New Athearn tunnel motor

[der5997]

On this see-through thing. If you don't want to remove the rear gear tower, then how about micro miniature video cameras and CCTV screens behind the grills? That way the passing scenery that would be blocked by the tower can be enjoyed through the grills. All the power drain that would take will simulate the drop in performance that removing the tower gives those who do! [:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

Since Athearn is making the KCS rebuild SD45T-2 hopefully they'll make BLE and DMIR as well.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ericsp

QUOTE: Originally posted by JimdeBree

This is supposed to be a ready to roll model not a Genesis. I am sure that the prices will continue to go up as long people keep buyng the products. I suspect that street price will be in the $85-$100 level for these locos.

The price of the DRGW SD50 is about $105. I am sure the SD45T-2 will be more, espicially if UP wins the lawsuit.

I paid $65 for a RTR SD50...

[jfugate]

Excellent, Jim, thanks.

I spoke with my LHS and they told me the locos will be in Cotton Belt and SP paint, both with just numbers on the nose (as delivered) and the big SSW or SP on the nose (late 70s and 80s). Plus you will be able to get some with grey and scarlet but no lettering. Just the paint, with the scarlet wings on the nose and the scarlet rear and dark grey hood.

[Anonymous]

On July 26th, Athearn sent out the following e-mail:

"SD45T-2

Most of you have heard that we showed a new locomotive at the National Train Show . . . . the SD45T-2.

This was a big hit, with a LOT of favorable response. Here's our plan.

We will make a formal announcement of the SD45T-2 at the ihobby Expo in Chicago, October 14-17.

At that time we will have price, road names, item numbers, and hopefully decorated units.

Delivery is anticipated to be late 2004 or early 2005 for the first group of road names, with subsequent groups arriving soon after that.

We don't have further details at this time, so please save your questions until closer to delivery time.

The SD45T-2 sports such great paint schemes as Southern Pacific, Cotton Belt, Cotton Belt Bicentennial, SP Kodachrome, and KCS.

That's it for today.

The Folks at Athearn Trains

Based on the roads they mentioned, I think that it is safe to presume that they plan on producing the loco with those names.

[Don Gibson]

The 'OLD' Athearn B/B SD40T-2 was $25 and closed out @ $15 with the old chassis. (I bought one ).

The new RTR will be upgraded and have a new improved chassis, as well as an improved price.
To get more, you will pay more. It's called "Progress" by some or "Robber Baron "prices by others. It's actually declne of the dollar.

At least those buying the new version won't have to buy air conitioners or SP Oscilatrol castings , or replace the original motor and non directional lighting, so it would keep up with my Proto Power West conversions. Count me on the "Progress" side.

[BRAKIE]

Thanks Greg I will keep that in mind..I would like both numbers...

[Anonymous]

Hey Larry. Just an fyi on those spartan NS's. If you are unwilling to do ebay, I know a hobby shop that still has a few of them (for $90.00) You may be able to do better or maybe some HS's in your area still have them. If not, let me know and I'll e-mail you the contact info. I don't have any affiliation with the place other than as a customer, but I was just in there recently and I even looked at the NS's and thought "I'll bet some of the guys from back east would like to know these are still here". Then again, maybe not. Take care.

Greg

[BRAKIE]

Guys,That is one sweet looking locomotive..All to sadly I can't use it but am eagerly awaiting the new RTR GP35..[:D]
A little off topic..I always been a fan of Athearn's and will continue to be.I have 4 of the CF7s and can't praise them enough...I plan on buying 2 NS SD70s with the Spartan cabs for club use as well as 2 or 3 of the NS GP38-2s in NS "Nags Head" scheme.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ericsp

I noticed that Athearn will not be announcing the roadnames for the new SD45T-2 until October (probably will be done later). I am guessing that they are waiting to see the outcome of the lawsuit to determine if they will come decorated for SP, SSW, or that other company.

SSW and SP are also UP brands !!! [:D][:D][:D] or [:(][:(][:(]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ericsp

I remember when Athearn's SD40T-2 was $34.50. I wish Athearn was still producing them, one can never have enough Tunnel Motors.

I got my three Amtrak GE P42 in the new RTR version today.

I hope that Athearn will upgrade the SD40T-2 in a same way like the SD40-2 (UP United Way or the UP camouflage version) looks very good with the plastic handrails!!!!!

Okay a Kato is a little bit better but this Athearn are very good!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by decoy706

Announcement I saw had NO road names mentioned unless your talking about the European(German) train shop add

Exact ! And Rainer from All American Trains wrote above the listed model :

"Itemnumbers are optional by AAT Germany and not officially given by Athearn USA !"

BTW: AAT is my LHS and it´s a full service LHS! (Okay LHS isnt 100% correct because Kaarst is about 140 kilometers away)

[ericsp]

Here is what I am referring to. There are no roadnames listed there.

http://www.athearn.com/RTR/sd45t_2/sd45t_2.html

[decoy706]

Announcement I saw had NO road names mentioned unless your talking about the European(German) train shop add

[Anonymous]

Actually they did announce that it will be available in SP, SSW, SSW BiCentential, KCS and one other road.

[ericsp]

I noticed that Athearn will not be announcing the roadnames for the new SD45T-2 until October (probably will be done later). I am guessing that they are waiting to see the outcome of the lawsuit to determine if they will come decorated for SP, SSW, or that other company.

[ericsp]

I remember when Athearn's SD40T-2 was $34.50. I wish Athearn was still producing them, one can never have enough Tunnel Motors.

[Anonymous]

Yeah Eric--I agree with you. The SD-50's have a list price of around $105 and can be had for around $80. So I figure they will increase the price on the tunnel motors to around $115-$125 meaning that the street price will be around $85-$100.

[ericsp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JimdeBree

This is supposed to be a ready to roll model not a Genesis. I am sure that the prices will continue to go up as long people keep buyng the products. I suspect that street price will be in the $85-$100 level for these locos.

The price of the DRGW SD50 is about $105. I am sure the SD45T-2 will be more, espicially if UP wins the lawsuit.

[the-big-blow]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ericsp



What is the purpose of the see through grills if there are parts there that should not be there?

I'll take the "Blue Box" kits any day.

Compromise be glad Athearn is making this model at all.

All Hail Athearn!!!!

[Anonymous]

This is supposed to be a ready to roll model not a Genesis. I am sure that the prices will continue to go up as long people keep buyng the products. I suspect that street price will be in the $85-$100 level for these locos.

[ericsp]

I am guessing that this will be a ready to run locomotive costing about $150 or a Genesis costing at least $200. Have you noticed that every time Athearn comes out with a new product it costs significantly more that a similar product that came out not too long before that. Take for example the Genesis 60' Excess Height Boxcars ($24.98) versus the PCF RBLs they came out with ($29.98). Were the R&D costs really that much higher or does it really cost $4 to $5 more to make the RBLs? I doubt it.

What is the purpose of the see through grills if there are parts there that should not be there?

I'll take the "Blue Box" kits any day.

[Anonymous]

Here are some pictures I took at the train show:



Joe, glad to see you got some time away from your booth to see that lovely model. Were you able to swing by the Details West booth? They had a P2K SD9 all dressed up in their new SD9E detail kit. That kit will sure make detailing the other 4 SD9's I have a lot easier.

[SSW9389]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bigblow69

COTTON BELT BICENTENNIAL IS A MUST!!!!!!!

Dittos on that one!

[jfugate]

For streaming video clips of the National Train show see - http://model-trains-video.com.

One of the cooler clips is the new HO Athearn Challenger loco with sound. The sound comes through pretty good on the 100K and 300K broadband video clips. (The 56K modem clip, well, we tried ... ). The video clarity is okay for streaming on the broadband clips.

Also, have clips of the new Athearn SD45T-2 and their scale-width hood GP35. Also have links to Harry Wong's wonderful digital photos of the SD45T-2.

Plan to add more clips to the train show section at http://model-trains-video.com over the next few days so check back if you are interested in more info about the show.

[nfmisso]

Take a look at:

http://www.pbase.com/image/31290092

[Anonymous]

Joe: I enjoyed your presentation at the NMRA convention. I will try to post a picture of the Athearn loco, but things are alittle busy at the office right now. The grills are see through, but you can see the rear gear in the model, which is unlike the prototype.

[Anonymous]

This should be a decent-looking loco. I have one of the late-model SD40T-2s by Athearn (with single-piece driveshafts) which is one of my best locos. Here's hoping they keep the same drivetrain on the new model as it behaves very well, with decent power,smooth running, and reasonably quiet.

[the-big-blow]

COTTON BELT BICENTENNIAL IS A MUST!!!!!!!