Model Railroading > Athearn possible models?

Now that NS has another heritage unit, an EL SD45-2 and VTR has 2 SD70M-2's, will Athearn do these units?  They already have the units, now its just a new paint scheme. Imagine running an EL SD in  2015?

I believe Athearn already did the EL SD45-2's with their first run of these models years ago.

This is an NS heritage unit, not an EL railroad unit.

jburek Wrote:
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> I believe Athearn already did the EL SD45-2's with
> their first run of these models years ago.

Actually with the latest run Athearn has done all 13 of the EL sd45-2's   

This is NOT an EL unit, but an NS Heritage unit, painted i n EL scheme with an NS number.

But it is a former Erie Lacakwanna unit, now with an NS road number.....
Trevor

Posted from iPhone

Given how little it would cost Athearn to produce NS1700 (horn relocation and addition of an air conditioner) and the others, I would be surprised if they don't.

Still would like to see a B23-7 or B36-7 and not a NS SD45-2.

And an SDP40!

nygiant Wrote:
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> Now that NS has another heritage unit, an EL
> SD45-2 and VTR has 2 SD70M-2's, will Athearn do
> these units?  They already have the units, now
> its just a new paint scheme. Imagine running an EL
> SD in  2015?

Did you write Athearn? What was their response??

NIKS Wrote:
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> Still would like to see a B23-7 or B36-7 and not a
> NS SD45-2.

Atlas has produced many B23-7s. I would not expect Athearn to touch that model. Since they've done nothing with Dash-7s ever, I wouldn't expect a B36-7 from them, either.

The question here was the likelihood of them doing essentially new paint schemes for models they've already tooled.
 

All you need to do is take an existing EL -2 and renumber it, simple as that. And yes, it is an ex EL unit that NS painted.

nygiant Wrote:
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> This is an NS heritage unit, not an EL railroad
> unit.

Scrap through all that paint and you will find the original EL paint...

We need to convince the manufacturers (and ourselves) to focus energy on locos that are not available/never been done. We don't need five manufacturers making F-units but that's what has happened. I agree that ATLAS should continue work on GEs such as the B23 mentioned above. Why ask athearn to waste time on something that's already available?  Contact Atlas to upgrade or fix whatever you think needs fixing.

Athearn: continue with the as yet undeveloped EMD models SD39, SDP40, SDP40F, and new paint schemes for current models.  The building blocks are already there.  Don't re-tool for GE.
Bowser/Stewart: I love my ALCO Centuries - tweak what you have to get more good stuff such as C415.
Atlas: great GEs - keep going.
etc...

 

Was scavenging for parts over the weekend and realized that Athearn no longer offers an SP 'snoot' tunnel motor (SP 8300's).

So there's some obvious missing models from the list, SP FP7, Amtrak/ATSF SDP40F, SP SD40T-2 snoot, oh and those lost years of the 1980's as well. The first two are rumored to be on the way.

TCnR Wrote:
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> Was scavenging for parts over the weekend and
> realized that Athearn no longer offers an SP
> 'snoot' tunnel motor (SP 8300's).

I have a couple of 8300s (picked up a second one from eBay a few months ago). All models end up showing as "no longer offered" because of the limited production runs. That's not the issue. They often re-run previous models with different numbers and/or details. I was referring to "never produced". 

I was suggesting that there are molds not being used. There is work that needs to be done, but there's potential.

Sorry to interrupt.

+ interesting to note that I did not have the retired products box checked when checking the Athearn website. They are also giving the imrpession that they are not going to re-run the SP 8300's. Dug out my old shells and they look pretty cool, I think I'll just find some new frames and motors and get them back on the Layout.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/15 11:31 by TCnR.

The SDP40F and its Santa Fe versions are coming soon from Athearn.

They are working on them and that is OFFICIAL news right from Athearn!

Keith Turley
Monrovia, California

No rumor on the SP FP7. Check the coming models from Athearn.

The SDP40F has been in the works and will be announced soon. It was leaked by Athearn at the Portland National Train Show.

Keith Turley
Monrovia, California

Quite a few people have been waiting on them for years. There was an early run of SP FP-7's (black widow maybe??) and then other roads. Not sure what the hold-up is, just...rumors and posts about it not being a rumor.

Same with the SDP40F and the ATSF version. It will be nice if these make it to the stores while we still have the money and a few years left to enjoy them.

....  I have been
> waiting for these for years.