Athearn 50' Flat Car w/Trailer

Athearn has just announced an HO 50' Flat Car with a 40' Piggyback Trailer for April 2010 delivery. By looking at the picture in the ad it looks like they are merely bringing back their previously released 50' yellow flat (Road # 100008 in picture) and their "Pigs are Beautiful" 40' trailer that also was released years ago as part of a set with an MKT trailer on an 89' Trailer Train flat if my memory serves me corectly. The flat was is for lack of a better term somewhat mundane with mostly cast on detail including the stake pockets. The trailer however was in my opinion quite neat and there were at least 2 #'s produced. How realistic it is I will leave to those more knowledgeable than myself.
There will be 3 road #s offered with the following stock #'s and an MSRP of $24.95.

72479
72480
72481

 

I have been waiting for them to realeas this. I have a MP version and I love it. Can't wait till I can get my hands on 2 or 3 frisco ones.

Let's see, list of stuff to get from Athearn

1. SD45's
2. Mill gon
3. Auto parts box car
4. Piggy backs

 

Ethan:

Please take this as positive feedback, but with smaller radius curves, you may be disappointed with the prototypical and for that matter operational nature of most of the items on the wish list that you posted. When Rick, Bob, and Mike came and helped me build the Neodesha yard on my layout, Rick suggested that I get out the longest car I was planning on running to see how it would look and track. That car was an 89' piggyback.
The radius of curves on my layout are between 28" and 30" and the yard is 100% Atlas Code 83 switches. We also got out my 60' Auto Parts car. The yard runs flawlessly with the exception of the Auto Parts car which keeps uncoupling. Granted part of that is due to the Accumate couplers it has.
I am modeling a secondary line which I doubt ever saw an Auto Parts car. Wichita did have a piggyback facility so the big cars did come here. They even hang over going around my curves but I will occasionally live with it.
Bottom line, correct me if I'm wrong, but you have chosen to model a branch line so 40' and 50' cars would prototypically be the norm. You may find that anything longer on 18" to 22" curves might derail and will be difficult to couple and uncouple leading to frustration.
Hey, I would have loved to have gotten one of the new SD45's, but 6 axle power didn't run on this line so I passed and am saving my money for something else. Now since you have read my rambling this far, consider taking the money you would have spent for two of those cars and invest $49.95 in one of those new Intermountain/Centralia Car Shops Santa Fe style cabooses (see my thread on them). They were true branch line cabooses on the Frisco!

 

Or I could spend less than $30 on an Atlas one that would be more likely to be seen in the late 70's.

 

In an earlier thread on the Athearn Frisco 40' trailers Bob said: "how realistic it is I will leave to those more knowledgeable than myself". I remember a comment in another thread, which I cannot find, about this very topic. Would someone please list the modifications to the Athearn 40' trailer to make it Frisco. I remember that the ladder on the front was one objection, but I am wondering if there are others. I plan to redecal three or four of my nonFrisco trailers to Frisco and would like to be as prototypical as possible. Thanks, Terry

 

If I remember correctly, the Athearn van is a beaded, insulated (or reefer) van. If it would be Frisco-ized, a lot of work would need to be done. Here is a list off of the top of my head.

|-| Remove/sand the grab irons from the bulkhead
|-| Remove/sand the hatches from the bulkhead
|-| Remove/sand the beaded siding from the bulkhead and sides
|-| Remove the upward curving rear step/bumper. These were straight if my memory serves me.

I don't think the gussets supporting the landing gear are on the Frisco vans but I will have to check a photo.
Also I'm not sure these were Trailmobile Z-Vans. Will need to check. They could have been Dorsey or some other mfr.

Bottom line they look nice, Athearn's printing has gotten nicer over the years. If you like 'em, run 'em.

If you want to be more selective, that's ok too but I would start with the old Milepost Hobbies/A-Line 40' smooth side van. Even that is not exactly right but it is a little closer but you will need to paint it, letter it, add wheeled landing gear (the MP/AL van has sled type landing gear).

 

Wow, Rick, I may have to decide if the work is worth it. I am currently working on my Meteor passenger cars, so one project at a time is enough. Thanks, for the info, though, as I will keep this for future reference. Thanks, Terry