Athearn Trains reports loss of manufacturing partner

Athearn Trains says short-term delivery of its model railroad products will suffer

Published: January 16, 2012

Athearn Trains posted on its Facebook page Jan. 14 the loss of one of its “close manufacturing partners” that has had to “discontinue business.” As a result, Athearn is expecting some short-term delays in its delivery schedule.

One of the primary manufacturers of Athearn products is Creative Master Ltd. (CML) of China. A news release similar to Athearn’s has come out of the UK from die-cast bus distributor Creative Master Northcord Ltd., saying CML has been declared bankrupt.

Athearn stated it expects its “combined capacity” and relationships with other manufacturing facilities will allow it meet its future project commitments.

The Facebook post added Athearn does expect to deliver “our Genesis DDA40X, Genesis Bay-Window Caboose, our next run of SD70ACe/SD70M-2s, and several other products in the first half of 2012.” It also said the company will be making some new product announcements soon and customers should watch its Facebook page for more updates on this “fluid” situation.

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GREG JONES from OREGON said:

Personally I liked the BB kits. Sure there isn't as much detail but I have been running them for 40 years. I like to build kits rather than pull them out of the box and run them. While a lot of the new kits are nice, the RTR's are really expensive to buy for younger people and old timers like me on reduced incomes. Luckly I bought many kits over the years and still have some to assemble. And operating a business in the US doesn't suck but running any business anywhere isn't as easy as punching a time clock. China"s problem, as I hear it is people there won"t work for nothing any more. Maybe it will bring the business that used to be done here back to the US of A. There are many companies that are comming back, why not rail road kits?

Submitted: 5/13/2012 8:42:16 PM (CST)

RON A ANDERS from ARIZONA said:

Like the one gentleman says, let's not forget Accurail. They are much more detailed than the old Athearn kits and are still reasonably priced--$11 or$12 each. That still compares very favorably with the old Athearn prices.

Submitted: 3/9/2012 8:19:28 AM (CST)

LARRY MORGAN from OHIO said:

Guys,There are tons of old BB kits left you can find them at train shows and on e-bay.

Athearn has repeatedly said the sales of BB kits had drop sufficiently over the years and discontinuing them was no longer a option.

Another BB killer is the hobby grew up leaving the old generic cars and locomotives in its wake..

I haven't bought a BB or any car kit in years-I prefer the better looking RTR cars from Athearn,Atlas and Walthers..

Submitted: 2/29/2012 7:49:11 AM (CST)

RICKEY ALLINEN from TEXAS said:

Sad news about Athearn. But we have become to rely to much on China.

Submitted: 2/6/2012 3:20:12 PM (CST)

JOHN HAARMANS JR said:

I live in Australia and I buy most of my modeling product from the USA over the internet.Although I find The personal sevices of American Companies exeptionally good, even here in Australia we find it harder to obtain some advertised items and we have to go on a waiting list which can be 8 to 12 months, a little dishartening at times but I am sure the companies are doing their best,. Times are not easy at the moment but better times will come back again J.H

Submitted: 2/6/2012 9:00:31 AM (CST)

PAOLO BERLINGIERI said:

I think it will be better to give new modellers kits easy to build
and fast to put on rails like the old blue box from Athearn . The new models are beutifull but expensive and very delicate for a
hard use

Submitted: 2/6/2012 3:57:45 AM (CST)

PAUL ORLOW from NORTH CAROLINA said:

Hey guys...how come no body mentioned Accurail??? Those kits have far better detail than the BBs, are quite easy to assemble and are in about the same price range as the old BBs.

Submitted: 2/5/2012 11:01:42 AM (CST)

JEFFERY LEAMAN from INDIANA said:

Thats why I am decrying the loss of the Branchline "Yardmaser" series of kits that are well-detailed and relatively easy to build. To me, they picked up where the BB's left off. Hope Atlas brings them back. (ANybody got any for sale???)

Submitted: 1/30/2012 8:35:30 PM (CST)

LARRY BAUMAN from WYOMING said:

As for availability of the BB kits. Go to a swap meet or model train show. I understand the limited quantity run and no one wants surplus cars on shelves - that is money spent that is doing nothing for you. But the price of RTR has climbed to a point of discouraging any young person from entering the hobby. I don't need a "musuem" car to get man handled during an op session. Just give me some basic detail. Who needs all that brake rigging anyway?

Submitted: 1/30/2012 5:15:18 PM (CST)

CHARLES ULLRICH from PENNSYLVANIA said:

It's easy to criticize Athearn for their business practices and I wonder haw many of those critics have tried to run a business in the good old US of A recently (last 30 years). Do as Mr. Greenleaf does and vote with your wallet but keep in mind that operating a business in the USA sucks.

Submitted: 1/30/2012 4:12:42 PM (CST)