The P&WV Hi-Line

[Blane]

Hello fellow Hi-Line members

Not sure if it's widely known yet or not, but Athearn just announced an ICC caboose in the style of those had by P&WV. Surprisingly, P&WV is one of the road names in the initial release.

More details can be found at this link below:
http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?NYA=True&SearchTerm=Ath_1119+gencaboose

I wish it was painted N&W, but I may get one P&WV since I have a soft spot for them.
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Blane

[PWVJer]

Yes sir Blane,

we have heard they (Athearn Trains)
have had this project(s) interest for some time.
As we understand, a mid-summer release 2020.

Have not seen any info as of yet, however 851 and 854
as delivered paint/reporting marks look to be in production.
High-end, very fine detailed and correct ICC caboose circa:1952.

Jer.

[PWVJer]

BTW, the Bowser Baldwin #40 would be a
real good prototype match for
the ICC cabs.

The P&WV consist regular's on the
Belt Local, Mifflin runs. Circa: early to mid-1950's

[jayrod]

I commend them for producing this body style, one that hasn’t been mass produce in plastic for the modeling masses. The description says roller bearing trucks, hope that’s a typo. I offered to provide vector artwork and sent a sample jpg image. Never heard back. I’ll know if they used any part the sample.
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Eric Schlentner
Aka, jayrod

[PWVJer]

Yep, I believe they got this original idea run from the
Hi-Line 2015 up-date.

https://thepwvhiline.com/PWVInternationalSteelCaboo/PWV_Cab_852_Drawing_Web.html

Also, sent these folks a sample of the Big-E super-fine graphics
about a year or so ??? ago....
Yaaa, think/maybe/might was a pilfer-job.
May know for sure when this model comes out.

BTW,
Jayrod did we ever send good graphics for
the Bowser people's AS616 project ?

...still search'n for FM H-20-44 drawings/erection diagram/builder specs. etc.

JR/JZ.

[jayrod]

I contacted them, no response.
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Eric Schlentner
Aka, jayrod

[Rich_S]

I'm sorry, but at $109 dollars have they lost their minds. Prices of new products are pushing the average person right out of this hobby.
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Regards,
Rich S.

[jayrod]

Such is the world of limited runs of rarer prototypes. They have to make their R&D money back. I understand it, but it does price it out of the market for the average someone that may want more than one. I can't help but wonder if a contract producer would be a good idea in the US. Automate the process to keep the labor cost down. But the return on investment probably isn't there. And that opens the door a crack more for 3D printing....
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Eric Schlentner
Aka, jayrod

[Rich_S]

Hi Eric, Yes, 3-D printing seems to be where the hobby is headed. But even 3-D printing is expensive when you consider all you're getting is an unpainted body shell.

I've seen posts from some of the popular manufacturers stating if they tried to bring production back to the US, model prices would triple. If that's the case, I'm not sure where this hobby is headed.

Walking through the local hobby shop the other day, I almost fell over when I saw the prices on some of the new MTH and Lionel O scale diesel locomotives, my heart couldn't take the prices on O scale steam. This is why I switched to N scale a number of years ago, the prices were affordable. Unfortunately the prices in N scale continue to climb as well.

Yes, it's nice Athearn is making a HO scale model of a P&WV caboose, but at $109 I don't need one that badly. What's the real shame is they sell the Northeastern style caboose for $29.98 and the P&WV road name is not offered on that model.
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Regards,
Rich S.

[PWVJer]

...well I purchased (years ago) two 1:87 brass Overland Models $125
for each. Add paint, Lettering, window glazing, code 88 wheel sets etc.
and the investment value went well above $200.

I don't run them, or have any layout just for display...
So, do I need another one? NOoooo.

However, with that said
I most likely will break-down UGH!! Jez!! and buy one.

Jer.

[jayrod]

Whatever happened to this announcement. I assume it was cancelled as I can not find any reference to it on their website.
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Eric Schlentner
Aka, jayrod

[Rich_S]

[quote="jayrod"]Whatever happened to this announcement. I assume it was cancelled as I can not find any reference to it on their website.[/quote]

Hi Eric, I believe these things sold like hot cakes.

http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATHG78307

I have never dealt with the hobby shop "House of Trains" but according to their website, they still have at least one in stock.

https://houseoftrains.com/products/athg78307-pwv-icc
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Regards,
Rich S.

[jayrod]

Don’t want to buy one, was just wondering if they copied my artwork. That would irritate me a bit. Anyone have any good closeup photos?
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Eric Schlentner
Aka, jayrod

[PWVJer]

...OHhoooYAaaaa....

I checked one (851) at a local Hobby Shop about a month ago.
E- man, it's OK to be a bit wary and maybe a tad upset.
My observation , yep a pilfer job.

You did most of the research, and ALL graphics work.
Matched the proto type 99.9% ..and did not receive
so much as an " at-a-boy ! "

Model folks, this is why the Hi-Line only post at 72dpi , and
never to any particular scale. If you want P&WV graphics that
are accurate " Big E Productions " all original info from the
GIANT P&WV ARCHIVE collection(s).

Samples Bluford Shops (N-scale) to Cass WV, (12 inch's-to-the-foot )

[jayrod]

What I find odd is that model companies pay someone to sit and trace images when, if politely asked, I’ll provide ready to go P&WV vector art either for free or in exchange of a sample. I’ll have to see a caboose or good close up images before I decide if I need to put them on my “unfriendly� list or worse.

Just so everybody here knows (mini rant coming....), I have clients that pay for the work I do on real equipment and it isn’t fair to me to profit off of my artwork without permission. It takes many hours of research and drawing on the computer just to make accurate artwork for one car. On the flip side, I do donate a lot of work depending on what the project is but one should never assume I will donate. And, scaling my art does not provide the excuse of fair use or derivative work. P&WV had many variations in lettering styles and graphics over the years that you wouldn’t ordinarily notice so I have a lot of time invested in all the artwork I’ve done.

(Steps off soap box).
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Eric Schlentner
Aka, jayrod

[Blane]

Sadly, it's not surprising that Athearn did that given how they seem to alienate their own customers by ignoring feedback from them when there's a mistake or not taking up offers from such individuals to help with ensuring an accurate model. Stealing your artwork for their own project with no proper acknowledgement or credit for your efforts is honestly quite disgusting and sadly seems to be part of the current problems with Athearn.

There's someone I've seen in the freight car groups who seems to regularly offer up improved/corrected lettering artwork and data for them out of the goodness of their own heart, which is very nice, but at the same time Athearn should be doing that research and appropriately acknowledging such people instead of just going with iffy artwork or relying on the goodwill of others to ensure their models are up to snuff.

In short, Athearn's current state of affairs keeps me very wary about buying future products from them (especially higher-end Genesis equipment if the end result is wrong and/or is done without proper credit).
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Blane