mdvle Posted September 15, 2020 Author Share Posted September 15, 2020 (edited) Athearn Train Tuesday September 15th - possible errors in recollection Monthly product coverage 20,000 gallon tank car Maxi III (~09:00) PS-2 Covered hoppers (~23:00) Yard tractors (~36:00) yard tractor PDF has reveal of 20' containers and chassis coming in October Box from the factory (~44:00) - arrived @ Janek yesterday, 3 Trinity 5161 samples shown - comment that improvements have been made to improve the fit and finish of this model Q&A VIA P42 - still no news 40' reefer trailers - perhaps next month fans of ONE should be happy in October CSX executive train F7 - not in Genesis, CSX did significant changes that the tooling can't accommodate Genesis SD7/SD9 - comment that same platform would also likely be the SD18/SD24/SD35(?) Genesis SD7/SD9 - given 4 or 5 in the platform, it would be an extensive project and require a lot of research if anyone chose to do it Edited September 15, 2020 by mdvle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share Posted September 19, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted September 29, 2020 Author Share Posted September 29, 2020 Athearn Train Tuesday - September 29 2020 Discussion of announcements/prototype photos GP39-2 PC&F Boxcars What We're Working On - they discuss personal modelling projects Janek - talking about his project to model SF San Diegan, showed Blue Box PA he is starting with and his plans to re-motor Q&A Amazon or Walmart containers - haven't heard back about licensing D&H 7600's - interested but would need some new tooling high-nose GP35 - not something they can do at the moment weekly California Car, SD70acu requests Genesis cabooses - they have been hearing about some opportunities for improvement, if you model does have a problem contact Athearn support what about improvements to Roundhouse F7 shell - no plans at this time MKT GP40 bi-centennial - one of top 5 requests recently, but they don't have a GP40, Janek would like to see it done, it is being looked into clay slurry tank cars coming again in 2021 more Z-vans - check back next month 70s through 90s stuff would be nice - Athearn hear's the request Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted October 2, 2020 Author Share Posted October 2, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted October 6, 2020 Author Share Posted October 6, 2020 Athearn October 6th 02:00 - Trinity 3-Bay Covered Hopper - discuss the new tooling done to fix assembly problems 12:00 - SD60 27:00 The Backshops - Janek - P2K Alco FA, painted for club layout - Jim - demo on using the search feature on the Athearn website - start of his HO project layout - the baseboard - start of N scale New England 1970's switch layout - the shadow box In Stock Now - Genesis F-units - Genesis GP38-2 46:00 Q&A - working to get historical data back onto website - copper basin GP39-2 - well, how about SD39's (just saying) - Genesis GP38/40 - becoming a weekly request - GE u-boats - think there is a need, deciding how to proceed - Loram rail grinder / MOW stuff - tough sell given tooling costs/limited market - Janek hopes Athearn can contemplate 3D printing more unique items - TH&B GP9 or GP7 - check back later this year, working on more GP9's, Janek held up a copy of Diesel Era for people to form their own conclusions - WM F7 - what paint scheme wanted? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted October 9, 2020 Author Share Posted October 9, 2020 Order deadline for these tank cars is next week (October 15th) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted October 9, 2020 Author Share Posted October 9, 2020 Important update from Rapido regarding the sound option on the M420. While it was intended to be the first model to use the new Rapido-TCS sound module Covid has delayed that (the PA units will now be first). Instead the M420 will now use the ESU Loksound V5. Anyone who ordered the DC model and would now like to upgrade to the DCC/Sound version has until the end of October to let Rapido know. Full details in Newsletter 130 (sent to subscribers today, available to everyone else in the next several days). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted October 13, 2020 Author Share Posted October 13, 2020 Athearn Train Tuesday - October 13th 00:00 - SD70ACU - yes, come back October 30th 01:00 - 45' Trailers 14:00 - 20' Reefer Containers 18:00 - 20' Reefer Container w/chassis 23:00 - Janek shows photos from local club layouts, a friends workbench project 37:00 - Q&A - do people want them to dress up for Halloween? - TH&B GP9 - need info - GE Dash-8's - would be really nice - SD20's - need to look into - are all future loco releases going to be Genesis 2.0? - reruns will continue to use existing tooling, but all new tooled items will be Genesis 2.0 - Conrail high hood GP10 - like to look into it - bunch of repeated questions - Janek would like to do some Trinity hoppers - NH GP9? - DRGW, Cotton Belt, MKT in the ICC wide-vision cabooses? look into for next time Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted October 16, 2020 Author Share Posted October 16, 2020 Walthers has purchased Chooch Enterprises https://www.walthers.com/chooch-enterprises Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted October 20, 2020 Author Share Posted October 20, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted October 20, 2020 Author Share Posted October 20, 2020 Athearn Train Tuesday - October 20th - special guest Tony Cook as they discuss the Athearn F7 - Janek away on assignment this week, should be back next week - Matt will return October 30th for the new announcement show - long session - 1h 55m - really only of interest for those who want to enjoy the history of the hobby. - quick coverage of the current Roundhouse F7, then a discussion of the history of the Athearn F7 over the decades - at about 30 minute mark branch off into some other oddball Athearn / Globe items - flat pack short passenger cars, western kits 0:52:00 - Roundhouse chemical tank car 0:56:00 - Roundhouse 40' grain box car 1:01:00 - Roundhouse caboose 1:08:00 - Tony asks how Athearn chooses what paint schemes to do 1:15:00 - Q&A - WSOR - any plans for freight cars - don't know - rest of Q&A asking Tony questions about various items of the past, for the most part not Athearn stuff - White River has 2 Amtrak books coming out next year for the Amtrak 50th Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 Athearn Train Tuesday - October 27th - special session Friday at 3:30 CDT for November stuff - first 37 minutes all N scale stuff except initial 10 seconds - coverage of the N scale October stuff - times approximate 00:00 - promo video with samples of some of the fantasy ES44's 00:03 - N Scale - 20' Reefers 00:11 - N Scale - PS 4427 Covered Hopper 00:27 - N Scale - covering some of the in stock models 00:37 - What are we working on 00:40 - repeat of promo video with samples of some of the fantasy ES44's 00:45 - Q&A featuring Laramie Wyoming (with snow on the ground) - DD35A would be cool - UP Veranda Turbine rerun - for some reason Janek has a UP Turbine book on his desk even though he doesn't model UP... - MRL sound caboose - unaware of what cabooses MRL has/had, so look into - looking at 2021 for new versions of existing steam locos - Genesis 2.0 SD40A - surprised at the number of possible paint schemes - KCS 4006 - like to see next time the SD70ACe's done - flat cars for wind turbine blades - ? - GP40-2 in new Ferromex colors - neat scheme, like to do it, Janek can't find many good photos (help@athearn.com if anyone has any) - CN heritage units - paying attention to them - TRRA SD60i - on the list for the next run, likely 2021 - when is SD70ACe heritage units announcement? run scheduled for 2021 - to check about parts availability email parts@athearn.com - something for everyone in 2021, not all modern - some easter eggs / hints on social media regarding Friday's announcements throughout this week Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted October 28, 2020 Author Share Posted October 28, 2020 2 updates from Rapido. Photo of some of the almost complete tooling for the CPR D10 steam loco on Twitter And a video of the updated LRC cars Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 (edited) Athearn SD70ACU launch session - long session - 1h 37m - starts with EP sample of NS version running on Athearn layot NS was supposed to be announced in November 2019 but CP's announcement of an SD70ACU program prompted Athearn to delay so the CP units could be tooled as well at SuperTrain (Calgary) last year Soundtraxx took some SD90MAC-H samples to display, CP employees approached Soundtraxx about getting in touch with Athearn to help with SD70ACU so CP was very active in the development of the CP version of the model, provided paint samples, etc. Matt was on 2 of the military units prior to their unveiling to measure things CP modified the units to allow for the heritage schemes, the model follows those changes (things like the front door lock being above or below the headlight) 00:21 - Adam Meeks (CP Heritage Fleet program) joins the chat, sadly a bad connection and he drops off 00:28 - Adam returns with better Internet Adam Meeks has written a book on the military units, available on CP shop website (documents the military units and CP's history with the military) Adam discusses the contents of the book at 00:25, it's 120 pages (all profits go to support veterans, CP taking no profit, Adam taking no profit) from the US - https://www.cp-merchandise.com/us-store.html#!/support-our-troops/proud-colours-60.html from Canada - https://www.cp-merchandise.com/ca-store.html#!/support-our-troops/proud-colours-78.html Adam Meeks favourite loco of all time is 2816, which he has been part of the crew. Favourite diesel is SD40-2 they did experimental shirts, Jim had a NS SD70ACU shirt, Matt had the CP SD70ACU - on front Athearn logo and the loco model, image of loco across back showed that at 01:35 point if people want the shirts let them know at help@athearn.com so they can judge if it is worth doing Edited October 30, 2020 by mdvle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted November 3, 2020 Author Share Posted November 3, 2020 Athearn Train Tuesday - November 3rd 2020 Special Guest - Cody Grivno (Model Railroader) 00:03 - ICC cabooses 00:09 - Cody shares photos of CB&Q Waycars taken by his father 00:27 - Genesis 60' PS Auto Box Car 00:35 - what working on - Cody - working on MR&T extension, holds up magazine with track plan 00:41 - Janek - samples of Progress Rail Leasing patched SD75Ms 00:49 - Q&A featuring Galesburg Il - TH&B GP9 - suggested tune in November 27 to website, December 1st Athearn Live - looking for parts - parts@athearn.com or help@athearn.com for help - talk about paint colors, how paint chemistry can be a factor - MCVX (Mass. Call Volunteer Firefighters) blue & yellow tank cars - safety training tank cars always sell well so likely - Conrail (former Reading) wide vision cabooses - whole bunch of possible Genesis projects, just matter of deciding what to do next - sharpen your modeling tools, there may be some contests in the future Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted November 5, 2020 Author Share Posted November 5, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted November 6, 2020 Author Share Posted November 6, 2020 Sneak announcement near the end. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted November 6, 2020 Author Share Posted November 6, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted November 6, 2020 Author Share Posted November 6, 2020 Rapido pre-order deadline - November 16th Later phase F40PH Angus van X31A boxcars Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted November 10, 2020 Author Share Posted November 10, 2020 Athearn Train Tuesday - November 10th. - lonely Jim (Janek out on assignment) - project layout based on Lance Mindheim Palmetto Spur coming in the future - holiday contest coming up, looking for a cool holiday picture featuring Athearn, more details on Facebook in the coming weeks - 04:00 - Genesis F89F - audio disappears - RTR IMPACK Spine Car - 11:12 - sound returns - 14:00 - Western Maryland ES44 demoed of their Fantasy Heritage schemes (arrive December) - 18:22 - Q&A - Texarkana, AR - ES44AC in Olympia Hiawatha - would look good - Frisco ES44 wanted - 53' trailer announced for ESTES, now listed discontinued? - means Athearn has sold out before arrival - talk in past of GP38/GP40, still possible - certainly looking into - anyone wanting GP38/GP40 let Athearn know - blown speaker on SD70ACe, what do I do? - if comfortable doing yourself you can order part, can provide help. If warranty give a call/ email - considered new CN Heritage unit - they've seen it, likely happy sooner rather than later - John Deere 9600 re-released, more modern agricultural stuff - how many people want agricultural items, looking for feedback - looking to see what people are doing on layouts, what people are doing with Athearn products - going to start doing some contests so people feature their work - 32:30 - IMPACK Spine Car again with audio (mostly) - he can't remove his picture and still have audio - 39:00 - F89F again with audio - 46:30 return to Q&A - N&W MOW equipment in hamburger scheme - do more undecorated locos? - difficult, more expensive from the factory, demand has really disappeared, won't rule it out put would need to see some demand - would Athearn produce track? haven't really looked into it, several very good market options already - Genesis U25B - great suggestion, but lots of great possibilities - paint scheme suggestions for 48' containers - SD70s - rerun of UP heritage units, George Bush - possibility, - SD70s - NS heritage units - possibility, biggest problem is time, can't produce everything - considered upgrading loco handrails to brass castings? - delrin used because it has a memory and thus more forgiving to mishandling - brass handrails look good, but very easy to damage - N scale - if people want more N scale, let them know what you want - Cotton Belt, DRGW, Seaboard ICC cabooses - certainly will be thinking about - paint schemes wanted, lots of good suggestions (lots of older pre 1980 suggestions) - Genesis E8/9 is a must - great suggestion [seeing a pattern anyone??] - Janek working on a video of the Big Boy - 1h09 - GN GP9 demoed for camera, in stock December Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted November 12, 2020 Author Share Posted November 12, 2020 (edited) Rapido Facebook Live - November 11th Angus Vans - likely will be 5 to 6 years before another run, so if you want them order by next week Paint - working to try and get better distribution in the US F30 - completely die cast, hobbyist can swap out the deck for a real wood one if they desire to do it F30 - last TTX red scheme, maybe BNSF tie car, in next run F30 - trailers announced soon, working through a long list of possibles F30 - steps on corner, since sample upgraded to etched corner steps Bilevels - a lot of rivets! Bilevels - if successful could be a yearly/ever 2 year release schedule Bilevels - cab cars - no sound, but designed to accept sound if the modeler wants Bilevels - hope for tooling samples in spring Bilevels - Facebook video - the went around the CAD showing features Bilevels - door steps are see through etched metal D10, X72 - tooling almost complete B-100-40 - first test shots - photos from factory PA1 - showed some unassembled pieces test shots EP5 - still finalizing pantograph EP5 - want to get pantograph right as it could lead to further overhead electric locos F59PHI - maybe F40-2C - requires all new shell and frame, tough call H-6 - still taking orders NH County Cars - design finished, waiting for slot Now Rapido has done NH and PRR, what about NYC? sit tight new GO cab cars - maybe some day Edited November 12, 2020 by mdvle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted November 14, 2020 Author Share Posted November 14, 2020 (edited) One of the people behind new manufacturer Aurora Miniatures has posted the following on another forum (they will be bringing out a CN SD60F: Quote The business is registered in Toronto, ON, Canada. We're not shipping any products for the North American market until early/mid-2021 so for the time being, there is no need for a company warehouse and office. When the time comes to have a physical location set up, this information will be made available. Email is the best way to reach me, as I am still working full time while kicking off the model manufacturing business in my spare time. There's no point in posting a phone number if nobody is available to answer the phone during business hours. I'll admit, ranting on a public forum is a good way to get my attention as well. For the first phase of the business I will pretty much handle service and repairs. I have 10+ years experience doing HO & N scale locomotive repairs, DCC installs and custom lighting & sound electronics. Our products are also designed with the end user in mind so that they are easy to service if needed. I have seen a wide array of awful designs and quality issues from other importers in the past, so I am doing everything I can to avoid these issues from happening on our own products. If things do go wrong, the product is designed to make servicing, whether warranty or not, as painless as possible. I will stand behind our products 100%. Our manufacturing projects are fully funded. For the time being we are only accepting preorders from approved Canadian dealers, as US distribution is still being worked on. We do not ask dealers and end customers for a dime when they preorder the product. When the products arrive and are ready to ship, only then we ask for payment. Dealers may have their own policy on preorder deposits, which are out of my control. Ben Wang Aurora Miniatures https://atlasrescueforum.proboards.com/post/146524 Edited November 14, 2020 by mdvle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted November 15, 2020 Author Share Posted November 15, 2020 November 15th - Trainworld Roundtable Lionel Howard Hitchcock ESU Matthew Herman Soundtraxx George Bogatiuk Bachmann Rich Janyszek LGB/Marklin Gale Cousins PIKO America Jon Meador MTH Andy Edelman Rapido Bobby Allard Athearn Jim Wiggin Broadway Limited Ken Silvestri White River Publishing Tony Cook Classic Toy Trains - Hall Miller Atlas Scott Gothe Walthers Stacey Walthers Naffah Intermountain Ron Angstead Roundtable discussion - James and Kenneth will ask 5 questions (which they listed at the beginning) and the manufacturers answer How Covid impacting business? broadway - business perspective, no change - hobby side, hobbyists thankful for something to occupy time walthers - people have a new appreciation of hobby - kalmbach - forced to become a media company, new trains.com coming soon atlas - seeing customers call in more frequently, customers getting more active in the hobby - 50% increase in calls intermountain - expect a bunch of new product before Chinese New Year Bachmann - seeing increase in orders Single new announcement/arrival? Broadway - SP cab forward - arriving this week Broadway - james question - yes fantasy schemes will continue, helps cover costs and many like them 00:44 Atlas - S4 - showing EP sample, riveted and welded cabs, proper AAR trucks (new tooling) Kalmbach - Families and Electric Toy Trains special - https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/product/special-issue/vt-ct14201101-c 00:47 LGB - Christmas, featuring LGB stuff painted for Christmas 00:48 Lionel - bringing out voice control of their bluetooth5 equipped locomotives 00:52 Intermountain - N scale autocarrier with Fox Valley Models 00:54 Athearn - showed EP of SD70ACU 00:59 Rapido - Bilevel coaches 01:02 MTH - UP 9000 4-12-2 steam loco in HO, out now 01:05 Soundtraxx - KN1 - Kato N scale wide body drop in board kit, available December 01:09 Walthers - 2021 catalog, international wide vision caboose in February 2021 01:12 Bachmann - Siemens Charger (sold out at Bachmann, 2nd run in the works arrival 1Q2021, already 50% sold out) 01:12 Bachmann - more plans for the Chargers in the future, more cities, perhaps other things 01:14 White River - new annual - in 2021 - Garden Trains Annual 01:16 Walthers - sneak in the caboose flyers while waiting on Piko 01:18 Piko - RC Control, made as simple as possible Future of business / hobby? Walthers - acquired Chooch Enterprises, thinks future of hobby is bright Piko - looking at new opportunities Intermountain - excited about future Atlas - True Line Trains some tooling Broadway - discussed possibly buying Amazon ... LBB/Marklin - looking at bringing in some new lines of product Rapido - very, very ambitious plan for the UK - currently 3 production facilities and starting a 4th Athearn - Bachmann - want to expand licensing base, more in G scale MTH - no update, actively looking for buyers of tooling, no good information now how is covid impacting warranty repairs? Walthers - parts & warranty caught up. [ran out of time to watch] what do you miss about travellng to train shows? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted November 16, 2020 Author Share Posted November 16, 2020 And the NH EP-5 gets closer, Rapido posting a 30 second video to Facebook of a sample unit operating it's pantograph https://www.facebook.com/rapidotrains/videos/368430791061674/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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