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Getting back to the original question, Athearn Blue Box kits have some problems but with a little work they will meet most club's operating requirements. Install Kadees, proper weight, check wheelsets with NMRA guage. This will make the Athearn Blue Box Kits ready for most any layout. True they are not super detailed but at most layout viewing distances that is not a problem. Now the problem with Athearn Kits: 40' Box Car - Only three know prototypes exist for this car, the Branchline-Red Caboose kits are bettter as they offer the proper ends and doors for a variety of AAR box cars. 86' Hi-Cube - this is a Hybrid of the Greenvile and Thrall Car and not correct for either. 34' Ribbed Hopper - A Scale 3'6" longer than the prototype since Athearn reused the offset hopper dies to make this car., although car is correct for the PRR H-31 cars. A number of cars use the end off of the 40' box car , which make these cars incorrect as to tthe prototype. A few pluses: The PS Covered Hopper which is the only correct car for the PS 4740. The 40' Ice Reefer which does replicate the PFE car. The Bay window caboose which does replicate a SP protoype At the time they were introduced they were all a welcome addition to the model railroading fraternity. I remember the 34' hoppers blowing off the shelves as all we had before were the 40' quad hoppers which again were only good for a couple of railroads. Regarding locomotives, all the old blue box loco's were not scale width with the exception of the SD-40-2, GP-38-2, GP-40-2, and GP-50. The last three were done as well as anything KATO ever did in regards to die work, but the mechanisms still left a lot to be desired in running quallitites which is why the Overland Power Chassis did so well in the early 1990's. But for a beginner these are great locomotives to start with and will last forever along with the ability to get replacement parts which cannot be said of the limited run items of P2K, Atlas, BLI, and KATO. As a matter of fact try to get parts for an old yellow box Atlas and compare that with an Athearn GP-9. You can still get parts for that GP-9. By the way Paul, you should get a job with MR, your defense of the manufacturers in the last couple of years would stand you in good stead with the MR reviewers in falling over themselves with good reviews of the latest model railroad products. Rick
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