Model Railroading > Finally HO California Cars

In the Athearn announcement this month is the "Northern California" fleet of California Cars. These are the original Amerail-built cars with more fluting than the "Surfliner"-style second run of the cars built later by Alstom, of which Athearn has previously announced and collected orders.

It appears they did their homework; I cannot find any errors. Two cab car versions will be available... the original with high single headlights separated on either side, and then one with the later modification that moved the headlights down into a single case, like the Surfliner version. Cab car 8306 with its unique-to-the-fleet P5 horn is included. The destination signs are lit, and the interior drawing of the cafe appears to be spot-on. DCC and sound versions are available, just as the previously announced run of the Surfliner.

And then for extra credit they have also announced a couple of the later Alstom-built "Surfliner" cars that wear the Northern California paint scheme, a coach and one of the lower-level cafes. These were intermixed with the original cars up until recently when they were all sent to the Southern California fleet.

If you haven't already, now is the time to unload your old Overland brass fleet for whatever pennies on the dollar you can get.

 

Looking again, there seems to be one minor error already. The early version of the cabcar has the orange receptacles for the digital cable connections. These did not show up until just a few years ago on rebuilt cars. 

Yep, wallet (in 14-18 months) will be hit again. Now to find some SC-44's in Cali colors. I'm sure (hopefully) Bachmann will do then again before 2024. 

I thought something felt like it was missing, no cali coach/baggage cars. So they are missing a model type. Opps. 

Mike ONeill
Parker, CO



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/22 11:23 by mcdeo.

> If you haven't already, now is the time to unload
> your old Overland brass fleet for whatever pennies
> on the dollar you can get.


No really. With Athearn's quality control issue's and their color blindness to correct colors, doubtful many will be in a hurry to sell their cars.
When the Dash 9 came out, a lot of people said the Overland Dash 9's would flood the market. Didn't happen.

Posted from Android

Athearn is a sh*t show lately.  There are several issues with the last few items off the assembly line to the point some items had to be returned.  I am not surprised there are several errors with artwork on these cars.  Athearn is geared towards profit before all.  They needed a yes man and found one in Jim Wiggin when he arrived.  He is a mindless drone doing the bidding of bean counters without regard to the modeler.  

-CSN

CaliforniaSteamin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Athearn is a sh*t show lately.  There are several
> issues with the last few items off the assembly
> line to the point some items had to be returned. 
> I am not surprised there are several errors with
> artwork on these cars.  Athearn is geared towards
> profit before all.  They needed a yes man and
> found one in Jim Wiggin when he arrived.  He is a
> mindless drone doing the bidding of bean counters
> without regard to the modeler.  

You're right in the fact that Athearn has been a sh*t show over the past few years.

However, to blame an entire company's problems on one employee is rude. And blatantly false.

 

Great! Now where are the flared CSX SD70MACs? Don't see them listed, even though they're way overdue...



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/22 14:15 by MC6853.

And they are announcing more UP cabooses. They have been announcing cabooses for several years and not delivering. Only the first UP cabooses have been delivered. And of course 2 more fakes. A UP bicentinial to go with the highly prized bicentinial DD40AX and a fake WP in the Pre 73 paint. Hey Athearn, instead of making a stupid fake, make the accurate bay window instead. This fake crap is so 70s tyco/ lifelike junk.

DevalDragon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> CaliforniaSteamin Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Athearn is a sh*t show lately.  There are
> several
> > issues with the last few items off the assembly
> > line to the point some items had to be
> returned. 
> > I am not surprised there are several errors
> with
> > artwork on these cars.  Athearn is geared
> towards
> > profit before all.  They needed a yes man and
> > found one in Jim Wiggin when he arrived.  He is
> a
> > mindless drone doing the bidding of bean
> counters
> > without regard to the modeler.  
>
> You're right in the fact that Athearn has been a
> sh*t show over the past few years.
>
> However, to blame an entire company's problems on
> one employee is rude. And blatantly false.
>
>  

It is not that one employees entire fault.  He is only doing what he can with what is given to him.  Terrible pay, over worked, no resources or voice.  But he is a yes man and he will do what he is told.  He will save every penny for the company that in turn doesn't care about him.

Hopefully Athearn watches T/O.

They need to do the Surfliner Cars in N Scale.

Even if they can't do the sound that would be ok.

Based on the pre-orders they received for the HO Surfliners, and the increase in N Scale modelers over the last 10 years I believe Athearn might be very surprised how many they might sell.

Take care all and be safe.

Northridge Switcher

Posted from Android

TomG Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> And they are announcing more UP cabooses. They
> have been announcing cabooses for several years
> and not delivering. Only the first UP cabooses
> have been delivered. And of course 2 more fakes. 

Acutallly more than the first UP cabooses.  According to this search, Athearn has already sold out of the following Genesis ICC cabooses includine C&BQ, UP, ATSF, B&O, Chessie, SP, SAL and P&WV.

https://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=gencaboose+ATHG&CatID=THRF&PageSize=72&OA=True&Page=2

https://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=gencaboose+ATHG&CatID=THRF&PageSize=72&OA=True&Page=3

Of course Athearn ran a bunch SP/SSW bay window Genesis cabooses around 9 or 10 years ago which were beautiful.  Being an SP fan, I picked up 9 of the across C-50-4 thrug 9.

I'm just wondering when Athearn is going to finally get around to offering D&RGW ICC cabooses.  I've been waiting, for so long...  to the tune of that old song from the 70's.

But from this announcement, the Kaiser coal train UP cabooses I can definely use - why for my Kaiser coal train made up of UP/D&RGW hi-side Thrall gondola's and pulled by a mix of UP and D&RGW SD45's!

Cheers,
Jim

 

TomG Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> And they are announcing more UP cabooses. They
> have been announcing cabooses for several years
> and not delivering. Only the first UP cabooses
> have been delivered. And of course 2 more fakes. A
> UP bicentinial to go with the highly prized
> bicentinial DD40AX and a fake WP in the Pre 73
> paint. Hey Athearn, instead of making a stupid
> fake, make the accurate bay window instead. This
> fake crap is so 70s tyco/ lifelike junk.

They make the fakes because no one can complain the paint or colors are not right.
Athearn is the new Tyco, with better derail. Glad I don't need anything they make.

Posted from Android

CaliforniaSteamin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Athearn is a sh*t show lately.  There are several
> issues with the last few items off the assembly
> line to the point some items had to be returned. 
> I am not surprised there are several errors with
> artwork on these cars.  Athearn is geared towards
> profit before all.  They needed a yes man and
> found one in Jim Wiggin when he arrived.  He is a
> mindless drone doing the bidding of bean counters
> without regard to the modeler.  
>
> -CSN

What are the errors with artwork? I don’t see any.

Posted from iPhone

Only on Trainorders:

• Modelers request California Cars for decades to no avail.

• Athearn finally announces California Cars in the Genesis line with lights and sound options, as well as correct car-number-specific details.

• The vast majority of responses either are gripes about other locomotives or cars that have nothing to do with California Cars or are knocking an Athearn employee.

You all better wait and buy them from the other companies producing them.

Posted from iPhone

SPDRGWfan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> TomG Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > And they are announcing more UP cabooses. They
> > have been announcing cabooses for several years
> > and not delivering. Only the first UP cabooses
> > have been delivered. And of course 2 more
> fakes. 
>
> Acutallly more than the first UP cabooses. 
> According to this search, Athearn has already sold
> out of the following Genesis ICC cabooses
> includine C&BQ, UP, ATSF, B&O, Chessie, SP, SAL
> and P&WV.
>
> https://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?Search
> Term=gencaboose+ATHG&CatID=THRF&PageSize=72&OA=Tru
> e&Page=2
>
> https://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?Search
> Term=gencaboose+ATHG&CatID=THRF&PageSize=72&OA=Tru
> e&Page=3
>
> Of course Athearn ran a bunch SP/SSW bay window
> Genesis cabooses around 9 or 10 years ago which
> were beautiful.  Being an SP fan, I picked up 9
> of the across C-50-4 thrug 9.
>
> I'm just wondering when Athearn is going to
> finally get around to offering D&RGW ICC
> cabooses.  I've been waiting, for so long...  to
> the tune of that old song from the 70's.
>
> But from this announcement, the Kaiser coal train
> UP cabooses I can definely use - why for my Kaiser
> coal train made up of UP/D&RGW hi-side Thrall
> gondola's and pulled by a mix of UP and D&RGW
> SD45's!
>
> Cheers,
> Jim
>
>  

Jim there are more that are not on this page. I believe there are CA8s and CA9s that are not on the list. I had the flyers on my laptop that I lost in the fire, but I have 2 from each on order as well as 2 of the BNs. I to have 6 of the SPs, they are nice cabooses.

SPC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Only on Trainorders:
>
> • Modelers request California Cars for decades
> to no avail.
>
> • Athearn finally announces California Cars in
> the Genesis line with lights and sound options, as
> well as correct car-number-specific details.
>
> • The vast majority of responses either are
> gripes about other locomotives or cars that have
> nothing to do with California Cars or are knocking
> an Athearn employee.
>
> You all better wait and buy them from the other
> companies producing them.
>
> Posted from iPhone

Maybe that's because some modelers feel it's their obligation to replicate in 1/87 scale the Am-bashing on Trainorders' Passenger Board.

In reading Athearn's announcement, I see that sound versions of these cars are available.  Other than the train horns, what sounds would be replicated?

Jointed track clackety clack, flange squeal, station announcement chatter, door opening sounds, flushtoilets, a/c compressor sounds. Door beeps, air brake sounds



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/22 18:50 by TomG.

SPC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Only on Trainorders:
>
> • Modelers request California Cars for decades
> to no avail.
>
> • Athearn finally announces California Cars in
> the Genesis line with lights and sound options, as
> well as correct car-number-specific details.
>
> • The vast majority of responses either are
> gripes about other locomotives or cars that have
> nothing to do with California Cars or are knocking
> an Athearn employee.
>
> You all better wait and buy them from the other
> companies producing them.
>
> Posted from iPhone


Full disclosure: I never wanted California cars (still don't)... When (if?) they make the flared CSX SD70MACs I'd like, I won't complain, I'll buy... When Athearn decides to cater to someone other than California modelers, that is... Very rare but it has happened...

SPC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Only on Trainorders:
>
> • Modelers request California Cars for decades
> to no avail.
>
> • Athearn finally announces California Cars in
> the Genesis line with lights and sound options, as
> well as correct car-number-specific details.
>
> • The vast majority of responses either are
> gripes about other locomotives or cars that have
> nothing to do with California Cars or are knocking
> an Athearn employee.
>
> You all better wait and buy them from the other
> companies producing them.
>
> Posted from iPhone

Stands to reason if they screw up on a good percentage of their products, they will, perhaps, screw these cars up. Time will tell. Some people are not willing to spend large amounts of cash for poorly executed models.