Every site I’ve tried to look at one they’ve been labeled discontinued. What happened? Were they always a limited run? Too many issues? Not enough sales, what? Thanks
Capt. Grimek–
I wasn’t aware that the Genesis Big Boys had been discontinued, but I’m wondering if possibly because of the other various manufacturers also producing them if there isn’t possibly a ‘glut’ on the market for that particular locomotive?
Also, perhaps, Genesis is now focusing their model ‘steam’ market on the Southern Pacific MT-4 and their projected ‘Daylight’ cars. Unfortunately these days, mfgrs have to concentrate on what is ‘news’ in the market, and perhaps the Big Boy has seen its days.
Not trying to be snide, understand–don’t think that, but it’s quite possible that in the ‘popular’ HO steam market, the Big Boy is just not the seller that it originally was.
Tom
Try “sold out”…Athearn puts “discontinued” on cars and locomotives that are sold out in a given run of road names or models such as the GP40X which another run will be release in October…
Here is a example.
We know the GP38-2s are not discontinue as this implies.
http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=GP38-2+RTR&CatID=THLD&RN=GLFRD
If the GP38-2s was “discontinue” these road names would not be release in November.
http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=GP38-2+RTR&CatID=THLD&AllRN=1
See how it works?
Almost all model railroading “mass production” is actually done by batch production. Typical Chinese plastic model factory practice is to build 3000-5000 units in a batch - typically takes 30-60 days once production actually starts. Then the factory goes on to produce something else. Meanwhile shipping to and distribution within the US takes a couple of more months to keep costs reasonable (no air freight or priority handling). Locating a production slot at a reliable factory that does reasonable quality at a decent price is not trivial for the importer - after all, every importer is looking for a manufacturer with the same qualities. Then one needs to get the financing - if new tooling is required, add $500K - in time and at a reasonable rate to guarantee the production slot. On the front end is design and pre-production approvals. Assuming all goes well and money isn’t a schedule issue, turn-around from go-ahead decision to product on the dealer shelves is almost always a minimum of 18 months.
If a model sells out, and it is believed there is still enough demand, another batch will be ordered. Again, financing and a production slot have to be arranged, but at least the design work has already been done - assuming (not likely!) that no changes are wanted.
I can’t think of any model - even in the good ole days - that warranted true continuous production. Athearn plastic models, even in the Blue Box heyday, was always batch production. It’s just that Athearn, when it had its own facilities, could pull the trigger quicker for another batch for a model that was selling well, thus giving the appearance of continuous production.
Bachmann is the possible exception, owning (or being owned by, I forget wh
iMHO it would seem if the batch was sold out the sites would say that & not discontinued…but maybe in Chinese they mean the same thing… Jerry
Limited run. Athearn produces models in batches. When the batch is sold out that’s it, there are no more until they decide to do another batch, which could be months or even years away.
Indeed…We have seen several runs of certain types of cars in the same road name and oddly they to quickly sell out.
The only things that seem to be “continuous” are structure kits.
Locos and rolling stock come and go faster than tennage girl fashions!
Not to miss a point here, but almost everyone produces everything in batches for this hobby. The only product that might be produced on a daily basis might be Kadees, and even then, who knows? They might only make them every other day, or once a week. Kadee, Athearn, Walthers, etc., are not Ford, GM, and Toyota. They are small companies, and we are relatively small segment of the population (approx. 250,000 in the US, or so I’ve heard) that is broken up into scales (roughly: HO = 55%, N = 25%, O = 10%, G/Z/TT/Other = 10%), skill level, and financial levels. The odds of there being a product in the hobby today that would call for continuous production are very small, IMHO. Or that the production is so slow that they only produce a minimal number of items.
For example, I’ve been to the Bar Mills “factory” (they make laser cut wood kits), which is a reproduction railroad station. They have 4 production laser cutters, a spin caster (for metal parts), another laser for making roof shingles, a packaging room, a raw materials storage room, and a shipping room (not counting their show room). They work every day, making and boxing kits, but they don’t make the same kit every day. There just isn’t that much call for it.
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
Wow. Geez, no wonder a guy (or gal) gets confused. Thanks Brakie for the illustrative examples.
I guess my best shot then, would be to email or call Athearn directly to see when they might produce another batch? What does announced mean-exactly, Brakie? For the Big Boy it said 3/08. So I presume that was the last batch made? Not TOO long ago…I’ll continue to check around.
I’m trying to find a Big Boy with DCC power and Sound for no more than $400. BLI? Anyone had their own
installs of power decoders and (maybe) sound decoders done? If so, what did the total come out to?
Thanks very much everyone for clearing the “discontinued” term up!
Have you tried any of the online hobby shops, i.e., discounttrainsonline.com, trainworld.com, modeltrainstuff.com or gohobbies.com?
In my opinion, I think becuase they were junk, and the MRC Sound Decoder made it worse. That’s just my opinion
What’s that a “Hail Mary” to join the discussion since it has no real value other then a cheap and needless Athearn bash?? Many modelers use these locomotives with no problems…Even the MRC sound decoders work good in DC mode but not in the DCC mode.
Junk my fanny…Athearn sells fast…Try to find some road names…Good luck!
Yes I have tried a lot, online. If you should see one (or more) for $359-ish, with BOTH DCC and DC Power/Sound PLEASE PM me or/and post to me here?
Either Broadway Limited with QSI or Athearn. Rivarossi IF newer owners have run them and have had no problems. New only, so Athearn is most likely price-wise.
I’ve got to find one if I can, before the discretionary income isn’t able to be so “discretionary” 
anymore!
I will keep searching online. Thanks as always, everybody.
Check Trainworld, they have both Athearn Challangers and Big Boys with DCC and Sound
The Athearn Big Boys are good. It’s Athearn’s decision to put MRC decoders in them that’s bad.
I realize the MRC sound isn’t the most desirable thing, but I’d likely upgrade someday, later.
Just want HO DCC sound and power now so I can run and enjoy and…save for other decoders later.
I’ve emailed Athearn, waiting for their reply as to whether or not there will be another batch and when.
Take athearns stock number for the engine you want usually [ATH*****] or something like that with * = number or letter.
Google that and you will come up with hobby shops that may or may NOT have it in stock.
I consider the MRC decoders a mistake in such fine Athearn Engines.
Thanks L.C. That’s a tactic I hadn’t thought of trying. I’ll give it a whirl…
Back again: Nope that didn’t work at all. Just got Asian script sites and unrelated stuff.
I tried just the # and Athearn Big Boy HO with the # as well as a couple of other combinations.
Have you had any luck with this method?
The problem isn’t the sound because it works great in DC/DCC…Its some of the CVs in the MRC decoder doesn’t respond in the DCC mode.