With the March 2023 new announcements comes two brand new HO scale models that have never been produced in HO scale plastic before. Both U.S. and Canadian modelers will find that these new models fill a void that has been missing the past few years and the Athearn team has heard the call from modelers for both of these prototypes.

Starting with the Athearn Genesis is the all-new BX-172 and its latter version rebuilt by Texarkana. A bit of background on these boxcars: In 1974 and 1975, Santa Fe built a series of 60ft, high-cube boxcars in its Topeka shops. The cars were placed in the number series ATSF 600500-600599 and featured single 10ft sliding doors. In 1985, much of the ATSF 600500-600599 roster was purchased by the GTW and sent to QSR / General Electric Rail Services in Texarkana, AK to be rebuilt for engine service on the GT system. Interestingly, these cars were never stenciled with a return designation like other GTW engine and auto parts boxcars were. Most were to be returned to Flint. These cars roamed the entire GTW system and into Canada on the CN (Canadian National Railway Company).

The first group (384500-384557) was rebuilt for General Motors engine service in late 1985 and into 1986. The modifications involved were simple- two 8ft plug doors with reinforced door posts replaced a single 10ft slide door. The second group (384558-384576) was rebuilt for Ford Motor Company engine service in 1986. The modifications involved installation of two 8ft plug doors with reinforced door posts, as well as rub rails and liners, reducing the cubic footage to 7032 cu ft. These Plate “F” cars wore the classic GT “The Good Track Road” paint scheme from when they left Texarkana, and some still carry this scheme today- albeit battered and faded. In 2003 and 2004, CN rolled out their URL Paint scheme and a handful of the 77 cars would be repainted into the blue CN URL paint scheme. In the mid-2000s, there was a severe downturn in the auto industry, with several plants closing. As a result, some of these cars were deemed as surplus and were sold off to Midwest Railcar and Wisconsin Southern for general service. In 2009, the pools changed except for the cars going to Canada. Oshawa Ontario’s GM plant would consistently see these cars starting in the mid-90s and through all downturns in the auto industry until its plant closure in 2018. After the plant temporarily closed, the GT cars were reassigned to Chrysler axle service. Post-2009, these cars would often make their way either down to Texas or into Mexico for parts and would be sent up to either Detroit, MI in the US or Oshawa, ON in Canada.

As for the remaining ATSF (Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway) cars that were not purchased by the GTW, they were purchased by the Mid-Michigan Railroad, a 1987 shortline startup which operated 39.8 miles of track in Michigan. After this, the cars could be seen patched for BAEX and later PSMX (The Andersons and Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing, respectively).

This is brand new tooling and for this first run, Athearn will offer the original 1974 – 1985 era Santa Fe cars in two different road numbers as well as a two-pack and three different versions and eras of the Texarkana rebuilds for Grand Trunk Western and two versions for Canadian National.

These models are all new tooling and available in a variety of eras. Starting off in their original form and owner, Santa Fe. Athearn is offering the original BX-172 painted and lettered for a 1974 – 1985 era car. Two singles as well as a two-pack, all with unique road numbers, are available for pre-order. For the Texarkana rebuilds, original Grand Trunk for 1985 era are available in three different singles as well as a two-pack. 1988 era Grand Trunk in two singles and faded paint versions for 1990s era are also available in two singles. Those modeling early 2000s will be pleased to see two road numbers available for the 2003 era blue Canadian National as well as one road number for the 2004 brown, both GTW reporting marks.

Athearn HO 60ft Container

Another brand-new model joins the Athearn HO fleet and that is the highly anticipated 60ft container. These extra-long containers were introduced in 2015 for the Canadian market specifically. From Ontario westerly, Canada allows Long Vehicle Combinations (LVC) up to 40 meters in length; that is two full size semi-trailers behind a tractor. The 60ft container is easier to drive than tandem trailers and is perfect for bulky, but light cargo. The containers are built by Singamas Container and Dong Fang Container International and are shipped empty to Canada. They are typically carried in the top position of a 53ft well car on top of another container.

This is the first time a 60ft container has been offered in HO and these will be available as a two container set. Four different sets will be available for the Dong Fang built Canadian Tire containers, as well as three different sets for the Singamas built Canadian Tire and as a bonus, an undecorated kit set that will include one Dong Fang and one Singamas built container.

Don’t miss out on these great new models. You’ll want to place your pre-orders with your authorized Athearn dealer before Friday, March 31st to guarantee your order and receive your new models in July of 2024.