I noticed the kits that will be available from Athearn in the future; however, it seems they left out the FP45 and F45. Maybe I missed them but is Athearn re-tooling these locomotives or just completely discontinuing them?
Hello Mister421!
I e-mailed them a few months back asking about the status of the “Big Jacks”. [C):-)] NIce to hear from a fellow “Cowl” fan.[:)]
According to Athearn’s response “There are no plans to retool the FP45 and it has not been discontinued but is not being produced at this time.” [%-)]
I was a little upset at first but then thanks to Cmarchand I found several Santa Fe FP45s for sale (one brand new) at different times on EBay! Turned out that this was even better for me as I had plan on “junking” the Athearn motors and replacing them with Mashimas. They’ll get DCC/Sound and body detailing. [8D][8)]
I thought that since Athearn will is now producing the SD45T-2 and the chassis dimensions are nearly identical, that Athearn could have gone ahead and bring the FP45 bodies up to Genesis standards. [dinner]
Hopefully Athearn’s future marketing forcasts include the potential sales of new, retooled Cowls with “see thru” grills.
Cheers!
Athearn (and all mfgr’s) produce in batches - or ‘runs’. Demands for the FP45 and F45’s have slowed down, and will probably be re-issued when the demand builds back up - otherwise someone else will beat them to the punch. Don’t be surprised if it takes 7 years.
TWO things I can just about promise: 1. They will cost more. 2, They’ll look and run better than the older run. In the meantime, there is E Bay, and Swap meet’s.
Oh yes, OMI brought out a painted war bonnet SDP 45 that was a beaut! $500?
I e-mailed Athearn awhile ago about the “Big Jacks”. They said they would forward my idea on to product developement…
Good going, 4884BigBoy
Input from customers helps. As Don stated it may take a long while though. Mister421, are you searching for these units? They do show up from time to time on Ebay, even Santa Fe units if that’s what you’re looking for.
BTW: Don’t waste your time getting the Lima or Model Power FP45s as these, IMHO, look very “cheesy”. At least with the Athearns, mechanically upgrading them is quite easy as well as adding body details that can really make them stand out.
SSSSSSSSoooooooooooo, Allright, come over and get me, I got a pocket full of money, damned if you may make me spend it, I’ll buy what I want.
Don’t worry about the future of the FP45, It is a real entity. Just write the man. if you wi***o have one. To many have wanted the SDP40F, and the man. will deliver. or it will arrive from china. Whose in your wallet? ACJ.
How does Athearn determine the demand for a particular product? Do they do surveys occasionally?
- Dealers stop ordering.
Except if the item isn’t listed as being available, no one tries to order it. [V] If people know it isn’t being produced, they won’t even try to order it. Then Athearn/Horizon won’t know that people want them, preferably updated.
I am working a pair of FP45’s myself. First cleaning and lubing and final assembly then it’s DCC and Sound. These two can haul the more modern rolling stock that keeps creeping into my fleet.
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QUOTE: Originally posted by wt259
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QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson
The old “supply and demand” scenario. But I have noticed that the interest in cowls is inching up again, especially with new pictures of FP45s popping up on railfan websites.
Plus 3 “retired” Chicago METRA F40Cs had to be temporarily re-activated as a couple of the new commuter locomotives had some problems. (For those not familiar, the F40C has a modified FP45 body that rides on an SD40-2 chassis)
[;)]
Antonio, Athearn should jump on the wagon and and make an F40C, too! F40Cs are almost as beautiful as the FP45.
I hear you BigBoy, but one thing that has to be considered. Is there a demand for it? There are modelers that model METRA, but most likely not enough, in Athearn’s view, to justify the expense of retooling. The F40Cs generally hauled the METRA commuter trains, saw no freight service, nor were they used in “pool arrangements” with railroads like KCS, Santa Fe, or UP. They were “home based” locomotives. So again, the appeal may be quite limited. The best solution would be to use an FP45 or purchase an AS Models SDP40f ($225) and make the modifications.
A model manufacturer’s main concern: Recouping in the investment. If there are too few buyers, the company either loses money or barely breaks even.
The thing that can make a difference is if modeler “bombard” the LHS and manufacturers with demands for certain units.
For example: We laugh and criticize everytime someone else produces AN F7! Yet, if it’s produced modelers will buy it! 60 years later it’s still a popular unit.
True, Antonio, but F40Cs also operated on the Milwuakee Road. So there’s 2 road names for it to increase the demand… yet, PRR K4s only operated on PRR, as did the M1As and T1s. Why not a METRA F40C? Same thing, only ran on 1 or 2 roads! Why do the darned Pennsy modelers get all the locos? Makes no sense…