Finally, we have two manufacturers that are producing the most sought after model. Now which one do I want to buy.
http://www.athearn.com/Newsletter/041007/SD40-2_NEW_041007.jpg
They also announced a Bay window caboose.
http://www.athearn.com/Newsletter/041007/BW_Caboose_041007.pdf
Now we need a SD70M-2
-Smoke
Did you read the upgraded details on that unit? WOW! I look forward in buying 2 of these units IF they are release in NS,GATX or HELM.
I did see all that. I am so exited that I will be able to get one for a reasonable price. BLI’s was going to cost a little too much for me.
-Smoke
We may get totally surprised but I wouldn’t count on the caboose being anywhere close to Wright Trak resin Southern Bay Window caboose.
But I’m sure going to get a SOU SD40-2.
I figure the street price will be around $65-70.00.
The question is get 2 Athearns without sound or DCC, or get one BLI with sound but no DCC?
I think I am going to have to go with BLI. Two Athearn locos= $140, then add how much for a sound decoder and speaker?
They also formally annouced the FP45s and F45s. Roadnames for the first run include Milwuakee Road Yellow and gray, ATSF Warbonnet (1960’s passenger scheme) and undec. The F45s are so far coming in GN Big Sky Blue and ATSF Pinstripe.
Why pay a bunch extra for one with DCC included when I can get one of these and wire in a decoder myself for $20!
Very nice news! So now I look forward to at least one FP45 and one “high nosed” Tuxedo SD40-2. Back in the 1980s in an issue of TRAINS magazine there was one “super cool” photo in which the photographer panned a high nosed Tuxedo SD40 or 45 whipping by at speed. I was very impressed with what the photo conveyed: Speed and Horsepower! [8D]
I sure would like one or two Southern locomotives to complement my small fleet since the prototype units ran on SCL’s tracks from time to time. (I’m glad now that I won’t have to buy a Cannon high-nose kit for an EMD six axle in the Southern scheme [;)] ).
As stated before, I definetly don’t want MRC’s sound. I’d rather get one of the quality brands.
[;)]
You know what the funny thing is? If this was the Atlas Forum, this thread would be deleted. Why? Because these announcements from Athearn are not “in print”, only online. Their new forum rule states that talking about new models is only allowed once they appear “in print” or only if they are posted by recognized employees of said company. So unless an Athearn employee posts it, it can’t be discussed. Pure foolishness…
Onto the topic at hand…I wonder where they got the high nose tooling, or did they make it fresh for this product? I also wonder about how they’ll run… I’m thinking these would be candidates for the “Jim Six Fix” of cutting down the motor brush by 1/3rd to improve motor performance at low speeds.
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
Paul,What Atlas did is the unthinkable…[B)] I am still shocked over their new rule.[V]
IMHO that high hood unit must be all new tooling unless RPP had a HH SD40-2?
I plan on trying the J6 fix on one of my older BBs.
Thanks for the heads up.
I’ve applied 3 times to join the Atlas forum. I’ve yet to receive a response.
Paul, Brakie
has Atlas’s moderator stated the “exact reason” as to why they’ve adopted this policy?
The reason that was given was other manufacturers contacted Atlas about mis information concerning new products…
That would be awsome if athearn started to make the sd70m-2’s
Thanks, Brakie.
I wonder if this forum will be or has been contacted yet as well?