December is the eve of the birthday of two Great Model Railroading Products. First, as we all now, Model Railroader is now officially a Senior Citizan at the Age of 70. The Next, is little know except to the guys at Model Railroader. The Longest running Model Locomotive turns 50 next year. The ATHEARN F7 turns 50. This is the Longest running model still in Production. From Unpowered Kits to the Genesis Line . The Athearn F7. The first Mass Produced Locomotive for Modelers is still in Production! This production run has outlasted even the SD40-2. (And Out numbers the SD40-2 10 to 1!) All I want to say is Happy Birthday Model Railroader, for you are Now the Oldest Model Railroading Trade Magazine, and the Athearn F7, for you turn Half a century old today.
I’ve got two of these (the Lehigh Valley specials they did a few years ago) but I didn’t realise how old the moulds were - they still look good today (with a little detailing).