Athearn to make a UPS Box Van

[TiVoPrince]

I have some of the 20' trailers in resin...very nice. I need crap loads for my UPS TV trains.

Got
about 7 or 5 of them stashed on a shelf somewhere.  Searched for years to find these few, now I'm not certain how they fit in my latest plans...

[Denver Road Doug]

This was a very light month for Athearn in either scale. VERY LIGHT!

I bet they're getting out of model railroading and sticking to tractors.   That's the only logical explanation.

There's two major model railroad manufacturers down the tubes.  Now if we can just get rid of Kato we can move on to other things...

[SkipGear]

This was a very light month for Athearn in either scale. VERY LIGHT!

Isn't this about the time of year that the announcment production dates fall in line with Chineese New Year? Plus, due in July, not exactly booming season for model railroading.

Also, Norscot has the license for the package van, in HO and 1:50 at least. I doubt it's not worth getting the license just for N scale if you can't use the model data for other scales also.

[Mr. G]

I bet they're getting out of model railroading and sticking to tractors.   That's the only logical explanation.

There's two major model railroad manufacturers down the tubes.  Now if we can just get rid of Kato we can move on to other things...

Ouch.  I think it's a bit too early to write off Athearn.  Their bay window cabooses were stunning.  More likely, we're simply seeing the effects of manufacturing difficulties in China and a really slow economy.  We can only guess how many projects that would be on the market now have been sidelined in the last few years due to those two issues. 

Still, one truck due in 8 months is really sad. 

[TiVoPrince]

Realizing
that delivery is expected during the summer doldrums makes this announcement reasonable for the market...

Not to say that I had not hoped for something more useful...

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I see this as a good sign. UPS never licenses their logo , now this is changing. Athearn has UPS style trailers on HO, so I imagine they would do them in N as well once they have that licensing in place.
NJI made a parcel car in N years ago. Its a great model and even the resin knock offs on eBay are pretty darn good. I need the decals for the truck though. I really wish someone made them.

[m301]

Unlike Wally, Athearn obviously 'gets' N scale.

  I would think quite the opposite. Athearn (Horizon) hasn't made a big splash in N scale, instead focusing on a niche with Western style passenger cars and the Amtrak locos that fit that profile.

  Had Athearn exposed N Scalers with most of its HO products in N Scale, then I'd say they "get" N Scale.
As the company that owns the Roundhouse/MDC dies, they have been a failure in N Scale compared to any big name in the business. Athearn remains primarily an HO manufacturer, only getting into N Scale in weird instances, such as this old UPS truck.

  Athearn N Scale announcements are few and far between, mostly announcing new road names in established models.  Irv must be rolling in his grave the way Horizon has run his business.

[sirenwerks]

Logo on the left was used from 1961 to 2003, when they made the switch to the one on the right.

Then hopefully it will be the logo of the left - it covers a lot more of us, and just seems more appropriate for the Ford C. No if it were Kato's Volvo, I could see the newest scheme (but it's not).

[Mark5]

Athearn has released some REALLY nice (new tooling) freight cars in recent years.

I'm also a big fan of the 40 foot trailers, which I've been focusing on ahead of the release of the BLMA "brown" TT flats. ;D

Apart from that they have not announced a new loco since 2008. This after they finally seemed to have made a decent diesel (the F45/FP45) after a bunch of subpar locos (F59, SD70 series).

[GaryHinshaw]

I think Athearn 'gets' N scale: their new offerings - while somewhat few and far between - are excellent.  Specifically their tank cars, covered hoppers and vehicles are state of the art (and the Auto-Max is awesome, if simple).

But I don't ever recall seeing a UPS box van in person (I lead a sheltered life) whereas I've seen hundreds or thousands of pup trailers.  Wouldn't that have made more sense for a UPS release?

-gfh

[asarge]

Atrhearn is one company that does lighten up on annpuncements due May-Jul and dealers don;t mind that a bit. That said, between N and HO this a much lighter than normal barch for Athearn. No, they are not getting out of N scale, but I'd be willing to bet the manufacturing upheaval is still stinging them and sales are down a bit for many manufacturers.

[Rich Reinhart]

When Athearn first announced it was venturing into N scale I spoke with an Athearn Rep at a show shortly afterwards. He said the companies intentions were to "produce what we make in HO in N as well". I took it with a grain of salt, after all it`s a big undertaking. I have been happy with the Macks, Fords, trailers and some of the rolling stock, but I kinda thought they`d be farther involved by now than they are.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I don't know how Athearn could really do much more. They have just about equaled Atlas in new tooling and monthly releases. They have tooled a LOT of stuff in the last few years. Atlas hasn't done a whole lot recently.

If you compair Athearn to other makers, the only one that could be more prolific is Atlas... maybe. They have more cars than IMRC, Kato, Bachmann, Walthers, or anyone else really. They created their HO line over 60 years, and their N scale line is, what, 7 years old at most? Give them time. They are 40 years behind Atlas and Bachmann, 20 years behind Kato and Walthers/Life-Like, 15 behind IMRC.

[wcfn100]

When Athearn first announced it was venturing into N scale I spoke with an Athearn Rep at a show shortly afterwards. He said the companies intentions were to "produce what we make in HO in N as well". I took it with a grain of salt, after all it`s a big undertaking. I have been happy with the Macks, Fords, trailers and some of the rolling stock, but I kinda thought they`d be farther involved by now than they are.

I'm still bummed they didn't do the JD 4020 tractors in N.  :'( 

It's probably about time for the yearly e-mail request.


Jason

[asarge]

Unfotunately Athearn no longer has the license to sell JD. 

Would have also loved to see the whole line in N.