I called Athearn the other day for a part and some questions. We got to talking and he found out i was a UP fan. He then mentioned that us UP fans will be very happy very soon. He would not say what it is but he did say it will be a first in N scale. Hmmmm! Turbines? 844? Only time will tell. But if it is for either one i'll be happy. Dave
Either trubines or the FEF's would make me happy, but if it's steam, then I'll have to go ahead and build a roundhouse for the growing collection. I'm thinking of the full circle roundhouse the Texas & New Orleans had in Houston. That should keep me busy for a few years. :bear-wacko:
hey superturbine, this is the same drasko from atlas that made the 9000 class 4-12-2. if you want FEFs, i can make them for you on a VERY good chassis. i have 2 FEFs and 2 santa fe 4-8-4s that ive made so far. As for this news............. all im gonna say is murphys law, i make a 9000 in N and sure as heck, here come the production models but i dont care. it means i dont have to deal with finding parts and making these things!!! lol i mean, FEFs were done in brass, turbines have been done..... 9000 class 4-12-2 are honestly whats NEVER been done.... or shall i say produced as me and 2 other people have built a 9000s. I HOPE thats what theyre hinting to!!
I'd like to see a 4-12-2 just to read the posts when it won't go round 9" radius curves.:tb-wink: Actually I'd like to see some good Santa Fe steam, the UP and SP guys have had a fairly good run by N scale standards.
Drasko I think you are safe on the 9000. Athearns knows how well an FEF will sell and its never been done in plastic. Lets see your FEFs!! I have made several ATSF Northern from Kato gs4s and Bachman bodies. But never an FEF BTW I have a friend in your area that does laser cutting of all types of materials
do you want to know where the GS4 chassis with a B-man body started as soon as the mech came out? that was me a couple years ago that posted the pics. i have 2 FEFs. send me a pm with your number and ill explain. my earless FEF3 is very nice withe a new boiler and cab and a couple other parts and pieces.
Jason, your layout is AWESOME!!!! And congratulations on your recent "N Scale Model Railroading" article; wonderful work capturing Sherman Hill! N SCALE RULES .. Otto Kroutil Modeling Cajon Pass in N scale circa 1950
I really, really, really, REALLY hope so. I'm 100% modern era, but being that the 844 is the only class 1 steam locomotive that has not been retired, it would still be consistent with my layout's era! Plus I can have it pull a special APL stack train!
All I gotta say is, if they do announce a FEF, I'd be among the first in line. Spent many days chasing this beauty!
Hi Y'all, I haven't properly introduced myself yet (I'll do that when I've got more time) but being a dyed-in-the-wool UP modeler (transition era, structures and scenery set in 1951, motive power and rolling stock till a little later), I had to say my two-cents worth about what I hope Athearn is gonna release in the near future. If I were a betting man, I'd say that most likely they're going to do an FEF-3, which would follow the same marketing and manufacturing strategy they've used for their HO scale releases...and I'd be happy with that choice as it would allow me to supplement my brass FEF's. HOWEVER, I'd really (REALLY) be happy with a #51+ turbine release (with or without the fuel tender). That would just make my year and be the perfect compliment to the rest of my motive power on my Ogden to Green River modular/portable layout... However, if Athearn follows what they've done in HO, an N-scale turbine (either baby or veranda) will shortly follow the FEF...so, although I know others would like to see something other than UP power, I'm about 99% certain that Athearn will be catering to the UP modelers for the next few years. As a side-note. I have to say that I'm very happy indeed with the quality of the posts and the wealth of information available here on TRAINBOARD.com and I'm happy to have finally signed up! Bob Gilmore Eden, UT
Welcome aboard, Bob! I know your excellent modeling and it's great to have you here. Make sure to post some pics of your work... Oh yeah, an FEF-3 would be great!!! Regards, Otto Kroutil Modeling Cajon Pass in N scale circa 1950
The drivers are smaller so I don't know how a conversion might look , but I'm in for a close enough . http://www.steamlocomotive.com/northern/up806-full.jpg
Well, I don't model the UP, but I'd have to get one of these. And Athearn's partnership with Soundtraxx means that the model would almost certainly have superior sound over the original Challenger (which I've since changed to a Tsunami sound decoder). John C.
