Athearn is going to be releasing a re-tooled MDC RS-3 sometime before the end of this year. Here is a list of modifications and upgrades that they are working on for the old unit that was “leaked” to me with permission to post them on the 'net:
Modify that stack so that both versions can be produced
Improve bell - multiple options
Add window glazing
New brakewheel
Pilot options (open or with a small pilot)
Fuel tank options
Improved air tank castings
Steam generator options
Headlight options
New plastic handrails
Brass air horns
Etched fan grille
It appears to me that this will be the premier RS-3 shell in plastic on the market. [^] If they upgrade the drive, it will simply blow the Atlas model away (even the new one) in all respects. If nothing else, certainly the shell will be better than anyone’s…
mmm ok, I’ve been looking for an RS-3 for a while but, I think that with the current issues that I’ve got with the business practices of Horizon, I’ll be giving my money to Atlas this summer when their next release comes out.
Horizon (not Athearn) has been very restrictive in who they sell to these days with some odd idea of “protecting” traditional hobby shops. In short, they have cut off all sales to those that don’t have their own commercial storefront or, with some exceptions, to those that have their own web domain name. This has effectively put the pinch on a lot of train show dealers, retailers that work out of their house, custom paint companies like Bev-Bel, and one-man custom painters, as well. This hurts all of us who aren’t brick and mortar hobby shop owners (of course), including those organizations (like RR clubs) that depend on train shows for a significant portion of our annual income.
They also are the exclusive distributers for all Athearn and MDC items, which means you can no longer get these items from Walthers.
I don’t like it one bit, but I don’t take that out on Athearn. Most of the folks were there long before Horizon bought their company.
I’m with you rrinker. The Reading had three color schemes on their much loved ALCO’s. Pullman Green, New Green & Yellow, and all New Green. Athearn needs to pay attention to numbers as this has not been a strong suite of MDC.
I have 4 ATLAS undecs I could paint. I know if I pull out my airbrush and paints and get this job done the Reading units will be anounced by ATLAS or Athearn.
I hope they come with separate grabs and great looking railings.
I love the ALCO RS-3. My LHS, George’s Trains in Toronto, has one in their store front layout with the old green and gold Canadian National colours. Unfortunately they don’t have one in stock, and I haven’t seen one anywhere online[V]
I look forward to the new models…PLEASE MAKE ONE IN CANADIAN NATIONAL GREEN AND GOLD!!![bow]
Yeah, the only consolation is the original Pullman Green scheme is super easy to paint, all one color and no stripes. So a few units in the Undec RR scheme would be acceptable. But all these manufacturers just LOVE to produce the green and yellow scheme - ie new P2K cabooses. Sure the RS-3’s got into all three schemes - well, ONE of them, #449 did. And ONLY one. Only a handful every got green and yellow.
At least P2K gave us 4 GP-7’s, even if the horns are in the wrong place.
Regarding Horizon’s distribution strategy, it’s noble they wi***o protect the brick and mortar hobby shops. My local guy also does web business at a discount.
I think producers should let the market dynamics sort out the channel questions. Oh the parallels to nation building…But I digress.
I’ve got nothing against Athearn, I have about a dozen blue box locomotives and scores of their cars, but what Horizon is doing really does rub me the wrong way. What would go a long way is if Athearn releases some in Canadian National paint then I’ll go for them, just to support them for making Canadian roads lol even though I’ll repaint them. Otherwise it’s off to my Walthers retailer to pick up some Atlas units.
I doubt that Athearn will make new S12s because of competition from Stewart, but I’d like em to update their U-boats, we could use some good models of them.