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Reply to "Athearn O scale"

If Athearn (or InterMountain) we’re to return to O scale, I think they would be smart to release a foundation product to build their market share on. Both could expand their existing freight truck lines. Plastic 70, 100, and 120 ton roller bearing trucks with NMRA bolster heights. Modern caboose trucks also. Basically match both companies existing products. A 36 inch metal wheel like the InterMountain 33 inch would complete a solid foundation! Of course available with traditional or P48 bolsters.

I know there are other options available for most of these, but they are mis-matched at best and I’m of the opinion that the trend to use cast metal is ultimately proving flawed. The castings out of China at market price have been a metallurgy risk. I also understand that cast metal helps with weighting, but for me, logically it’s easier to find other ways to fix weight than to try and make my own trucks. 

Once the trucks are at market, I’d move to common components like draft gear, brake gear, running boards, doors, ends, etc. FWIW, it appears this is how Kadee manages their HO freight cars offerings.

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
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