1981. Similar cars were built by Thrall in 1983 and by Ortner in
1985. The model rides on Buckeye six-wheel trucks that will be
available separately.
Accurate 1:87 models of M1A1 Abrams tanks are under devel-
opment and will also be available separately. Visit the above
website for complete details or to place a reservation.
At the National Train Show
Athearn
) introduced
its new EMD SD40, which is scheduled for release next March.
MRH staff member Jeff Shultz snapped this photo of the pre-
production sample of the HO scale Ready-to-Roll® locomotive.
Although Athearn has had an SD40 in its line for many years,
this new version has been completely re-tooled with a new
body shell, long hood, roof line, walkways, and pilots. There
will be several variations in shell components to permit various
road-specific details. For example, several different dynamic
brake blisters and non-dynamic brake hatches have been
tooled and the side radiator sections have been designed to
accept either “chicken wire” or Farr grilles. Different combina-
tions of the sub-base doors, cab, and nose can be tailored to
replicate the practice of various railroads.
The frame of the SD40 is sound-ready and will accommodate
an SD45 Genesis replacement motor for easier speed-matching
to other models. In addition to Union Pacific as shown here,
