Athearn Genesis Just Announced Three SP GP9E's Due in Late 2024

Hello friends,

Much of the time, when we hear about a manufacturers upcoming release of product, getting excited does not seem to happen the way it used to. Its my own fault, I seem to model a narrow window of time and there has not been a lot of product available for that period in the recent past.  Add that fact to Arizona Southern being a niche style project and one can see that our interests are far from what most consider main stream. Enter Athearn Genesis who just advertised the forthcoming release of more of their wonderful SP GP9 models with DCC and Tsunami 2 Sound; that got my full attention. I already have a few of these from earlier runs, but one version that is always welcome are those that feature the long hood paper air filter box. SP GP9E 3777 features this detail, not to mention dual snow plows, so of course it just had to be pre-ordered; let the waiting begin.

This is the factory drawing of said locomotive GP9E 3777, just to help any of those unfamiliar with SP's GRIP Program see what it is that I've touched upon. The other two versions that they're offering are another Phase II high short hood model and a low nose Phase III version, of which we already have each style. Seems the venerable GP9's are regulars on the branchline that connects AZSO with the SP; they are reliable and not too hard on the rails.

Well, that's about all I have for now. Just trying to keep folks posted about what's going on in the world of the Arizona Southern and its connections. Thanks for reading this far, drop us a note if the mood strikes you.

Best wishes,

John Huey