Model Railroading > 8500 UP Turbine Big Blow in HO?

A few years back Tower 55 announced they were going to produce this engine, well we all know what happened to T55. Given the Turbines Athearn and MTH have released is there any chance one of these companies might produce one? I spoke at length with the Athearn rep at the WGH show in Omaha back in Feb, while he didn't say yes he also didn't say no. I do believe if someone offered a Big Blow, with the same quality and detail of the 4500's I know they'd have no problem selling them. Maybe we can bombard their in-boxes with requests. Until then I'll keep my eyes peeled for one of the OMI versions.

I don't dine on pie in the sky very often. But an HO scale 8500HP turbine would be... delicious. Sign me up. With no cash down, that is!

~ BZ

Notch16 Wrote:
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> I don't dine on pie in the sky very often. But an
> HO scale 8500HP turbine would be... delicious.
> Sign me up. With no cash down, that is!
>
> ~ BZ


Hopefully they will do it...after...the C-855's... :)

Bob

bad92vet Wrote:
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> A few years back Tower 55 announced they were
> going to produce this engine, well we all know
> what happened to T55. Given the Turbines Athearn
> and MTH have released is there any chance one of
> these companies might produce one? I spoke at
> length with the Athearn rep at the WGH show in
> Omaha back in Feb, while he didn't say yes he also
> didn't say no. I do believe if someone offered a
> Big Blow, with the same quality and detail of the
> 4500's I know they'd have no problem selling them.
> Maybe we can bombard their in-boxes with
> requests. Until then I'll keep my eyes peeled
> for one of the OMI versions.

I think you answered your own question. Remember that Athearn bought the Tower 55 molds for the SD70ACE. It's pure speculation on my part, but I would bet that they bought any drawings/tooling for a "Big Blow" turbine as well. Athearn has many, many products lined up, but are not foolish enough to tip their hand too early, a mistake that they made in the past. The market for model trains is finite, and can only absorb so much. I'm guessing you'll see something in a few years, but right now, they are just releasing the U50's and next up is the DDA40X Centennials.

I wish they would follow that up with the U50Cs. I would love a couple of those!

~Steve