Model Railroading > Athearn's new HO Genesis Dash 9 series announcement

Here is the announcement. It is a ballsy move for sure. I am guessing this will be a nice model. They are leading with items that Scale Trains has not done yet like the Canadian units and the CNW and H1 BNSF units which folks have been asking for. It will be interesting to see if Scale Trains accelerates their offerings to match Athearn's. Only time will tell. Bruce



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/03/20 09:15 by brfriedm.

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Units from Canada in my opinion would sell very well. 

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Top hats may be a stretch after ST just did these.  Bruce

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They just posted test shots of some of the actual preproduction models. Interesting.  Bruce 

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Geez......JUST what we need, ANOTHER Trash-9 when there is SO many other models we DON'T have! THANKS ATHEARN!

Agreed. BUT maybe this is a stepping stone to other models. Get out your latest "Diesel Spotter's Guide" and look up ALL the models with identical frame lengths as the Dash 9. Those are all POTENTIAL models Athearn could do. The money is in the frame. Remember how Athearn did all the SD38, 39, 40, 45s?   ×   

Wow, we can now get the C&NW :"Dynamic Duo" in HO !

Competition makes for better models...hopefully our wallets can survive!

Thinking about the model choice, the Dash 9 and AC equivalent were the face of railroading for many railroads between the mid 90s and the release of the Evolution Series so I can see why Athearn moved them to Genesis level. From the mfg perspective i'm sure it's viewed as a solid choice with room in the market due to being a highly popular and modern prototype, like F units, early GPs and the SD40-2 of past eras. 

The Canadian 4 window version C44-9WL would be of interest for me. Scale Trains pretty much has what I want in the other C44-9W units at $100.00 cheaper.

SantaFeRuss

Geez......JUST what we need, ANOTHER poster complaining about model duplication when there are SO many other progressive modeling discussions we DON'T have! THANKS FOR NOTHING!


Txtrainman60 Wrote:
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> Geez......JUST what we need, ANOTHER Trash-9 when
> there is SO many other models we DON'T have!
> THANKS ATHEARN!

What no SP ? Guess the Katos will have to do
Michael t Kerner
Collinsville, IL

Posted from Android

The KATO SP version is great (newer run).   Smooth and you can find them for cheap.

Also, the Scaletrain version should be out in a few months.

mkerner Wrote:
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> What no SP ? Guess the Katos will have to do
> Michael t Kerner
> Collinsville, IL
>
> Posted from Android

Txtrainman60 Wrote:
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> Geez......JUST what we need, ANOTHER Trash-9 when
> there is SO many other models we DON'T have!
> THANKS ATHEARN!

What other models are you hoping to see us produce in the future?

Athearn_Trains Wrote:
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> What other models are you hoping to see us produce
> in the future?

I would like to see a Genesis level GP30 offered (including D&RGW with the signal light on the nose and supplied with the typical plow with the notches out of the top sides.

Cheers, Jim Fitch

I'm curious how many requests they got for Genesis level SD7/9 vs the Dash 9. I've asked for the SD9 everytime they are at the Denver train show!

A GP30 would be real nice too.

Besides a Genesis GP30 and SD9, I think U Boats and C30-7/C36-7 models would be huge sellers!

Posted from iPhone

C30-7, C36-7 and don't forget the common-frame sister in the C30-7A.  (Move a few long-hood components and doors around and the C30-7 becomes a C30-7A.) 

Since the Atlas C30-7 in late 80's tooling, none of these have been done.  I have kitbashed a few of what I need but the tooling remains - today's Athearn Genesis 2.0, Rapido, and ScaleTrains locomotives are a major advance over what we had in 1990!   These big Dash-7's are a major hole in the HO market and in my opinon would be a huge seller.  Many modelers of the late 70's, 80's, and through the '90's would be in for a few.

Just for example, my list alone would include:

6 Conrail C30-7A's
2 Conrail C36-7's
1 Conrail C30-7
1 ATSF C30-7 in blue & yellow
1 BN C30-7
1 UP C30-7
1 UP (ex Mo-Pac) C36-7
1 NS (ex N&W) C36-7

I just hope they get spread out over a few releases, or I will need to get another job to support this.  :-)

~RGDave
https://onondagacutoff.blogspot.com/
 

tunnel88 Wrote:
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> I'm curious how many requests they got for Genesis
> level SD7/9 vs the Dash 9. I've asked for the SD9
> everytime they are at the Denver train show!
>
> A GP30 would be real nice too.

Walthers has offered a pretty decent SD9.  I received the SP SD9E not long ago and it's pretty nice; could there be a better version?  Probably.  But in terms of priority, a ST/Genesis level GP30 is next on my wish list.  It does look like the modern wide cab era folks are getting a lot of tasty treats in the last few years too.

Cheers, Jim

As models get better in terms of tooling, perfection being the goal, the manufacturer will matter less and less.   Customer service, features, and price will be the determining factors going forward.  These new models are just stunning.  Looking back on the old days, the quality and operating characteristics of the latest generation is like comparing apples and grapefruits.  I miss do my 17 year old eyes though.

As good as ST's Dash 9's are, I'm tempted to see what Athearn does with the Santa Fe versions. Can't say I'm a big fan over ST's color choices. The more I look at them, and compare them to my Genesis SD75M and FP45, the more it bothers me.

Posted from Android