For all the contemporary diesel fans out there, Athearn just announced an all-new SD60 (NOT based off the RPP tooling!). It should be at the same level as the very nice SD50 they just did. Roads announced are three #s each Conrail, CSX (Yn2), Norfolk Southern, and Oakway. They also announced some other new items, including: - 20' reefer container (cool schemes, and a couple different reefer unit options) - Kenworth Tractors w/ 40' trailers or double 28's - three new John Deere Tractors in HO - five new JD tractors in 1/50th scale (1/50th scale?) - 60' Flats (ex-MDC) with or without aforementioned JD Tractors The SD60 was a no-brainer IMHO (but a cool one nonetheless, since it gives us an alternative to the P2k), but the 20' reefer is the one that's really got me interested. I see them quite often here in SoCal, especially around the ports (naturally!), and they'd look good OFC (either on or off chassis), or at a loading dock. I'm curious to see what they've done to the old MDC 60' flat; the announcement I saw mentions that the deck is painted to simulate wood, along with other improvements. Nice to see them get MDC stuff on the market so quickly!
Sounds like the ex-MDC flats will get the Athearn R-T-R treatment, with metal wheels in the trucks (if they roll well, it's a plus) and automatic Kadee clone couplers. I'm kinda of two lines of thought about this- although I'm glad to see this car still being offered, I'm a wee bit disappointed it's not in kit form. Oh well.......I may buy one or two & put on my OWN loads. Wonder how many more MDC cars will still be around? There where some awesome models of boxcars & covered hoppers in HO scale.
