Key words: "New Locomotive"

"I am guessing that it could be a chop-nose GP9"

You missed the phrase "all new locomotive". A chopped GP9 would just be a body alteration of their existing Genesis-line GP9. That and who's chopped Geeps??? CN and CP would require very different body styles.

There are old rumours of a Genesis-line straight SD40 (ie non"-2" units). In addition the the obvious domestic sales the SD40 would spawn from US modellers, a 'Canadianized' version would be a pretty good seller for Athearn in the Great White North.

Few realize that it's CN who was the largest single purchaser of the original SD40 (241 units: road # 5000-5240), and CP was no slouch either (65 original units: road # 5500-5564, plus 15 second-hand ex-Quebec North Shore & Labrador units #'ed 5400-5414), which makes the SD40 a pretty popular loco up here.

Oh, and add the Algoma Central and the aforementioned QNS&L to the list of Canadian railways that purchased straight SD40's.

So a Genesis SD40 is my best guess.

Good point

Good point. something like this then:

"unveiled"

Since it says "to be unveiled" rather than "to be announced" it could be the first production samples of something that has already been announced.  Such as the ES44AC.  Which would fit the "Canadian fans will like this" statement.

Unveiled

It wouldn't be the first time that samples are shown before official advertising information actually shows up on their website.

Could very well be something that has not been announced (and it definitely sounds like it is). Official announcements aren't always the first time information is publicly released.

SD40 would make sense, since

...

All new tooling = all new locomotive...

And here it is...

Turns out we were all wrong. Who knew Athearn would be scooping Atlas in releasing the older (more common) GP40-widecab variation, the GP40-2L (lighter weight, sits 3'' higher).

A Bit Disappointed

I guess the "L" version hasn't been done before, but the GP40-2(W) sure has.  Sounds like maybe they did a better job on it than Atlas, but I can't see too many trading off their Atlas models for this.  I won't be.  May get an "L" version, but we'll see.  I was hoping for something else.

We've come a lone way since Athearn vs GSB

Disappointed and unlikely to buy any of these either, but then I'm not a CN modeller.

Many who do model the "Government road" were hoping (figuring) that Atlas would eventually do the 9400-9500-early9600-series GP40-2L at some point, so they are probably happy to hear this. Also the serious rivet-counters were all over Atlas' model when it was released, and it sounds like Athearn's will be closer to GMD specs.

Still strange that Athearn picked the GP40-2L considering Atlas had flooded the market with the less common GP40-2W variant (the last CN 9600-series plus the GO Transit 700's). I still think the idea of the SD40 would be a good seller (and have less competition).

Oh well, another example of the manufacturers not caring anymore if the same/similar model has already been released. We've certainly come a long way from the vengeful Irv Athearn era. (Anyone else remember the GSB SD40-2 debacle?)

  Yes, indeed! Disappointed

Yes, indeed! Disappointed and no need for either

FP40 (VIA) with sound would have ben very nice..

I'll keep my vote for rapido: LRC loco and FPA-4. That will be very sweet!

WP Units

The WP units will be interesting. If only Athearn would get away from micro bulbs and install LED's.

Michael

Bring back the Blue Box kits!

Why can't manufactures simply produce engines of NO specific prototype for those of us that still model!  I always enjoyed taking an unfinished model and turning it into something that I like.  And I agree with the 1.5V micro bulbs that last approximately 2 to 3 days on you layout than burn out! I have replaced all my micro bulbs using LEDs and making lenses with fiber optic strands by heating the ends to form a lens than gluing them in place of the bulbs.

Accurail is the new Athearn Blue Box

Thats good to know.

Still would like some more locomotives out there other than very limited run very specific prototypes.  Rolling stock can still be had at swap meets for a reasonable price.  Have quite a few Accurails kits and I like them.  Nice, not to detailed to allow handeling without fear of breaking stuff and durable.

RS-3 Hammerhead ??

How about the RS-3 Hammerhead loco ?   Has this been done recently?   Would make a great Genesis offering.

...

Cause a blue box never, and will never, reliably sell for what they sell their stuff for now!

Undecorated

"Why can't manufactures simply produce engines of NO specific prototype for those of us that still model"

They do. They're called "Undecorated" models.

Athearn, Atlas, Intermountain and Bowser (probably more) still offer them. Just few hobby shops stock them since few of us are still super-detailing/painting diesels.

In general I see the new

In general I see the new Genesis GP40-2 as a positive announcement.  On the one hand I already have 6 of the Atlas D&RGW GP40-2's, but the Rio Grande relied on heavily on GP40 models, so can't have too many.  At the prices they will be going for I know I can't afford more than one or two but will try to manage it if and when Athearn offers them.  I expect Athearn will offer SP and SSW versions too.

"No specific prototype" clarification

Dear Nelson,

Just a clarifying question, when you say "no specific prototype",
are you talking RE paint scheme only, or supplied/attached details?

The reason I ask is that even a freelanced shortline has a "backstory", and if that backstory includes sourcing EMD Whatevers 2nd hand as their main form of motive power, then having a "Freelance and Wherever" GP40 that _happens_ to still have it's full-set of (insert heavy prototype GP40-using RR here) telltale details helps "sell the story"... (The paint scheme may have changed to protect the innocent, but the details tell the story... ).

I can think of quite a number of ex-SP SW1500s running on shortlines now which can still visibly "trace their heritage" from observation, despite being on their 3rd owner and 5th-layer of paint...
(Modesto and Empire Traction tried to fool everyone by rebuilding the nose and cab light arrays, but we all still know they are ex-SP 1500s.... ).

Even if the "F&W shortline" supposedly was sooo flush with cash as to be able to order their EMD Whatever's new, it's likely that they would pick an established "big railroad's" configuration (hence "externally visible details") as the loco manufacturer was already "tooled up" to build such a config from the big RR's previous order...

The logical thought is that, undec units are a "blank canvas" for freelance paintschemes,
(pity Undecs aren't more commonly available!),

but having an "undec with given prototype details included/attached" helps anchor the story of the "F&W", and thus provides a potential positive for the modeller...

Just thinking out loud...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

RS-3 "Hammerhead" a one-off?

Dear James,

IIRC, the RS-3 hammerhead was a one-off conversion to add a steam-generator plant to a stock freight RS-3?
"One-sies" (not the item-of-clothing!) are always a hard sell from a commercial perspective for manufacturers...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

PS of course, if someone like Cannon did a "Highnose RS conversion kit" like they do their EMD nose kits, that would make a "Hammerhead" a easier/do-able conversion. Alternatively, I see a RP RS high-nose project in someone's future...

Hammerheads by Alco

A hammerhead has a steam generator and dynamic brakes.  There was room in the normal short hood for one or the other.  CNW had some RSD5s with hammerheads as well.  I think each road that had hammerheads had a slightly different version. 

As for the Athearn announcement, I was hoping for CLC/FM H24-66, especially CP 8901-8904 with the full-width short hood holding 2 steam generators. 

Prof KlyZlr.......

Both to clarify.  Yes you are correct in that most if not all short lines have a backstory but my request for plain jane models is so that they can be superdetailed to match the roads that run in my region as very few models exist fro Pan Am.  (Most all of their units are used and purchased from other roads anyways but details are mismatched from unit to unit.) Pan Am is the (Parent Co.) of my freelanced shortline so you will see both Guilford and Pan Am motive power running across the layout.

I guess I just would like to buy brand new engines once in a while and not have to pay $300.00 thats all!

Bring 'em on

The WP units will hurt my wallet for sure.  I see another old kitbash getting retired.

Rob, did you dip from the

Rob, did you dip from the Atlas well on GP40-2's?  How did you like them?

Anyway, I expect any D&RGW GP40-2's will hurt my wallet too, as much as I can swing it at around $150 a pop non-sound discount price assuming prices hold.