Well, I got my new set of 3 Athearn 2,970cf covered hoppers today and
am both ecstatic and very depressed.
First, the ecstatic - they look great. Whitish color, excellent
detail, correct scale, correct LO-11 car numbers - can't wait to get
them on the layout.
Now the depressed - Though correctly numbered for CB&Q's LO-11 class
2,970cf covered hoppers, the data, build date, and lettering are for a
CB&Q LO-7 class 3,200cf ACF covered hopper! Yes, that's right, close,
but no cigar!!! The first thing that tipped me off was the "NEW 2-66"
on the side of the car. The CB&Q LO-11's came in October 1968 (10-68).
Then I looked at the CAPY, LD LMT, and LT WT data and compared them to
the gorgeous color photo of a Q LO-11 on page 60 of BB No. 20. They
didn't match!! The Athearn car has correct number 183900 and correct
CAPY of 200000, but has LD LMT 205700 (should be 209700) and LT WT of
57300 (should be 53300). Perfect picture of a perfect model with wrong
data!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it! I though, how could Athearn have
messed this up? Then it dawned on me, so I looked at p. 55 of BB 20
and there it was - a great B&W picture of a CB&Q LO-7 3,200cf ACF
covered hopper numbered 184388 built... Yes, 2-66!!! And gues what?
Since it is a bigger car the LD LMT is 205700 and the LT WT is 57300.
So, we know have a perfect numbered CB&Q 2,970 LO-11 lettered as an LO-7.
I realize many people won't notice this, but I have been waiting for
this car with such anticipation! Now this. And with all the work
Athearn put into this car it could have truly been a perfect CB&Q car.
My question is, When is this sort of stuff going to end? How hard can
it be to model such an exquisitely detailed scale model car (the
Athearn 2,970cf) and then not work with a historical society to get it
right? I'm not even so much blaming Athearn, as much as I am more
wondering if the BRHS was involved? It is truly a shame to have the
perfect prototype car and then have this happen!!
(And yes, I did consider volunteering to be the BRHS model liaison but
it was appointed before I contacted anyone, and yes, I officially
hereby volunteer to help out in diesels and late model freight cars.)
Tom Mack
Very depressed in Cincinnati
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