[FC] Athearn Buys Highliner's

["RailNews_@_aol.com"]

The following is a preliminary report from the  August issue of RAIL LINE
NEWS:

Los Angeles, California, July 8, 1998.
ATHEARN PURCHASES HIGHLINER'S F SERIES TOOLING
   Rail Line News has confirmed that Athearn has purchased from Highliner's
the F Series tooling developed by Paul Lubliner for both A and B unit diesels.
It has been reported that Lubliner had finished the tooling for the A unit
this week and would have preliminary samples at an event in Flagstaff this
weekend as well as at the National Train Show later this month in Kansas City.
   Highliner's has been marketing a kit for their B unit for several years. It
has received high praise and a consensus amongst critics that it is the most
accurate replication of the prototype offered in a mass produced HO model.
Although unconfirmed, some early reports say the new A unit Lubliner has
tooled is every bit as good and possibly even better than his acclaimed B
unit. 
   Athearn will market decorated F-2 A&B, F-3 A&B, F-7 A&B and F-9 A&B diesel
units under its upscale Genesis line. The HO scale F units will feature the
Genesis  Millenium II drive system. 
   Athearn hopes to have at least one roadname each for the F3, F7 and F9
locomotive sets ready for the 1998 Christmas selling season. The F7 A&B will
be a Santa Fe warbonnet. No information is available on what the other
roadnames will be. Actual release dates, stock numbers and pricing were not
announced.
   As part of the purchase agreement, Highliner's will have exclusive rights
to market undecorated F Series body kits, manufactured by Athearn.

Dick Bale
RAIL LINE NEWS
7720B El Camino Real, Ste 463
Rancho La Costa, CA 92009
V/F 760-944-9215
Email: "RailNews_@_aol.com"


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