Link to the news of the DD40AX?
I want to compare it to the Bachmann version which is already nicely detailed for ~$100 street.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
First, let me say I like smaller steam engines. I run a few small MDC engines that I've built and they work great on my layout. But if the demand for smaller steam is so great, then why am I seeing Spectrum steamers sitting on the shelf? There are three reasons that I can see: 1. everybody has plenty of these steamers already. 2. They aren't prototypically correct for a modeler's railroad. 3. The demand for this product isn't as high as it would appear to be on this forum. There are a lot of people that do collect engines. I run a lot of engines, but I have some larger engines that I can't currently operate. I plan to in the future but I even if I don't, I don't have to justify my purchase to anyone besides my wife! If this makes me a "collector" and not a real model railroader, then so be it. (Even if I do have a fully sceniced railroad with detailed engines and cars). The bottom line is these companies are in business to make money. If an engine such as a Centennial is a sure thing, then they are not smart businessman if they don't go for it. But I also don't see Athearn just taking the easy way out either. Take a poll on paint schemes and find out where the N&W 13-dip paint scheme comes in. It's usually near the bottom. So, it could be inferred from this that this paint scheme is very unpopular. However, try looking for Athearn SD45's in this scheme or Proto 2000 GP9's, GP18's, and GP30's. They are getting very hard to find. In conclusion, I think this subject makes for interesting conversation, but I think it's self serving to criticize a company because they don't follow the forum-recommended business plan!
Keith Baker
CNJ831,
if that´s the way it is, and I tend to agree to you, I find it rather sad, that the majority in our hobby finds so little consideration as to their wishes and needs. True, those bread and butter locos, which are missing in the market, have an abundance of prototypes, but with some effort, it would be possible to find a common denominator which would guarantee a sufficient amount of sales.
As an example, the leading German model railroading magazine conducts a reader survey each year - valuable input for the industry.
Sir Madog Seems, as if Athearn is joining the ranks of BLI and MTH by turning out "monster" locos which hardly fit an an average layout. Apparently, there are more "collectors" than "serious" model railroaders out there. Now if the make those beasts negotiate an 18" curve, like Marklin does, we´re back to the roots.
Seems, as if Athearn is joining the ranks of BLI and MTH by turning out "monster" locos which hardly fit an an average layout. Apparently, there are more "collectors" than "serious" model railroaders out there. Now if the make those beasts negotiate an 18" curve, like Marklin does, we´re back to the roots.
In fact, Ulrich, I'm definitely of the impression, based on the many forums I regularly visit, that serious modelers still outnumber the collectors. However, the buying habits of the two segments are very, very different.
Traditionally (as long as I've been in the hobby), serious modelers in the U.S. bought new items more infrequently and usually only as they actually required them to advance their layouts. They knew that any particular product needed down the road would likely remain available over time. Up until about 1990 items continued in production often for decades. So, there was no need to buy them right now. In contrast, the collector element, who more often than not were basically hobby dabblers, many having no layouts at all and being flush with cash because of it, could rush to purchase any new doohickey that came out. While the typical HO manufacturer was creating models for the actual modeling hobbyists, the collectors fit in well with the brass segment of the hobby for a long time.
However, the model railroading world has turned upside down over the past 10-15 years. Several companies that previously offered brass (or were in the tinplate collectors' field) moved to the high-end plastic/diecast train market, obviously targeting the element in the general hobby closest to their dwindling brass buyers in nature.
The fact that the latest models from BLI, MTH, et al. were commanding prices 3x, or 4x, higher than standard Athearn, MDC, etc., wasn't lost on the older companies. They soon began shifting production more and more toward the high-end collector's market with outlandishly larger locomotives, while increasingly neglecting a large segment of the more frugal, but more serious, hobbyist market.
The advent of the, "produce in limited quantities, sell the run off as quickly as possible and move on to the next big thing" marketing approach targeted the collectors as buyers, not the traditional more serious hobbyists, who required far more modest engines. There has also come to be an air of almost panic among some individuals we see here when some new monstrous loco is announced. They simply must get in their pre-order, often for 2, or 3, or even more, of the item, to roster on their future dream layout, not yet started, of course...and which likely never will be.
CNJ831
binder001 I agree that it would be GREAT to have some more light steam, etc. Does everyone realize that a nice UP 2-8-2 or a little Harriman 2-8-0 will cost almost as much as the 14" DDA40X? That's one reason we get Big Boys, DDA40X, U50s, Pennsy Duplexes, Cab Forwards, and such animals. People will pony up $400-500 for a "beast" but have a seizure when asked to spend that on a 2-8-0.
I agree that it would be GREAT to have some more light steam, etc. Does everyone realize that a nice UP 2-8-2 or a little Harriman 2-8-0 will cost almost as much as the 14" DDA40X? That's one reason we get Big Boys, DDA40X, U50s, Pennsy Duplexes, Cab Forwards, and such animals. People will pony up $400-500 for a "beast" but have a seizure when asked to spend that on a 2-8-0.
And? I will not spend the money on the DD40, wich is money I WOULD spend on some nice small steamer of a 2-6-2, or other interesting arrangement.
I don´t care if it is costly (within reason) as long as it has DCC and sound on board!
And the myth that it should be sooo expensive is wiped out by companys like Bachmann and even BLI!
Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:
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Sorry to differ with this crowd, but I DO plan to buy at least one Athearn DDA40X, and I DO plan to run it (I may have to expand part of my curves to do it!). I also plan to run it on our club's "traveling layout". I admit that most of the time it will be a shelf item. As a UP fan I am constructing a shadow box shelf to display UP's "giants" such as Big Boy, turbines, and a DDA40X.
Collectors (for various reasons) have always been a part of the market for model locomotives. I suspect the number of hobbyists with at least one engine on display is rather large. Add to that number, the number of engines that are in storage for that "someday" layout. Just a guess, but I would say that the number of model locomotive owners is at least double the number of operable layouts in existence. And those without layouts love the big engines. Which am I going to display on my mantle or in my display case - a common 2-8-0 or a Big Boy (or Challenger). Same with diesels - I would expect to see a lot more DD-40s on display or for someday than I would switchers.
Result is that the market for smaller engines is no bigger, and may be smaller than the market for large engines. Then factor in the increased profitability of the large engine.
Given that, I see no crime in Athearn producing a DD-40, which they expect to sell, instead of yet another 4 axle diesel - are there any prototype 4 axle diesel models left that had more than a 100 built that haven't been turned into HO models?
And I actually do wish them well with their DD-40s. I won't be buying one, but I hope they sell enough to be encouraged to produce another model of a small engine.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
megh..came across this one...called a Wopsononock class Ynot 2-4-6-8-10-12....
Notice the drivers under the one tender...wonder how much of a curve that will take....
Railstraightener anyone?
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
sort of along this line?
...as I recall it was called a rail straightener....
Your point is well taken there CNJ831.
Using the NMRA's 3X formula this thing would require about a 41" radius curve for reliable operation as well as for appearance. I was in a club once with an Onion Specific freak that insisted on running those old non-prototypical DD40s. We had 28" minimum radius curves and those monsters even looked like aitch on those.
If memory serves me correctly the Russkis once built a 4-14-4 or a 2-14-4 or something like that. I don't recall ever having seen a photo of one of those monsters but someone needs to consider offering a model; one of those behemoths could probably even straighten out the curves on most model layouts.
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"Hope and Change' is workin' out great for me! I've got hope for a Social Security raise next January; all I've got in my pockets right now is change.
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
I wonder how much weight they'll have...maybe some can be used as rail straighteners...
blownout cylinder BRAKIE: blownout cylinder: I suspect that those who do belong in 'clubs'..if by clubs we are also including those basement empires that are/or did have a collective involved may only be somewhere in the range of 2-5%..if that. ...and I will bet anyone now that it will be based on a 'flexible' frame...hence, more toy-like in appearance.... I suppose a round robin would fit under club as well as the modular clubs with their wide curves. The round robin groups I have had the pleasure of joining in on the operation was by all definition Godzilla size layouts since all was in large basements with large sweeping curves. I'll stick with 8% being a more realistic figure then John's 2% or your 2-5%.. megh...I still think it is no more than 5% max......that's my story and I'm sticking to it....ppphhhtttffffppptttt...so there haaarrrumph As for the frame on this..if they stick to the rigid frame they would have to have a much larger curve fro them..and that will tell on those which do not have as sweeping a curve.... Wonder how many will just become shelf queens then...
BRAKIE: blownout cylinder: I suspect that those who do belong in 'clubs'..if by clubs we are also including those basement empires that are/or did have a collective involved may only be somewhere in the range of 2-5%..if that. ...and I will bet anyone now that it will be based on a 'flexible' frame...hence, more toy-like in appearance.... I suppose a round robin would fit under club as well as the modular clubs with their wide curves. The round robin groups I have had the pleasure of joining in on the operation was by all definition Godzilla size layouts since all was in large basements with large sweeping curves. I'll stick with 8% being a more realistic figure then John's 2% or your 2-5%..
blownout cylinder: I suspect that those who do belong in 'clubs'..if by clubs we are also including those basement empires that are/or did have a collective involved may only be somewhere in the range of 2-5%..if that. ...and I will bet anyone now that it will be based on a 'flexible' frame...hence, more toy-like in appearance....
I suspect that those who do belong in 'clubs'..if by clubs we are also including those basement empires that are/or did have a collective involved may only be somewhere in the range of 2-5%..if that.
...and I will bet anyone now that it will be based on a 'flexible' frame...hence, more toy-like in appearance....
I suppose a round robin would fit under club as well as the modular clubs with their wide curves.
The round robin groups I have had the pleasure of joining in on the operation was by all definition Godzilla size layouts since all was in large basements with large sweeping curves.
I'll stick with 8% being a more realistic figure then John's 2% or your 2-5%..
megh...I still think it is no more than 5% max......that's my story and I'm sticking to it....ppphhhtttffffppptttt...so there haaarrrumph
As for the frame on this..if they stick to the rigid frame they would have to have a much larger curve fro them..and that will tell on those which do not have as sweeping a curve....
Wonder how many will just become shelf queens then...
Ok..I'll split the difference and say Godzilla size home layouts only for 5%...
As far as shelf queens..Quite a few I believe and IMHO those that are ran will be operated on Godzilla size home layouts and club and modular layouts.You see a modular club can have up to a 48" curve-that's that largest I recall seeing at a train show.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
BRAKIE blownout cylinder: I suspect that those who do belong in 'clubs'..if by clubs we are also including those basement empires that are/or did have a collective involved may only be somewhere in the range of 2-5%..if that. ...and I will bet anyone now that it will be based on a 'flexible' frame...hence, more toy-like in appearance.... I suppose a round robin would fit under club as well as the modular clubs with their wide curves. The round robin groups I have had the pleasure of joining in on the operation was by all definition Godzilla size layouts since all was in large basements with large sweeping curves. I'll stick with 8% being a more realistic figure then John's 2% or your 2-5%..
Guys, I think you're missing something else here. Look at nearly every picture of the U50. What's behind it? What model did Atheaeren do in BlueBox that could be brought up to satandards and use the DD40X chassis for, the same way Athearn recycled the Turbine chassis into three seperate models? What WAS owned by more than one road?
The DD35 guys. The 40X is undoubtably the bigger seller thanks to having Union Pacific on the sideand their heritage prgram (Which is why I'd pick up a 40X), also that so many are preserved in museums, the average MRR is more than capable of saying "Hey, I saw that when I was in St. Louis. I'd like that one." But all Athearn has to do is toss in a new shell, and the DD chassis has paid for itself, AGAIN. Raise your hand if you model the SP, or like the Demonstrators.
Athearn isn't stoopid guys. They saw a chance and are taking it. Yes, I'd like to see conventional too, but then, I can't compalin cause there's a very good chance I'm gonna get my Paducah.
-Morgan
Guys, you're aware I'm sure, that EMD actually lashed four of these monsters together, right? Also that they were an "experimental" engine (thus the "X" configuration) used to test systems used on later editions of their Geeps. So, ummm, let's see, how would that consist look on my 28" radii? I wonder if I could repaint them in GTW orange and blue, after all, it's my layout! Gerry S.
A few more thoughts,
Here is a link to a few around here, not all of these are "basement filling" but most are 400 sq ft and larger. Several of these are members of the round Robin I belong to and operate on weekly.
http://home.comcast.net/~Potomac_NMRA/HomePages.html#NWRR
And here is a link to some info on the group I belong to:
http://trainweb.org/harm/index.htm
Check out these pages for photos and track plans of some of these layouts.
One of these, not in our group, but a layout I have seen, fills a 3300 sq ft basement.
Also among the layouts close by that I have visited are Ken McCory and Howard Zane - both large by any measure, but my point is they are not the only ones.
Yes, there is some cooperative help in layout building in our round robin, but it varies from owner to owner and is nothing like a "club". Some people in the group accept lots of help, others not so much. Same is true on the giving help end, some have the time and skills to help, others not so much.
In any case the layouts are still largely the work of their owners - not the group. Example - one of the layouts listed in the link is the layout on which I installed my pushbutton cab control system with Aristo throttles for the owner, other than that project, which he was heavily involved in, his layout, 1200 sq ft or so, is his own work.
Maybe the Mid Atlantic is just model railroad heaven, I don't know, but there are lots of guys with basements full, or nearly full of benchwork and trains.
I didn't even take into account any of the conventional clubs, which there are more than a few, BSME,Severna Park, York PA, and lots more. Many with large fixed layouts. And modular groups as well, but I don't follow any of the clubs too close - not my thing.
My deticated layout space is a little over 800 sq ft, and is only average among the modelers I know who have working layouts or are in process of building a layout.
My minimum radius is 36", so are many of these layouts - or they have an era and a theme that makes 28-30" very large - like modeling a Ma & Pa type line. Among the guys I know pretty well, 30" radius in pretty much the working minimum.
I don't know what going on elsewhere, as it relates to the hobby, I have not traveled outside this region. But around here large model railroads are easy to find.
As for layout styles, they cover the range, but a great many are point to point or, have through or loop staging to simulate point to point operation. Many are walk around, many are multi decked. Some have elaberate dispatching and signal systems, many are DCC, some have highly advanced DC like progressive cab control.
Virtually all the DCC layouts are radio wireless, several of the DC layouts are radio wireless.
And like I said before, if there are 20 more guys with 12 x 12 layouts for every one of these, there are a lot of modelers in this 75 mile radius from my house.
Sheldon
Ok guys here is my two cents, and yes I know what opinions are like.
As a child my Father would take me to the big railyards in San Bernadino Ca. to see the last of the steam era relinquished to pulling switcher duty, and we were there the day they retired the last steamer used in that yard. Ever since I have had a passion for the beauty and grace of these engines.
Now as I start to build my first layout in 40 years, I wish I had the space and the money to be able to realistically run the big steam engines like the BigBoy. Now I have not been completly out of the hobby for the last 40 years, I have been a "collector" buying rolling stock and power units when the price was right at flea markets and garage sales. I must have every billboard boxcar ever released all destined to sit on a shelf or boxed away until the day came when I had the time to build my little empire.
So the powers that be at Athern and Walthers know that there are people like me that have a love for the big steam and want to build that giant layout someday. So they put out those high dollar locomotives targeting this part of OUR hobby, it is what keeps them in bussiness, so that they can produce the other components that we all use on our layouts.
Now if we all want smaller steam and diesel power units then perhaps we need to contact the manufacturers and impress upon them that this is what we want. Just posting here or in other chat rooms and message boards is not enough you have to go directly to the manufacturers and tell them what you want, they will listen if there is enough feed back.
Again this is just my two cents.
Ron:550:0]
I refuse to grow up!!!
I plan on purchasing one and it will be a collector's model, for now. I currently do not have the layout for a unit of this size, but I plan to in the future. I would like to have a decent representation of the Union Pacific in the late '60's/early '70's time frame. And while the majority of trains would not be headed by a double diesel, some would be. However, I can't wait until I have the layout to purchase the equipment I would like for it due to the limited runs on this stuff. There are locomotives manufactured in the last few years that I cannot find, so I can't expect the situation to improve.
Keith
blownout cylinder I suspect that those who do belong in 'clubs'..if by clubs we are also including those basement empires that are/or did have a collective involved may only be somewhere in the range of 2-5%..if that. ...and I will bet anyone now that it will be based on a 'flexible' frame...hence, more toy-like in appearance....
CNJ831,I suspect some of the older clubs in this area is running 32-36" curves since I notice a lot of large locomotives.
As far as Godzilla size basement layouts I suspect 8% would be closer then your 2%...
As far as 4x8 footers I believe the advanced modelers is replacing 4x8 footers with ISLs and other shelf type layouts..
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Graffen: To say that a large number of people have 26"+ radiuses based on what some selected friends have is not really a good statistic base to stand on. I have however seen uncountable questions on this and other forums, about how many loco´s can run on 22" radius, as that is a big radius to many people. Of course, if you have a basement empire, then you can have 8´radiuses without bigger problems. But most hobbyists are often bound to a spare bedrom (10´x12´), that is certainly why so many asks for smaller locomotives, as there is no justification to run a a Big Boy, or some other behemoth on anything smaller than where the locomotive can pull 50+ cars and NOT chase it´s own tail...... And we know this how? We don't even know how many modelers their are? Here where I live, the average home easily has a 1500 sq ft foot print, at least half are two stories, plus 99% of them have basements, and that's where the model trains are - in 1500 sq ft basements - even if they only take up half of it. Of all the modelers I know personally or who's open houses I have attended here in the Mid Atlantic region of the US, only my layout and two others are not in basements - and most of them, regardless of location, filled spaces of 800 to 2000 sq ft. We have a regional group that organizes a fall open house schedule that includes layouts from southern New Jersey, Phily, Delaware and most all of Maryland - This is a lot of different layouts, only a few are "spare room" size. Just for fun, I will do some research and see if I can come up with a "count". I do believe there are more "basement empires" than many people think. I think maybe the number of basement empires is played down by some to avoid "class envy" in this hobby. OR, at least here in the Mid Atlantic of the USA, there are more model railroaders than we think, if all you experts are telling me there are 10 or 20 10' x 12' layouts for every one of these guys I know or have visited - which is it? Inquiring minds want to know? Sheldon UPDATE - the regional open houses here every October and November, last year included 104 layouts, almost every one a "basement empire". Not everyone I know with a "basement empire" sized layout participates, and I'm quite sure my lone wolf self does not every modeler in the Mid Atlantic. All within a 1-1/2 hour drive of my home.
Graffen: To say that a large number of people have 26"+ radiuses based on what some selected friends have is not really a good statistic base to stand on. I have however seen uncountable questions on this and other forums, about how many loco´s can run on 22" radius, as that is a big radius to many people. Of course, if you have a basement empire, then you can have 8´radiuses without bigger problems. But most hobbyists are often bound to a spare bedrom (10´x12´), that is certainly why so many asks for smaller locomotives, as there is no justification to run a a Big Boy, or some other behemoth on anything smaller than where the locomotive can pull 50+ cars and NOT chase it´s own tail......
To say that a large number of people have 26"+ radiuses based on what some selected friends have is not really a good statistic base to stand on.
I have however seen uncountable questions on this and other forums, about how many loco´s can run on 22" radius, as that is a big radius to many people.
Of course, if you have a basement empire, then you can have 8´radiuses without bigger problems. But most hobbyists are often bound to a spare bedrom (10´x12´), that is certainly why so many asks for smaller locomotives, as there is no justification to run a a Big Boy, or some other behemoth on anything smaller than where the locomotive can pull 50+ cars and NOT chase it´s own tail......
And we know this how? We don't even know how many modelers their are? Here where I live, the average home easily has a 1500 sq ft foot print, at least half are two stories, plus 99% of them have basements, and that's where the model trains are - in 1500 sq ft basements - even if they only take up half of it.
Of all the modelers I know personally or who's open houses I have attended here in the Mid Atlantic region of the US, only my layout and two others are not in basements - and most of them, regardless of location, filled spaces of 800 to 2000 sq ft.
We have a regional group that organizes a fall open house schedule that includes layouts from southern New Jersey, Phily, Delaware and most all of Maryland - This is a lot of different layouts, only a few are "spare room" size.
Just for fun, I will do some research and see if I can come up with a "count". I do believe there are more "basement empires" than many people think. I think maybe the number of basement empires is played down by some to avoid "class envy" in this hobby. OR, at least here in the Mid Atlantic of the USA, there are more model railroaders than we think, if all you experts are telling me there are 10 or 20 10' x 12' layouts for every one of these guys I know or have visited - which is it?
Inquiring minds want to know?
UPDATE - the regional open houses here every October and November, last year included 104 layouts, almost every one a "basement empire". Not everyone I know with a "basement empire" sized layout participates, and I'm quite sure my lone wolf self does not every modeler in the Mid Atlantic. All within a 1-1/2 hour drive of my home.
An interesting comment, although I have to say that I'm quite surprised by your experience, Sheldon. I don't believe that in the years I attended the convention layout tours in my NMRA region I ever saw a total of 100 basement empires! Very often what was encountered were more in the way of single operator affairs situated in rather cramped basement, or even attic, quarters. Club layouts can, of course, be much larger, but these are frequented by only a very small minority of hobbyists.
Now at one time or another MR's editorial page has claimed that about 75% of all the layouts ever built were of the 4x8 variety (thus the annual layout projects). The final readers' survey the magazine conducted and published found that the average size of a hobbyist's layout was somewhat more than 12' square. Just a handful of really large ones in the survey could easily skew even that number. Now I don't regard 12'x12' as particularly large and certainly not basement filling. And depending on just how it is designed, I wouldn't really expect it likely to have very broad curves, unless the trackplan was a simple loop.
To tell the truth, among the local hobbyists I'm familiar with I can count only one or two true basement empires and very few of the others have track radii exceeding 22"-24". This and what I've seen on regional NMRA tours has always implied to me that very large pikes were probably the extreme exceptions, not the commonplace. Now I would imagine that many point-to-point, around the wall, layouts do have fairly large radii, but I don't see very many of them in my region and they aren't suitable for running monster locomotives like a Big Boy, or DDA40X, anyway. The majority that offer more useful continuous running are, by far, of the freestanding variety, or incorporate relatively narrow peninsulas with rather modest radii curves.
Once again I have to say that if MR would only resume publishing readers' surveys we'd be so much better informed about what really is "typical" in our hobby.
P.S, You know we know a realistic approximation of just how many actual model railroaders there are, don't you? It's just that folks here don't want to accept the numbers!
That totally avoids the real issue, as the people that aren´t building basement empires, don´t necessarily want to have their modest size layouts on a tour schedule. I know for sure that I wouldn´t. As I think that people that joins a layout tour should get their time spent at something that can be watched over a little bit longer time.......
Most people don´t have big layouts, if they did I would be totally gobsmacked if that would be the case however.
I think most model railroaders that aren´t of the "Die Hard" type, settles with something a bit more manageable in size. And if it´s because of time, money, space or whatever reason, it is totally justifiable.
Graffen To say that a large number of people have 26"+ radiuses based on what some selected friends have is not really a good statistic base to stand on. I have however seen uncountable questions on this and other forums, about how many loco´s can run on 22" radius, as that is a big radius to many people. Of course, if you have a basement empire, then you can have 8´radiuses without bigger problems. But most hobbyists are often bound to a spare bedrom (10´x12´), that is certainly why so many asks for smaller locomotives, as there is no justification to run a a Big Boy, or some other behemoth on anything smaller than where the locomotive can pull 50+ cars and NOT chase it´s own tail......
Hoomi Okay, guys. C'mon. You know the Marketing Gurus are behind this. Some beancounters, deep in the recesses of Corporate America, studied the Model Railroading Market, and discovered that the overwhelming majority of Model Railroaders are men. They also studied what kind of marketing most attracts the attention of men. What did they come up with? Men are attracted to things labeled "DD." Tell most guys that the attractive woman starring in this movie, or singing that song, is a 40-DD, and the guys will go glassy-eyed and start drooling. The general rule is, when men reach this state, money just starts falling from our pockets. Now, these marketing beancounters don't know the difference between a 40-DD, and a DD40. All they know is, this combination of letters and numbers makes men act stupid and compliant. When coupled with the information that the DD40 was BIG, really makes the dollar signs flash in their eyes. Honestly - are we really that surprised?
Okay, guys. C'mon. You know the Marketing Gurus are behind this. Some beancounters, deep in the recesses of Corporate America, studied the Model Railroading Market, and discovered that the overwhelming majority of Model Railroaders are men.
They also studied what kind of marketing most attracts the attention of men.
What did they come up with? Men are attracted to things labeled "DD." Tell most guys that the attractive woman starring in this movie, or singing that song, is a 40-DD, and the guys will go glassy-eyed and start drooling. The general rule is, when men reach this state, money just starts falling from our pockets.
Now, these marketing beancounters don't know the difference between a 40-DD, and a DD40. All they know is, this combination of letters and numbers makes men act stupid and compliant. When coupled with the information that the DD40 was BIG, really makes the dollar signs flash in their eyes.
Honestly - are we really that surprised?
Can't fault your logic, but am thinking that Athearn could have saved themselves some money and just produced a DD38 instead...
John
CNJ831 I see that Athearn has just announced a DDA40X diesel locomotive as the latest addition to the Athearn line. I can only regard this as yet another "shelf-model" for the growing collector element in the hobby. Just how many discussions have there been on this and other forums recently regarding the over abundance of monster locomotives and the broad segment of actual model railroaders (as opposed to collectors) begging for new small steam? Yet this is what gets produced. At 14" long, this model is going to look just lovely traversing the curves of any typical hobbyist's layout. And in regard to the price, God knows! Based on this latest offering, maybe Athearn's next venture could indeed be into steam - might I suggest a 4-8-8-8-6. While virtually inoperable on any layout, I'm sure it would have great collector's appeal! CNJ831 It'll look great in one of their train starter sets with a circle of 18" radius track, three freight cars and a caboose.... of course I'm going to want the Conrail version... John
I see that Athearn has just announced a DDA40X diesel locomotive as the latest addition to the Athearn line. I can only regard this as yet another "shelf-model" for the growing collector element in the hobby. Just how many discussions have there been on this and other forums recently regarding the over abundance of monster locomotives and the broad segment of actual model railroaders (as opposed to collectors) begging for new small steam? Yet this is what gets produced. At 14" long, this model is going to look just lovely traversing the curves of any typical hobbyist's layout. And in regard to the price, God knows!
Based on this latest offering, maybe Athearn's next venture could indeed be into steam - might I suggest a 4-8-8-8-6. While virtually inoperable on any layout, I'm sure it would have great collector's appeal!
It'll look great in one of their train starter sets with a circle of 18" radius track, three freight cars and a caboose.... of course I'm going to want the Conrail version...
One thing is for sure, the hobby is entirely self-justified. No one should be any other way than self-justified when subjecting a Big Boy to his 22" curves. And I would be self-justified in keeping this to myself when I learn of it.
Crandell
CNJ831 said:
Odds are that unless the DDA40X Athearn model's design strays significantly from the prototype, it will not operate on curves less than perhaps 30". Just how many hobbyists operate on pikes with that, or larger radii, maybe 2% or so?
Do you really think that figure is that low? Of all the modelers I know personally, and on who's layouts I run or visit, I only know one with curves below the 28"-30" radius range? I can count several dozen home layouts just within a few minutes of my house, all with curves at or above 28" - 30" radius - many being more in 36" radius range.
That said, I agree that the production of this loco seems pointless. How many were there? how long did they last? how many railroads had them?
Just more of the same - big "famous" collector pieces. Having produced a similar loco, and possibly having a lot of the needed research, may have been a factor for Athearn.
And we don't know who their "factory" is in China - Bachmann has also done the research and produced this model. So even with all new tooling to suit Athearn, a lot of the ground work may be in place making it "affordable" to bring to market - not that that makes it a good idea.