-production deco samples look great. This is upgraded Rail Power Products (RPP) tooling with many appearance and performance upgrades. See our web site for details. SD45 -------- The first diesel with more than 16 cylinders, the mighty 20 cylinder SD45 became one of EMD's top sellers when introduced in the mid-1960s. This is ex-RPP tooling, with many appearance and performance upgrades (similar to our already upgraded GP35, SD38 and SD40). Line listings not yet available. ETA Spring 2007. Clay Slurry Tank Car ------------------------- This new model features all new tooling that accurately replicates the Union Tank Car classic. It offers photo etched end platforms, McHenry AAR upper/lower shelf couplers and more. Line listings will be announced NEXT WEEK. ETA Late 2006. 48' Chassis and Container ------------------------------ Adding to our intermodal equipment, we will be announcing this combo next week. ETA Late 2006. Watch for more chassis lengths in the coming months. Line listings not available. Southern Pacific 1937 and 1938 "Daylight" Trains For a period layout (and collectors of beautiful things), Southern Pacific's "Daylight" passenger cars are loaded with prototypically accurate features, including an operating full-width diaphragm and full interior, and will come with or without skirting. Line listings are not yet available. ETA Early 2007. ----------- N Scale ----------- F45-FP45 ----------- EMD Created just 86 F45 units, recognizable by their streamlined bodies. Line listings not yet available. ETA Summer 2007. 4-6-6-4 Challenger ---------------------- First test shots of this locomotive are impressive. If you're at the N Scale Collectors Show in Denver this weekend you'll see one in person. We'll have photos of the deco samples (due to arrive late this month) on our web site as soon as we get the models to photograph. ETA on these beauties is (we hope) late this year or early 2007. Mack Trucks --------------- The Mack trucks are moving ahead. Slowly. (They're little tiny models and they take quite a while for our expert tool makers to get them "just right"). We'll have Mack 'R' and Mack 'B' tractors, tow trucks, mixers and dump trucks. We have early test samples that we'll be showing this weekend at the N Scale Collectors Show. We expect to make formal announcement of paint schemes and item numbers in September or October for delivery early next year. That's it. Any more projects that we have underway just aren't yet ready for discussion. We'll let you know more at the proper time. Thanks for reading this. The Folks at Athearn
Wow! Does this mean there is hope they may produce the GP40X in N scale? That would be really cool even if I'm only interested in one. Well, maybe two. The Macks will be a welcom addition too.
While at the N scale convention in Denver Intermountain asked how many of us would be interested in a cab forward. From the responce he got I would think that they might sometime in the future be making one. Alan
Yeeesssssss!!!!!!! An SP steamer WITH skyline casing without the brass pricetag!!!!! Yeeeesssssss!!!!
Perhaps in N scale some day? while at the N scale show in Denver, I actually got to handle the steam engine pre production model. It is quite impressive, though not a prototype I could use. Those of you who just love all steam engines won't be dissappointed. Their mack trucks are simply beautiful. I played with those a bit also. I plan to purchase a few for my layout later on.
