Latest from Athearn in N: Bombardier Coaches (New Mexico (SWEET!), Utah and Sounder) Mack B Cement Mixers Weathered FMC and NACC boxcars and the kicker Fruehauf 40' Smooth Side Z Van Trailer (ie...the Micro Trains trailer). Granted Athearn has had the Fruehauf Z Van in HO for years, and in a single release they've released more roads than MT has on theirs in the last decade....but why spend the coin on tooling up an existing trailer when there is a billion other prototypes (in all eras) they could do? Even the new Duraplate or 40' X-Post they've also released this month in HO would be sweet. It's just mind boggling... Now all we need is some Rail Runner power for those coaches though....
Suposedly they will introduce more versions of trailers using common tooling. I belive they will be doing exterior post vans as well as a drop bottom UPS style 40' in the near future.
A Year later....... +_ .......... Yes, It can take a year, in some cases to get to the shelves, But look at what all has followed this announcement in Feb '08 ! More coming, from Athearn, with re-vamped Huskey stacks and 50' TOFC's on the horizon........
You're right! the right engine will make all the difference, even for modelers doing other area's... The rail runner scheme is a very nice one.:tb-hissyfit:
If they're gonna do all those trailers, they oughta do some 89 foot TOFC flats and spine cars - all respect to N Scale Kits, I have a life besides building and decaling. I REALLY want to be able to run some TOFC trains but it's tough to get them put together with what's available.
Jim, I agree. It's pretty clear DI is never going to get their spines done. Athearn's latest cars are outstanding and I'd love to see them tackle the spine cars and 89-footers. They could at least do the 48ft spines that DI doesn't have on their plate. I thought Atlas would release their 89ft car in N but nothing yet. MT *finally* did another single-car TTX run (but with a trailer unfortunely so they're $30+ discounted) yet they're still making the same ole mistakes with lettering...pretty hard to take on a MSRP $40+ item. I just bit the bullet and bought a bunch of AC/N-Scale Kits stuff and I'm just gonna do a bulk yellow paint and get it all over with at once.
BTW, any word on the UPS trailers? That news hit and then just seemed to die on the vine. Have their plans changed?
Thank you Jim, I understand! We do have plans to do some r-t-r in the medium term, but we are very busy with the new products at the moment, and developing those in the pipeline. If we were to do some r-t-r which would be the ones to start with? Peter Peter Harris N Scale Kits N Scale Kits
yea, what DID ever happen w/ the UPS trailers??? My excitement has worn off since the announcement....Actually, I forgot all about them until you mentioned it...
Peter, RTR models would be awesome! I think 89' flats and spines of whatever length would be amazingggg.
Doug, I'm surprised they haven't released these yet too, but I have heard that it is only a matter of time... which is good to hear. Good enough to stop me from picking up another foobie from MTL this month... I can wait a bit longer
Yes, MTL has missed the boat, especially when tacking on a trailer I don't need. I have a nice mix of MTL and AC Models 89's and that will hold until Atlas gets to market. I want to support MTL, but they make it hard.
Peter - if you did go this route, I would have to think that the spine cars would be the place to start since there are no RTR alternative available [and that's what I'm most interested in...]. In my case, I generally like to customize the kits with things like brake rigging, and MLE hitches, so I'm not sure I would go for RTR, but I'm sure many would! Are you thinking of offering (some of) the existing line as built up/painted sets, or a whole new endeavor? Another approach might be to offer the kits already decorated (with the exception of numbers?) since painting/decaling is so time consuming. The spine kits would lend themselves to that quite nicely (and we could easily switch hitches if so desired). Cheers, Gary
Well,according to the their ad in the March Model Railroader they are going to do some TOFC cars,just not 89 footers. What they're advertising is a 53' GSC flat with side rails ans a hitch,trailer included.IIRC' the roadnames are CP/Smith,WP,SF,GN,M&StL,and Frisco. I know 89 footers are needed but this is welcomed news for folks like me with smaller layouts.Those longer cars just don't look right on 15" curves
I think this is a great idea. Just like the old Athearn "shake the box" blue box kits in HO. Already decorated and just need some glue, a few screws, and maybe a few holes drilled if you're real adventurous. And we could do the upgrades (hitch, treadplate) without a re-decal.
