Basic Inexpensive Diesels Like Old Athearn

[alco_fan]

up831

But, could there be any way those mechanisms could still be produced and offered on the market and allow other mfrs to offer the blank undecorated shells and detail parts?

It was not a profitable business for Athearn. Why in the world would anyone else spend tens of thousands of dollars tooling up for old products that could be made obsolete instantly by Athearn dropping the mechanisms?

Better return setting stacks of money on fire. At least you would be warm for a while.

[norpacguy]

I know what you mean, but today's "modellers" want instant kharma or something.  I still have a set of old Athearn "superpower" F7's that I am slowly detailing and converting to DCC (no sound); a GP 7 (listed as a GP 9 because back in the day some "expert" in the model press said if it had dynamic brakes it was a GP 9) be be repainted and detailed; an SD9 that I once sold, but have recovered and a caboose to be redone.  To say nothing of a half-dozen mechanical refers to renumber.

All of the above are fun to own, re-detail, change wheel sets and add Kadee couplers to.  The new stuff is nice too.  It seems to be a matter of time-management and/or basement temperatures.

[Doughless]

I don't see Athearn bringing them back, or selling the tooling to another company. 

Another start-up company would have to invest is new tooling for a model that would be more basic than the competition.  That means they will have to sell a lower priced item, but at much higher volumes.  I think its unlikely that it would be a profitable venture.

[mokenarr]

I suspect if engines and cars were made like the oldies they would not sell a whole lot of them , seems like most folks want high details right out of the box.   And I have some old N scale stuff that runs like it used to but is not near as smooth as the new stuff.  BUT I too miss the older way of doing things,  I have a DC N scale and a DCC HO , run both and get lots of enjoyment form both , so I guess at least fot me i am torn.   

[up831]

Is there anyone else besides me that misses the inexpensive old Athearn type locomotive kits?  I for one am saddened to see this wonderful facet of the hobby wane.

 

Those old kits were relatively dirt cheap and when detailed provided many hours of modeling satisfaction, not to mention sustaining the modeling economy.  (What has happened to all of those parts mfrs?)

 

Now, I don’t blame Athearn and the other mfrs for going the RTR route.  It is simply a matter of economics and they do have to pay attention to their bottom line.  That is reality. 

 

But, could there be any way those mechanisms could still be produced and offered on the market and allow other mfrs to offer the blank undecorated shells and detail parts?  Since several locomotives have the same wheel base only a relatively few mechanisms would need to be available.  (For example: GP-7’s, GP-9’s have the same wheel base.)

 

The shells could be devoid of precast grabs, etc.., with maybe little dimples in their place for drill guides.

 

Even though it would ultimately cost more if fully detailed, a modeler could do their kits for less expense in stages and stop or add at their discretion.  This could be done with steam kits as well.

 

I know this concept is as old as the hobby, but is there any way this vital and rewarding part of the hobby could be allowed to continue and thrive by making the mechanisms available again?

 

Does anyone else share this opinion?