Join the discussion on the following article:
Athearn Trains reports loss of manufacturing partner
I long back for the days when Athearn made it’s product in the US. May not have had as diverse prototype specific models, but they were reasonably priced and available on the shelf.
Ah, yes. One of the many benefits of outsourcing.
There are those of us old fogies who fondly remember the blue boxes that sold well south of $20.
Too bad; sooo sad…
I agree, I think the customer base will increase as more items are made in the USA. Quality will also increase because American care about what they do or build.
Bring Athearn back to the states where it belongs, not in some communist country that could care less about the US and its products.
Keep in mind the inflation when you recall prices from years past. $1 in 1980 would be worth about $2.60 now. $1 in 1970 is worth $5.55 now, $20 in 1970 would be $111 now. And the detail of the old models don’t compare to what we get these days.
Bring back the manufacture of these products to the US as there is no reason why they can’t be made here with the same or better quality at a reasonable price.
made im thr usa is what they should say
Not to mention keeping Americans employed…
The USA’s mfg direct labor cost is competitive with most countries and beats a lot of Chinese mfgrs. It’s really the overhead–pensions, healthcare,etc.
We make great products in the USA and are actually seeing more mfgrs here in SC.
MTH has a great SD70ACe.
Richard
I miss the old Athearn blue boxes that let you do your own assembly. Not a fan of all the ready to roll products or the cost.
Yes, I agree. I think there is real value in returning to a US or Canadian produced product. We have the skill sets.
last year i brought an athearn sd45 demostrater at a real bargin. the detail was so real to the prototype and the operation of it was so smooth, my friends were beside themselves as they followed it around the layout. the U.S. has always stood proud and with athearn’s coming back to the U.S. look for more great realistics products from athearns made in the USA. like MR put your best foot forward.
I couldn’t agree more. I miss the blue box kits they were great for kitbashing. There is NO way I will spend what Athearn wants for the RTR models to cut them up and waste half of a model. When they started importing their product I voted with my money. I went with more of the Kadee cars and other manufacturers that kept their production in country. I purchase hardly anything now from Athearn.
Bring the business back to America where we need the jobs and also return the Blue Box kits! Athearn made their reputation on easy to build, inexpensive kits that were a nice project to work on on an afternoon or evening. Modelers were able to easily modify (i.e. superdetail) the kits to suit their desires and did not have to go broke for one model. Your typical Athearn RTR car sells for between twice to five times as much as the old blue boxes. True, you do not have to build the car but that sort of takes the “modeling” out of the hobby then.
Making the railroading products in the USA not only brings profit to Athearn but also brings profit to other hobby related producers. Tools, building materials, small parts and after market products all will stay in business. I don’t mind paying a reasonable price for product so as to let the supplier make a profit. In the long run they will be there when I want more goods and services.
I agree with all the above comments. I note that KD is doing everything in house in the USA. If they have the skills to do it, why can’t Athearn follow suite. As a side, in notice that here in Australia we have a similar problem… go to the China’s and it will be cheaper. I also have noticed that the Brits, and we Aussie, are now sourcing products from India. This is causing all of us to loose our skilled labor force.
Also would like to see the blue box kits return.
I would pay 20% -25% more for the same kit/RTR if it were made in the US. But I can live without the crudely detailed BB level kits.
Totally agree with the sentiments expressed thus far. Build the products in the USA and bring back the blue box models. One of the best facits of the hobby is putting together the rolling stock with as much detail as you deem appropriate.