A little out of left field for Athearn... http://www.athearn.com/newsletter/022417/12_N-scale_SD70_022417.pdf
A few years ago they were in the HO Genesis line, so it was probably just a matter of time before they did them in n scale. Can't go wrong with a Death Star, but my favorite is the SP&S. Since I don't even own any n scale, I won't be buying any of them.
Way too modern for me...now only if they did the SP MT's in N scale. I would have to mortgage the house...
I like the fantasy schemes And they're blatant too. Fallen flags that clearly never had it. Much better than if they say...released it in BNSF even though they never owned an SD70 (DC of any type) The model itself isn't per se' surprising. There are enough non-western modelers out there to justify it. Heck, I got a Trainmasters.tv subscription for myself for Christmas and I'm now convinced all the modelers are up in Canada, that's how much Canuck content that show has. (not that I'm complaining) All Those CN/IC units will get sold.
The Northern Pacific and the Spokane, Portland & Seattle fantasy (heritage) paint schemes are interesting, but they'd probably make a little more sense on a SD40-2 model, not a SD70 spartan cab model.
Somewhat ironic that they don't make an N-scale SD40-2 since that was their first scale width hood unit in HO one of their bread and butter BB products.
I'm confused: why is Athearn releasing this SD70 in NP and SP&S, and with 3 # each, whereas they never existed (fantasy?) among models that are either correct or plausible (the UP # are for SD60 !). Is there a market for this type of models? These are not even models of prototype heritage fleets, which would make sense.
There is a market (not me personally). On the UP model, most people sitting trackside can't tell the difference between an SD60 and an SD70 without reading the cabside markings. Even less people sitting layout side can tell the difference. On the NP and SPS, there are a lot of people who will buy it and run it because the road is one they like. Accuracy isn't a concern. I'm sure they will all sell very well.
What? You mean every locomotive from the F-M C-Liner to the Alco C-420 to the SW-1500 didn't really wear the Santa Fe Warbonnets? This kind of thing is a 'model' railroading tradition. Though one does wish companies like Athearn could rise above it.
There is a huge market for Freelance/fallen flag locomotives. Absolutely huge in some of the model groups I frequent. I've never seen it in RTR before, but it is for sure a market. And this is different from the old days of slap Silver and Red on EVERYTHING! In that case, you were selling to non-modelers who knew the warbonnet, but knew nothing much else. These models are for people that are actively seeking fallen flag what if schemes. They are well steeped in model railroading and consider this type of thing a feature not a bug. I'm not sure what the market for RTR is in this...It looks like Athearn's going to do the experiment.
If someone made Gevos or SD70ACe's in Southern Pacific I'd buy 4 and put them on the point my hot intermodal train just to see the looks of horror on the faces of those that take this hobby entirely too seriously. This isn't the first time Athearn has put fantasy schemes on locomotives (remember the Pennsylvania and Santa Fe F59s?), nor are they the only company (FVM CSX heritage locomotives, 20 of them!) Pretty much every month's Atlas announcements include freight cars in fantasy schemes. If it's not your cup of tea, fine, but somebody is obviously buying fantasy schemes, a lot of somebodys. As for me, I intend to get a pair of the UP SD70s along with an IC unit. I like this trend, and would like to see it continue.
Its a way for a manufacturer to get more milage out of a model that was only bought by 4 railroads. And as long as all the Real roads a represented, I don't mind if a company makes some fantasy schemes. (wish they had done one in Southern Pacific though)
