Athearns new release!

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When i first heard all the hub-ub about the new release i wasnt impressed with a new GP38-2. After watching the video im anxiously awaiting the new release price. Even though i highly suspect these to be in the +$175 region for DCC ready models, id love to think about buying a CN, Southern, and SP. Why? I like widecabs, i like the SP light package, and i like the SOU because it helped create the NS and who doesnt love a good High Hood? :D

Do i plan on purchasing these? Probably not. Am i excited about Athearn deciding to release GP38-2s? Sorta, i wouldve rather seen GEVOs or hey maybe an SD90MAC :rolleyes:. Ill give Athearn props for not doing just a simple generic version. The Wide Cab, High Hoods, and SP Light package really surprised me.

I would guess this could be bad for the RTR GP38-2s though. I understand that Athearn just announced another run of the RTR GP38-2s, but i think that theyll wind up thinning out the RTR locos to help sell the higher priced Genesis series models. To be honest, if i had to purchase either the $100 GP38-2 with its fire in the cab headlight, generic molding, hit and miss drive, and less than fantastic details (Not even a pilot plow...wtf Athearn?), vs the (assumed) $175 version with better lighting, better drive, and roadname specific details, i would probably wind up going with the Genesis series. I understand that the RTR version could be detailed and reworked into an equivalent of the new Genesis series locomotive, but at what cost? You would have probably $50 in lighting, details, paint, and various other items to add those. Factor in the time and your at the same price or greater than the Genesis version, and you still dont have the Genesis drive.

Im not condoning the whole "everything is RTR in this hobby nowadays" thing, im just saying that from an economic standpoint i understand it.

I was VERY surprised to see that none of the roadnames were very modern. If you had told me the release would be a GP38-2, i definetely wouldve guessed that UP or BNSF wouldve been one of the names being released. I understand that CN is still around, but how many options did they have for a widecab GP38-2? I think they picked a good model for variation, its probably one of the most common models they could have chosen. If they plan on doing 4 roadnames per year, theyll be releasing these for the next 10 years at least ! Maybe by then theyll have LEDs ;)

So, with that being said, who plans on getting one of these?
 
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I watched the video this morning when I woke up and saw it on facebook about these new GP38-2's. I have to say that I am very impressed with the level of detail on the SP model! The CN doesnt look half bad either! If I modeled the Canadian roads, the CN ones would be at the top of my list.

I too am kinda surprised that UP nor BNSF were announced in this first production run. But I will probably end up pre-ordering myself the SP models, I assume they will be doing 2 or 3 roadnumbers of them in this run.
 


Being a Canadian modeller I'm pretty impressed with the GP38-2W. Its going to be hard to top the new Atlas GP40-2W though - they run smooth as silk and I've had good and bad luck with Genesis engines. But I'll still buy one....
 
I am def going to grab a couple CN units. Also with the CN 4 axle widecabs there are so many on various US shortlines in a lot of schemes so they will be busy with those too.
 
Oooooh very nice indeed. I'm planning on getting 2 or 3 of these myself.

Did they announce when they will be shipping? I hope it's not 2013. Good grief.
 
Motley said:
Oooooh very nice indeed. I'm planning on getting 2 or 3 of these myself.

Did they announce when they will be shipping? I hope it's not 2013. Good grief.
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I tried to look for them on both Athearn's and Horizon's site earlier this morning and couldnt find them, so my guess is that they have not posted details on them yet. Hopefully prices and expected ETA's will be posted by tomorrow
 


I was surprised and pleased to see the CN GP38-2W in the initial run. I looked at making one by using an Atlas unit as the starting point and am glad I didn't bother. CN sold off a few units I think to Brazil and one to a Quebec passenger company. Other than that CN is the only North American user of that model.

pictures%5C14885%5C702-Sept-Isles.jpg
 
Stephen that is a sweet looking loco!
So according to the info I have they will have walkway lights??
That would be great as they always seem to leave them on while idling overnight.
 
Rico said:
Stephen that is a sweet looking loco!
So according to the info I have they will have walkway lights??
That would be great as they always seem to leave them on while idling overnight.
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I know the SR units are going to have walkway lights but I don't know about the rest.

The passenger does look pretty sharp. Athearn will probably want to get the most out of their investment and do the scheme at some point.

CN has them in the newer scheme less website

pictures%5C59025%5CIMG_0643%204766sm.jpg


Website

pictures%5C7901%5Ca%20CN%204785%20GP%2038-2W%20CN%20MacMillan%20Yard%20Oct%2026th%202007%20IMG0013_1_1.jpg%20sharpened.jpg


Most are still in stripes

pictures%5C9194%5CIMG_3673.JPG


A one off graffiti repaint/patch

pictures%5C48658%5CIMG_1901.JPG


I don't think any of them received the North American scheme like on GP40-2LW 9421

pictures%5C274%5CCN9421.jpg
 
Undecs anyone??
Maybe undecs with a detail parts bag so you can customize them as need be? I'm sure I wont see them factory done in Maryland Midland, undecs though would be nice to finish off the fleet!
Midland305300301302.JPG
 
PEIR said:
I was surprised and pleased to see the CN GP38-2W in the initial run. I looked at making one by using an Atlas unit as the starting point and am glad I didn't bother. CN sold off a few units I think to Brazil and one to a Quebec passenger company. Other than that CN is the only North American user of that model.

pictures%5C14885%5C702-Sept-Isles.jpg
Click to expand...

That looks like a GP40-2W not a GP38-2W.
 
Good catch! I took another look and noticed the three fans but it looks like a filter box behind the snow shield. I wonder if it is a 40 or a conversion to a GP38-2W?
 
Walkway lites etc.

I hope that those of you enthralled by the possibility of "real" working walkway and step lights, don't actually think that these will be working lights. The only way these types of lights could be represented would be with LED's. Athearn has avoided the use of LED's like the plague, claiming that the quick burnout lights they now use are more prototypical. I am a big fan of Athearn but their refusal to incorporate LED's is stupid, especially at the price point these Locos are now going for. I can't think of another manf that still uses bulbs. Ever try to replace a burned out ditch light? A switch to Led technology would not require a significant price increase, especially with the quantities Athearn would use.

I would agree with Athearn that in years past the LED color (bluish) looked crappy, but now there are LED's that represent incandescent and halogen bulbs very effectively. Outside of sound what is the most noticeable attribute that a loco has? You guessed it, it's lighting. C'mon Athearn, wake up and see the light (LED that is).

Well, I feel better now that that's off my chest. Time for my meds.
 


Not really enthralled, think it would be a nice touch tho.
I had light pipes or fibre optice more in mind, similar to ditch lights or number boards.
I agree LEDs have come a long way as has the technology of getting them into small spaces in mass production.
 
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