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From: "Paul R DOT Tupaczewski" paultup AT optonline DOT net
Date: Mon, 09 Dec 2002 23:17:28 -0500
Subject: New Athearn EL Bay-Window caboose + other relevant HO goodies
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Folks,

Check it out, this is the new Athearn EL bay-window caboose. Yes, it's
not quite right for the ex-Erie cars, but it's a terrific stand-in for
those who don't want to do a lot of kitbashing or pay $$$ for brass.

This is part of Athearn's new "ready-to-run" line. Yes, this is the same
old bay-window that's been in the Athearn line for years, but it's now
preassembled in China, comes with metal wheelsets, new plastic end
railings, die-cast underframe and Kadee-compatible couplers.

Overall impression: Looks great! The lettering is impeccable (wonder
why? ;), and even the smallest lettering is completely legible and
clear. The most impressive part is the end lettering and the way the
grab irons are yellow (even though they still are all molded on to the
body, a nice effect).

Colors are pretty good, although IMHO the maroon is a little too brown
and the gray seems light. The stripe width seems pretty good to me.
Overall, a great buy and, put into a train, the average observer would
be hard pressed to identify it as a ready-to-run plastic kit and not a
more detailed brass model.

Rumor has it that if this sells well enough, Athearn will do a second
number (and hopefully, will tweak the colors a bit in the process!)


Other stuff that's new: Details West has released some new detail parts
that will make life easier for EL fans, notably:

RA-322: "Nail" type antenna (seen a lot on EL F-units)
SA-319: Half-rounded top spark arrestor (seen on EL GP7s, Fs, others)


- Paul


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