Athearn announces SD70ACe

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

So, for any of you who haven’t yet got the word, Athearn has now announced the first run of SD70ACe locomotives, with expected delivery of September 2010.

Here’s a link to the page on their site: http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?__VIEWSTATE=dDwxMDUzOTY5MjgxOzs%2BWdajtEag5cLcF9LcnjntqUjUZKA%3D&_ctl18%3AtxtSearch=Type+Search+Terms+Here&x=0&y=0&txtSearch=SD70ACe

The first run will include BNSF, UP, KCS, and the UP MoPac Heritage Unit, and will be available with DCC and sound, or as “DCC ready”.

Reading the description and the wide variations they will be offering, it sounds like it’s going to be an excellent model. While I have no interest in the ACe model, I’m waiting anxiously for the SD70M-2 (and eventually the ES44DC). As a CN modeler, I was thrilled to read that Athearn will be including CN specific details (CN style louvers and rear pilot). I’m not sure why they include that information with the ACe, since the CN units are M-2s. Hopefully it means the M-2 units are close as well!

2

At lunch time I got the chance to view my first MTH SD70Ace in Katy at my LHS. This locomotive was excellent (except the crazy couplers). I then come home to see the email from Athearn. I being a MRL modeler, and very excited about the Aces in HO, at one point today was really thinking that I just might have to put some money down on a couple of MTH units. Now I just have to wait for Athearn’s to compare. I think that they just might be worth the wait since most of my other units are mainly Athearn. I’m really thinking of putting some money now on that BNSF unit that was announced. Heck, they all look great I’m sure.