Athearn N Scale Survey

[jagged ben]

Would rather see a GP40X than a CF7.

[cfritschle]

When asked this same question, one of their reps came back with this reply..."The licensing on the Macks was really expensive and while sales were very good (probably a result of the high quality finished products) he did not see any new runs happening soon"

I was told by two very reliable sources that in addition to Athearn letting the Mack license lapse, they also sold the tooling for the N scale Macks.   

Therefore, more runs will be impossible unless that sale included a lease back clause.

[peteski]

I was told by two very reliable sources that in addition to Athearn letting the Mack license lapse, they also sold the tooling for the N scale Macks.   

Therefore, more runs will be impossible unless that sale included a lease back clause.

Won't the company that bought the tooling start producing those trucks?  Or will they just sit on the tooling letting it rust?

[cfritschle]

Won't the company that bought the tooling start producing those trucks?  Or will they just sit on the tooling letting it rust?

I was told that the company that bought the N scale tooling has no interest in making N scale models.   

[peteski]

I was told that the company that bought the N scale tooling has no interest in making N scale models.   

WTF?  Why then would they buy N scale tooling?  To mothball them for future investment?! Use it as scrap metal?!  There are some strange things going on in this world. 

[daniel_leavitt2000]

When asked this same question, one of their reps came back with this reply..."The licensing on the Macks was really expensive and while sales were very good (probably a result of the high quality finished products) he did not see any new runs happening soon"

The reality was the license expired. I believe Volvo raised their licensing prices after their 2008 restructuring.

I would love a CF-7 in Mass Central and maybe one in Bay Colony and one in Pioneer Valley.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I would love a CF-7 in Mass Central and maybe one in Bay Colony and one in Pioneer Valley.

Yep. The CF-7 was found so far and wide that it's a no brainer. They could do a run of different short lines every month and keep doing them for years.
@randgust has a beautiful kit for them, and I've often been tempted, but so far have resisted for the same reason I've abstained from the Conrail P5A. It'd be fun, but it's a lot of work for a lark.

But factory painted models in BR&W, R&N, MA&PA? Sign me right the F up!

[mu26aeh]

Once you cut the gp7 shell, rest is cake.

[nickelplate759]

Didn't Amtrak have some CF7s as well?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Once you cut the gp7 shell, rest is cake.

Oh yeah, but like, still, it's a lot of work for something that isn't "core" to any of my interests, ya know?

[packers#1]

Would rather see a GP40X than a CF7.

Right??

Am I correct in thinking Athearn also has a GP50 in HO?

[cfritschle]

WTF?  Why then would they buy N scale tooling?  To mothball them for future investment?! Use it as scrap metal?!  There are some strange things going on in this world. 

I cannot say this applied to the Mack license that Athearn had, but some licensing agreements require the destruction of the tooling if the license is not renewed.  Perhaps as a way to keep from destroying the tooling, Athearn decided to sell it to a company that does have an active Mack license, even if that company is only producing Mack truck models in scales larger than 1:160.

Remember that Athearn also had a license to produce several different John Deere tractors.  When it became public knowledge that the JD license was going to expire, I recall that the remaining unsold stock of John Deere tractors was very heavily discounted, and sold out quickly.  I have no idea if Athearn was able to save the tooling or not.   

[Missaberoad]

If someone made those SD90Hmacs in N scale I would have to get them.

Way out of my era but I have fond memories of them running on locals between Winnipeg and Thunder Bay (or as far as they would make it  before they broke down) and even have pictures of one being cut to pieces in the old Dominion Bridge plant. Of course CF7s and MP15ACs fit my modeling themes much better. 

[basementcalling]

Oh yeah, but like, still, it's a lot of work for something that isn't "core" to any of my interests, ya know?

I figure a CF7 project would cut into your 1 tree per day effort. 

[u18b]

My answers were:

1 MP15ACs
2 SD38/39/40
3 CF7s
4 SD70ACU/80/90/90H
5 P40/42
6 AC400CWs

Rolling Stock Choices
1 57' Spine Cars
2 ICC Cabooses
3 16,000 Gal Acid Tank Cars
4 Amtrak California/Surfliner cars
5 4 Barrel Vinegar Tank Cars

On another note.... I'm REALLY disappointed they are not going to do a GG-1.  We need about three or four more.