Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
I understand your point of view, but a LHS would have to sell a ton of Athearn products each month to impact their bottom line. I agree that it is hard to go to a LHS with the intent of just buying a blue box or MR, etc. so it could increase their traffic, and I hope it does. I still contend that Horizon's pricing 'strategy' and product mix as we know it today is fraught with problems -- how much are you willing to spend for Athearn models. If you model the late steam/1st gen diesel era you might, if you already haven't, start looking elsewhere. As I've mentioned on other strings, I've just returned to the hobby after a ten year absence and have a large assortment of Athearn 'blue box' kits still unassembeled - some over 20 years old. I am commencing on the layout I've always wanted to build but had been constrained by a lack of time and esp. space, until my most recent move--got a basement ! Before even looking at prices on anything in particular, and just seeing the advancement in HO plastic freight cars and engines, both steam and diesel, I had considered the need to 'upgrade' to Proto 1000/2000 and Spectrum level products, plus some Walthers, Accurail, and Branchline and limit future purchases of 'blue boxes'. What I hadn't realized was how much those 'blue boxes' had gone up in price in the past decade. When I started building a new freight roster I decided that the 'blue boxes' were no longer a good value, in my opinion. All of this ruckus over the Horizon buyout, perceived "shortages" of Athearn product, and the fear that a national institution - the 'blue box kit' - is going away, has focused a lot of attention on whether or not Athearn is still a competitive product at the prices they have soared to. . .For this modeler, I'll shop elsewhere, thank you.
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community