Today's Athearn News - Steam Heads Rejoice ?????

[chessie system fan]

I can see how they might put the SP Daylight scheme on one, but for the life of me I can't figure out where they got that C&O scheme.  It looks more MILW to me.

[Nato]

      W-a-a-a-a ! I thought maybe we would get Union Pacific FEF 3 and 4 Northerns with Sound. Guess it ain't gona happen anytime soon. Nate Goodman (Nato).

[brokemoto]

Do keep in mind that both Athearn and MDC issued 2-8-0s and passenger cars in [model does not represent actual prototype] schemes.  There have been box type cars in [model does not represent actual prototype] schemes.

Athearn and MDC have issued these and the 2-8-0s in schemes more appropriate to the late 1880s/early 1890s, as well.  Athearn did a very nice job on the late 1880s/early 1890s B&O 2-8-0.

These 2-6-0s are just another cycle in the programme.  I expect that there will be 2-6-0s in Russian Iron and late 1880s/early 1890s schemes in short order.

As Victor's photogaph shows, the wood passenger cars have already appeared in Daylight colors.  I forget if MDC or Athearn sold them.  MDC did sell C&Os in blue and yellow with the cursive road name.  

MDC also sold these cars in a [model does not represent actual prototype] scheme:



The locomotive is lettered for a road that neither MDC nor Athearn offered.

The nineteenth century locomotives and cars decorated in [model does not represent actual prototype] schemes have sold in the past.  As some have pointed out here and on other places, the children and the ladies like them for the 'cutesy factor'.

They fit my nineteenth century pike well, as my intent on building it was to construct a generic nineteenth century pike.  What I want is for the spectator to look at it and know that it is set in the nineteenth century.  Colorful schemes scream 'NINETEENTH CENTURY!'.  Thus, I have no quarrel with Athearn over these and might buy either the C&O or Rio Grande bumblebee, as GF and I both have cars for these locomotives.

[Chris333]

Any one know where I can get a single 50' overland coach in any roadname?

[David Leonard]

Chris, this latest run of Overlands has upgraded tooling and a single coach is one of the offerings. You should be able to get one when they come out (November). http://www.athearn.com/newsletter/072010/16_N_50_overland_072010.pdf

[Chris333]

Maybe I can wait that long... 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oooh! I've been interested in single overlands too. I didn't know singles were coming along.

[up1950s]

Chris , if you get a 4 pack I will buy 3 from you if nobody else wants any .

[brokemoto]

I need a pair of single combines so that I can bash either a full baggage or an RPO/baggage.

[FloridaBoy]

I consider both of Athearn/Roundhouse steamers ok, nothing spectacular but not too shabby.  The unsophisticated valve gear and the old timer styling just doesn't lend itself to my layout, but I never stopped that from buying stuff before.

I have 2 Consolidations and 2 Moguls, and both are good runners.  When Roundhouse first came out with these a few years ago, I sent them a feedback letter suggesting that the weak spot on every one of those locos was the thin plastic/delrin driveshaft between the loco and tender, and if they were to stock any spare parts, this particular part was the leading candidate in my book, just vulnerable from handling it.  I got a letter back from the Roundhouse people, graciously thanking me for the critique/suggestion and even sent me a couple of spare driveshafts.  Never used them or had to.

However, the joyous day arrived one day with my MicroMark monthly catalogue and they had these on sale for 99.95 each, and I scarfed up a few then.  I sold off a couple to fellow members of my former club, but they grow on you, when you are pulling some old Harrimans and 36 footer boxes around your layout looking for Wyatt Earp.

I was astounded and dismayed when the first ad in an N Scale Magazine after Athearn bought Roundhouse the ghastly treatment of these locos shown off in an ad.  Bright colors, ghastly adornment, looked like circus toys.  I sure was hoping above hope that Athearn's management wouldn't treat the rest of the Roundhouse product line the same way.  So far it appears they haven't.

Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

[Chris333]

I bought mine for $59 each at Trainworld.

How tough is it to get parts for these from Athearn? I need another spoked pilot wheel.

[brokemoto]

It was not just Athearn that did the nineteenth century equipment with 'bright colors'.  Both locomotives and refrigerator cars in these photographs are original, factory painted MDC products.