ModelRailroader.com Reader Poll – January 8, 2004

[CP5415]

As long as HH doesn't decide to pull the big bully routine on the industry, I think everything should be ok.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

Horizon Hobbies? Not really sure who they are. I've always known Athearn to mean quality kits and locomotives at reasonable prices. I've noticed that these two hallmarks are the first sacrificed in any sale, merger or aquisition. I think this will have an impact on the hobby. Horizon should concider how best to make profits. One suggestion is to keep Atehearn as close to what it has been for all these years. Quality, affordability, selection, and availability are very important to those of us contributing to those profits. A good start would be more products in G.M.&O livery. ( since we're tossing our two cents into this, there's mine).

[alpreston]

No. I haven't bought an Athearn product in years since they don't make anything for my preferred gauge. I've never expected them to do so, and I'd be very surprised if the change in ownership changed that fact.

[Anonymous]

I hope the quality doesn't go down and as for pricing they need to be careful. Model railroading is a great hobby but is getting very expensive. If it doesn't slow down I think it will deter the next generation from getting involved.

[bruce22]

in the whole scheme of life, does it make any difference ? I doubt it .

[JoeUmp]

The more I think about it, the more I'm afraid that Athearn's quality will go down hill in a hurry.[xx(] HH please prove me wrong. Don't limit the distribution of the Athearn product line, don't lower the quality or raise the prices too high; especially for the kits, and don't drop the kit line. Do these things and I will remain a loyal Athearn customer.

Joe

[Allen Jenkins]

Golly! What a bunch of fatalists! You'd think Uncle Irve's been sold out to the terrorists! to my recollection Athearn is not a publicly owned company, and the business that bought them is an established entity, I believe this will better the hobby. Remember the family made awesome decisions throughout the years which were important for the survival of the company, and so go to the website and see the results. Do you think we'll loose Athearn? I remember when Athearn bought out Rail Power Procucts. I wondered what would happen to all those unique carbodies, and I still want to go out and buy all that I can get my hands on, enter the Gen. GP-60M, and GP-60B units. Athearn has done a great job on that project! Give the new owners time. However I could suggest-The Seaboard Air Line Railroad never owned the SD-45! Enjoy Your Hobby!

[ellisjamesrobertson]

A sole Distributor often means Monopoly.
Monopoly often means higher prices.
Higher prices often mean reduced sales.
Reduced sales often mean product withdrawn.

Let's hope not.

[Anonymous]

[:D] I think it will only be easier to get Athearn products after the buyout from a large ,well known distributor such as Horizon Hobby. Let's just hope they don't get greedy, as our hobby isn't getting any cheaper as time goes on, and we all know that when products become too expensive, thier sales drop, so keep your fingers crossed and hope that Horizon Hobby realizes this as well!

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering how Horizon Hobbies will deal with other distributors, such as Walthers. Will they stop providing products to other distributors, thereby making themselves the sole distributor and price-setter?

[Anonymous]

I don't have anything Athearn, though I'm looking into that new Genesis Challenger.

[Anonymous]

I would hope that, as many large corporation do, the desire for increased profits does not cause them to increase prices. We need firms willing to supply quality products at reasonable prices to enable persons with limited means to still be able to enjoy the hobby.

[Anonymous]

Athearn stuff has helped get me started in Americal HO at an affordable price, yet the stock is accurate enough to allow me to superdetail it, enabling even the humblest Blue Box model to hold its own against the best RTR.

With Horizon taking over I fear that supplies will either dry up, or they will price themselves out of the market by increasing the price to such an extent, that those more detailled, but expensive models, suddenly become an affordable option.

Jon

[Anonymous]

I just hope that it is not just big business taking over and trying to run down everyone else. Are they trying to get a monopoly on the business, I hope not. I hope that Athearn will keep making great products and not raise prices.

[Anonymous]

Long Live Athern, their dedication, their R&D and the quality and selection of their products is a north star for all to follow. Lets hope and pray that this all remains no matter who has their hand on the throttle.

The wobbly will live forever too. Western Pacific, we will never forget you....

[Anonymous]

My first impression is: The prices will increase - No more good quality and good price.

[Anonymous]

i to agree with most of the replies on here and have an athearn sd45 from 1981or82 and they are the best in quality for the price and i to hope nothing changes; I guess we will find out quickly;

[eppeters]

Like many others, it is my hope that they continue the quality and quantitiy of new and better products as they have been producing. The:"Genesis" line of products have been excellent. I also hope that the present schedule of current releases will be maintained. The ready to roll products likewise have been a welcome addition.
On the other hand, if Horizon does not continue in the Athearn tradition, someone else will take their place in this heavy competitive environment.

[Anonymous]

I hope the quality of the models isnt compromised, a price rise is sure on the cards.

[orsonroy]

No, but that's because I no longer buy Athearn products. Modeling pre-1950 and trying to stay fairly close to the prototype means there's no freight cars of theirs that are useable, I've got as many heavyweight baggage cars I'll ever need, and their plastic steam can't handle my grades.

I do think the sale will have a VERY bad effect on the hobby in general. When I was a teen, the only way I could afford any sort of quality was to go to a swap meet and look for the big discount Athearn vendors. These people are swapmeet only sellers (or maybe internet too, these days), which means they'll no longer be able to get Athearn stuff from Horizon. These vendors will dry up, prices of new items at swaps and mailorder will rise faster than the rest of the hobby, and we will have lost many new members of the hobby who will quickly run out of inspiration, from dealing with the used junk they'll be able to afford.

[Anonymous]

Yes, the sale will definitely affect me as well as any modelers who buy from Athearn or Horizon in the future. There will be more imput into the making of new models of engines, cars, etc. More imput makes for more details in the models as well as more variety. Also, there will be more research into the correct versions of different engines and cars with more manpower to do the research. Hopefully, there will be more N scale items as well!

[Anonymous]

i think it's definitely going to affect me......athearn has been the "old reliable" for many years. they have been reasonably priced in a world where everything seems to sell for top dollar. and their line is built to last. i have units in my fleet over 30 years old and still going strong.

that said, i hope that the new owner will continue the availability of athearn products. but judging from some of the dealer comments seen in other forums i am not optimistic. i have heard that they have cancelled pending orders from dealers. this does not seem wise on their part, to alienate the people they need to carry the line.......

[Anonymous]

years ago when i first stsrted in this hobby i bought mostly blue kits some of them are still unbuilt in storage. now i wonder if this byout will effect the younger buyer because when i bought the early kits they were quite inexpensive . will they now become priced out of reach of the begineer ???? or will they still be easy to buy??? i like a lot of older modelers still give away these kits to local kids to begin their first train.now will i have to quit because they are either to expensive or no longer exsist?????

[Anonymous]

I think this deal could significantly impact my hobby activities. But, I'll have to wait and see how things pan out. But right now, I have a really bad feeling about it.

* I understand that Horizon will be the EXCLUSIVE distributor of Athearn products. Before, some dealers could check several distributors in order to fill orders. I guess that ends now for Athearn products.

* I also heard that Horizon will NOT guaranty they can fill the orders they get. So, if your dealer cannot fill their orders from stock purchased from Horizon, and there are no other distributors (see previous bullet), it's possible some modelers won't be able to get their items.

* Horizon's dealer discounts for some Athearn product lines (i.e. Genesis) may not be as good as what some people might have gotten before. That, plus increased shipping charges dealers have to pay, could mean higher prices for us consumers.

Things like this make me very nervous about our ability to continue purchasing Athearn products. Just when Athearn was really making progress with new models in their lines. It will be interesting to see what details come out in the coming months.

[Anonymous]

This is a supprise to me. I just bought a set of three Athearn passenger cars of the Texas TRE and wating the release of the Locomotive. I was told it was three months behind. That may be due to the sell to Horizon Hobby. I hope they will still send them out.

[Anonymous]

My concern is not for an increase in price or lack of quality effecting me, as it is more a concern for small business in America. Yes, time marches on and change is inevitable!

[Anonymous]

I thought Horizon was mostly R/C . Do they have any MR experence?

[lyctus]

Athearn has enabled me to amass a nice collection of reasonable scale models which run well and look OK and I hope that the availabliity of low cost models of quality continues. I hope also the new owners can afford the odd trip to China to check on why the boys are allowing some quality slip-ups through on the economy ready to roll locos....my F7A & B units have to modified to negotiate standard curves due to side frame clearances not being adequate on RTR locos.

[Anonymous]

Athearn is/was one of the few that had prices for the entry level modelers could afford and get a quality product. Hopefully this won't change with the new takeover. Phil

[Anonymous]

ONE THING ABOUT THE PRICE OF ATHEARN CARS AND ENGINES IS THAT THEY ARE PRICED WITH ALOT OF OTHER MANUFACTURERS AND I WILL LOOK AT THEM BEFORE I BUY.
TAZ