The "Diesel List" is full of chatter today about Athearn representatives saying verbally at a large train show in Columbus this past weekend that they will be announcing HO Genesis GP7 and GP9 models in the next month or two. They said the first release would be a PRR GP7, I could use that, and a SP "Black Widow" GP9. The Frisco had enough GP7s that you would think eventually Athearn would offer a Genesis GP7 - hope so! Hope this is true. If they, Athearn Genesis, do as good a job on the GP7s as they did on the Genesis F-units, all will be good. Ken
Actually Athearn announced the Genesis GP series project about 6 months to a year ago. I assume they will be doing this similar to the way they did the GP15-1s and that is taking somewhat of modular approach. By this I mean that the shells will be designed so that various elements such as dynamic brake blisters, etc. can be added or left off as to prototype specifics. This is good long term news as probably someday we will see Frisco units, but will most likely have to wait for them to go through the more popular railroads. I for one hope that the GP15-1 sells well as that may influence their priorities. I plan to ask my contact at Athearn about what he needs to produce a realistic model. Buy a GP15-1 or two and stayed tuned!
Bob, What Athearn apparently announced in Columbus is that the Genesis GP7/GP9 models will be scheduled for release in a few weeks or a month, plus they indicated what the first two road names will be. I recall their announcement several months ago that they were going to do these. This was the first news since that it is about to happen, and when, and what the first two road names will be. Still want them to do the Genesis F7A, F7B and the new FP7A in Frisco black and yellow! Ken
