Big announcements from Athearn

[cgrivno]

Athearn Trains just announced several new models scheduled for release in 2006, including a 4-8-8-4 Big Boy (HO scale Genesis series), 4-4-0 with sound (HO scale Roundhouse line), 4-6-6-4 Challenger with sound (N scale), American Car & Foundry 2,970-cubic-foot-capacity two-bay covered hopper (HO scale Ready-to-Roll), and 30,000-gallon ethanol tank car (HO and N scales). We'll have a full report tomorrow on MR Express.

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cgrivno

Athearn Trains just announced several new models scheduled for release in 2006, including a 4-8-8-4 Big Boy (HO scale Genesis series), 4-4-0 with sound (HO scale Roundhouse line), 4-6-6-4 Challenger with sound (N scale), American Car & Foundry 2,970-cubic-foot-capacity two-bay covered hopper (HO scale Ready-to-Roll), and 30,000-gallon ethanol tank car (HO and N scales). We'll have a full report tomorrow on MR Express.

A Big Boy? Why in the name of all that's holy and even all that's not holy do we get a Big Boy? It's beyond trite and hackneyed. I have nothing against UP per se, but another HO scale Big Boy? For crying out loud, Athearn, do something different, even if it's a UP engine. Do a UP FTT (4-10-2), either in its original 3 cylinder version or as rebuilt. Do a Harriman light Pacific. Do a UP 2-8-8-0. Do a 4-12-2.

Just don't do what's already been done.

Well, at least they're coming out with a 4-4-0.

Andre

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cgrivno

Athearn Trains just announced several new models scheduled for release in 2006, including a 4-8-8-4 Big Boy (HO scale Genesis series), 4-4-0 with sound (HO scale Roundhouse line), 4-6-6-4 Challenger with sound (N scale), American Car & Foundry 2,970-cubic-foot-capacity two-bay covered hopper (HO scale Ready-to-Roll), and 30,000-gallon ethanol tank car (HO and N scales). We'll have a full report tomorrow on MR Express.

The N scale Challenger seems great. Wait, a Big Boy in HO scale??? Let me check my records to see if that has been done before. Yes, but only a hundred times so one more is OK.

[Anonymous]

Athearn does not have it on the web page today.

[countershot]

well maybe it will be special i don't know. but i can use a new big boy.
these people already made them.
rivarossi nice but no sound. and i don't wont to go out and buy the sound.
concor crapy!
trix to expensive
who else?
now athearn. just right.

Ben

[Anonymous]

hey the new hopper and tankcar should be awesome, i could use them!!!!!!

[SpaceMouse]

4-4-0 with sound.

Boing! Boing! Boing! Bonk!
Boing Boing
Bonk! Boing! Boing! Boing! Bonk!
Bonk! Boing! Boing! Boing! Bonk!
Bonk! Boing! Boing! Boing! Bonk!
Bonk! Boing! Boing! Boing! Bonk!

[tstage]

Yea, the 4-4-0 with sound s the only plus I see in the whole lot. Happy for you, Chip. [:)]

Tom

[grandeman]

I'm gonna pass on all things Athearn. Past bad experiences are hard to overcome when we have so many wonderful choices on the market today.

[Anonymous]

If they keep making sound locos they need to get thier act together on... well... THE SOUND! First they used MRC, now they have some home-brew decoder in the F units. They either need to get thier decoder working great or somehow make a deal with one of the sound manufacturers.

[rolleiman]

If these manufacturers all insist on doing big articulated steam engines (not that I have anything against that) why don't they try something that hasn't been done to death? How about a D&RGW L-131? Or maybe something a little smaller that more people can use and enjoy, a Baldwin 2-4-4-2 for instance.. Oh well, I'm sure the big boy will be popular.. Just won't be making an appearance on my layout.. I'd like to see what they do with the 4-4-0 though..

Jeff

[tsgtbob]

How many Big Boys do we need? For that matter, how many teakettles are actually bought for use on a layout these days?
Hey Atheran, if you are in the mood to cut new tooling, how about the following.
PRR/C&O J-!/T-1 B&O EM-1, SP AC anything, USRA 2-8-2, 4-6-2,
How about varations on a theme here too! How about a D&H/Clinchfield/Western Maryland challenger?
Sadly, Horizion is doing it's usual follow the leader production [:(!]
(and my friends wonder why I switched to O scale!)

[jeffshultz]

It does seem like there is a fair amount of non-USRA mid-sized steamers they could be producing.

Heck, why not the SP&S 700? Not only is it still in existence - and running - but it's also the same locomotive as a Northern Pacific class of 4-8-4s, IIRC.

It's definitely beefy looking enough as well.

[Anonymous]

A 2-4-4-2 such as Little River #148 would be really nice.

A 4-8-8-4 is slightly too much locomotive for most home layouts. The big boy is probably a guaranteed success though... seems like nearly everyone (except me) wants one, or two, or three, or...

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DavidYoung

A 2-4-4-2 such as Little River #148 would be really nice.

That's the one I was thinking of.. I had the Powerhouse version a few years back (as well as a DRGW L-131) but sold it.. Kind of regret it now but it's spilt milk.. Had a Gem/Akane (never did know the actual manufacturer of that one) but I don't regret as much selling that one.

Jeff

[gvdobler]

We sound like the people that bet on the "don't pass" line in craps.

I bet the first run of Big Boys is sold out by the time it hits the shelves. Not bad for a loco that nobody seems to want.

[selector]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

4-4-0 with sound.

Boing! Boing! Boing! Bonk!
Boing Boing
Bonk! Boing! Boing! Boing! Bonk!
Bonk! Boing! Boing! Boing! Bonk!
Bonk! Boing! Boing! Boing! Bonk!
Bonk! Boing! Boing! Boing! Bonk!

Well! Look who has pull around here!!! [8D]

[grayfox1119]

The Big Boys are selling otherwise they would not even consider offering one. It doesn't matter if there are 5 mfgr's selling them, there is obviously a market for them. These engines are big and very impressive on any layout. Having said that, I agree with Andre, offer something new, like a Bershire WITH THE DOGGONE ELESCO HEATER above the headlamp. Come on Athearn, beat the other guys for once, we have been asking for this engine for eons, hellloooooo, is anyone listening out there in manufacturing world? Ohhh, I forgot, silly me, "Marketing people" know what is best for us, they do "research"...ya right from the seat of their pants !! Ok, I got that off my chest, sorry guys.

In fairness to Athearn, the other new equipment looks great, A+ for that, D- for 4-8-8-4. We have enough choices for that. But, I suppose the competition "might" bring the prices down ?? What do think guys ?

[Fergmiester]

a Big Boy Whoop, whoop, whoo... Ah forget it, let's go home[:(]

[AggroJones]

BIG BOY? That is the last locomotive I would've imagined from them!!!!

UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AggroJones]

Why the heck not an EM-1 or M-4 yellowstone!?

BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Another BIG BOY?

YAWNS. (No offense but one Riverossi Big Boy is enough.)

Do a Proper B&O Yellowstone Class or even a Allegheny.

[Anonymous]

Why another Big Boy?! There are so many other steamers they should be doing. At least they got it half right with the 4-4-0, 30,000 gallon tankers and the ACF 2,970 hoppers. Those I look forward to.

[Virginian]

I ain't happy either, but really we all know why. Because a Big Boy was "THE biggest", and as such a lot of kids and/or newbies have just gotta have one. It will undoubtably sell, and that is what they are in business to do.

[coborn35]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AggroJones

Why the heck not an EM-1 or M-4 yellowstone!?

BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!

DO A DMIR M-4 MALLET YELLOWSTONE!

[Anonymous]

I want a k-27, or a k-28, or a k-36 in platic, nobody makes one in plactic DARN!!!

[CP5415]

SHEESH!!!

Another Bigboy!!!
Good Grief!!!

Why not come out with a locomotive that's actually running?
Say Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 2816? [:D]

That would be a perfect size locomotive for almost any layout & would fit almost every era!

I guess one can only dream

Gordon

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 06archerd

I want a k-27, or a k-28, or a k-36 in platic, nobody makes one in plactic DARN!!!

Perhaps not, but MMI (a division of Precision Scale) is bringing out a cast version of a K-27 with an MSRP of $369.00.

Andre

[Anonymous]

Cast is good. Heavier on the traction.

[dinwitty]

perhaps Athearn can bring the pricw affordable for the Big Boy...

BUT, I have the Bowser Big Boy, me no want another. Thats enough loco for me.

An new Brass DM&IR 2-8-8-4 was released.

I hope as time goes Athearn might expand their steam line, their doing good so far, even if the Big Boy has been done before.

I have the 2-8-2 in Nickel Plate, which was really cool of them.